Dec 21

Dec 21 PRODUCT REVIEW: SUNDAY RILEY C.E.O. 15% VITAMIN C BRIGHTENING SERUM - BEST VITAMIN C SERUM FOR FACE, BEST ANTIOXIDANT SERUM

PM Regimen, AM Regimen, acne marks, anti-aging, anti-aging serums, antioxidants, best anti-aging serum, brightening serums, dark spots, hyperpigmentation, Vitamin C, Treatments

SUNDAY RILEY | C.E.O. 15% VITAMIN C BRIGHTENING SERUM

I’m a big fan of Sunday Riley! Two of my favorites are the Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment and the new Pink Drink Firming Essence.

You can catch my review of Pink Drink on the blog here. And, my review of the Good Genes serum is here.

In my mission to try every Vitamin C serum on Earth, I’ve finally availed myself of the opportunity to test out Sunday Riley’s iconic C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum.

Am I the last person to experience this amazing treatment? I wasn’t actually expecting anything remarkable about it. But it does stand out. The C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum has a silky, lightweight creamy serum texture and a very subtle citrus aroma that makes it such a pleasure to use.

With 15% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate — a stable, oil soluble form of Vitamin C that’s considered to be the relative equivalent of pure Vitamin C, Ascorbic Acid. According to the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team, “some researchers believe this form of vitamin C has a greater affinity for skin because its fatty acid component helps aid penetration. It pairs well with other forms of vitamin C and retinol for enhanced effectiveness.”

What does Vitamin C do for skin?

There’s an excellent article on the remarkable benefits of Vitamin C for the skin from the experts on the Paula’s Choice Research Team titled, What is Vitamin C and How Does it Benefit Skin?

Vitamin C is one of the most exciting, research-proven ingredients you can apply to skin (1). This water-soluble antioxidant is a natural component of healthy skin. When we’re young, vitamin C levels in skin’s outermost two layers (epidermis and dermis) are abundant, but as we age, these levels naturally deplete. Unprotected sun exposure (UV damage) and pollution can accelerate this decline, leading to skin looking and feeling dull, uneven, and less firm than it once was (2).
Luckily, there are topical skin care solutions that can help mitigate this damage, so skin looks and feels healthier and younger longer.
Vitamin C Benefits for Skin
Vitamin C’s benefits for skin are vast, including its ability to even out skin tone and diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles (3). While this powerhouse ingredient is well-known for its skin-brightening benefits, research also shows it can shield skin from the visible impacts of environmental stressors, including free radical damage (4). This synergy of mitigating problems both before and after they occur makes vitamin C a force to be reckoned with.

The C.E.O. serum actually works perfectly well as a moisturizer, too, with a high level of Squalane at about 10-12% of the formula by my estimation. In fact, because it’s so lightweight, I’d recommend it as a primary moisturizer for combination and oily skins — among the best face creams with Vitamin C. Normal and dry skin types will want to layer it beneath a heavier cream of a facial oil.

Am I a fan of the formula’s fragrant plant “essential” oils, including Limonene, Sweet Orange Oil and Tangerine Peel Oil? No, of course not. There’s actually nothing essential about them. Limonene is actually quite common in facial skincare, but the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum actually contains a much higher concentration of Limonene than I normally see in an INCI. It’s a chemical component of natural fragrant ingredients, including citrus oils like lemon and species of the mint family.

Again, these fragrant oils give the formula a lovely, sensorial aroma, but fragrance isn’t skincare. And, as I said, I do appreciate, even enjoy, the subtle scent of the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum.

But that doesn’t mean it’s pro-skin health or even good for your skin. It’s only good for your senses!

If you have a sensitivity to fragrance and fragrant plant oils in your facial skincare, I would forego this one.

Perhaps to make up for it, Sunday Riley included what is referred to as a “Phytosterols complex” to purportedly calm the sensitivity the fragrant components may cause in some.

What are Phytosterols?

I found these insights on Phytosterols from the Paula’s Choice Research Team:

Phytosterols are naturally occurring, cholesterol-like molecules found in all plant foods; the highest concentrations are found in vegetable oils such as canola, peanut, safflower, and sesame. Overall, nuts, seeds, and legumes are excellent sources of phytosterols, both for the body and for skin. Soy phytosterols can help replenish and restore aging skin, keeping it pliant and supple.

Despite its fragrant faults, I really enjoy the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum. Again, if you’re sensitive, you may want to take a look at what I consider the best Vitamin C serums for face here.

SHOP THE BLOG: Purchase the C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum for $85 here.

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