There’s something refreshing about attending a beauty event where the focus isn’t just on products, but on education too. That’s exactly what Sunday Riley delivered at its recent exclusive brand immersion evening in Manchester, bringing together creators, beauty enthusiasts and skincare lovers for an intimate introduction to one of the industry’s most respected science-backed skincare brands.
Founded by Sunday Riley herself, the female-founded, cruelty-free and B Corp-certified skincare brand has built a cult following thanks to its results-driven formulas that combine high-performance actives with botanicals. From the iconic Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment to CEO Vitamin C Serum and Luna Sleeping Night Oil, Sunday Riley has become a staple in many skincare enthusiasts’ routines.
Hosted in Manchester on 3rd June, the invite-only event offered guests the opportunity to discover the brand’s hero products, learn more about the science behind the formulations and hear directly from one of the company’s leading skincare experts.
On a personal note, I discovered Sunday Riley 8 years ago when I headed up the US beauty sites for The Hut Group. SkinStore.com – which is now DermStore – was my ‘baby’, and Sunday Riley products sold extremely well on the retailer. It was then that I began my love affair with Good Genes.
A Hands-On Introduction to the Sunday Riley Range
One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity to explore the full Sunday Riley collection through a series of interactive product stations.
Guests were encouraged to discover and sample some of the brand’s most-loved products, including:
- Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
- CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
- Aquamarine Cleanser
- A+ High-Dose Retinoid Serum
The experience gave attendees the chance to touch, test and take home the samples, to further understand the textures and formulations before deciding which products might suit their own skincare concerns.
As someone who loves learning the “why” behind skincare, it was particularly useful to hear how different ingredients work together and where each product fits within a routine.
An Expert-Led Q&A with Global Trainer Luke Henderson
Another standout moment from the evening was an educational demonstration and Q&A session led by Sunday Riley Global Trainer, Luke Henderson.
Rather than simply talking through products, Luke took a deeper dive into ingredient technology, formulation choices and how to maximise results without overwhelming the skin.
The session covered topics including:
- Vitamin C and brightening
- Skin barrier health
- Exfoliation and active ingredients
- Managing breakouts
- Product layering
- Common skincare mistakes
The relaxed format felt more like a conversation than a presentation, going into each product and what it was actually doing.
In an industry often driven by trends and social media hype, it was refreshing to hear evidence-based skincare advice from someone with extensive brand and ingredient knowledge.
My Takeaway Products
At the end of the evening, guests were gifted two full-size products to take home and experience for themselves: I have been using the CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum, however I am holding off with the Breakout Breakup Cleanser as I’m currently reducing any Salicylic Acid or Retinols at the moment as I’m on a personal journey to building back up my skin barrier.
CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum
Vitamin C serums can be notoriously difficult to formulate well, but Sunday Riley’s CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum has earned its reputation as one of the brand’s hero products.
Formulated with a potent yet stable form of Vitamin C, the serum is designed to target dullness, uneven skin tone and pigmentation while supporting a brighter, more radiant complexion. I always say opt for a Vitamin C that is 10% or higher, so this one has been one I have recommended before.
After using it consistently, my first impressions have been very positive. The texture feels lightweight without being watery, absorbs quickly and layers beautifully beneath moisturiser and SPF. What stands out most is the glow it gives the skin. Rather than creating a temporary shine, it delivers that healthy, rested look that many Vitamin C products promise but don’t always achieve. It isn’t ‘immediate’ – the brightening journey develops if you use this serum daily under your moisturiser. That being said, I tend to use it 4 times a week.
For anyone concerned about dullness, post-inflammatory pigmentation or loss of radiance, I can understand why this product has become such a cult favourite.
Breakout Breakup Cleanser
The second product in the gift bag was Sunday Riley’s Acne Treatment Face Wash, Breakout Breakup – a cleanser designed specifically for blemish-prone skin. So yes, that means it’s packed with Salicylic Acid which really is the gold standard for acne management.
What I particularly like about the ingredient list is that it uses fermented pear juice to give the exfoliation aspect, combining your acids with natural ingredients. Many breakout-focused cleansers can leave skin feeling squeaky clean in a way that often compromises the skin barrier, but this feels much more balanced from looking at what it says it does, with it’s non-drying formula.
The formula works to remove excess oil, impurities and daily build-up while helping to keep congestion under control. As I haven’t personally tried this yet, I can’t give a ‘hands on’ review but I can say it looks like a solid choice for those with too much oil and consistent breakouts.
More Than Just a Beauty Event
Beyond the products themselves, what made the evening enjoyable was the sense of community. Guests enjoyed cocktails, mocktails, skincare conversations and the opportunity to connect with fellow beauty creators and skincare enthusiasts in a relaxed setting.
As beauty consumers become increasingly ingredient-savvy, events like this play an important role in helping people understand the products they’re using rather than simply following trends. Sunday Riley has built its reputation on combining science with botanicals, and this event successfully brought that philosophy to life.
Final Thoughts
While products like Good Genes and Luna Sleeping Night Oil may already have cult status, the CEO 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum was undoubtedly one of the standout discoveries for me.
For anyone curious about the brand, this event served as a reminder of why Sunday Riley continues to be one of the most talked-about names in results-driven skincare.
