Versus

Sunday Riley C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil Versus Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer

Oil
General Moisturizer
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain 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

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant 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

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil
C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate is an emollient and texture enhancer. Emollients help hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier prevents moisture from escaping, keeping the skin hydrated.

It is the diester of neopentyl glycol and 2-ethylhexanoic acid.

Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tetrahexyldecyl 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 Ascorbate
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

When to use

203 Routines
77% use in am
23% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
77 Routines
75% use in am
25% use in pm
90% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Sunday Riley C.E.O Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil 30 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 1 rating
reneelovesherskin's avatar

reneelovesherskin

2 years ago
Review

I love this face oil!
I wear it in the morning, mixed with the C.E.O. Vitamin C serum. I think it's really contributed to a brighter complexion with lightened dark spots. I also like the slight citrus scent of it.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer 33 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Heavy (1)
reneelovesherskin's avatar

reneelovesherskin

2 years ago
Review

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.

lisawilkerson's avatar

Lisa Wilkerson

5 months ago
Review

Felt way too strong. Made my skin gorgeous initially but after serval hours looked exhausted.

#expensive
#hydrating
#irritating
#heavy