Ole Henriksen vs Sunday Riley 2024 (The Definitive Guide)
Famed for their nourishing skincare products packed with efficacious actives and natural botanicals, both Ole Henriksen and Sunday Riley are more than worthy of occupying some shelf space in your bathroom.
Come with us as we compare their best-selling Vitamin C serums side-by-side to help you decide which is best for you and your skincare routine. Enjoy!
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Ole Henriksen vs Sunday Riley Vitamin C
Vitamin C is by far the most popular vitamin in skincare, and rightfully so. Regular use of vitamin C helps your skin produce collagen, heal wounds, reverse sun damage, brighten your complexion, prevent aging, and improve overall skin tone. Experts recommend that even the simplest of skincare routines should include vitamin C because it also makes your SPF more effective.
For this match up, we'll be comparing Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum vs Sunday Riley's C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum.
Worth noting upfront is the fact that both serums not only contain Vitamin C, but also contain another goodie in the form of Vitamin E which helps to protect skin cells from damage and reduces inflammation. That's about as far as the similarities between the two go, though.
The Sunday Riley CEO Vitamin C Serum contains one of the most effective forms of Vitamin C at the most effective concentration: 15% THD Ascorbate. Both highly stable and oil-soluble, it rapidly absorbs into the skin for visible anti-aging benefits.
The Ole Henriksen Truth Serum, on the other hand, contains a weaker form of Vitamin C at a much weaker concentration: a combo of 1.5% Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Calcium Ascorbate. While in theory this makes it "much more stable", the effects are far less potent than that of Sunday Riley's.
In an attempt to make up for the lacklustre concentration of vitamin C, the Truth Serum also contains Hydrolyzed Collagen which helps improve the skin's elasticity. Meanwhile, Sunday Riley's formula includes Phytosterols which *naturally* increase the skin's production of collagen, while also helping to reduce the look of redness due to skin sensitivity.
The C.E.O. serum only gets more impressive when you discover it also contains Glycolic Acid, which not only refines skin texture, but also keeps the pH of the final product at the perfect level for maximum Vitamin C effectiveness.
Maybe we got a bit carried away on the Sunday Riley hype train, but the difference truly is night and day. However, one massive plus in favor of Ole Henriksen's Truth Serum is the fact that the lower concentration makes it *perfect* for those that are new to Vitamin C serums. Take it from us: getting chemical burns is NOT fun, and your skin needs time to build up a tolerance to the potency of Vitamin C.
For veteran Vitamin C users, seriously look no further than the Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Serum. It delivers the most precisely optimal dosage of Vitamin C that you can possibly find, and you won't find one better.
For those looking for their first foray into the world of Vitamin C serums, the Ole Henriksen Truth Serum is an excellent start due to it being a lot weaker, allowing your skin to grow accustomed to the potency of Vitamin C.
Truth Serum by Ole Henriksen
Our rating: ★★★★★
Price: $$$$
Brightens, firms, fights visible signs of aging and delivers all-day hydration.
What makes it special? Enriched with orange and green tea extracts, this fast-absorbing, oil-free vitamin c serum formula revives the complexion. Indulge in this serum’s sweet, energizing citrus aroma and silky texture as it glides beautifully on the skin for a healthier, more youthful-looking glow.
Which skin types? All skin types.
CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum by Sunday Riley
Our rating: ★★★★★
Price: $$$$
Targeted to quickly fight the look of dullness, dark spots, and discoloration.
What makes it special? This hydrating antioxidant formula instantly illuminates the complexion with bright radiance, while phytosterols help to reduce the signs of skin sensitivity. Saccharide Isomerate extract diminishes the appearance of pores and reinforces the skin’s moisture barrier for a skin-smoothing glow. Rapidly brighten the appearance of the skin and boost vital skin bounce, in a flash!
Which skin types? For all skin types.
This article was originally published on May 12th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 6th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.
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Calum Torrington is the founder of FemmeNordic. He has worked as a beauty editor since 2020 and employs his analytical background in mathematics to thoroughly scrutinize complex INCI lists. Now, he helps over 1 million people per year to find the best beauty products.