Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer Versus CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Gel Cream
Updated on March 14, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe general moisturizers. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
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, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, 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
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients
CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Gel Cream 47 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients
CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Gel Cream 47 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
Emollient
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Polyglycerin-6
HumectantPropanediol
Solvent
Phenyl 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
Humectant
Pentylene 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
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
Humectant
Hippophae Rhamnoides Water
Masking
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Glycerin
Humectant
Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate
Skin Conditioning
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingTromethamine
BufferingCitrus Junos Peel Oil
Astringent
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Trehalose
Humectant
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPhytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Saccharide Isomerate
Humectant
Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
Antimicrobial
Ascorbic Acid
Antioxidant
Dextrin
AbsorbentPolyglutamic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningGardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract
Cosmetic ColorantSodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract
AstringentSodium Citrate
BufferingCitric Acid
Buffering
Melilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentChaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract
Skin Protecting
Prunus Persica Fruit Extract
Abrasive
Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract
Skin Conditioning
Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract
AstringentAnanas Sativus Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningVaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract
Antioxidant
Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract
EmollientVitis Vinifera Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningRubus Idaeus Fruit Extract
AstringentCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLimonene
Perfuming
Linalool
Perfuming
Water, Butylene Glycol, Hippophae Rhamnoides Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Niacinamide, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Tromethamine, Citrus Junos Peel Oil, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Trehalose, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phytosteryl/Octyldodecyl Lauroyl Glutamate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Saccharide Isomerate, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Mandelic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Dextrin, Polyglutamic Acid, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit Extract, Gardenia Jasminoides Fruit Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rubus Fruticosus Fruit Extract, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Chaenomeles Sinensis Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Flower Extract, Vaccinium Angustifolium Fruit Extract, Prunus Persica Fruit Extract, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, Fragaria Vesca Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus Fruit Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Actinidia Chinensis Fruit Extract, Vitis Vinifera Fruit Extract, Rubus Idaeus Fruit Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Limonene, Linalool
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 GlycerinThis is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and even out skin tone.
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidSorbitan Isostearate is an emulsifer and cleaning agent. It is created from isostearic acid and sorbitol.
As an emulsifier, Sorbitan Isostearate prevents oils and water from separating.
Due to its isostearic acid base, it may not be safe for Malassezia or fungal acne.
Learn more about Sorbitan IsostearateIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients
CommonLabs Vitamin C Brightening Gel Cream 47 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
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.
