Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum Versus Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence
Updated on August 07, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA and Vitamin E
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 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
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum 22 ingredients
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence 42 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
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence 42 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 ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingPolyacrylate Crosspolymer-6
Emulsion StabilisingHydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingPhytic Acid
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Glycerin
Humectant
Betula Alba Juice
AstringentCitric Acid
Buffering
PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emulsifying
Trideceth-9
EmulsifyingSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Tartaric Acid
Buffering
Parfum
Masking
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Polysorbate 60
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Yeast Extract
Skin Conditioning
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
T-Butyl Alcohol
Perfuming
Papain
Skin ConditioningHexyl Cinnamal
Perfuming
Limonene
Perfuming
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
Emollient
Benzyl Salicylate
Perfuming
Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin Conditioning
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Tuber Aestivum Extract
Skin ProtectingAlpha-Isomethyl Ionone
Perfuming
Hydrogenated Castor Oil
Emollient
Stearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Protease
Skin ConditioningSubtilisin
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
Masking
Water, Lactic Acid, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phytic Acid, Phenoxyethanol, Glycerin, Betula Alba Juice, Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Tartaric Acid, Parfum, Potassium Sorbate, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan Isostearate, Yeast Extract, Propylene Glycol, T-Butyl Alcohol, Papain, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Behenyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Chlorphenesin, Tuber Aestivum Extract, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Stearyl Alcohol, Protease, Subtilisin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Citrus Aurantium Amara Leaf/Twig Oil
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 WaterPhenoxyethanol 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.
Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.
Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.
Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.
You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.
There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.
Learn more about TocopherolCaprylyl 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 GlycolChlorphenesin 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 ChlorphenesinGlycerin 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
Elemis Dynamic Resurfacing Essence 42 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.
