Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum
Updated on July 25, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe serums. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens 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
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
Dr. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum 27 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. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum 27 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 ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingDimethicone
Emollient
Cyclopentasiloxane
Emollient
Maltodextrin
AbsorbentPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Hexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingBisabolol
Masking
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil
Masking
Citrus Limon Peel Oil
Masking
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Alaria Esculenta Extract
Skin ProtectingSyringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract
Skin ConditioningHydrogenated Polydecene
EmollientUndaria Pinnatifida Extract
Skin ConditioningPhospholipids
Skin ConditioningHelianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate
Skin Conditioning
Cellulose Gum
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Water, Glycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Maltodextrin, Phenoxyethanol, Hexylene Glycol, Bisabolol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil, Citrus Limon Peel Oil, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Alaria Esculenta Extract, Syringa Vulgaris Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Undaria Pinnatifida Extract, Phospholipids, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Stearate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Hyaluronate
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 AscorbateHydrogenated Polydecene is an emollient. It creates a non-occlusive film on the skin that offers extra protection for your skin barrier.
The texture of Hydrogenated Polydecene ranges from light and silky to rich.
Hydrogenated Polydecene is the end compound of controlled hydrogenation of Polydecene.
Learn more about Hydrogenated PolydecenePhenoxyethanol 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 GlycerinIngredient 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. Loretta Anti-Aging Repair Serum 27 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.
