Sunday Riley has Earned its Cult Skincare Status: Here’s Why
Sunday Riley, the Texan-born founder behind a beauty brand of the same name, knew she was onto something when she turned her attention to science-based ingredients that are enriched by botanicals.
Following 14 years of success, the Sunday Riley Modern Skincare range has earned a cult following among skincare enthusiasts, thanks to its track record of delivering results. From its award-winning Good Genes serum to its hugely popular C.E.O. Afterglow Vitamin C cream, the brand’s products are kind to our skin, kind to our planet, and free from animal testing — hell yeah!
So, what sets this award-winning skincare brand apart and what’s its formula for success? Let’s explore the secret behind this brand’s trailblazing approach to skincare and what’s on the horizon for Sunday Riley.
The story behind Sunday Riley’s success
I want you to think back to 2009 — a time when Keeping Up With The Kardashians had just started its third season 😱, President Obama was settling into the White House and we were all religiously learning the dance moves to Beyonce’s chart-topper, Single Ladies. Back then, sustainability simply wasn’t on the agenda for many skincare brands and the market was dominated by giant brands.
However, in Texas, Sunday Riley was already ahead of the game. Harboring a life-long fascination with native plants as well as undertaking studies in chemistry, Sunday found herself in a unique position to leverage her scientific understanding with a love of the natural world. This connection led to the founding of Sunday Riley’s skincare brand in 2009.
Of course, launching a skincare brand was never going to be easy. Riley kicked off the brand from her parent’s home, where she was juggling her own parental duties (with a second baby on the way) while also launching a business with a shoestring budget. Umm talk about dedication… mad respect!
Despite some teething problems, Sunday Riley’s brand soon found its way onto the shelves of Barney’s and Sephora — becoming one of the best-selling brands in the store. Since then, Sunday Riley has been on an upward trajectory, earning its reputation as an indie skincare powerhouse to be reckoned with.
But, what really makes Sunday Riley special?
How did Sunday go from formulating products in her parents’ home to having celebrity fans such as Lizzo and Drew Barrymore? The secret lies within its formula, which the brand identifies as “powered by science, balanced by botanicals.”
Riley recognized early that the skincare industry lacked high-quality products that included planet-based ingredients backed by scientific research. With clean beauty as its focus, Sunday leverages botanical ingredients into powerful skincare solutions that make people feel good while helping to nourish their skin.
Sunday summed up her dedication to the community perfectly when speaking to Buro Magazine: “Really being a part of other people’s journey towards self-love and self-care is what inspires me, and what gets me up in the morning. I’ve never really considered myself an entrepreneur. The brand, the formula, and skincare itself are more than just a business to me; I live and breathe skincare and I am just glad that I can share all of that with others.”
Sunday Riley’s unwavering commitment to sustainability earned the company its B-Corp status, meaning that the brand is transparent and meets the highest standards of environmental and social purpose. The company also became plastic-neutral in 2022 and has taken steps to redesign its packaging with sustainability in mind. By September 2023, Sunday Riley is aiming to collect 114,690 lbs (52,022 kilos) of plastic — preventing it from ending up in landfill or our oceans.
Aside from Sunday Riley’s commitment to the environment, the brand has also taken a firm position on providing its shoppers with education and personalization. The Sunday Edit, for example, is the brand’s editorial arm and provides high-level insights into beauty trends as well as updates about the brand itself. For those looking to arm themselves with even more personal information about their skincare journey, Sunday Riley also offers shoppers virtual consultations with a skincare specialist which matches shoppers with products that are 100% designed for their skin, as well as Sunday School Live talks where viewers can tune in.
When combined, all of this makes Sunday Riley a force to be reckoned with. No wonder the brand has earned itself a strong cult following in the skincare world.
Products, products… and more products
So what Sunday Riley products do you need to know about? All of them, obviously. However, there are also several iconic solutions that are championed among skincare circles for a reason.
Speaking to Vogue Arabia, Sunday Riley shared her advice about the top ingredients that everyone should know about. “I always think a woman needs three products, an alpha hydroxy acid, a retinol product, and a vitamin c product,” she said. “These are the three you really need to transform your skin. I also advise people to keep their face out of the sun in general, I’m a big believer in hats and sunscreen, really because no matter what, you need to protect yourself from the sun – it’s a huge nuclear reactor.” With this in mind, here are three Sunday Riley best-sellers that tick all the boxes.
Good Genes Lactic Acid treatment: A Sunday Riley bestseller, the brand’s lactic acid treatment visibly transforms dull skin and helps to brighten your complexion. It does this by combining the potent AHA, lactic acid, with several botanical extracts that work well to boost brightness. These include licorice, lemongrass, arnica, prickly pear extract, and aloe.
C.E.O. Glow Vit C and Tumeric Face Oil: Infused with Vitamin C and a wealth of botanical goodness including ginger, turmeric, red raspberry, cranberry seed oil, evening primrose oil, and more, many Sunday Riley lovers swear by the power of this product. Sunday Riley’s nutrient-rich face oil can be used daily and helps to reduce the signs of premature skin aging. Sunday Riley shoppers rate this product 4.9 stars for its quality and have shoppers claiming they’re ‘obsessed.’
A+ High Dose Retinoid Serum: Completing the trifecta is Sunday Riley’s bestselling retinoid serum. This includes a blend of retinoid ester, liposome-encapsulated retinol, and blue algae as part of a powerful solution. The product works wonders when it comes to encouraging a healthy complexion, and reducing the signs of aging. Before using any retinol product, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with your skin type and how to best use such products safely.
Want to know more? Check out our guide on Retinoid vs. Retinol vs. Retinal to learn about which solution works for you.
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