Sunday Riley Luna Oil*, the blue concoction that makes skincare devotees going ga-ga, especially after several famous bloggers stating the wonders that it does after one night of usage.
Well, yeah, it didn’t happen to me. Not in one night, sorry.
I’m not worried though, because every skincare product reacts and affects differently on people, whether it’s the results or the time that it takes. I won’t sweat it.
Before I start, I’d like to state this first. I was very lucky that I won Luna in a Sunday Riley‘s giveaway. I honestly didn’t expect it at all. From the list of prizes, which didn’t have this product in it, I would’ve been very happy if I received anything from the line. So when they contacted me and said that the prize is Luna, I was absolutely over the moon. I believe the product had just been launched by then, so it literally felt like I won a lottery. It still does.
Although I planned on getting Luna eventually, I definitely wasn’t prepared on receiving one so soon. I never used any retinol-based product previously and I had not read anything much about this ingredient. That being said, I somewhat refrained myself from reading reviews on Luna. Just because I want to make sure that I stay neutral in my opinion. And really, to feel the full experience on Luna.
Let’s get to it.
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil*.
What it is:
A next-generation retinoid oil to reduce pore size, improve appearance of damaged skin, and help fight wrinkles.
Upon receiving the product, I carefully read the box and the description it entails. I read it over and over again, making sure that I read every bit of discretion and warnings, including the obvious one in bold font:
NOT FOR USE DURING PREGNANCY.
This is serious matter. I saw a local online shop once and stated that it’s safe for pregnant women. *silent* Talking about pet peeves. I do wish Sunday Riley and other vendors would start stating this particular warning on their websites. Sunday Riley did mention that it’s safe to use when breastfeeding, but please consult with your physician as well.
OK next, the particular for-your-information I was concerned enough is this:
Trans-retinoic acid and its derivatives can cause mild peeling for a few days.
So that’s my cue. If it’s going to dry my skin out, then I need to be prepared.
Keyword: hydration.
If you’re wondering why the oil is blue, it’s mostly from the Blue Tansy and German Chamomile. However, in the ingredient list, Luna has two dye at the bottom: CI 61565 (Green 6) and CI 60725 (Violet 2). When asked, Sunday Riley said that the dyes are added as an indicator to know when the retinol has been massaged in enough. See the screenshot below.
I personally think it’s unnecessary. I hope that the brand will exclude the dyes out of the formulation in the future. That being said, I haven’t found any adverse effects on me or discoloration on my skin in the 6 months I incorporate this oil into my skincare regimen. I don’t have a blue face.
But still, I think they can leave the dye out.
Screenshot taken from Sunday Riley’s Instagram account.
Reading the key ingredients in the photo below, I am surprised and enamored by the variety of anti-inflammatory ingredients in Luna. It’s great because these calming elements can balance out the retinol that can irritate the skin. In any case, I always need some kind of soothing aspect in my skincare routine to tone down my redness and flare-ups.
This particular aspect of Luna is the first reason of why I love this oil. My skin is always on its best behavior whenever I use this few nights before. It didn’t take long for me to realize this. I started to notice how my face is less red, less inflamed and my pores are in good manners most of the time. While I know that pores can’t get smaller, but they sure can appear more ‘closed’. Hence, a smoother surface on these areas.
I actually relied a lot on Luna when I had my obnoxious breakout a while ago. Aside from Artemis (which I applied at the very last), Luna definitely played a substantial game in alleviating my angry skin. It had a hand in diminishing small(er) blemishes as well. Overall, Luna made the breakout less painful.
It wasn’t until entering the second month that I started to realize something is changing in my complexion.
It’s the TEXTURE.
My skin has retexturized, for the better. Wow. I believe I have never tried any skincare that gives me such result. It’s not that hard to pinpoint because I’ve never encountered it yet. It’s weird and it’s sublime. It’s not exactly radiance or glow, it’s how more refined my skin is but at a completely different ball-game. It’s as if Luna is fixing the skin on a deeper level. The depth of lines is reduced, creating a visibly more uniformed complexion. I don’t want to be overboard, but I feel I was given a new, better skin to work with.
The result, though hard to explain, is so obvious because many people surrounding me has been asking what I use, or whether I had done something differently to my skincare regime. They’ve been saying my skin is looking really good *best compliment ever, btw* There is such a pronounced, peculiar yet unmistakable improvement and I knew then it’s this blue oil’s doing.
The evidence is even clearer when I had my breakout. The problematic areas were of course, despicably repulsive but the rest of my skin was pretty much clear, even and continued to bloom as I keep incorporating the oil in the regime. The contrast, oh the contrast!
I owe it all to Luna.
Many had also asked if they can use the oil with Good Genes. According to Sunday Riley, yes you can. Apply Luna first, then layer Good Genes on top. Or alternate it every other night. I tried the first one and while I quite liked the result, I felt that my skin was pushing it. I didn’t feel comfortable continuing this combination of using them together at once because I’m scared of over-exfoliation. Good Genes is potent on its own, don’t be greedy.
That being said, Luna combined with acid exfoliation will give the optimum results, at least on me. Luna doesn’t give that mother-of-glow, holy radiance I got from my usual AHA products, but the way it retexturizes the skin is even more apparent when the skin is ‘polished’ even more. I still use an exfoliating toner such as PIXI Glow Tonic, First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads or Blemish Patrol Pads (if I have some blemishes) when using Luna, but I don’t use anything stronger than that. I find exfoliating toner helps to slough off some of the dead skin cells, resulting a better absorption of everything else I put on top. In return, I’m still able to retain radiance on my complexion.
Aside from Good Genes, I still use Drunk Elephant Framboos Serum and REN Resurfacing AHA Concentrate. I still need them because they have their own functions and purposes. I just don’t use them together with Luna on the same night.
I will also highlight that Luna is drying. While I never really experienced any real dryness on my face, I did, however, feel some on my hands. After applying the oil (or any oil), I tend to rub whatever is left on the back of my hands and towards the lower arms. I noticed that those areas became drier than usual, sometimes even flaky and parched. It’s not a big of deal though, a proper and constant application of body butter/lotion will fix it. However to me, that looked like a proof of “mild peeling” happening there.
Then how did I escape the same fate on my face? Remember the keyword above: hydration. I can not stress enough how important it is to amp up the hydration and moisture level when using Luna. I personally love to apply another serum on top such as Innisfree Green Tea Seed Serum, Aurelia Revitalize & Glow Serum, or KYPRIS Antioxidant Dew (mixed with its Beauty Elixirs). For the final seal on top, depending on what I need during the night, I alternate between applying Artemis, NUDE Overnight Repair Mask or TATCHA Soothing Triple Recovery Cream.
In general, I try to create a comforting, soothing regime whenever I use Luna. Building a nice, happy la la land, sandwiching Luna. I think this trick works well because it allows me to use this oil often, very often, 5 drops per use, without any issues. I can use it almost everyday or alternating. I try to limit myself to not use it more than 7 day-straight. I love using this when I’m on my PMS, when I have blemishes or simply when my face is a bit inflamed due to the heat during the day. The powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients are truly a saver. So you see, it’s hard for me to stay away from this oil!
Luna has quite a strong scent. To my best ability, I’d describe it as earthy, slight floral but not sweet. I personally love it the moment I used it the first time. Massaging it on the skin while inhaling the scent relaxes my senses. It subdues as the oil get absorbed into the skin, leaving me with a very calming sensation from the scent.
Now that we get to the end of it..
Frankly, I couldn’t pick which one I love more, the anti-inflammatory ingredients keeping my complexion in zen mode or the trans-retinol ester doing such fine tuning on my skin. I might lean on the calming effect a little more but I still get the benefits from the other, whether I like it or not. I love it obviously *duh*
Killing two birds in one stone.
That’s how I would describe Luna.
Disclosure: as mentioned in the beginning, I received Luna as a giveaway prize. All opinions expressed are 100% mine, obviously, as always.
