Compare Products: C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum vs SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum

Who It's Designed For

Sunday Riley
  • Those who want a stable vitamin C that will not oxidize or change color
  • Users who find L-ascorbic acid serums too irritating or acidic
  • People who enjoy a citrus-scented skincare experience
  • Those seeking a vitamin C serum that does not require refrigeration
  • Users looking for a luxurious texture that layers well under makeup
The Inkey List
  • Very oily skin seeking maximum oil control
  • Stubborn enlarged pores unresponsive to lower niacinamide concentrations
  • Users who have tolerated 10-15% niacinamide and want to increase strength
  • Budget-conscious users wanting clinical-strength actives
  • Those seeking exfoliating effects (20% niacinamide has mild exfoliating properties)

Key Ingredients

Sunday Riley

15% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD Ascorbate), Squalane, Glycolic Acid, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Saccharide Isomerate

The Inkey List

Niacinamide (20%), Zinc PCA (0.5%), Squalane (3%)

Product Composition

21% similarity (7 ingredients in common)

Shared Ingredients
aqua/water/eausqualanesodium phytatephenoxyethanolsodium acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerglycerinisosqualane
Only in Sunday Riley (19)
tetrahexyldecyl ascorbatepolyglyceryl-6 distearatepeg-8 beeswaxlimonenecitrus sinensis (sweet orange) oilcitrus tangerina peel oilglycine soja sterolsppg-12/smdi copolymerhydrogenated polydeceneacetamidoethoxyethanoljojoba esterstocopherolglycolic acidcaprylyl glycolcitrus aurantium dulcis (sweet orange) oilchlorphenesincera albac30 hydrocarbonssaccharide isomerate
Only in The Inkey List (8)
niacinamidebutylene glycolbenzyl alcoholammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymerzinc pcapolysorbate 60dehydroacetic acidsorbitan isostearate

User Feedback Patterns

Sunday Riley
Luxurious texture

Users consistently praise the lightweight oily texture that absorbs well and sits beautifully under makeup. The application experience is rated higher than most L-ascorbic acid serums.

Pleasant citrus scent

The orange scent is frequently mentioned as a positive. Users who enjoy scented skincare rate this highly. However, fragrance-sensitive users avoid it.

No oxidation concerns

Users appreciate that the golden color remains consistent throughout the product's life. No anxiety about darkening or wasting product due to oxidation.

Gradual brightening results

Brightening results are described as gradual but visible over 4-8 weeks. Some users expecting the immediate 'glow' of L-ascorbic acid find the results slower.

The Inkey List
Serious oil control

Users with very oily skin consistently report this as one of the most effective oil-control products they have tried. Many note all-day mattifying effect.

Strong but not irritating

Despite the 20% concentration, most users report no irritation. However, patch testing is frequently mentioned as important for first-time users.

Better than The Ordinary

Users who found The Ordinary's 10% niacinamide too weak or pilling-prone often prefer this. The gel texture absorbs cleanly.

Can leave white cast if overused

Some users report a white film if they apply too much. The brand addresses this: use less product and follow immediately with moisturizer.

Which Should You Buy?

The Inkey List SuperSolutions 20% Niacinamide Serum offers great value at a lower price point. Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum may be worth the premium if you want 15% Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (THD Ascorbate).

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