Man, I don’t even know where to begin with this product, so I’ll just start with its flashy name. Sunday Riley C.E.O. C + E antiOXIDANT Protect + Repair Moisturizer is a ridiculously long name and intentionally created as part of Sunday Riley’s new marketing scheme. Products like Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream, Martian Mattifying Melting Water-Gel Toner and U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil. Flashy names BOOST sales, and as of late, this seems like SR’s primary focus instead of producing a quality product. In my opinion this fancy name is here in place of quality or advancement in skin care product formulation. C.E.O.  is one of the many newly,  ill-formulated products that SR has launched recently. C.E.O. is the first product of the upcoming Vitamin C based range, which I predict will be equally unimpressive. I assume it will be called the Orange Line in alignment with her Green line that includes U.F.O. and Martian. With the clever marketing out of the way, I’ll move on to the formula which is at best sub par. Listed below is SR’s overinflated description of the products possible performance and its ingredients. At best, this is an overpriced, poorly packaged, waxy, artificially fragranced (a la Origins GinZing mixed with a creamsicle) Vitamin C moisturizer with an insanely short shelf life of 3 months! GASP

So with the expiration date factored in, using this mess at $65 a jar will cost you $260 USD a year!!!

 Description:
Luxuriously hydrating and scientifically advanced, C.E.O. provides fast-absorbing moisturization without greasiness—protecting during the day and visibly repairing at night. It is enriched with five percent powerful, lipid-soluble, advanced vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, the most superior form), which is more stable and less irritating than ascorbic acid and other vitamin C derivatives. Blended with protective, anti-pollution exopolysaccharides and refining lime pearl extract, C.E.O. moisturizes your skin, visibly brightens, supports natural collagen, provides antioxidant support, and expertly fights the five visible signs of environmental and micropollution-induced skin damage: sensitivity, dehydration, dullness, uneven tone, and premature lines and wrinkles.

 Ingredients:
-Vitamin C (5% THD Ascorbate): Prevents and repairs the visible signs of premature skin aging, while being significantly less irritating than other forms of vitamin C, like L-ascorbic acid; supports natural collagen, brightens the appearance of the skin, provides antioxidant support, and fights the look of damage caused by UV-B exposure.
-Lime Pearl Extract: Natural source of AHA for gentle skin retexturization, allowing the vitamin C to sink in.
-Bisabolol (Derived from Chamomile): Helps to calm the look and feel of reactive and sensitive skin.
-Exopolysaccharides (From French Polynesian Kopara): Help protect the skin from the visible effects of pollution exposure, by providing a shielding effect from PM 2.5 (the micropollution particles found in smog).

 Water, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Dicaprylyl Carbonate, C10-18 Triglycerides, PEG-8 Beeswax, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Tapioca Starch, PPG-12 SMDI Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-6 Distearate, Jojoba Esters, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Polyglyceryl-3 Beeswax, Lecithin, Glycerin, Microcitrus Australasica Fruit (Lime Pearl) Extract, Butylene Glycol, Alteromonas Ferment Extract (Exopolysaccharides), Phenoxyethanol, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit (Kakadu Plum) Extract, Bisabolol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Nylon-12, Citrus Reticulata (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Citric Acid, Sodium Phytate, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Fragrance, Rosa Centifolia Flower Wax, Rosa Damascena Flower Wax, Alcohol Denat (found in botanical extracts), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Root Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit (Yuzu) Extract, Lippia Citriodora Flower (Lemon Verbena) Extract, Euterpe Oleracea (Acai) Fruit, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit (Rosehips)Extract, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Seed Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf (Oolong Tea).

 Now let’s talk about this alleged luxuriously hydrating and scientifically advanced formula. First of all, since when is Water, Squalane and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C) scientifically advanced. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate is NOT a new ingredient. Speaking of Vitamin C, this product contains 5% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate and is the 3rd ingredient, which means your primarily spending your money on Water, Squalane and Vitamin C. Those are all great ingredients but not worth $65 USD. The ingredients listed after the Vitamin C is where this product tanks, and HARD! This is one of the worst ingredient lists I’ve seen recently. Listed after the allegedly advanced Vit C is essentially cheap emollients, Beeswax, Hydrogenated Vegetable oil, various other fruit waxes, a high content of artificial fragrance, a high content of the preservative Phenoxyethanol, minimal amounts of various exotic plant extracts including an apparent modern AHA called Lime Pearl(Trademarked by Lucas Meyer Cosmetics) alcohol (allegedly from plant extracts) and Tangerine peel oil.

*Phenoxyethanol recommended use levels: 0.25 – 1%

 The tangerine peel oil is something I feel compelled to address. I feel the inclusion of this photosensitizing ingredient is not only a fragrance component but also a coloring to prevent you from knowing when the Vitamin C has gone off. I find this inclusion, in particular, a shady move by the brand considering that this is packaged in a jar, with a short shelf life and will oxidize in spite of being a more stable form of Vit C.

 Sunday Riley has been shrouded in controversy recently and referred to as “a modern-day snake oil salesman” From the lies about Luna’s blue coloring, quietly reformulating products such as Tidal (due to the outcry of people dismayed by the inclusion of strong artificial fragrance while not initially being listed on Sephora’s website and only on the box) as well as reformulating Ceramic slip which raised its pH level. Let’s not forget the class action lawsuit regarding the exaggerated claims of what the Bionic Moisturizer could do for your skin and has since lead SR to have no website whatsoever. I find the lack of transparency of this company appalling. In spite of all this, I have even since tried U.F.O.  I still don’t believe that vibrant emerald green color can be created naturally and U.F.O caused me to break out faster than any other product I’ve ever tried. To finish my opinion of C.E.O,  I will say that I have put this on my hand at Sephora on three occasions. The way C.E.O felt and smelled on my hand, combined with the awful formula and the company’s disappointing ethics, I can confidently say that this will never touch my face. It even makes me hesitant to purchase Ceramic Slip and Good Genes which I think are the two best (albeit overpriced) non-oil products Sunday Riley makes.

Sunday Riley lawsuit article link

 

*I am not an expert, and these are my personal opinions and experiences with the brand.