Sunday Riley

Vitamin C is one of my favorite active ingredients, next to retinol and glycolic acid. It’s often more gentle on my skin than other strong anit-aging or targeted active ingredients, though I still see great results. Typically I find that Vitamin C helps keeps my skin bright and even-toned. Here are two Vitamin C moisturizers that I’ve rotated into my routine recently and my thoughts on each:

1. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Protect + Repair Moisturizer – I’m already a huge fan of the Sunday Riley brand so I was immediately interested in trying this new launch. As you can see from the picture above, the texture is rich and decadent though it breaks down a bit when you apply it and feels much thinner on the skin. What you can’t experience from the picture is the amazing fresh citrus scent it has which is one of my favorite features of this product! It makes it so pleasurable to put on. It’s designed to help target anti-aging concerns, hydrate and address dullness and uneven texture. I found that it worked best for me at night because it did leave my skin a tad shiny, but I enjoy how supply and fresh my skin felt after applying. My skin did look smooth and bright while using, though at this point I have not seen any fading of dark spots. Obviously it will not target hyperpigmentation like a concentrated serum, but if you are looking for a moisturizer to add to your routine that will help continue your goal of even skin tone, this would be a great addition. For those with dry skin, it could be a great option for day or night, but if you are oily I would reserve it for the evening only.

2. Murad City Skin Overnight Detox Moisturizer – While the Sunday Riley C.E.O moisturizer can be for day or night, this one from Murad is designed for the evening only. The texture is similar to the SR, but is a tad more lightweight in my opinion. I did not get as shiny when using this, and I felt that it did a great job of hydrating my skin quickly. My skin looked a significant amount brighter when using the SR, yet with the Murad the noticeable result was a smoother and more refined texture to my skin. Any of the rough and bumpy feeling that it had was almost gone within 7-10 days of using it every night. Only a small amount was needed to cover my entire face, and no breakouts or blemishes popped up while using. I can see this being good for both dry and combination skin types, and great for someone wanting an all around great anti-aging moisturizer that will target a myriad of concerns. 

Shop more of my favorite Vitamin C products:

 At first my appreciation for Sunday Riley products began as a fondness, but now I am a full on Sunday Riley convert and LOVER. Each and every product I try from her is better than the last and while I know there are mixed reviews on every new launch she puts out, all of them have consistently worked for my skin. Including her newest one – the U.F.O. Clarifying Oil and Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner.

 1. Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra Clarifying Face Oil – After first falling in love with this oil from Sunday Riley and then experiencing the magic that is this one, I wasn’t sure she could make one that would impress me even more. BUT SHE DID. As someone that suffers from breakouts and stubborn acne on the occasion, I was immediately drawn to this U.F.O. oil because it contains salicylic acid (which my skin responds very well to) and has clarifying properties. I prefer using it at night either alone or with a light hydrating moisturizer on top (currently liking this one and this one). Initially I began applying the oil every other night just to ensure my skin could handle it and wouldn’t flake up, become irritated or have any other unforeseen issues arise. Once I began to see that my skin could tolerate it, I moved to every night. Every now and then my forehead will begin to break out in tiny little bumps and within a few days of using this – they were gone. Though this is an oil, it is one of the least oiliest ones in my collection. It soaks into my skin immediately, leaving my skin hydrated and fresh looking rather than greasy and shiny. And when I wake up the next morning – my pores appear smaller, there is little to no shine on my face and breakouts are minimized, if not gone completely. Like with any new product, I would recommend either getting a sample if you can or testing on a small patch of the face for a few days to ensure you don’t have any adverse reactions.

 2. Martian Mattifying Melting Water Gel Toner – I wasn’t sure what to think of this toner when I first saw it’s texture. I am used to toners being more of a clear watery liquid, so I sat with this on my hand for a minute or so just looking at it. However when I massaged it in, it instantly transformed into a water and felt amazing on the skin. I prefer using this in the morning rather than at night because it helps mattify my skin and leaves it smooth and even so that my makeup is easily applied on top. After cleansing, I apply the Martian toner, an essence if my skin is feeling extra dehyrated and then follow with my serum and moisturizer (currently using this and this in the morning). I noticed how much less shiny my skin was throughout the entire day and as a result, I was able to wear a more glowy makeup on days that I use this toner! While this toner is designed for all skin types, I feel that it would be most effective with more oily skin types – though I always suggest getting a sample if you are interested in trying.