Avalon Organics Vitamin C Radiance Serum Versus Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Avalon Organics Vitamin C Radiance Serum 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Avalon Organics Vitamin C Radiance Serum 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Squalane
Emollient
Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter
Emollient
Ascorbyl Glucoside
Antioxidant
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Emollient
Citrus Aurantifolia Oil
Cleansing
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil
Masking
Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Rosa Canina Fruit Oil
Emollient
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Curcuma Longa Root Extract
Masking
Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Lavandula Angustifolia Extract
Skin Conditioning
Silybum Marianum Extract
Skin ConditioningTerminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Algin
Masking
Calcium Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate Citrate
Emollient
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Water, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Squalane, Theobroma Cacao Seed Butter, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Glyceryl Stearate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantifolia Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis Peel Oil, Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil, Linum Usitatissimum Seed Oil, Rosa Canina Fruit Oil, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Curcuma Longa Root Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia Extract, Silybum Marianum Extract, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Algin, Calcium Ascorbate, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Xanthan Gum, Limonene, Linalool
Water
Skin ConditioningTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
PEG-8 Beeswax
Emulsifying
Hydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate
Emulsifying
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Acetamidoethoxyethanol
HumectantJojoba Esters
Emollient
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingGlycine Soja Sterols
Emollient
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Glycolic Acid
Buffering
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Phytate
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Oil
Masking
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Cera Alba
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Terpene Hydrocarbons
Perfuming
Saccharide Isomerate
HumectantWater, 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 Oil, Chlorphenesin, Cera Alba, Glycerin, Terpene Hydrocarbons, Saccharide Isomerate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterGlycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPolyglyceryl-6 Distearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD) is a stable and oil-soluble form of Vitamin C.
THD is special in that it has the ability to travel deeper into skin than traditional ascorbic acid while maintaining the same skin benefits (double win!).
Because it’s oil-soluble, THD dives deep into your skin’s fatty layers (think ceramides and cholesterol) to fight off the kind of free radicals that mess with your skin barrier. This makes it a great pair with water-based vitamin C (ascorbic acid) that mainly works on the surface.
Even at just 0.1%, THD is already showing great antioxidant activity. When used up to 2%, it helps keep your skin happy and calm, especially when it’s stressed from pollution or sun.
Want to fade dark spots or tackle hyperpigmentation? You’ll want 5% or more. Pairing it with brightening buddies like niacinamide or licorice root gives even better results. One study even used 30% THD with other brighteners and saw real results on stubborn discoloration, even in melasma-prone skin.
A note on THD: It’s has a slightly silky, oily texture and usually shows up colorless or pale yellow (though the exact shade can vary by supplier).
While you can sneak it into water-based formulas, it really shines when paired with silicones or oils, which help your skin soak it up better.
THD is pretty stable, but it’s still vulnerable to degradation like ascorbic acid. Too much light or heat (above 113°F / 45°C) can break it down over time. Go for dark and opaque packaging that keeps it safe and shady!
Read more about other types of Vitamin C:
Learn more about Tetrahexyldecyl AscorbateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Avalon Organics Vitamin C Radiance Serum 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Avalon Organics Vitamin C Radiance Serum 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
my favorite serum
I wear this every morning, combined with the Sunday Riley C.E.O. face oil. It has a great citrus scent. I feel that it has contributed to lightening my dark spots and giving me a brighter complexion.
