Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum ingredients, decoded
What Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum is mostly made of, which ingredients do the work and what to watch for — based on the ingredient list the brand publishes.
Vitamin C serum with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, said to brighten uneven tone and dark spots and improve the look of firmness, dullness and texture.
What it targets
Based on which ingredients are in it, how high up the list they are, and whether they are key actives.
Also listed, but probably in too small an amount to do its usual job, so not counted above: Glycolic Acid.
Key ingredients
A more stable vitamin C derivative; gentler but generally less potent than pure ascorbic acid.
Ingredient guide →Worth knowing
- Fragrance allergens listed: Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil. In the EU these must be named when above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products.
- Contains exfoliating acids (Glycolic Acid), which can make skin more sensitive to the sun. Use sunscreen during the day.
What most of it is made of
- WaterBase
- Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateActive ingredient15%
- SqualaneEmollient
- PEG-8 BeeswaxEmulsifier
- Hydrogenated PolydeceneEmollient
1% line: from Phenoxyethanol (#8) onward, ingredients are probably at 1% or less. Phenoxyethanol is limited to 1% in the EU, and ingredients at 1% or less may be listed in any order. Products made only for other markets can use more.
Full ingredient list, decoded (23)
| 1 | Water정제수The base of most creams and toners; dissolves the water-loving ingredients. | Base |
| 2 | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate 15%아스코빌테트라이소팔미테이트A more stable vitamin C derivative; gentler but generally less potent than pure ascorbic acid.Ingredient guide → | Active ingredient |
| 3 | Squalane스쿠알란Stable, skin-like oil that softens without feeling heavy. | Emollient |
| 4 | PEG-8 Beeswax피이지-8비즈왁스Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 5 | Hydrogenated Polydecene하이드로제네이티드폴리데센Light synthetic emollient, a squalane-like alternative. | Emollient |
| 6 | Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate폴리글리세릴-6다이스테아레이트Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 7 | PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer피피지-12/에스엠디아이코폴리머Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed. | Emulsifier |
| 1% line — probably 1% or less below this point | ||
| 8 | Phenoxyethanol페녹시에탄올The most common preservative. The EU caps it at 1%, so everything listed after it is at 1% or less. | Preservative |
| 9 | Acetamidoethoxyethanol아세타미도에톡시에탄올Skin-conditioning ingredient. | Skin conditioning |
| 10 | Jojoba Esters호호바에스터Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 11 | Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer소듐아크릴레이트/소듐아크릴로일다이메틸타우레이트코폴리머Thickener, film-former or powder that sets the texture and finish. | Thickener / texture |
| 12 | Glycine Soja (Soybean) Sterols돌콩스테롤Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 13 | Tocopherol토코페롤Vitamin E. Antioxidant that also protects oils in the formula from going rancid. | Antioxidant |
| 14 | Glycolic Acid Trace글라이콜릭애씨드AHA that loosens dead skin cells for smoother, brighter skin. Increases sun sensitivity.Ingredient guide → | Exfoliant |
| 15 | Caprylyl Glycol카프릴릴글라이콜Humectant with preservative-boosting action. | Preservative |
| 16 | Sodium Phytate소듐파이테이트Binds metal ions so the formula stays stable. | Chelating agent |
| 17 | Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil오렌지오일Fragrance component (essential oil or aroma chemical) on the EU list of allergens that must be named on the label — the list was extended in 2023. | Fragrance allergen |
| 18 | Chlorphenesin클로페네신Preservative capped at 0.3% in the EU. | Preservative |
| 19 | Beeswax비즈왁스Natural wax that thickens and helps lock in moisture. | Wax |
| 20 | Glycerin글리세린A classic humectant that draws water into the outer skin layer. Well tolerated by almost everyone. | Humectant |
| 21 | Isosqualane아이소스쿠알란Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 22 | C30 HydrocarbonsC30하이드로카본Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread. | Emollient |
| 23 | Saccharide Isomerate사카라이드아이소머레이트Plant-sugar humectant that binds to the skin for long-lasting moisture. | Humectant |
Based on the ingredient list the brand publishes; formulas can change and differ by country. The order shows relative amounts, not exact percentages. General information, not medical advice.
Ingredient list as published on the brand’s official website. Formulas change and can differ by country, so check the list on your pack too. General information, not medical advice.