This has been sitting in my empties bin for awhile just for this review, so here it is! $85 is DANG pricey so I’m here to give you what I honestly think.

Specs:

Type of Vitamin C: 15% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Packaging: Pump
Size: 0.5 fl oz
Scent: Slightly citrus-y
Texture: Lightweight serum that absorbs into the skin but isn’t gel texture.

Ingredients:

Water, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Squalane, PEG-8 Beeswax, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Jojoba Esters, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycine Soja Sterols, Tocopherol, Glycolic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Phytate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Oil, Chlorphenesin, Cera Alba, Glycerin, Isosqualane, C30 Hydrocarbons, Saccharide Isomerate.

Performance:

Aside: Vitamin C is a hot ingredient, as you may probably know by now. It’s awesome for brightening, evening skin tone, and is a good antioxidant to prevent/treat UV damage. In general, there are 2 main challenges that are posed towards the formulations of this ingredient since naturally it’s 1) unstable and 2)oxidizes fast. And this is also why not all Vitamin C serums are equal; different brands/companies deal with how they want to formulate to address (or not address) these challenges in a variety of ways.

At some point, I was rotating through 3 different Vitamin C Serums…not best practice I know, but honestly it was because of a texture issue. This Sunday Riley serum has the perfect consistency. It wasn’t like the Drunk Elephant Firma-C serum (though I like it) that had an oily consistency, and it wasn’t like my beloved Corsrx Triple Lightening Liquid that was watery at first, but would leave a tacky, sticky residue. This one felt like a normal serum that could be used during the daytime or nighttime no problem under other skincare/makeup.

There are different types of Vitamin C since it’s so hard to stabilize, and I’ve always believed L-ascorbic acid to be the gold standard for Vitamin C. However. I learned that Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is 1) more stable in air and water 2) penetrates deep into the dermis layer of the skin and 3)Sensitive skin friendly. And I love that Sunday Riley has placed this ingredient as #2 in the list, as well as in an airtight pump where it’s even less likely to oxidize. (This was a huge down side of the Cosrx serum, it was in a jar more frequently exposed to air). Since we’re talking about ingredients, did you also notice there’s squalane in here? I had no idea until now! But squalane is naturally found in our skin and hydrates+fights off free radicals. What a great plus having that ingredient high on the list right after Vitamin C!

This serum plays well with other skincare products and didn’t make my skin ever feel like it was stinging or any discomfort. I used this almost every single AM routine paired with sunscreen, and I definitely think that it did help with the acne scarring that I’ve been suffering with in combination with the retinol oil and, of course, sunscreen. Even after using the whole bottle, I don’t see any downsides except for the price point. Vitamin C serums is something you need to use consistently for at least a month to see results, and I really believe this one works! So don’t expect anything overnight!

Verdict:

Yes, buuuut only with a deal because I’m a cheapo! I think this is a great product for anyone wanting to use an everyday, non-irritating, easy to use Vitamin C product. There’s a good amount of Vitamin C in here, but without sacrificing stability and irritability. Plus, it’s not high maintenance. No need to fridge this product! But at the same time, I feel like $85 is up there, but at the same time it makes sense. Will I ever buy it at the full $85? Heck no. But if I were you I’d wait for a sale (at least 20%) to pick it up. Personally, I don’t have sensitive skin, so honestly I would just go with the Cosrx lightening liquid because it’s even more potent, and cheaper (but at the same time more high maintenance) for the price point. And I already know I’m going to be going through these quite fast because I use Vitamin C religiously.

Save Some $:

Sunday Riley is sold in so many retailers, giving you a better chance to snag them for at least 20% off. If this is still just way out of your budget, I would suggest the Klairs Vitamin Juice Drop (~$22), great for irritated skin, but also less potent I believe.

Sunday Riley CEO Rapid Flash Brightening Serum-Retail $85