Drunk Elephant vs Sunday Riley – Vitamin C Serums and Creams Compared

Today we demand more from our skincare than ever before.

As well as expecting better results, market research shows we are also becoming more mindful and selective in the beauty products we buy. (1)

We want to ensure that the brands we choose align with our values.

Cruelty-free formulas, sustainable packaging and natural ingredients are some of the things we think about. These points can make our search a bit challenging but not impossible. (2, 3, 4)

Newer brands have grown and come into play, brands that reflect the things most important to us. Two such names are Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant.

Here we take a look at what each has to offer in terms of effectiveness, how “clean” their ingredients are, sustainability, and more. By the end of this review, you’ll have the information you need to determine which brand is better for you.

Because they both produce a wide variety of products, we’ll be narrowing down our comparisons to:

• Vitamin C serums
• Retinol creams
• Daily face creams

Drunk Elephant Review

Drunk Elephant is a female-founded company from Houston, Texas. Tiffany Masterson started the brand in 2012 while a stay-at-home mom of 4 and since then it has seen massive growth.

Before founding Drunk Elephant, Tiffany had been suffering from a lot of skin problems. These included sporadic breakouts, mild rosacea, an oily T-zone and apparently sensitive skin.

After trying a large number of different brands without seeing any improvement, she turned to research. She looked into the different ingredients that go into skincare products and how the skin reacts to them.

She uncovered six key ingredients commonly found in skincare creams, that she believed to be the root of her problems. She was unable to find any skincare products without at least one of these six included. So she decided to make her own. And that’s how Drunk Elephant was born.

She now refers to these ingredients as the “Suspicious 6.”

What are the “Suspicious 6”?

The Suspicious 6 are essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances or dyes, and sodium lauryl sulfate.

Drunk Elephant’s goal is to offer products without any of the Suspicious 6 in their ingredient list.

Why is it called Drunk Elephant?

The quirky name for Drunk Elephant comes from a myth that elephants “get intoxicated” when eating fruits from the Marula tree, which ferment in their tummies. Marula oil is also an ingredient that can be found in some of Drunk Elephant’s beauty products.

Drunk Elephant Products Reviewed Below

Vitamin C Serum: Drunk Elephant C-Firma
with 15% L-Ascorbic Acid

Retinol Cream: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni
with 1% vegan retinol 

Protein Face Cream: Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
with signal peptides, amino acids and waterlily

Sunday Riley Review

Sunday Riley is also a female-owned company from Houston, Texas. Its CEO, Sunday Riley, started the business in 2009 and since then they have formulated more than 65 skincare products.

The firm’s goal is to offer greener and safer products. Their main priority is to use clean formulas which are as natural as possible. So all of their creams and serums are free from parabens, sulfate cleansers and synthetic fragrances.

They also choose to make their products with approved suppliers in developed countries. This is to ensure that workers are given fair wages and that they are using good manufacturing practises.

Sunday Riley Products Reviewed Here

Vitamin C Serum: Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Brightening Serum
with 15% THD Ascorbate

Retinol Cream: Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum
with 6.5% blend of stabilized retinoids and botanical extracts 

Oil-Free Face Cream: Sunday Riley Tidal
with 2 forms of hyaluronic acid

See how their vitamin C serums, retinol creams and daily face creams compare.

Sunday Riley C.E.O. vs Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum

Both Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant have popular vitamin C serums.

Why have vitamin C serums become such a staple in many people’s skincare routines?

Research shows that vitamin C protects our skin against photodamage and boosts collagen synthesis. It’s been shown to help reduce signs of ageing and even aids with wound healing. (5)

Because of its antioxidant properties, vitamin C aids in your skin’s natural regeneration process, which helps your body repair damaged skin cells.

—Dermatologist Patricia Wexler via Allure. (6)

According to studies, vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory and depigmenting effects. This makes it a great ally when treating acne, rosacea and pigmentation. (7)

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Serum

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Serum Review

How do I apply to Sunday Riley CEO?

Sunday Riley Vitamin C Serum Reviews

Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 5,457 reviews across 4 independent sites. These were Amazon, Influenster, Space NK and Makeup Alley.

Reviewers reported that the serum is light, with a citrusy smell to it. Many found it left their skin looking silky, radiant and soft. They also reported seeing a fading of dark spots over 3 to 4 weeks of use.

Some negative comments included that the scent was too strong or a few people didn’t see results.

Overall though, reviewers were very happy with the serum and reported seeing a noticeable improvement in their skin after using it for a few weeks.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Serum

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum Review

Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Fresh Day Serum combines 15% pure l-Ascorbic Acid, with ferulic acid, and 1% vitamin E. It also has fruit enzymes and an anti-aging chronopeptide.

To prolong the potency of the product, C-Firma comes with the serum base and l-ascorbic acid powder in separate bottles. Simply mix them upon opening, and you’ll be ready to start using it! 

L-Ascorbic Acid

L-Ascorbic Acid is an unstable molecule. Yet, it’s the purest and best-researched form of vitamin C, making it the preferred choice for many skincare brands. It’s also the only active form of vitamin C found naturally on the skin.

Research over the years has found ways to stabilize L-Ascorbic Acid so that it can be used in vitamin C serums. However serums with L-Ascorbic Acid do tend to have a limited shelf life of around 6 months from opening, after which time they may oxidize and turn brown. (9)

Ferulic acid and vitamin E

Ferulic acid and vitamin E are both powerful topical antioxidants which can offer their own benefits to the skin. When combined with L-Ascorbic Acid they amplify the effects of the vitamin C on the skin, making the serum more effective. (10, 11)

Low pH

It’s generally recommended that vitamin C serums have a pH of below 3.5 in order to be effective. A low pH helps the serum to be more easily absorbed into the skin and to travel deeper into the skin’s layers.

C-Firma has a pH of 2.5. This is low enough to allow the serum to be well-absorbed into the skin. But at the same time it’s not so low that it causes irritation to the skin.

Chronocyclin

Chronocyclin is a chronopeptide that is similar to vitamin D. It offers similar antioxidant benefits to the skin.

How long does C-Firma fresh day serum last?

Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma serum lasts about 4-6 months after opening, as reported by users and as stated on the brand’s website. Drunk Elephant also advise to store the serum in a fridge after opening to help extend its shelf life.

If the serum turns brown, it has already oxidised, and shouldn’t be used.

The shelf life of Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma is a little shorter than Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. This is because it uses a purer but less stable form of vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid. Whereas C.E.O. uses the more stable THD ascorbate.

Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum Reviews

C-Firma Fresh Day Serum has an average review rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars from 6,983 reviews across 4 independent websites: Influenster, Amazon, Space NK and Makeup Alley.

Most of the comments said that they saw a more even skin tone in 1 to 2 weeks, stating that their skin felt fresh and healthy. A lot of reviewers also said that the serum left their skin looking ‘glowy’ after application, which is something unique to Drunk Elephant.

There were a few reports of the serum having funky, meaty scent. It should be noted that this smell is present in a lot of vitamin C serums that use L-Ascorbic Acid and seems to be a property of the ingredient. A small minority experienced irritation and breakouts.

Overall reviewers were thrilled with the effects of the C-Firma vitamin C serum and many raved about the product.

C.E.O. vs C-Firma Vitamin C Serum Comparison Table

Both Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant serums are cruelty-free and fragrance-free. To summarize the differences between them, you can see a side by side comparison table here:

Concentration	15% Tetrahexyldecyl (THD) Ascorbate	15% L-Ascorbic Acid
Other Active Ingredients	Phytosterols Complex Saccharide Isomerate Extract Glycolic Acid	Ferulic Acid 1% Vitamin E Pumpkin Ferment Pomegranate Extract Chronocyclin Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Extract Indian Gooseberry Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
pH Level	Not disclosed	2.5
Texture	White creamy lotion	Yellow to orange-amber serum
Residue	Some reviews reported product pills up	Some reviews reported orange residue
Smell	Citrus smell Artificial fragrance-free	Savoury smell Artificial fragrance-free
Bottle Size	30 ml / 1 fl oz 50 ml / 1.7 fl oz	30 ml /1 fl oz
Price	$85.00 – 30 ml $122.00 – 50 ml	$78.00
Shelf Life	12 months after opening 3 years before opening	4-6 months after opening 12 months before opening
Reviews	4.3 out of 5 stars from 5,457 reviews	4.2 out of 5 stars from 6,983 reviews
Where to Buy	Sunday Riley C.E.O.	Drunk Elephant C-Firma

 

Which Vitamin C Serum Would I Recommend?

Both C.E.O. and C-Firma have well-researched and effective ingredients behind them. They are free from artificial fragrances and other additives that could cause skin irritation. They both have thousands of positive reviews from customers who have seen noticeable results on their skin, so either one could be a good choice to go with.

If you want a gentler vitamin C serum or one that has a longer shelf life, then I would go with Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. It uses a different form of vitamin C to traditional serums – THD-ascorbate – which is more stable, making it last for longer after opening. It also converts into L-Ascorbic Acid only when on the skin, making it gentler.

On the other hand if you want a formula that has the most research behind it and which is complimented by natural extracts, Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma could be a good choice. It uses the purest form of vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid. This is present at a 15% concentration, which is considered to be an ‘intermediate’ strength level for vitamin C serums.

C-Firma also contains various natural extracts such as pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract which give the skin an instant glow after application.

Whichever one you go with, vitamin C serums are a great addition to the daily skincare routine and can bring noticeably smoother and firmer skin.

Sunday Riley A+ vs Luna vs Drunk Elephant A-Passioni

Like vitamin C, retinol is pretty beloved in the skincare world. In this category, we’ll be looking at several products:

• Sunday Riley: A+ high dose retinoid serum and Luna sleeping retinol oil
• Drunk Elephant: A-Passioni retinol cream

Retinol is a compound which is derived from vitamin A and used in a number of skincare products to help create smoother, more youthful looking skin.

It’s absorbed deeply into the skin where it helps to boost collagen and elastin production. On the skin’s surface it has an exfoliating effect, which helps to keep clogged pores clear.

Overall retinol is known for helping the skin to appear softer, plumper and with fewer visible fine lines and wrinkles. (12, 13, 14)

Retinol vs Tretinoin (Retin-A)

All creams using compounds of vitamin A are called Retinoids. However as you may know there is a difference between the kinds of retinoids.

Retinols are a gentler form of vitamin A. This is because they are only converted into retinoic acid once on the skin, using the skin’s enzymes. They are available in creams which are sold over the counter (without a prescription) like the ones below.

Tretinoin (or retin-A) creams contain the actual retinoic acid. This makes them much stronger than retinols and there is a higher risk of skin irritation. For this reason Tretinoin is sold by prescription only. (15)

Sunday Riley A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum

Sunday Riley A+ High-dose Retinoid Serum Review

Sunday Riley’s A+ Retinoid Serum is their stronger retinol product. It contains:

• 5% retinoid ester blend
• 1% liposome-encapsulated retinol blend
• 0.5% blue-green algae with retinoid-alternative activity

Compared to pure retinol, retinol esters are milder, less aggressive forms of vitamin A.

This serum targets signs of ageing and damaged skin and aims to help achieve an even and smooth skin tone.

Does Sunday Riley’s A+ Serum Work?

Sunday Riley conducted an independent study of 102 women who used the A+ serum over a number of weeks. It revealed that the vast majority saw improvements to their skin in just 4 weeks:

90% of women reported boosted skin radiance and said that it was gentler than other retinoid serums they had used in the past.

88% of women felt that their skin looked brighter.

How do you use Sunday Riley’s A+ Serum?

You can use Sunday Riley’s A+ cream by applying 1-2 pumps to cleansed, dry skin in the evenings. As retinol can react to sunlight it’s generally advised to use retinol creams in the evenings rather than in the morning.

If you are new to retinol then it’s a good idea to ease into the treatment. Apply it each evening for two days, then give your skin a break for two days. You can then slowly increase this to every other evening and then finally use it every day.

Can I use Good Genes and A+ Together?

Yes Sunday Riley advises that you can use Good Genes and A+ together but recommends that you apply A+ first so that it can be absorbed more deeply into the skin.

You can then follow it up with their Good Genes lactic acid treatment which hydrates and exfoliates the surface of the skin.

If you prefer not to mix the two then Good Genes can be applied in the morning and the A+ Serum in the evening.

Sunday Riley A+ High-dose Retinoid Serum Reviews

Sunday Riley’s A+ High-dose Retinoid Serum has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 1,985 reviews across 4 independent websites (Amazon, Influenster, Makeup Alley and Space NK).

Many users found it to be the best retinol they had used. It was strong but less irritating than other retinols. They found that it faded acne scars, improved skin texture and decreased light wrinkle lines.

There were a few users who didn’t notice any difference with this product. A few found it caused them breakouts or skin irritation. This may because it was their first time using retinol. If this is the case for you then it’s always recommended to start slowly and gradually increase the treatment.

Most reviewers were impressed that such a strong retinol could still feel gentle on the skin.

Sunday Riley Luna Night Oil

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil Review

Sunday Riley also offers Luna Sleeping Night Oil, its famously blue retinol oil which can also be used at night time.

Luna Sleeping Night Oil contains:

• 2% trans-retinol: this is gentler than traditional retinol but still has a strong effect on the skin.
• natural blue color: this comes from the German chamomile and blue tansy that’s also in the oil.
• night oil: as it’s a night oil it’s absorbed more gradually into the skin.

This oil is great for anyone who has wanted to try retinol but was worried about the irritation that it could cause. The Granactive Retinoid used here is a trans-retinol ester. This is gentler than retinol with less potential for irritation, while still remaining effective. (16)

Luna is formulated to make our skin look plumper, younger and radiant. Similar to the A+ serum, its goal is to diminish wrinkles, fine lines and pores.

Does the Luna Sleeping Night Oil Work?

Sunday Riley had an independent consumer test panel with participants reporting the following results after 4 weeks of use:

•  100% felt the product absorbed well into the skin
•  96% of women felt their skin looked brighter and more radiant
•  92% of women felt their skin tone looked more even, calmer, smoother
•  88% felt their pores looked smaller

How often should you use Sunday Riley’s Luna?

You can use it every night or every other night. Apply 1-2 drops to the palm of your hand and massage into the face. When it goes from blue to a clear color it has been absorbed.

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil Reviews

Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 11,110 reviews across the same 4 websites (Amazon, Influenster, Makeup Alley and Space NK).

Most of Luna’s comments loved the oil. They even liked the blue color and found that it left their skin feeling luminous, soft and even in tone.

Others found the smell from the essential oils to be overpowering and they weren’t fans of the blue color. (17)

As this retinol comes in an the form of an oil, some reviewers do not recommend it for acne-prone skin. They believe the oil is too heavy and could result in breakouts.

However others found it worked for them even when they had oily skin, so this shows everyone’s skin will react differently. We recommend you follow your own instinct with this product, based on whether your skin has reacted to oil-based treatments in the past.

Overall, customers were happy with this night oil which they found to be soothing and less irritating than other retinols.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream Review

Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni Retinol Cream aims to restore skin, give it a more youthful and bright look. It also includes soothing compounds to prevent irritation. It’s made up of:

• 1.0% vegan retinol: this is a relatively strong retinol concentration which is aimed to give visible effects to the skin.
• Xanthophylls: these are carotenoids which protect the skin from environmental factors and blue light.
• Triple peptide blend: 3 peptides to help with the firming and strengthening of the skin.
• Winter cherry juice: an extract from the physalis fruit which also contains carotenoids aimed at fighting pollution.
• Kale leaf extract: with vitamins A and E to give antioxidant effects to the skin.
• Passionfruit, apricot and jojoba oils: which work to nourish and moisturize the skin.
• Virgin marula oil: an absorbable oil rich in antioxidants and omegas 6 and 9.
• Vitamin F: which has fatty acids to improve skin texture and sensitivity.

With this combination of ingredients, this retinol cream aims to restore the skin’s clarity and even texture without the irritation.

How do you use Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni?

A small amount of A-Passioni can be applied in the morning or at night and combined with any Drunk Elephant cream or oil.

How long does Drunk Elephant retinol take to work?

As with other retinol creams, it takes 4-6 weeks for it to work and for results to be seen.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream Reviews

Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 2,702 reviews across 4 independent sites including Amazon.

Positive reviews found it to be a gentle formula that clears up the skin and lessens fine lines, bumps and acne. A few customers were happy when they received compliments on their skin after using it.

Others experienced breakouts, rashes, or dry and flaky skin reactions. This can happen with retinols, particularly with the stronger concentrations. Drunk Elephant advises to go slow, starting once a week and building up from there. That way you skin can develop a resistance to the retinol over a few weeks.

Sunday Riley A+ Serum vs Luna Sleep Oil vs Drunk Elephant A-Passioni

All three retinol products examined here are cruelty-free and artificial fragrance-free.

Here is a breakdown of how they compare:

A+, Luna or A-Passioni, Which Retinol is Better?

All three retinols have very positive reviews with customers saying that they gave them smoother, brighter skin with a more even tone. At the same time each retinol uses a different formulation to bring these benefits to the skin.

A+ uses a retinol ester. This helps it to offer a strong retinol concentration of 5% to give noticeable results, while still being very gentle on the skin.

On the other hand Sunday Riley’s Luna is even gentler. It incorporates trans-retinol within an oil to create a night oil. This can be applied and then gradually absorbed into the skin through the night. Its blue color and strong smell don’t agree with everyone, but many users loved the soothing effect it had on the skin, by providing retinol in this oil form.

A-Passioni from Drunk Elephant uses a high concentration of vegan retinol at 1%, so that it can have an visible impact on the skin.

It combines the retinol with a host of other antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients. These protect the skin against environmental damage and soothe it from the effects of the retinol at the same time. As it is quite a strong retinol cream, it’s recommended to ease into it slowly.

All retinols have the potential to irritate the skin when you first use them and your skin needs to build up a tolerance to them. It’s generally advised to start with a treatment a week or every three days at first, and to gradually build up to using retinol every evening.

Once your skin is accustomed to it, retinol can help it to look visibly smoother and rejuvenated.

Sunday Riley Tidal vs Drunk Elephant Protini: Face Cream Comparison

It’s common knowledge that all of us need a good moisturizer. Studies have found that our skin is becoming ever dryer from the stresses of modern living including urbanisation, pollution and specific skin sensitivities. (19)

The most common benefits of using a moisturizer include:

• skin hydration
• anti-inflammatory effects
• soothing of the skin

You can find moisturizers in the form of lotions, ointments, gels and creams. In this case, we’ll review two unique face creams for daily moisturizing.

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream

Sunday Riley Tidal Review

Sunday Riley’s Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream is an oil-free face cream which has an almost gel-like consistency. It can be used both in the morning and in the evening.

It aims to moisturize and brighten the skin without clogging the pores, so it’s a great choice for oily or combination skin.

Tidal face cream contains:

• Two advanced hyaluronic acids: these work to infuse water to the skin.
• Papaya enzymes: which smooth textured or dry skin.
• Alpha-arbutin: which brightens discolorations in the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule already present in our body that helps our skin retain water. When applied topically, it can lessen wrinkles and enhance our skin’s hydration, firmness and elasticity.

Is Sunday Riley’s Tidal Oil Free?

Yes it’s an oil-free moisturizer so it works well for oily and combination skin types. The texture is a light gel-cream which gives a cooling sensation.

How do you use Sunday Riley tidal?

Apply a good amount to clean, dry skin twice a day. Pat it onto the skin to help lock in moisture.

If you’re using it with Sunday Riley’s Good Genes lactic acid treatment, you can apply this first and then apply Tidal cream afterwards.

Sunday Riley Tidal Cream Reviews

Sunday Riley’s Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from 3,385 reviews across 4 independent sites (Amazon, Influenster, Makeup Alley and Space NK).

Reviewers raved about it—particularly those with combination skin— and loved that their skin felt fresh, plump and hydrated. They also liked its light texture and that it provided a “cooling sensation.”

A few reviewers with dry skin wanted it to be more moisturizing but most reviewers appreciated that it was light and oil-free.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream is a protein moisturizer that aims to firm and tighten the skin, reducing the signs of aging.

It contains:

• signal peptides
• growth factors
• amino acids
• pygmy waterlily

It has a pH of 4.0 to help keep the pH balance of the skin at a healthy level.

What does Drunk Elephant Protini do?

Drunk Elephant’s Protini aims to give your skin a dose of protein to help firm and plump it. It does this using peptides, amino acids and other nutrients.

Experts compare signal peptides to cell messengers.

Peptides can trigger collagen synthesis, which then increases skin firmness.

—Jennifer Herrmann, MD, FAAD

This protein cream aims to restore the skin to a firmer, stronger and more moisturized state.

How do I use Protini moisturizer?

Protini can be applied morning and night and mixed with any Drunk Elephant serum, oil or cream before use.

It’s container works like a pump. You can push it to release the cream, making it easier to dispense.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream Reviews

Drunk Elephant’s Protini has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from 13,662 reviews across 4 sites, Amazon, Influenster, Makeup Alley and Space NK.

Users loved that it was lighter than other moisturizers and didn’t leave a greasy residue afterwards. Many found that it firmed and tightened their skin as well.

There were a few remarks about breakouts or dryness but the vast majority most users were over the moon with this cream.

They did have a love-hate battle with Protini’s container. Some found the pump system to be a precise and hygienic way to dispense face cream. Others didn’t like it and found that some of the product stayed at the bottom at the end.

Tidal vs Protini: Comparison Table

Both face creams are cruelty-free and artificial fragrance-free. Here’s how they compare:

Sunday Riley Tidal or Drunk Elephant Protini, Which Face Cream is Better?

Sunday Riley’s Tidal is better for those who want an oil-free daily moisturizer. It’s a gel-cream which aims to lock in moisture and brighten the skin. If you have oily or combination skin and you get breakouts with traditional moisturizers then this would be a good cream to go with.

Drunk Elephant’s Protini is still light but more of a cream than a gel. It’s aimed at firming and tightening the skin by giving it protein-based compounds. If you want a moisturizer that helps with collagen and gives an anti-aging effect, then this could be the better choice for you.

Both Tidal and Protini are quality face creams which are light on the skin and don’t leave an oily residue afterwards, so either one are worth trying.

Sunday Riley or Drunk Elephant, Which is Better?

Both Sunday Riley and Drunk Elephant are inspiring brands that are holding beauty products to higher standards.

Sunday Riley is cruelty-free and sustainable. All their creams are sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, soy-free, phthalate-free and artificial fragrance-free.

They’re also not afraid to go against the grain with their formulas and to use active ingredients in different forms.

For example, their C.E.O serum uses vitamin C in the form of THD-ascorbate, rather than the traditional L-Ascorbic Acid. This form of vitamin C is converted into L-ascorbic acid when on the skin which makes it gentler for the skin. Their retinols use retinol ester blends which are powerful but again much more gentle on the skin than traditional retinol.

In this way they give their users the benefits of the active ingredients while reducing the side effects.

Drunk Elephant on the other hand uses tried and tested active ingredients like L-Ascorbic Acid with ferulic acid and vitamin E, or retinol. These are all well-researched and shown to be effective. Drunk Elephant combines them with a range of natural fruit enzymes and other ingredients to really boost the effect on the skin.

Their Protini moisturizer is one of their more unique products. It includes a blend of peptides and amino acids which tighten and firm the skin. The moisturizer itself is still light and not oily.

Drunk Elephant also keep their beauty products free from unnecessary additives, in particular the ‘Suspicious 6’. These are 6 ingredients which can often be found in skincare products and which the brand believes cause breakouts and irritation in some people.

As you can see each one aims to offer beauty products that are better, and more natural. Although everyone’s skin is different and may suit one product more than another, you’re in good hands with either brand.

Sunday Riley FAQs

What kind of Vitamin C is in Sunday Riley?

Sunday Riley’s C.E.O. serum has a 15% concentration of vitamin C in the form of tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (THD ascorbate) which is more stable compared to other types of vitamin C.

How strong is Sunday Riley A+ retinol?

Sunday Riley’s A+ advanced strength retinoid serum has a 6.5% blend of stable retinoids and retinoid-based botanical extracts.  

Can I use Sunday Riley Luna every night?

Sunday Riley’s Luna Sleeping Night Oil can be used every night or every other night.

Is Sunday Riley Tidal good for oily skin?

Sunday Riley’s Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream can be good for oily skin because it does not contain any oil. This means that it won’t clog pores while it hydrates your skin. 

Drunk Elephant FAQs

Can I use Drunk Elephant C Firma at night?

For best results, Drunk Elephant C Firma is meant to be used in the day. 

Is Drunk Elephant real retinol?

Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni retinol cream uses vegan retinol which is real retinol. 

Is Drunk Elephant Protini anti aging?

Drunk Elephant’s Protini is anti-aging because of its special combination of polypeptides that help to restore skin health.