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Anyone who’s already in the skincare game knows that it’s all about the long game. Building a skincare routine takes researching different brands, trial-and-error experiments with those various brands, time, time, and so much time. On top of that, if you’re like so many of our readers and followers, you probably care about how your skincare serums and creams are made and whether or not they’re sustainable. If you’re just starting to survey the world of epidermal beauty, it probably seems daunting and impossible to know who to trust and where to begin.
Sunday Riley is a skincare brand making it easy to shop for the products you need to make your face radiant, smooth, and healthy while still being an environmentally-friendly and cruelty-free consumer. Launched in 2009, Sunday Riley sells a diverse offering of items for all skin types and needs, and even has pre-selected bundles for morning or evening use for those seeking a little more guidance in kick-starting their beauty routines.
Good For More Than Just Your Skin
From its beginnings in 2009, Sunday Riley has been committed to never testing on animals. It is now doubly certified as a cruelty-free brand by both PETA and Leaping Bunny. Most of Sunday Riley’s products are vegan, as some do use honey or beeswax, but they’re all vegetarian, and the brand’s transparency about its ingredients makes it easy to shop according to whatever your needs may be.
Credit: @sundayriley
Not only is Sunday Riley kind towards animals, it also does a lot for sustainability and preservation of the Earth’s resources. Since only 10% of the seeds the company uses to create its line of oils is used during production, the other 90% is ground into a seed powder and mixed into nutritional supplements and plant protein forms that are consumed by animals and pets. Whatever inedible seed material is left over is used in agriculture for fertilization, delivering these nutrients back to the Earth.
On top of that, Sunday Riley supports a plastic waste collection program in India called Green Worms that prevents plastic from entering landfills and the ocean, and creates jobs for over 300 women. The brand reduces its carbon footprint by purchasing carbon credits, or certificates that promise a certain amount of carbon will be removed from the atmosphere, and grouping freight and shipments together. Finally, its packaging is very environmentally friendly: recycled pulp board, eco-friendly inks, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) materials for boxes. It’s never felt more ethical to shop for skincare.
My Sunday Riley Favorites
There’s quite a lot on offer from Sunday Riley, so it might feel a little difficult to figure out what product (or products) to try first. I’ve picked some of our favorites to give you a jumping-off point, though, as mentioned above, Sunday Riley’s curated bundles provide carefully selected combinations of the brand’s products for specific skincare and beauty needs and also serve as a great introduction to all the different oils and serums.
Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
Lactic acid is crucial to have in your skincare regimen because it breaks down the binding between dead skin cells and catalyzes the shedding of these to give way to new, fresh skin. This reduces the appearance of dark spots and fine lines on the face and after only three minutes of applying the Good Genes lactic acid to your skin, you’ll see a noticeable reduction in the visibility of any wrinkles and a plumper, brighter complexion. The Good Genes lactic acid is probably Sunday Riley’s most popular product and sensitive enough to work on most skin types.
C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Vitamin C helps stimulate collagen production in the skin and also aids in brightening and smoothing your overall complexion. Sunday Riley’s formula uses a more powerful form of Vitamin C called THD Ascorbate that absorbs into the skin quickly, making for a fast-acting moisturizer that firms and tones the skin.
Credit: @sundayriley
ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
I love the ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream because it uses components already found in skin cells—fats and lipids that make up a protective barrier against unwanted entities—to improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture and defend itself from germs and other pathogens. This moisturizer feels so soothing on the skin and is potent without feeling heavy or too thick.
Since all of Sunday Riley’s oils look so luxurious, this sample kit of the Luna Sleeping Night Oil, U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil, C.E.O. Glow Vitamin C + Turmeric Face Oil, and Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Oil is just the thing to let you play around with different ingredients to find out what works best on your skin and what you’ll want to incorporate into your beauty routine. I expect you’ll end up wanting more of all the oils, just like I did.
Loyalty to a brand is born from seeing results, and I’m happy to report that Sunday Riley provides results and is a brand that’s easy to trust because its main goal is to give its consumers access to products that will beautify their skin while improving its health, all while making sure its commitment to the environment isn’t compromised.
5 More Reasons to Love Sunday Riley:
- We love a brand that is more than just its product, and the Sunday Riley blog has a wealth of articles that can teach you more about its products and beauty in general.
- Want to improve more than just the skin on your face? Check out Sunday Riley’s Clean Rinse Clarifying Scalp Serum and exactly how its ingredients work to make your scalp feel and look healthier.
- Phoebe Dynevor is Sunday Riley’s first brand ambassador, and we have to say her skin speaks volumes on how well the brand’s products work.
- Sunday Riley is a brand that gives back.
- The brand’s site makes it easy to shop for your specific skincare needs, whether you’re looking to treat acne or seeking pregnancy-safe products.
