Lactic acid is one of the most popular alpha hydroxy acids in skin care, and for good reason. Much milder than many other AHAs, this acid is derived from kefir and is known for its surface exfoliating properties
removing dead skin cells while reducing the appearance of fine lines and discoloration. As a lactic acid newbie, I tested one of the most popular products on the market, not to mention a favorite from Byrdie HQ: Sunday Riley’s
Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment.
I used it every day for two weeks and noticed a change in my skin’s texture, radiance and moisture levels, as well as an improvement in dark spots and fine lines. Is this exfoliating, plumping serum treatment winning over people?
Please read carefully to find out.
About my skin: Normal to oily with slight fine lines. My skin conditions vary from season to season, with my skin fluctuating between normal and oily in the summer and more prone to clogged pores and blemishes—especially now
that I wear a mask every time I leave the house.
I also struggle with texture and find that my skin is rarely smooth, whether it’s dry, oily or somewhere in between. I also suffered significant sun damage from years of tanning at the beach as a teenager, which showed up in the
form of small freckle-like dark spots on my cheeks.
I generally shy away from acids because I’ve had severe reactions to stronger ingredients in the past and have never used lactic acid treatments consistently before. Given my current skin condition, and the fact that I’m
starting to notice fine lines appearing around my eyes (hello, I’m 30!)
Good Genes seemed like the perfect choice for me to try a daily AHA for the first time. Since this product can be used both during the day and at night, I decided to incorporate it into my evening routine.
After spritzing Maison Jacynthe Rose Petal Water on clean skin, I apply Good Genes to my face and neck and let it absorb, then apply a more powerful nighttime moisturizer, Haoma’s Recovery Night Cream. Because the product is
gentle enough for daily use, I used it every night during the two-week test period.
Ingredients: Lactic acid and plant ingredients work together to refine skin. Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment is based on natural lactic acid, which works to remove pore-clogging dead skin cells from the skin’s
surface, reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots
leaving skin fresh and radiant. Lactic acid is also known to kill acne-causing bacteria, promote cell turnover, and help skin retain moisture. 1 Additionally, licorice and lemongrass can fade dark spots and other skin
discolorations
Members of the skincare community may boast about having a comprehensive, multi-step routine, but that’s not reality for everyone.
Especially in the wee hours of the morning when you’re preparing breakfast for a hungry toddler, juggling a 9-to-5 work schedule, or trying to fit in other morning rituals like exercise and to-do lists.
However, a morning skin care routine can be just as beneficial as one before bed. This is the time to condition your skin after a night’s sleep—especially important if you’re too tired to wash your face before bed—and set your
complexion up for success in the face of a day full of germs, screen time, stress, and more. UV rays.
Follow these guidelines to learn how to perform your morning skin care routine. Although we’ve laid out a complete routine, there are some optional steps you can add or remove based on your specific skin type and concerns.
How to use morning skin care products. Here’s How to Layer Your Morning Skin Care Routine.
Step 1: Cleaner. It’s time to start from scratch, literally. Wash your face with a cleanser for 30-60 seconds, using circular motions to remove dirt and oil from problem areas such as your chin, nose, and forehead.
Soap-free cleansers with skin-loving ingredients, like our Antioxidant Cleanser, are beneficial for all skin types. If you’re prone to acne or oiliness, choose a product like Keep the Peace, which contains 1.5% salicylic acid.
If you have a dry skin type or have been following a bedtime skin care routine, you may not need to deep cleanse your skin.
However, it’s still important to wash away any impurities that may have sneaked in overnight (pillowcases can contain bacteria and dead skin cells). So give them a quick brush with micellar water or a little water. Or go to step
2 and cleanse with toner.
Step 2: Toner (optional): If you’ve ever washed your face and still noticed residue when you pat it dry with a towel, you already know the benefits of toner.
A good toner not only removes remaining impurities, but also sets the stage for the rest of your skin care by rebalancing your skin’s pH (which is lost by rinsing with water) and providing it with skin-loving nutrients. As
mentioned above, a toner (like Baby Cheeks) can be used in place of cleansing in the morning, even for dry skin types.
This is also a good time to exfoliate dead skin cells before applying your serum, which will penetrate more effectively when pores are clear. Use a daily brightening toner to do this while evening out your skin tone.
Step 3: Serum or Treatment. Now that your skin is fully primed and ready, you can apply targeted serums and treatments specifically tailored to your skin care needs. Dehydrated or dry skin?
Try Moisture Maker Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Do you have dark spots? Use tranexamic acid or vitamin C to lighten dullness and strengthen the barrier. Are you prone to acne? A clarifying serum containing niacinamide can
help balance.
Step 4: Eye Gel (optional): While we recommend using thicker eye creams and creams at night, those with dark circles and eye bags can use a cooling gel to invigorate tired eyes.
Gently pat our brightening eye gel, starting at the inner corner of the eye and working upward toward the brow bone to flush away any trapped liquid that causes dark circles and bags.
Step 5: Moisturizer: For all oily and acne-prone skin types: Don’t skip this step! Moisturizer helps seal in all the goodness while locking in the moisture you need for the rest of the day.
During the day, opt for something lighter like dew point. The cooling jelly-like texture is instantly absorbed into the skin, leaving you non-greasy all day long. Dry skin types may prefer a creamy product like Skin Soak.
Step 6: Sun protection: If you put something on in the morning, make sure it’s sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the sun is important year-round to prevent cancer, burns, and damage like dark spots and premature fine lines.
Choose a mineral broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen that also protects against free radicals caused by blue light and pollution. If you’re out and about during the day, don’t forget to take the tube with you so you can use it every
two hours as recommended by the FDA. Step 7: Glowing Fireflies (Optional) As a bonus step, use mood lighting to add a little filter-free glow to your daily routine. Choose from Sheer Golden and Sheer Bronzed (or mix the two)
and blend into skin to fade imperfections and enhance skin’s radiance. If you wear makeup, you can also mix a few drops into your foundation.
