Sunday Riley on the new C.E.O Afterglow, vitamin C and understanding your skin
Sunday Riley’s C.E.O Afterglow is on everyone’s lips, here’s what we learned about the new formula when we caught up with the founder herself.
Sunday Riley introduces C.E.O Afterglow to its cult-favourite vitamin C-powered C.E.O. line, and you have probably heard the beauty community buzzing about this airy custard-like gel cream. L'Officiel Malaysia caught up with the founder herself as she shares everything you want to learn about the new formula.
Can you tell us more about the new C.E.O Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream and its star ingredient THD Ascorbate?
C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream is an extension of our best-selling CEO Collection in Sephora. I really wanted to create a lightweight humectant moisturiser to add the line that would work for all skin types, including acne prone skin. Vitamin C can be very tricky to formulate so it took hundreds of iterations to get it right. For me, the process focused on creating a lightweight texture that sinks in quickly for all skin types, but still hydrates the skin for 24 hours. Perfect for the humid Malaysia weather!
It's formulated with the absolute gold standard of Vitamin C, we use THD Ascorbate in our CEO range – a more potent, stable, and less irritating form of Vitamin C that brightens the appearance of the skin and provides antioxidant support.
Why is stability utmost crucial when it comes to vitamin C?
As loved as vitamin C is, it can be finicky depending on the type you use. You’ll see many skincare products with a form of vitamin C called L-ascorbic acid. Though a powerful type, it’s very unstable. When exposed to the elements (think: air, water, heat, or light), the water-soluble formula breaks down and oxidizes pretty quickly in the bottle — making it less effective. L-ascorbic acid can be irritating to the skin, too, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
We use the gold standard, THD Ascorbate. We incorporate this in our CEO collection because it’s a powerful, stable, and highly targeted to diminish the visible signs of premature aging, while being significantly less irritating than other forms of vitamin C. It’s Clinically proven to brighten the appearance of the skin, provide antioxidant support, and fight the look of premature aging caused by UV-B exposure. The THD ascorbate we use is from Japan. You can get it from cheaper places but in my opinion, and I’ve evaluated it, the quality is significantly reduced and the antioxidant impact isn’t as good. It’s not only about purity, it’s about the strength.
What are the other ingredients worth calling out in this formula?
CEO Afterglow also includes ergothioneine, an amino acid with antioxidant properties, helps to stabilize vitamin C and reduce signs of aging skin. Sodium Hyaluronate: A powerful humectant blend that attracts and binds water, for increased skin hydration.
It is then balanced by a series of botanicals including Lutein (from marigolds), a deep yellow antioxidant derived from marigolds for a boost of antioxidants. My favorite part of the product, besides the scent, is the bright yellow pop of color from the antioxidants! Allantoin, derived from aloe to keep skin moisturized. And a neroli blend of uplifting essential oils.
C.E.O. Afterglow is also clinically proven to improve skin brightness and texture and provide 24 hours of continuous hydration.
Would you recommend layering the Afterglow with the other products from the C.E.O line?
Yes definitely! I use C.E.O. Afterglow multiple times a day. This is an extreme hack but post-cleansing, I’ll often apply Afterglow first basically as a thick water based serum. I mix around 2-3 pumps of CEO 15% Vitamin C Serum, with about 2-3 drops of CEO Glow so both Vitamin C and mix them together in my hand then I apply it. Afterglow sinks in so quickly and makes my skin glow in seconds, so I put it on every morning under makeup — if I wear any — to give my skin a burst of radiance. I feel like this little jar of magic is my secret weapon.
At night, during cold/dry weather periods, I even layer C.E.O. Afterglow under another moisturizer like Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream.
What are the dos and don'ts of incorporating vitamin C into our skincare routine?
Vitamin C in the form of THD ascorbate works well with AHAs and BHAs, niacinamide, and even retinoids. This is why the new Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Cream uses THD ascorbate. It’s lipid-soluble, making it even more powerful at penetrating your skin while being notably less irritating than other forms of vitamin C. In addition to having more firming, hydrating, and brightening effects, it stimulates more collagen production to reduce the appearance of premature aging caused by UVB exposure. Since this form of vitamin C is more stable, it won’t oxidize as quickly, so it has a longer shelf life.
Can you walk us through your AM and PM skincare routine?
I wake up in the morning and I wash my face with Ceramic Slip then I’ll spritz my face with Pink Drink, which helps to support the microbiome. I then apply Afterglow first basically as a thick water-based serum – this is an extreme hack, but I really believe it has brightened the appearance of my skin. Then I mix around 2-3 pumps of CEO 15% Vitamin C Serum, with about 2-3 drops of CEO Glow so both Vitamin C and mix them together in my hand then I apply it. I’m pretty diligent about application, I’ll apply all over my face, under the eye, over the eye, I make sure I apply around the mouth, face, neck and chest.
From here, I might go do some emails, do my thing around the house. I’ll come back and apply Good Genes. If I need a moisturiser, I’ll use ICE Ceramide Moisturising Cream. Finally, I’ll apply Auto Correct Eye Contour Cream around my eyes. I also reapply Auto Correct throughout the day because I have to look awake cause I don’t really sleep.
Plus, I always have product at my desk throughout the day. I’ll always apply CEO Serum and (at the moment) C.E.O Afterglow Vitamin C Brightening Cream throughout the day at least once.
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At night I’ll use Ceramic Slip to cleanse, then A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum; sometimes double retinol with LUNA Sleeping Night Oil. If I’m tired, I mix them, but if I’m not tired, I’ll layer them. I might apply some Good Genes too (if I haven’t used it in the morning), and do something else like maybe listen to an audio book for a minute. Then I add my C.E.O 15% Brightening Serum; I use that twice a day morning and night, followed by moisturiser. And I always wake up at least once in the middle of the night – which is when I’ll apply another layer of CEO 15% Brightening Serum and our ICE Ceramide Moisturising Cream.
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For someone new to Sunday Riley, what's on your recommendation list?
The power of 3 – AHAs, Retinol and Vitamin C! Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment for all over instant glow and radiance. Luna Sleeping Night Oil to improve the appearance of wrinkles, redness, and pores for visibly younger-looking skin. And C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum plus C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream to brighten, even texture and tone and provide 24 hours of continuous hydration.
My skincare philosophy is simple - As a start, I believe there are three key ingredients that everyone should incorporate into their skincare routine for optimal skin health, this includes AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), Vitamin C and retinol. If you’re incorporating these ingredients in some way throughout your routine, you have a recipe for radiant, healthy skin.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that it needs to be overcomplicated and follow a stringent routine or type of layering. We want skincare to be fun and accessible, a form of self-care and taking time out for yourself. Take it slow and listen to your skin!
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