Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer
Updated on December 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 7 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily 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
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
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer 70 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer 70 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
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
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Lactic Acid
Buffering
Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningNiacinamide
Smoothing
Centella Asiatica Extract
Cleansing
Ceramide Ng
Skin Conditioning
Superoxide Dismutase
Antioxidant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Phospholipids
Skin ConditioningSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Skin ConditioningSodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan
CleansingInonotus Obliquus Extract
Skin ConditioningSaccharide Isomerate
HumectantFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Soy Isoflavones
Skin ConditioningAloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Skin Conditioning
Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Methyl Gluceth-20
HumectantPropylene Glycol
Humectant
Sodium PCA
HumectantMyristyl Myristate
Emollient
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Carbomer
Emulsion StabilisingCetearyl Olivate
Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingLauryl Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPotassium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Glycolate
BufferingC13-15 Alkane
SolventSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Phytic Acid
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Citrate
BufferingTetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Pentasodium Pentetate
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract
EmollientTriethyl Citrate
Masking
Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract
Masking
Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract
Perfuming
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCananga Odorata Flower Extract
Perfuming
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract
RefreshingCoffea Arabica Seed Extract
MaskingCucumis Melo Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningFucus Vesiculosus Extract
Emollient
Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract
Masking
Rose Extract
Skin ConditioningRosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract
AntimicrobialSalvia Officinalis Leaf Extract
CleansingSantalum Album Wood Extract
Perfuming
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sorbic Acid
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Water, Squalane, Glycerin, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Lactic Acid, Silybum Marianum Fruit Extract, Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica Extract, Ceramide Ng, Superoxide Dismutase, Quercetin, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Carboxymethyl Beta-Glucan, Inonotus Obliquus Extract, Saccharide Isomerate, Ferulic Acid, Ubiquinone, Soy Isoflavones, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phytosphingosine, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Methyl Gluceth-20, Propylene Glycol, Sodium PCA, Myristyl Myristate, Butylene Glycol, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Adenosine, Carbomer, Cetearyl Olivate, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Lauryl Laurate, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide, Sodium Glycolate, C13-15 Alkane, Sorbitan Olivate, Phytic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Pentasodium Pentetate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Triethyl Citrate, Lavandula Angustifolia Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Cananga Odorata Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Amara Flower Extract, Coffea Arabica Seed Extract, Cucumis Melo Fruit Extract, Cupressus Sempervirens Leaf/Stem Extract, Fucus Vesiculosus Extract, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis Leaf Extract, Santalum Album Wood Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
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 WaterTetrahexyldecyl 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 AscorbateSqualane 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 SqualanePhenoxyethanol 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.
Caprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolGlycerin 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 GlycerinSaccharide Isomerate comes from sugars found in corn. It is a skin hydrator.
The structure of this ingredient can be altered to be more similar to the carbohydrates found in our skin. This ability to mimic our skin gives it hydrating properties.
Specifically, saccharide Isomerate is a humectant. Humectants draw moisture from the air to our skin.
Research shows Saccharide Isomerate to be an effective moisturizer.
Learn more about Saccharide IsomerateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Vitamin C Lactic Oil-Free Radiant Moisturizer 70 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
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.
