REVIEW: What Do They REALLY Say About Sunday Riley Good Genes

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid
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Brand
Sunday Riley
Product
Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
Where to Buy

Did you know that our skin regenerates itself approximately every 27 days?

In fact, the outer layer of our skin contains dead skin cells that used to exist in the epidermis. These dead cells can then result in dull, dry and flaky patches on our skin. In order to prevent this and achieve soft and smooth skin, exfoliation is key.

Considered one of the darlings in the world of skincare, lactic acid is used to exfoliate the skin, lighten dark spots, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It belongs to a class of anti-aging ingredients called alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and is naturally derived from milk.

By harnessing the potency of lactic acid, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment promises to exfoliate the dull surface of the skin for instant glow and radiance. In addition, Sunday Riley Good Genes has been clinically proven to instantly plump the look of fine lines and wrinkles in 3 minutes.

But with an $85 price tag, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment doesn’t come cheap. So before you go get yourself a bottle of this product, let’s first get to know more about what it does, learn how to use Sunday Riley Good Genes, and look for online reviews of Sunday Riley Good Genes. It also wouldn’t hurt to search for Sunday Riley Good Genes before and after photos to check on the product’s effects.

The Sunday Riley Brand

Sunday Riley believes in creating the highest quality products by using science-based formulations, and by working with the highest quality suppliers.

As a brand, Sunday Riley says ‘YES’ to being an advocate for human rights, being cruelty-free, and being an advocate for giving back. Sunday Riley also champions sustainability — they’ve recently redesigned their packaging to be sustainable, and have taken steps to purchase carbon credits and use energy-efficient shipping and manufacturing methods.

Therefore, you can count on Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment to be vegan and free of sulfates, parabens, gluten, soy, phthalates, and fragrances.

The Sunday Riley Controversy

A few years back, the brand figured in a fake review scandal when a Reddit user, who claimed to be a former Sunday Riley employee said they were tasked to write reviews of two Sunday Riley products on Sephora.com.

Since then, a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been reached, and the brand was banned from leaving fake online reviews. Be that as it may, this agreement didn’t require the brand to admit to falsifying online product reviews in the past, it only requires that Sunday Riley will not do so, moving forward.

Sunday Riley Good Genes: How It Works

Lactic acid works by removing the top layer of skin (epidermis). Some stronger formulas may also target the dermis, which is the middle layer of skin. In doing so, lactic acid in skincare reveals smoother and brighter skin.

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment can then help treat hyperpigmentation, age spots, and other factors that contribute to a dull and uneven complexion. It can also provide the other benefits of AHAs which include improved skin tone and reduced pore appearance.

For those who are worried about using acid on the skin, what’s good about lactic acid is that unlike other AHAs such as glycolic acid, it’s a bit milder. This makes Sunday Riley Good Genes a good choice for those with sensitive skin or those who’ve found other AHA skincare products too strong.

The Key Ingredients in Sunday Riley Good Genes

  • Purified Lactic Acid – exfoliates the surface layers of the skin. As one of the most hydrating Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs), it helps reveal a more clarified, fresher, smoother, younger-looking complexion. Purified Lactic Acid also helps fight a build-up of dead skin cells and excess sebum, which can lead to skin bumps, dullness, skin congestion, blackheads, and eventually, acne. This ingredient likewise allows Sunday Riley Good Genes to diminish the look of discolourations and dark spots.
  • Liquorice – helps improve skin radiance with its naturally brightening properties.
  • Lemongrass –  acts as an astringent and helps refresh skin for a toned complexion.
  • Arnica – soothes the skin, reducing the feeling of skin discomfort.
  • Prickly Pear Extract – instantly soothes skin. This rare desert cactus extract has been touted for its antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Use Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

For all skin types

Apply 1-3 pumps to clean, dry skin. Sunday Riley Good Genes can be used day or night and it’s meant as a leave-on treatment.

For sensitive skin

If you have sensitive skin, you can still use Sunday Riley Good Genes as a mask. Apply 1-3 pumps to clean, dry skin and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse well and pat dry.

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment can be applied with other Sunday Riley products (on top of Luna Sleeping Night Oil), and before your moisturiser. For those with oily or combination skin, you may find that you may not even need to moisturise!

What You Should Know Before Using Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

Although lactic acid has a milder nature than most AHA’s it’s still very much a powerful acid. Its ‘peeling’ effects can leave your skin more vulnerable to the sun and leave you more susceptible to sunburn. Therefore, make sure to limit sun exposure when you’re using Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment, and be sure to always apply sunscreen.

It’s also best to avoid mixing lactic acid with retinol, other acids and exfoliants (including other AHAs or benzoyl peroxide) to avoid dryness or irritation. If you have eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, it’s highly advisable NOT to use a lactic acid peel.

Reviews of Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

What Beauty Bloggers and Beauty Magazines Say

To help you get a sense of what industry experts thought about Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment, we’ve summarised the reviews by some of the top beauty bloggers and beauty magazines and included some of their Sunday Riley Good Genes before and after photos.

Jenna Igneri, Byrdie

sunday riley good genes before and after photo of jenna igneri of byrdie
Photo Credit: Jenna Igneri, Byrdie

Overall, Sunday Riley’s Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment was the perfect skin pick-me-up, leaving me with a visibly more radiant, soft, and plump complexion in just two weeks. It’s earned itself a permanent spot in my bedtime routine, and I’m looking forward to seeing if it has any effect on my sun spots and fine lines.

For Byrdie’s Jenna Igneri, the Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment gave immediate results — her skin immediately felt firmer, softer, and more hydrated once the product had fully absorbed. She found the texture light and easy to absorb, and the formulation gentler than other acids in the market.

However, Jenna did develop a mild sunburn after spending a day at the beach, even after consistently slathering on SPF. Nonetheless, she said that her skin was much more radiant and had a much smoother texture by the end of her testing period (just look at her Sunday Riley Good Genes before and after photos). And though she didn’t notice any significant improvement of her sun spots or fine lines, she agreed that Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment has excellent exfoliating effects.

Lourdes Avila Uribe, Insider

With Good Genes doing the heavy lifting, there’s no need to pile on an excessive amount of products every morning and night. So while it does have a hefty price tag, it more or less evens out since my skin requires less overall maintenance.

According to Lourdes Avila Uribe of Insider, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment changed the overall look of her skin. Sunday Riley Good Genes made it healthier and smoother than it has been in years.

Lourdes admits though, that even though the price mysteriously dropped several months prior, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment remains extremely expensive.

Jihan Forbes, Allure

Each and every time I use this product, my skin looks crazy radiant and stays that way all day, and it’s all thanks to the hero ingredient, lactic acid.

Meanwhile, Jihan Forbes of Allure says that her skin feels firmer and plumper and reported that she doesn’t need to use a highlighter because Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment gives her skin a nice, natural glow.

Jihan also mentioned that with a hefty price tag, Sunday Riley Good Genes is definitely a splurge, but one that is well worth it.

Lisa Niven, British Vogue

Ultimately I feel like it makes my complexion brighter and my skin texture smoother, so it’s one of my absolute favourite products – despite the price tag!

As for Lisa Niven of British Vogue, she loves Sunday Riley Good Genes. She said her skin looks tighter and brighter when she wakes up and feels like the product prevents her pores from getting too congested. She admits that Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid does tingle a little when you apply it, but she has moderately sensitive skin and hasn’t had any problems.

Lauren, The Honest Beauty Review

sunday riley good genes before and after photo from the honest beauty review
Photo Credit: The Honest Beauty Review

Within about 15 minutes, my skin is more plump, fine lines are filled, and I notice a glow. This is the only product I’ve ever used with such immediate results.

On her blog The Honest Beauty Review, Lauren compared Sunday Riley Good Genes, with another trusted lactic acid product — The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA. For her review on Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment, she said that the effects were immediate and that she woke up in the morning with smooth bright skin. (You may also want to try The Ordinary Peeling Solution for stronger exfoliation.)

Lauren also said that this milky cream easily spreads over her entire face with half a pump. Though she did report a bearable tingle that lasts for about an hour when using Sunday Riley Good Genes.

Jude Chao, Fifty Shades of Snail

Good Genes seems to have kicked my skin out of the rut it had been in. That’s pretty exciting.

Writer Jude Chao of Fifty Shades of Snail gave Sunday Riley Good Genes a rating of 3.8 (out of 5 stars) in her review. Jude said that while her skin generally feels smooth, she didn’t notice a huge difference for the first three weeks. But then a big handful of grits eventually appeared, which she took as a sign that old clogs are coming to the surface.

Nevertheless, Jude admits that her skin tone is also brighter and much more even and that Sunday Riley Good Genes helped bring results in her battle against pigmentation issues.

What the Internet Says

For a more honest and comprehensive review, we’ve scoured the internet to learn what people have to say regarding Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. Here’s what we’ve found on Reddit and Twitter:

The Fans:

  • 82% were satisfied with the product and agreed that it was effective
  • 73% loved the product and said that Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is 18% hailed the product’s exfoliating effects, saying that it helped them achieve clear skin
  • 15% reported that their skin felt moisturised after using Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
  • 9% loved the product’s faint citrusy scent
  • 6% said that Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment produced immediate  favourable effects on their skin
  • 6% believe Sunday Riley Good Genes is worth the price you pay for it

The Non-believers:

  • 27% thinks that the product is too expensive and that it is better to look for a Sunday Riley Good Genes dupe
  • 9% were turned off by the scent(an equal percentage to those who loved it!)
  • 9% experienced an adverse skin reaction which comprised of breakouts and dry skin

Over to You

It’s no controversy: when it comes to exfoliation, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is an effective and gentle option. It may be pricier than other lactic acid skincare products, but there are enough people who say Sunday Riley Good Genes has done wonders for their skin.

Now that you have discovered how to use Sunday Riley Good Genes, have read all these reviews of Sunday Riley Good Genes, and have seen all these Sunday Riley Good Genes before and after photos, it’s time to experience firsthand what this popular product is all about, and you’ll be on your way to beautifully clean skin!

You may also want to read: REVIEW: Why Drunk Elephant Protini Is a Different Level of Moisturizing Cream

Among the strong candidates
There's no doubt that Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is effective at what it does — exfoliation. But with its high price point amidst many other lactic acid alternatives, we understand the search for a good Sunday Riley Good Genes dupe.
Price
70
Effectiveness
90
Texture
92
Packaging
88
Ingredients
90
Gentle exfoliation from lactic acid
Creamy texture
Sustainable packaging
Priced higher than most lactic acid products
86