I rarely use moisturizer in the morning. It seems an odd thing to say, I know, considering that beauty experts are always saying that hydration is the most important factor in skin health. But hear me out. You see, my skin is naturally oily, so thick skincare products often leave me facing breakouts. After cleansing in the morning, I reach for a vitamin C serum and follow with a cream SPF (which tends to deliver ample hydration for my skin). When vitamin C and SPF aren’t necessary in the evenings, I use a lightweight moisturizer.
But recently, a daytime moisturizer has come my way that has forced me to totally rejig my routine. I’ve followed the same skincare formula for years, and I’ve never met a day cream that could convince me to ditch my regimen—not until Sunday Riley C.E.O. Afterglow Brightening Vitamin C Gel Cream came along, anyway.
I have previously tested Sunday Riley C.E.O. Vitamin C Rich Hydration Cream, and I liked it. In fact, I have friends who consider it to be one of the best skincare products they’ve ever used. However, I would always choose a hardworking vitamin C serum over a rich face cream that risks causing a breakout. And while Sunday Riley’s Rich Hydration Cream wasn’t quite for me, Afterglow is a different story entirely.
For starters, the texture is light. At first glance, it seems like any other cream moisturizer, but as soon as you start massaging it into your skin, it turns into a cooling, lightweight gel that’s so refreshing it’s reminiscent of splashing your face with cool water. Beyond that, it packs an impressive antioxidant punch. Formulated with THD ascorbate, an oil-stable form of vitamin C, it helps protect skin against damage caused by external aggressors such as UV rays and pollution—just like my go-to vitamin C serums do.
The thing that really convinced me to switch out my usual serums for this cream, however, is its glowing punch. It leaves skin luminous and radiant without delivering any sort of disco-ball shimmer. It contains a gently exfoliating lime-pearl extract to brighten skin while it hydrates and protects. Essentially, this moisturizer’s ingredient list is so impressive that, as a skincare snob, I’m more than happy to forgo my usual favorites in favor of it. I just slather it on, pop my SPF on over the top and I’m good to go. I don’t even feel tempted to put any makeup on. If you want my brutally honest opinion, save your money on vitamin C serums that cost three times the price and go for this glow-boosting moisturizer instead.
Next up, Shopbop’s Beauty Launch Is So Good—Here’s What 3 Editors Are Buying.
This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.