A new supersized bottle once again hooked me on this award-winning formula.
By contributor Laura Lajiness Kaupke.
I’ve somewhat blindly subscribed to my fair share of beauty products simply because the Internet told me to, but who hasn’t? In the age of influence, it’s alarming how powerful a well-lit, dewy photo can be. While some elixirs proved underwhelming, others fully lived up to the hype, like Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment.
Several years ago, I first gave the award-winning formula a go after learning that chemical exfoliants would do wonders for my highly congested, mostly dry, but technically combination skin. The constant build-up in my oversized pores plagued me. Yet, I hadn’t figured out the recipe for banishing the crud beyond regular cleansing, prodding with my fingers, and utilizing the occasional acne treatment or painful pore strip. I also dealt with dryness, dull texture, and hyperpigmentation, which didn’t fully register until I started witnessing all the evenly bright but not shiny foreheads, cheeks, and noses belonging to some of my friends and fellow editors. Quick caveat: Botox also had something to do with their seemingly airbrushed epidermises in some cases – a world I’ve yet to enter and not sure I will any time soon. For me, Good Genes became a skincare savior, sloughing away dead skin to reveal a more radiant and clearer-looking complexion, though not alone. I added a much-need Vitamin C serum to my regimen to help with brightness (the CEO Serum is another Sunday Riley formula I’m equally fanatic about). Plus, I started dabbling with various toners, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and a mix of hydrating and anti-aging serums.
This product experimentation phase ultimately led to my Good Genes pause — once my initial bottle hit “empties” status, I replenished it just once before inadvertently omitting it from my routine. But of late, I’ve returned to it now that I’m expecting and shifting to a pregnancy-safe skincare practice (bye-bye retinol and laser treatments). Ahead, I breakdown how the Sunday Riley favorite has worked for me at five months pregnant. Plus, key takeaways I think will be helpful if you’re considering the formula for yourself.
I’ve somewhat blindly subscribed to my fair share of beauty products simply because the Internet told me to, but who hasn’t? In the age of influence, it’s alarming how powerful a well-lit, dewy photo can be. While some elixirs proved underwhelming, others fully lived up to the hype, like Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment.
Several years ago, I first gave the award-winning formula a go after learning that chemical exfoliants would do wonders for my highly congested, mostly dry, but technically combination skin. The constant build-up in my oversized pores plagued me. Yet, I hadn’t figured out the recipe for banishing the crud beyond regular cleansing, prodding with my fingers, and utilizing the occasional acne treatment or painful pore strip. I also dealt with dryness, dull texture, and hyperpigmentation, which didn’t fully register until I started witnessing all the evenly bright but not shiny foreheads, cheeks, and noses belonging to some of my friends and fellow editors. Quick caveat: Botox also had something to do with their seemingly airbrushed epidermises in some cases – a world I’ve yet to enter and not sure I will any time soon. For me, Good Genes became a skincare savior, sloughing away dead skin to reveal a more radiant and clearer-looking complexion, though not alone. I added a much-need Vitamin C serum to my regimen to help with brightness (the CEO Serum is another Sunday Riley formula I’m equally fanatic about). Plus, I started dabbling with various toners, hyaluronic acid, retinol, and a mix of hydrating and anti-aging serums.
This product experimentation phase ultimately led to my Good Genes pause — once my initial bottle hit “empties” status, I replenished it just once before inadvertently omitting it from my routine. But of late, I’ve returned to it now that I’m expecting and shifting to a pregnancy-safe skincare practice (bye-bye retinol and laser treatments). Ahead, I breakdown how the Sunday Riley favorite has worked for me at five months pregnant. Plus, key takeaways I think will be helpful if you’re considering the formula for yourself.
The Vibe
First things first, let’s discuss the Good Genes aesthetic. I want to say I bring this factor up slightly in jest, but let’s be real; it’s a critical component of many beauty purchases. The frosted glass bottle is rounded and sleek, subtly revealing the creamy formula in an ethereal manner that beautifully blends in with my mostly white bathroom. A polished gold cap follows suit, as does the white swivel pump, which locks smoothly and proficiently during travel (zero spills after three flights and counting!). As for the typeface, it’s perfectly minimal in mostly black lettering with flickers of gold, including the label’s trim, and complete with all the direction and motivation I need for daily use. The best part? The new 50ml bottle so those Good Genes last a lot longer than the standard 30ml. Don’t worry, it’s still carry-on friendly.
The Formula
Purified lactic acid and licorice root are the primary ingredients in Good Genes’ exfoliating treatment, which I affectionately refer to as the secret sauce. The former is one of the most hydrating Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) out there, working at surface level to slough off dead skin cells and reduce excess sebum. These two common skin conundrums often lead to serious pore cloggage (usually in the form of dark-looking blackheads), pesky small skin bumps, and even breakouts — I’ve experienced all of the above. Lactic acid is also highly advantageous with dullness, helping to brighten skin and lighten the look of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Meanwhile, licorice root has naturally brightening properties, which helps with a radiance boost as other key ingredients like lemongrass, arnica, and prickly pear extract work to tone and soothe skin.
The Feel
After working so hard to achieve an utterly dreamy, glowy, intensity-hydrated wedding complexion, I became pregnant and let my ordinarily devoted skincare routine fall by the wayside. As a result, hyperpigmentation is more apparent above my eyebrows and around my upper cheek area, and super-cloggy pores continue to torment me, mostly on my nose, forehead, and chin area. However, a few are popping up around my jawline (thanks, hormones). My skin is intensely parched, too, which in part is due to a move from NYC to Denver — holy arid climate!
Though it’s best to ease into any new product, especially an exfoliant, as a former user, I started going in by applying the recommended one to two pumps daily onto my thoroughly cleaning fingertips and gently tapping it into my skin morning and night. I first concentrate where blackheads plague me most on my nose, lower forehead, and chin. Then, I spread the remaining product onto my upper cheek and forehead area, where I’m noticing hyperpigmentation.
At first, the elixir feels tingly on my dry, cleansed skin, but not in a stingy or uncomfy way. To me, it’s more of a “heck yes, I feel this product working!” sensation. The tingles quickly fade, and the creamy formula quickly seeps in, allowing for an efficient multi-step process of adding moisturizer and sunscreen on top in the AM and a more decadent face and eye cream at night. I don’t wear makeup often, but I haven’t noticed any extra product build-up with Good Genes in use when I do. Suffice it to say, this formula layers like a champ — three cheers for that.
As I said before, being a former user of this product, I was familiar with how my skin would react, adjusting the amount I applied accordingly with upcoming travel back to NYC and a very balmy Kauai. Had I remained in Denver during my entire trial, I would have probably scaled back to using once a day, if not every other, because of dryness. I figure this more conservative practice would work well for anyone whose skin errs on the side of parched or is very sensitive, especially during winter’s harsh weather. Pro tip: finish with a deeply hydrating moisturizer to seal in all the good stuff. If you’re on the oilier side, I’d assume daily AM and PM use would be highly effective without drying you out. In fact, you could probably go without a moisturizer on top if you’re the less-is-more type.
The Results
After a few weeks of consistent use, I can confidently deem Good Genes a skin savior once again. My unsightly pore congestion has dramatically lessened, and my skin feels bouncy and bright all over — even the eye area where subtle albeit vexing lines have started to form. But, hey, I’m in my early 30s; it’s only natural. I still notice hyperpigmentation sans makeup, but it’s hardly noticeable to anyone else, especially if I’m wearing my favorite lightweight and hydrating foundation. Once I’m cleared to use retinol again post-pregnancy, I certainly will. In the meantime, this Sunday Riley best-seller is, without a doubt, my skincare MVP.
First things first, let’s discuss the Good Genes aesthetic. I want to say I bring this factor up slightly in jest, but let’s be real; it’s a critical component of many beauty purchases. The frosted glass bottle is rounded and sleek, subtly revealing the creamy formula in an ethereal manner that beautifully blends in with my mostly white bathroom. A polished gold cap follows suit, as does the white swivel pump, which locks smoothly and proficiently during travel (zero spills after three flights and counting!). As for the typeface, it’s perfectly minimal in mostly black lettering with flickers of gold, including the label’s trim, and complete with all the direction and motivation I need for daily use. The best part? The new 50ml bottle so those Good Genes last a lot longer than the standard 30ml. Don’t worry, it’s still carry-on friendly.
The Formula
Purified lactic acid and licorice root are the primary ingredients in Good Genes’ exfoliating treatment, which I affectionately refer to as the secret sauce. The former is one of the most hydrating Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) out there, working at surface level to slough off dead skin cells and reduce excess sebum. These two common skin conundrums often lead to serious pore cloggage (usually in the form of dark-looking blackheads), pesky small skin bumps, and even breakouts — I’ve experienced all of the above. Lactic acid is also highly advantageous with dullness, helping to brighten skin and lighten the look of hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Meanwhile, licorice root has naturally brightening properties, which helps with a radiance boost as other key ingredients like lemongrass, arnica, and prickly pear extract work to tone and soothe skin.
The Feel
After working so hard to achieve an utterly dreamy, glowy, intensity-hydrated wedding complexion, I became pregnant and let my ordinarily devoted skincare routine fall by the wayside. As a result, hyperpigmentation is more apparent above my eyebrows and around my upper cheek area, and super-cloggy pores continue to torment me, mostly on my nose, forehead, and chin area. However, a few are popping up around my jawline (thanks, hormones). My skin is intensely parched, too, which in part is due to a move from NYC to Denver — holy arid climate!
Though it’s best to ease into any new product, especially an exfoliant, as a former user, I started going in by applying the recommended one to two pumps daily onto my thoroughly cleaning fingertips and gently tapping it into my skin morning and night. I first concentrate where blackheads plague me most on my nose, lower forehead, and chin. Then, I spread the remaining product onto my upper cheek and forehead area, where I’m noticing hyperpigmentation.
At first, the elixir feels tingly on my dry, cleansed skin, but not in a stingy or uncomfy way. To me, it’s more of a “heck yes, I feel this product working!” sensation. The tingles quickly fade, and the creamy formula quickly seeps in, allowing for an efficient multi-step process of adding moisturizer and sunscreen on top in the AM and a more decadent face and eye cream at night. I don’t wear makeup often, but I haven’t noticed any extra product build-up with Good Genes in use when I do. Suffice it to say, this formula layers like a champ — three cheers for that.
As I said before, being a former user of this product, I was familiar with how my skin would react, adjusting the amount I applied accordingly with upcoming travel back to NYC and a very balmy Kauai. Had I remained in Denver during my entire trial, I would have probably scaled back to using once a day, if not every other, because of dryness. I figure this more conservative practice would work well for anyone whose skin errs on the side of parched or is very sensitive, especially during winter’s harsh weather. Pro tip: finish with a deeply hydrating moisturizer to seal in all the good stuff. If you’re on the oilier side, I’d assume daily AM and PM use would be highly effective without drying you out. In fact, you could probably go without a moisturizer on top if you’re the less-is-more type.
The Results
After a few weeks of consistent use, I can confidently deem Good Genes a skin savior once again. My unsightly pore congestion has dramatically lessened, and my skin feels bouncy and bright all over — even the eye area where subtle albeit vexing lines have started to form. But, hey, I’m in my early 30s; it’s only natural. I still notice hyperpigmentation sans makeup, but it’s hardly noticeable to anyone else, especially if I’m wearing my favorite lightweight and hydrating foundation. Once I’m cleared to use retinol again post-pregnancy, I certainly will. In the meantime, this Sunday Riley best-seller is, without a doubt, my skincare MVP.
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