Sunday Riley vs. Drunk Elephant: Which of the Two Brands is Better for You?

• The Brand Reviews

Drunk Elephant, founded by Tiffany Masterson in 2012, has achieved cult-like status among influencers and skincare newbies alike. Drunk Elephant is committed to using only clean ingredients that either directly benefit the skin's health or support the integrity and effectiveness of their formulations. They never take into account an ingredient's synthetic or natural status, but instead choose based on biocompatibility. 

Sunday Riley is also a female-owned company from Houston, Texas. Its CEO, Sunday Riley, started the business in 2009. But their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and this once niche brand is now a major force to be reckoned with. Credit their curated and relatively limited collection of products—currently less than 20—all of which use tried-and-true ingredients to make a noticeable difference in how your skin looks and feels. So all of their creams and serums are free from parabens, sulfate cleansers and synthetic fragrances.

• The Representative Products Comparison

| Moisturizer: Sunday Riley Tidal vs. Drunk Elephant Protini 

Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream

($65/50ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation with Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream. Clinically-proven to deeply moisturize skin, this anti-aging face cream works to reveal a more luminous appearance.

Key Ingredients: An advanced brightening, refining treatment, Sunday Riley's Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream is brimming with hyaluronic acid, which attracts and retains up to 1000x its own weight in water, to optimise hydration and in turn, exhibit a skin-smoothing, firming and 'plumping' effect. Papaya enzymes gently resurface – eliminating dulling dead cells to reveal the more luminous skin cells beneath – while alpha-arbutin and giant white bird of paradise extract combine to brighten hyperpigmentation spots and restore uniformity of tone. 

Review: It has a nice gel-like texture that just melts into your skin. If you are looking for a heavy dose of moisture along with some brightening treatment, this will work for you. The light gel and water creams are considered suitable for all skin types but if you are some one with mature dry skin this will be most effective for you.

Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer 

($68/50ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

This breakthrough protein moisturizer combines an unprecedented array and concentration of signal peptides, growth factors, supportive amino acids and pygmy waterlily for visible and immediate improvement in the appearance of skin's tone, texture and firmness.

Key Ingredients: This silky water-gel moisturiser is the perfect defence against the signs of aging – think of Protini as a powerful shot of protein powder for your skin, which helps to maintain collagen, encouraging its production and preventing its breakdown. Formulated with a complex of 9 signal peptides, pygmy waterlily stem cell extract, soybean folic acid ferment extract and acetyl glutamine, Drunk Elephant has, with this moisturiser, designed a powerhouse product that revives depleted and tired skin to its former glory. Watch as your complexion quickly becomes firmer, stronger and more hydrated.

Review: It's a lightweight, gel-cream consistency that comes out more like a gel (but blends in more like a light cream). It has all the velvety feel of silk, but without the greasiness of oils or the plastic feel of silicones. It makes it plumper, too. It's a trick that makes fine lines and wrinkles look smaller. If you have oily skin, this is perfect for you. It gives you all the moisture your skin needs without too much extra oil.

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| Vitamin C Serum: Sunday Riley CEO vs. Drunk Elephant C-Firma 

Sunday Riley CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum

($85/30ml, up to 8% cashback at SkinStore)

Sunday Riley C.E.O. Brightening Serum, powered by 15% advanced Vitamin C, is targeted to fight the look of dullness, dark spots, and discolorations at the source, while diminishing the signs of aging. Skin looks and feels firmer and plumper, as youthful skin bounce and even-tone are restored.

Key Ingredients: This serum is formulated with 15% THD Ascorbate, an oil-soluble derivative that's wildly popular in sought-after Asian skin care. The gold standard form of vitamin C, THD ascorbate is both highly stable and oil-soluable, helping it to rapidly absorb into the skin for enhanced tone, clarity and visible brightening. This hydrating formula instantly polishes, protects and illuminates the skin while phytosterols help to reduce the look of redness and skin sensitivity. 

Saccharide isomerate extract diminishes the appearance of pores and reinforces the skin's moisture barrier for a skin-smoothing glow. Glycolic acid provides mild refinement to the skin and helps maintain the pH of the serum for maximum vitamin C efficacy while supporting natural cell turnover and glow of skin.

Review: CEO Serum feels like a cream it is quite thick and tends to spread well but once it settles down you can kind of feel it still on the skin for a while which might be a drawback for you. If you've never used a Vitamin C serum before, or want to fade new marks on your skin, this will deliver noticeable results.

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum

($80/30ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Brimming with anti-oxidants, essential nutrients and fruit enzymes, C-Firma supercharges SPF by helping prevent UV damage and fighting free radicals, hydrates all day intensively, and promotes collagen production. Bonus: consistent use leaves your skin gorgeously soft and glowy.

Key Ingredients: This revolutionary vitamin C serum contains 15% pure L-ascorbic acid (a potent form of vitamin C), 0.5% ferulic acid and 1% vitamin E - supported by a host of antioxidants and enzymes - which work to neutralise aggressors and replenish precious lipids to diminish visibility of lines and pigment patches. 

Potently formulated with pumpkin ferment extract and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, C-Firma™ helps to enzymatically dissolve surface dead skin cells as it intensely hydrates. The result is a noticeably diminished appearance of photodamage and aging, replaced by incredible radiance and luminosity.

Review: Like most vitamin C serums, the C-Firma day serum is orange in color and thin in texture. It's pretty confusing at first because when you apply it, it feels like it will be difficult to absorb in the skin and not leave a residue but in reality, not at all: in a few seconds, it's completely absorbed and leaves the skin matte, so it's fine for daily use. If you have combination to oily skin, the C-Firma serum is very comfortable for the day. 

| Chemical Exfoliants: Sunday Riley Good Genes vs. Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial 

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

($85/30ml, up to 8% cashback at SkinStore)

A multi-purpose treatment, Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment works hard to un-do the damage caused by sunlight, acne, pollution and less-than-healthy lifestyle choices! The potent blend of ingredients combine to plump fine lines, fight hyper-pigmentation, heal scar tissue and boost circulation so skin looks smoother, younger and more vibrant. 

Key Ingredients: The starring ingredient in this reformulated treatment are tiny glycolic acid molecules (which can sink deeper into the skin than other forms of alpha hydroxy acid) which break apart pore-clogging debris, gently exfoliating away dead, dulling cells to reveal the radiance beneath and minimise the signs of congestion, fine lines, wrinkles and dullness. Alongside this, lactic acid exfoliates further, prickly pear extract reduces irritation and lemongrass extract brightens and clarifies skin. 

Review: If you're in your teens or twenties and are looking for a gentle formula, then Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment would be perfect for you. Perfect for all skin types and all ages, Good Genes clarifies, smooths, and retexturizes for instant radiance.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial

($80, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Babyfacial™ is a pro-quality AHA/BHA“facial”that resurfaces to reveal greater clarity, improved skin texture and tone, and a more youthful-looking radiance. Made with all skin types in mind, this formula is crafted at an ideal pH of 3.5 with a blend of acids that work in harmony to boost efficacy without the redness and sensitisation. Instead, expect more even, radiant, baby-soft skin!

Key Ingredients: With a whopping 25% AHA / 2% BHA blend of the dream team glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids, this pro-quality formula dramatically smooths texture while minimizing the look of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. Uniquely formulated with chickpea flour, pumpkin ferment, and a soothing antioxidant blend of matcha tea, milk thistle, and apple, this mask delivers incredible brightening and enzymatic action, improves skin's elastic feel, and reveals the look of a more even, radiant, baby-soft complexion. 

Review: Babyfacial mask hits the perfect balance of feeling like it's actually doing something while still remaining kind to skin. For those with sensitive skin, Drunk Elephant claims 20 minutes is best and advises using the product once a week. You'll find, over time, a brighter complexion, diminished dark spots, and a subtle glow.

| Retinol Serums: Sunday Riley A+ vs. Drunk Elephant Retinol 

Sunday Riley A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum

($85/30ml, up to 7% cashback at Birchbox)

One of the most bio-available non-prescription forms of vitamin A products on the market, A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum is a pro-strength formula for those who want serious results without the unwanted side effects of traditional retinol formulations. 

Key Ingredients: This highly concentrated, retinol-infused serum delivers a 6.5% solution to the skin and is a combination of 5% retinoid ester blend, 1% liposomal-encapsulated retinol blend and 0.5% blue-algae to fight the visible signs of aging and improves the look of pores and UV-damaged skin. CoQ10 gives antioxidant protection, while Hawaiian white honey, cactus, and ginger extracts visibly balance redness and soothe the skin for a calmer complexion. 

Review: It is a fantastic middle ground between a low dose retinol/retinoid and the over the top prescription. This can be used on all skin types except those that are super sensitive. We recommend this for mature, dry, normal, combination, oily and acneic but NOT sensitive skin.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

($74/30ml, up to 4% cashback at Sephora)

Ideal for all those who're already acquainted with the wonders of retinol (this can trigger irritation and peeling if your skin is sensitive, or if you're new to the retinol realm), Drunk Elephant's game-changing A-Passioni Retinol Cream is the perfect addition to your evening-time routine.

Key Ingredients: A powerhouse complex, this potent, silicone-free formulation of 1% retinol boasts comforting and nourishing ingredients, to give lazy skin cells a boot up their bottoms! Formulated with retinol and peptides, this cream works to restore brightness and elasticity to the complexion without causing redness. Vitamin F and a blend of comforting passionfruit, apricot, marula, and jojoba oils replenish essential lipids and moisture, while antioxidant-packed kale, winter cherry, and xanthophylls help defend against environmental stressors. It's like a reboot of your skin back to its healthiest, most youthful state.

Review: It is a good, strong retinol formula. If the added benefits of antioxidants, peptides, and vitamins are worth paying for in your eyes, then you'll probably really like this formula. But, if you're new to using retinol creams and don't have a tolerance built up, we recommend starting with a lower retinol percentage and working your way up.

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