Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C ™ Power Brightening Hydra-Gels Versus Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain hyaluronic acid and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain 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
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C ™ Power Brightening Hydra-Gels 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C ™ Power Brightening Hydra-Gels 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Powder
Abrasive
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Chondrus Crispus Extract
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ferulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hydrolyzed Collagen
Emollient
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
Masking
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientPyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract
MaskingCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningFragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Caffeine
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCeratonia Siliqua Gum
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCalcium Lactate
AstringentRicinus Communis Seed Oil
Masking
CI 77491
Cosmetic ColorantDextrin
AbsorbentPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Potassium Chloride
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Disodium EDTA
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Tin Oxide
Abrasive
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Water, Glycerin, Chondrus Crispus Powder, Butylene Glycol, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ferulic Acid, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Tocopheryl Acetate, Niacinamide, Adenosine, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Powder, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Fragaria Chiloensis Fruit Extract, Allantoin, Chlorphenesin, Caffeine, 1,2-Hexanediol, Ceratonia Siliqua Gum, Xanthan Gum, Calcium Lactate, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, CI 77491, Dextrin, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Potassium Chloride, Titanium Dioxide, Disodium EDTA, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
EmollientTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantPropanediol
SolventPhenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin
Humectant
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Ergothioneine
Antioxidant
Xanthophylls
Skin ConditioningAllantoin
Skin Conditioning
Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingMannitol
HumectantPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsododecane
EmollientDimethicone Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Phytate
Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate
Antioxidant
Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol
UV AbsorberPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCarthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningCitric Acid
Buffering
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Water, Dimethicone, Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Polyglycerin-6, Propanediol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Ergothioneine, Xanthophylls, Allantoin, Citrus Aurantium Amara Peel Oil, Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Crosspolymer, Mannitol, Pentylene Glycol, Isododecane, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sodium Phytate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl P-Cresol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate
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 GlycerinTetrahexyldecyl 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 AscorbateAllantoin plays a role in soothing and moisturizing the skin. Because of this, it is often added to products with strong active ingredients.
Some studies have shown this ingredient can promote wound healing with higher concentrations.
Allantoin is derived from the comfrey plant but produced synthetically for cosmetic products to ensure purity.
Learn more about AllantoinChlorphenesin is a synthetic preservative. It helps protect a product against bacteria in order to extend shelf life. In most cases, Chlorphenesin is paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol.
Chlorphenesin is a biocide. This means it is able to help fight the microorganisms on our skin. It is also able to fight odor-releasing bacteria.
Chlorphenesin is soluble in both water and glycerin.
Studies show Chlorphenesin is easily absorbed by our skin. You should speak with a skincare professional if you have concerns about using Chlorphenesin.
Learn more about ChlorphenesinPhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C ™ Power Brightening Hydra-Gels 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C ™ Power Brightening Hydra-Gels 37 ingredients
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients
my Holy Grail moisturizer!
I am in love with C.E.O. Afterglow! To start with, it has a bright, happy yellow color that disappears when you apply it to your skin. It is the perfect thickness of moisturizer, not too thin, not too thick. It's just right! I wear it every morning, happy to get the great Vitamin C brightening effects it brings.
Felt way too strong. Made my skin gorgeous initially but after serval hours looked exhausted.
