Good Genes Lactic Acid Therapy by Sunday Riley

Lactic acid is one of the most popular alpha hydroxy acids in skin care, and for good reason. Much gentler than many other AHAs, this acid is derived from kefir and is known for its surface exfoliating properties,

sloughing away dead skin cells while reducing fine lines and discoloration. As a lactic acid newbie, I tested one of the most popular products on the market, not to mention a Byrdie HQ favorite: Sunday Rileys

Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment.

I used it daily for two weeks and saw changes in my skin’s texture, radiance, and hydration levels, as well as improvements in dark spots and fine lines. Is this exfoliating, plumping serum-based treatment a winner?

Read on to find out.

About my skin: Normal to oily with minor fine lines. My skin condition varies by season. In the summer, my skin fluctuates between normal and oily, and I’m more prone to clogged pores and breakouts—especially now that I wear a mask every time I leave the house. I also struggled with texture, finding that my skin was rarely smooth, whether it was dry, oily, or somewhere in between. I also suffered from severe sun damage as a teenager from years of sunbathing at the beach, which showed up as small, freckle-like dark spots on my cheeks. In general, I shy away from acids because I’ve had severe reactions to stronger ingredients in the past and have never consistently used lactic acid treatments. Given my current skin condition and the fact that I was starting to notice fine lines around my eyes (hello, I’m 30!), Good Genes seemed like the perfect choice for my first try at a daily AHA. Since the product can be used both day and night, I decided to incorporate it into my nighttime routine.

After spraying Maison Jacynthe Rose Petal Water onto cleansed skin, I apply Good Genes to my face and neck and let it absorb. I’ll then apply a stronger nighttime moisturizer, Haomas Restoring Night Cream. Since the product is gentle enough for daily use, I used it every night during my two-week testing period.

Ingredients: Lactic acid and botanicals work together to refine skin. Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Treatment is based on natural lactic acid, which removes pore-clogging dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots for a fresh, radiant complexion. Lactic acid also kills acne-causing bacteria, promotes cell turnover, and helps the skin retain moisture. 1 Additionally, licorice and lemongrass can fade dark spots and other skin discolorations, while aloe vera, like cactus extract, arnica, and others, can soothe the skin and reduce redness. Lactic acid is the second ingredient listed, while cactus extract and aloe vera, which are part of the brand’s blend of botanical extracts (including other extracts and water), are listed as the first ingredients, indicating that they are both present in effective concentrations. It’s worth noting that arnica, lemongrass, and licorice are listed as ingredients 14, 16, and 17, respectively, but are not final ingredients in the formula. By Birdie’s standards, this product is considered clean. Although it contains some PEGs, the brand’s lab assistant confirmed to Byrdie that all PEGs used have been purified and are free of impurities and contaminants. It’s also vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

Feel: Lightweight, fast-absorbing. Good Genes is a white, milky serum that absorbs into the skin very quickly after application. It’s lightweight, yet hydrating, and leaves skin feeling smooth, plump, and hydrated without leaving much residue.

While I use it as a night cream, it makes a great base for makeup due to its instant texture-enhancing effects. Scent: Lemony, fruity, and floral. Sunday Riley doesn’t use artificial fragrances in its products, instead using natural ones. The botanicals in the Good Genes formula give the product a wonderful lemony-floral scent.

Drying and irritation: LA is much gentler than other acids. Lactic acid is one of the gentler options compared to some of the other acids on the market.

Because it’s a larger molecule, it doesn’t penetrate deeply into the skin and is more of a superficial exfoliant. And a polishing treatment with a firming effect. Plus, it has no effect on the pH of the skin.

I didn’t experience any irritation or dryness while using this product — quite the opposite, aside from making me more sensitive to the sun. Sensitivity: Be careful with the sun and other acids

Although lactic acid is a milder acid, it’s still an AHA acid, which means it can increase your sun sensitivity and make you more susceptible to sunburn. 3 It’s best to limit use and avoid sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards, and be sure to always apply (and reapply) SPF.

However, it’s best to avoid sun exposure as much as possible, as I did get a mild sunburn after a day at the beach despite constant use of sunscreen — something I don’t normally experience.

You should also avoid mixing lactic acid with other acids and exfoliants (like other AHAs or benzoyl peroxide) as well as retinol; this can cause redness or dryness. If your skin is particularly sensitive, the brand recommends using Good Genes as a 15-minute mask rather than a leave-on treatment.

The result: Skin instantly appears firmer and more hydrated, with improved radiance and texture over time. After using Good Genes for the first time, my skin felt firmer, softer, and more hydrated once the product was fully absorbed. While I could feel the results more than I could see them, overall I had a dewy, more radiant glow.

The brand promises that the product will instantly smooth out fine lines and wrinkles in just three minutes. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a slight difference in the fine lines under my eyes, but not enough for others to notice or for my phone camera to capture. Still a clear advantage!

After using this product as a nighttime treatment, I wake up every morning with smooth, radiant skin. I haven’t noticed any significant improvement in my sun spots or fine lines in two weeks, but I love the exfoliation of this product and will continue to use it. If it makes my sun spots and discoloration lines fade over time, that’s a bonus! Value: You get what you pay for Earlier this year, Sunday Riley slashed the price of Good Genes by 20%, from $105 to $85 per ounce.

While $85 isn’t cheap, and there are certainly many affordable lactic acid products on the market, Sunday Riley prides itself on using clean, high-quality ingredients and science-backed, eco-friendly formulas. In my opinion, you get what you pay for. Similar Products: Competitors Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% by The Ordinary ($6.50): There are a number of Good Genes knockoffs on the market at various price points, but the most popular is The Ordinarys

Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2% Serum by The Ordinary, a liquid serum with mild exfoliating properties and a keratin effect. Both products contain skin-soothing ingredients to combat acid-related redness and irritation. (The Good Genes

uses cactus extract, arnica, and aloe vera, while The Ordinary uses a derivative of the Tasmanian pepper plant.)

The Ordinary contains hyaluronic acid for extra hydration, while The Good Genes is formulated with licorice and lemongrass to brighten dark spots and uneven skin tone. Although I used the serum from The

While I haven’t personally tested the Ordinary, both products have received rave reviews. If you’re new to acids and are hesitant to invest in an entry-level product, The Ordinary’s serum is much cheaper (we’re talking $6.50 per ounce), so it might be a better option for you.

If you’re looking for a stronger drink, The Ordinary offers a 10% lactic acid version for just 20 cents more.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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