An Honest Review of Sunday Riley's 9 Buzziest Products

"Straight up, the only reason I'm not giving this cleanser a full five-star rating is the price. Since cleansers are the most fleeting part of our skincare routines, I just can't warrant spending more than $20 tops on something I'm washing off after 10 seconds. That said, I've been impressed with this gentle but effective cleanser ever since it released last year. It never irritates my sensitive skin or exacerbates any breakouts I have. It has great ingredients that play well with all skin types. The soothing gel-to-foam formula also really delivers on that super-satisfying clean feeling you want from a face wash but without stripping your skin of necessary hydration." — Erin

Overall score: 4/5

"A delicious, fast-absorbing oil that smells like a Jolly Rancher and also helps clear breakouts and clogged pores? Seems impossible. I was so skeptical of this exotic green elixir—the slippery texture and sweet scent seem like something that would break you out rather than clear you up. To my delight, the product sinks in quickly, and its gentle 1.5% salicylic acid visibly works to decongest the little clogged pores I get around my nose and chin. It's not the strongest dose of BHA in the world, so it takes a couple nights to really produce results, but damn, when it does, my skin comes out so beautifully clear and glowy." — Amanda

Overall score: 4/5

"I don't know about you, but I have a separate stash of products for whenever my skin decides to be on especially bad behavior. And whenever I'm dealing with a frustrating deluge of zits, this mask is one of my favorite antidotes in said stash. I definitely notice that it helps dry out and banish my existing blemishes faster than when I forget to use it, and I'm convinced it slows the formation of new ones. (Breakouts are such a vicious cycle.) My one issue with this mask, however, is the smell. Since the star and most strategic ingredient is sulfur, I realize this is par for the course and part of the formula's efficacy. But even after I wash it off, the smell of sulfur lingers on my face, and it's just not the most pleasant olfactory experience to go to sleep with at night." — Erin

Overall score: 3/5

"Okay, this is so hard for me. If it were up to this product's brightening and radiance-boosting power alone, I would literally give it 10 stars. But for some reason, I have issues with it clogging my pores, and I have to be honest about that. I plan on asking my go-to esthetician what she thinks is the exact culprit in the ingredient list (my skin is super, super finicky and prone to congestion), but for most other people, I honestly think this is one of the best vitamin C brightening serums on the market. It's Dermstore's top-selling brightening serum under $100, and I think that stat is well-warranted. I'm bummed I can't use this serum anymore because whenever I would, I'd always receive compliments on how glowy and healthy my skin looked." — Erin

Overall score: 3/5

"I love eye cream. And since I have breakout-prone, easily irritated skin, it's one of the only types of skincare products I feel like I can try with zero abandon or worry regarding how it will affect my skin. I've tried (and regularly use) so many eye creams, but I always find myself coming back to this one. It's a cheaper dupe for this amazing but very, very spendy one from Révive, and it's the first one I recommend to friends and family if they're complaining about puffiness, circles, or fine lines. It has a bit of a pearlescent tint to it, which helps instantly tighten and diffuse the look of darkness and pretty much acts like IRL Facetune." — Erin

Overall score: 5/5

"Retinol is one of the most powerful breakout- and wrinkle-fighting ingredients, which almost all skin-health experts recommend, but certain forms of it can make your face peel. This luxurious oil provides all the same benefits without the risk of irritation using an ingredient called trans-retinol ester—plus blue tansy, which is really soothing and feels amazing on the skin. This product would be really well suited to sensitive skin types prone to acne and redness who are looking to treat their skin for signs of aging without making it angry. After a few nights of use, I did notice more radiant, youthful-looking skin. I wouldn't call the product a holy grail for my combo skin, and it's definitely a little pricier than I'd like, but it certainly produces results with consistent use." — Amanda

Overall score: 4/5

"So here's a fun fact: This is actually the first-ever retinol I've used regularly (I know, bad beauty editor). In all honesty, I thought I would hate it but disgruntledly agreed to test it since Amanda asked me to review all the Sunday Riley products I have in my possession, and I still hadn't tried this launch. In hindsight, I'm so sad I didn't start using it sooner. I've been applying it a couple of nights a week after I cleanse without layering anything underneath or on top. Every morning, I wake up with what seems like a brighter, smoother, and far more even complexion. I've been struggling with some stubborn acne scarring around my mouth, and I'm completely dumbstruck by its efficacy in helping lighten my areas of pigmentation. This serum hasn't irritated my skin at all, which has always been one of my main fears surrounding retinol, and the consistency is so soft and dreamy. It's not sticky, and my skin feels really happy and comfortable post-application." — Erin

Overall score: 5/5

"This is one of Sunday Riley's priciest formulas (and perhaps one of the buzziest), so I had high expectations for this all-in-one AHA serum. According to the fine print, it specifically targets dark spots, pores, and wrinkles by utilizing a high-potency form of lactic acid to exfoliate away the dead skin cells that make our complexion look dull or congested. As the brand recommends, I've been alternating this with the A+ Retinol every other night so that I'm lifting away the debris the night after the retinol has worked its turnover magic.

"This product is great on its own, but combined with the retinol, it's the ultimate power couple. I've gotten a few facials recently, which could be a contributing factor, but my skin hasn't felt so soft, smooth, clear, and naturally luminous since I started using this serum regularly at night. My only qualm is that I'm not used to using an exfoliating agent like this as a last step before bed, and it can feel a bit prickly and stingy. I know that's part of the deal and the formula, but if you're not a fan of feeling your products working, tread carefully. (Though, I promise the end result is worth it!)" — Erin

Overall score: 4/5

"There's a lot to like about this brightening moisturizer: the rich (but not greasy) formula, which is super hydrating and great for dry or winter weather; the 5% dose of vitamin C; the energizing citrus scent; and the gently exfoliating and calming plant extracts, which help the actives absorb while keeping the skin protected and non-irritated. My three-star rating is simply because I personally prefer to get higher doses of my active ingredients in serum form rather than cream form and then use a more affordable moisturizer on top. I also have a preference for moisturizers that come in a tube rather than a jar. But I can't knock the formula, which I would especially recommend for dry skin types dealing with dark spots or dullness." — Amanda

Overall score: 3/5

C.E.O. Glow now comes in a luxe face oil with extra-brightening ingredients like turmeric. Rejoice!

What's Sunday Riley without an eye cream? Niacinamide, retinol, olive oil, and shea butter work to protect and hydrate the eye area.

In the mood for a new hair product? Opt for this clarifying scalp serum. It uses glycolic acid, rose clay, and jasmine essential oil to exfoliate and break down oil buildup at the roots.

Of course, I couldn't forget about bodycare. This charcoal scrub is loaded with activated charcoal, Manuka honey, coconut water, and zinc to buff away dull skin.

This resurfacing essence has both a super-cute name and serious skin-health benefits. It balances the skin's natural microbiome while firming and resurfacing with green tea and a prebiotic complex.

Want a quick way to alleviate clogged pores and redness? Look no further than this mattifying toner. It's brimming with marshmallow-root extract and bentonite clay to absorb excess oil and soothe overly red skin.

If you have extra-dry skin, try the Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream that strengthens the skin's natural moisture barrier against environmental stressors. Vitamin F in the formula replenishes lipid levels in the skin, increases firmness and elasticity, and helps with dull or uneven texture. Read our editor's full review to learn more about this game-changing moisturizer.