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

This moisturizer aims to deliver a dose of Vitamin C along with hydration. It's designed to brighten the complexion and offer antioxidant protection, making it a good all-around option for those looking to address dullness and early signs of aging.

Sephora price

$22.00 - $65.00

Price matters most when you are trying to learn whether this lane belongs in your routine without turning the test into a luxury gamble.

Sephora reviews

4.4 / 5

About 1,153 reviews on the current Sephora source, so there is real volume behind the reputation.

Shoppers keep mentioning

HydratingGood for: Anti-AgingVeganGood for: Uneven TextureBest for Dry, Combo, Normal SkinVitamin CAdvanced Vitamin C (THD Ascorbate): A more stable version of vitamin C that targets visible signs of aging.Sodium Hyaluronate: A humectant blend that attracts and binds water for increased skin hydration.Lutein: An antioxidant that naturally defends the skin from blue light.Fine Lines and WrinklesDrynessand Dullness

These are the shopper themes that keep showing up around this listing and shape why people open it in the first place.

Glass take

4.4 / 5 overall fit

A solid choice for brightening and hydration, especially for dry or combination skin, but may be redundant if you already use a potent Vitamin C serum.

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

Sephora snapshot refreshed April 23, 2026

Price, rating, review count, and source status come from Sephora. Glass adds the routine fit, overlap risk, and what to compare next.

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What Sephora says

What this product is supposed to do

A revitalizing moisturizer that supercharges skin with high-potency, advanced vitamin C (THD ascorbate) and delivers a non-greasy, satin-skin finish.

NormalDryCombinationand OilyFine Lines and WrinklesDrynessand Dullness

C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Moisturizer can be applied morning and night to cleansed skin.

For vibrant skin and a firmer appearance, apply to face, neck, and décolleté.

What Glass adds

What actually matters before you buy it

A good daily moisturizer for those seeking brightening and antioxidant benefits. It works best as a standalone Vitamin C source or when paired with a gentle cleanser and SPF. If you're already using a high-concentration Vitamin C serum, this might be more of a hydrating step.

Brightening effects

Many users report a noticeable improvement in skin brightness and a reduction in dullness after consistent use.

Hydration boost

The moisturizer provides a good level of hydration, leaving skin feeling soft and supple without a greasy residue.

Best for

When this is a smart buy

  • Dull skin
  • Dry or combination skin
  • People seeking a daily dose of Vitamin C
  • Those concerned with fine lines and wrinkles

Skip if

When this is the wrong lane

  • Your skin is very oily and prefers lighter textures
  • You are already using multiple potent Vitamin C treatments
  • You have a compromised skin barrier and need gentle, barrier-repairing ingredients only

Routine fit

Where this fits in your routine

Apply this moisturizer after cleansing and any treatment serums. It can be used both morning and night. For optimal results, ensure you follow with sunscreen in the AM.

Why it works

Where it earns the slot and where it does not

The useful question is not whether this product is good in a vacuum. It is whether it makes your routine easier to run or just adds one more bottle with a familiar ingredient on it.

What it actually does well

  • Brightening Vitamin C
  • Hydrating formula
  • Antioxidant protection
  • Pleasant texture

Where it starts to feel redundant

  • May be redundant with other Vitamin C serums
  • Not ideal for very oily skin types
  • Price point

Routine fit

Where it belongs in the stack

Morning and Night

This moisturizer can be used twice daily. In the morning, it complements your SPF routine. At night, it provides overnight hydration and repair.

Glass rating

How this formula scores in real life

4.4/ 5 overall

A solid choice for brightening and hydration, especially for dry or combination skin, but may be redundant if you already use a potent Vitamin C serum.

Routine fit

4.5 / 5

Integrates well into most routines, offering hydration and brightening without being overly heavy.

Full ingredient breakdown

Every ingredient, what it does, and whether I care

Solvent

Water/Eau/Aqua

Badness

0.0 / 10

The base of many skincare formulations.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Emollient

Dimethicone

Badness

1.0 / 10

A silicone that provides a smooth, silky feel and helps to create a barrier on the skin.

Usually helps with

Smoothing, barrier support

Watch for

Can feel heavy on very oily skin

Emollient

Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate

Badness

1.0 / 10

An emollient that helps to soften and smooth the skin.

Usually helps with

Softening, smoothing

Watch for

Active

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Badness

2.0 / 10

A stable, oil-soluble form of Vitamin C that brightens, boosts collagen, and offers antioxidant protection.

Usually helps with

Brightening, anti-aging, antioxidant

Watch for

Can be irritating for some, especially at higher concentrations or when combined with other actives

Humectant

Polyglycerin-6

Badness

0.0 / 10

A humectant that draws moisture to the skin.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Humectant

Propanediol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A solvent and humectant that helps ingredients penetrate the skin and draws moisture to it.

Usually helps with

Hydration, penetration enhancement

Watch for

Emollient

Phenyl Trimethicone

Badness

1.0 / 10

A silicone that provides a smooth feel and can help to condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Smoothing, conditioning

Watch for

Humectant

Glycerin

Badness

0.0 / 10

A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.

Usually helps with

Hydration, softening

Watch for

Emulsifier

Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/ Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer

Badness

0.0 / 10

An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients, creating a stable formula.

Usually helps with

Stabilizing formulas

Watch for

Humectant

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Badness

0.0 / 10

A form of hyaluronic acid that hydrates and plumps the skin by attracting and retaining moisture.

Usually helps with

Hydration, plumping

Watch for

Antioxidant

Ergothioneine

Badness

1.0 / 10

A powerful antioxidant that helps protect skin from environmental damage and supports skin health.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection, skin health

Watch for

Antioxidant

Xanthophyll

Badness

1.0 / 10

A carotenoid antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental stressors.

Usually helps with

Antioxidant protection

Watch for

Soothing Agent

Allantoin

Badness

0.0 / 10

Soothes and calms the skin, promoting healing and reducing irritation.

Usually helps with

Soothing, calming, healing

Watch for

Fragrance

Citrus Aurantium Amara (Neroli) Oil

Badness

3.0 / 10

Adds a natural fragrance to the product. Can be a potential irritant for sensitive skin.

Usually helps with

Fragrance

Watch for

Potential for irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Emulsifier

Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Crosspolymer

Badness

0.0 / 10

Helps to create a stable emulsion and can provide thickening properties.

Usually helps with

Stabilizing formulas

Watch for

Humectant

Mannitol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A sugar alcohol that can help to attract and retain moisture in the skin.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Humectant

Pentylene Glycol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A humectant and preservative booster that helps improve skin hydration.

Usually helps with

Hydration

Watch for

Solvent

Isododecane

Badness

1.0 / 10

A solvent that can help to dissolve other ingredients and provides a lightweight feel.

Usually helps with

Lightweight feel

Watch for

Emollient

Dimethicone Crosspolymer

Badness

1.0 / 10

A silicone that creates a smooth, non-greasy feel on the skin and can help to lock in moisture.

Usually helps with

Smoothing, moisture retention

Watch for

Chelating Agent

Sodium Phytate

Badness

0.0 / 10

A chelating agent that helps to improve the stability of the formula by binding to metal ions.

Usually helps with

Formula stability

Watch for

Antioxidant

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

Badness

1.0 / 10

An antioxidant that helps to protect the product from degradation.

Usually helps with

Product stability

Watch for

UV Filter

Benzotriazolyl Dodecyl p-Cresol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A UV filter that helps protect the product from UV light degradation.

Usually helps with

Product stability

Watch for

Emollient

Polymethylsilsesquioxane

Badness

1.0 / 10

A silicone that provides a soft, matte finish and can help to absorb excess oil.

Usually helps with

Matte finish, oil absorption

Watch for

Emulsifier

Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Crosspolymer

Badness

0.0 / 10

An emulsifier that helps to create a stable and pleasant texture in the product.

Usually helps with

Texture, stability

Watch for

Emollient

Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil

Badness

1.0 / 10

A plant-derived oil rich in fatty acids that helps to moisturize and condition the skin.

Usually helps with

Moisturizing, conditioning

Watch for

Fragrance

Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Sweet Orange) Peel Oil

Badness

3.0 / 10

Adds a natural citrus fragrance. Can be a potential irritant for sensitive skin.

Usually helps with

Fragrance

Watch for

Potential for irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Preservative

Phenoxyethanol

Badness

2.0 / 10

A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Can cause irritation in some individuals

Humectant

Caprylyl Glycol

Badness

0.0 / 10

A humectant that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the product.

Usually helps with

Hydration, preservation

Watch for

Preservative

Chlorphenesin

Badness

2.0 / 10

A preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

Usually helps with

Preservation

Watch for

Preservative

Ethylhexylglycerin

Badness

1.0 / 10

A preservative that also acts as a skin conditioner.

Usually helps with

Preservation, skin conditioning

Watch for

pH Adjuster

Citric Acid

Badness

0.0 / 10

Used to adjust the pH of the product, making it more compatible with the skin.

Usually helps with

pH balancing

Watch for

Emulsifier

Polysorbate 60

Badness

1.0 / 10

An emulsifier that helps to blend oil and water ingredients.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying

Watch for

Emulsifier

Sorbitan Isostearate

Badness

1.0 / 10

An emulsifier that helps to create a stable and pleasant texture.

Usually helps with

Emulsifying, texture

Watch for

Compare before you buy

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FAQ

The fast answers people actually need

Is this moisturizer good for oily skin?

While it targets multiple skin types, including combination and normal, those with very oily skin might find it a bit rich. It's generally better suited for dry to combination skin types.

Can I use this with other Vitamin C products?

It's generally not recommended to layer multiple high-potency Vitamin C products. This moisturizer provides a good dose of Vitamin C, so consider it as your primary Vitamin C source for the day or night, or use it on days you skip your Vitamin C serum.

What is THD Ascorbate?

THD Ascorbate is a stable, oil-soluble form of Vitamin C that is known for its brightening and antioxidant properties. It's often preferred for its stability and efficacy.