From Vitamin C to Retinol, These Are Sunday Riley’s Best Products
June 18 | 3 minute read
Words by The MECCA Memo
When Texas-born entrepreneur Sunday Riley launched her eponymous beauty brand in 2009, the blueprint was simple – botanical-based, science-backed skincare that can “make a change in the way people look and feel.”
With its fast-acting formulas and playful, unintimidating packaging (who doesn’t want an inky-blue retinol called ‘Luna’? More on that later), Sunday Riley skincare quickly reached cult status. As the brand’s CEO, founder and chief product formulator, Riley holds her products to the highest standards, always looking for “the most effective solution possible.”
Die-hard fans (and there are a lot of us) love the brand’s focus on results-driven formulas and high-quality ingredients. Others are impressed by Sunday Riley’s environmental credentials – they’re B Corp- and Green Lab-certified, ‘plastic neutral’ and have redesigned their packaging to use more sustainable materials (and as face oil experts, they’re also committed to a ‘zero waste oil’ policy).
Curiosity piqued? If you’re ready to join the thousands of customers clamouring to leave a five-star review, here’s where to start…
Queen of the AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), lactic acid gently buffs away dead surface skin cells to reveal smoother, clearer skin.
Good Genes also contains liquorice to brighten the appearance of age spots and discolouration, as well as soothing arnica. Want to really turn up the brightness? Mix Good Genes with Sunday Riley’s Ceramic Slip Cleanser.
C.E.O. Afterglow is also enriched with sodium hyaluronate, a powerful moisture-attracting blend that draws in hydration and keeps it there. It’s all the glow-giving benefits of vitamin C in the form of a non-greasy, silky-smooth daily cream – perfect for combination skin types looking for a radiant finish.
A different kind of caffeine hit to your morning espresso, it reduces the appearance of dark circles for a brighter, refreshed eye area, while the ginseng root extract boosts circulation to keep puffiness at bay. Auto Correct is also infused with cocoa and shea butter – making for an ultra-hydrating formula that sinks into the skin in seconds.
Luna’s mix of cold-pressed blue tansy (which gives it the indigo hue) and German chamomile oil help to cushion the delivery of retinol, meaning you get the transformative results without the visible redness or sensitivity. A skin win-win.
Gentle enough for sensitive skin, the formula pays extra-special attention to your skin's microbiome – the delicately balanced ecosystem that keeps your complexion looking and feeling its best. This serum is packed with Brightenyl, a soothing ingredient that both evens the skin tone and helps protect skin to reduce signs of irritation.
