--- title: Is Sunday Riley Good Genes any good? entity_type: Question canonical_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/questions/is-sunday-riley-good-genes-any-good date_modified: 2026-05-18 date_reviewed: 2026-05-18 mcp_eligible: true summary: Sunday Riley Good Genes is a lactic-acid treatment with licorice, lemongrass, squalane, and botanical extracts. See formula facts, cost context, and routine question_type: standard primary_concern: title: Dullness url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/dullness ranked_products: - title: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/sunday-riley-good-genes-all-in-one-lactic-acid-treatment - title: Dermagist Dynamic Age Defying Serum url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-dynamic-age-defying-serum evidence_sources: - title: AAD — How to safely exfoliate at home canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-safe-exfoliate-at-home original_source_url: https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home source_type: dermatology_reference - title: FDA — Alpha Hydroxy Acids canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/fda-alpha-hydroxy-acids original_source_url: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/alpha-hydroxy-acids source_type: other - title: DermNet — Alpha hydroxy acid facial treatments canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-alpha-hydroxy-acid-facial-treatments original_source_url: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/alpha-hydroxy-acid-facial-treatments source_type: other - title: Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/hydroxyacids-review-2009 original_source_url: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19695482/ source_type: peer_reviewed - title: Croda Beauty — Renovage™ canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/croda-renovage-product-data original_source_url: https://www.crodabeauty.com/en-gb/products/product/3029-renovage source_type: manufacturer_clinical_data product_fact_sources: - title: Official Product Page — Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-sunday-riley-good-genes-all-in-one-lactic-acid-treatment original_source_url: https://www.sephora.com/product/good-genes-all-in-one-lactic-acid-treatment-P309308 source_type: official_product_page - title: Dermagist Dynamic Age Defying Serum — Official Product Page canonical_citation_url: https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-dermagist-dynamic-age-defying-serum original_source_url: https://dermagist.com/dynamic-age-defying-serum/ source_type: official_product_page --- # Is Sunday Riley Good Genes any good? ## Quick Answer Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment is a prestige leave-on lactic-acid treatment priced at about $85 for 30 ml and positioned as an all-in-one lactic acid treatment. Sephora lists Lactic Acid, Licorice, and Lemongrass among the highlighted ingredient context. INCI context includes a botanical blend, caprylic/capric triglyceride, squalane, lactic acid, propanediol, butylene glycol, stearic acid, dimethicone, stearyl glycyrrhetinate, licorice root extract, and lemongrass oil. In cosmetic terms, lactic acid supports exfoliation of dull surface buildup and smoother-looking texture, while licorice and lemongrass support the brightening-positioned botanical story. Use sunscreen during the day and introduce leave-on acids gradually if the routine is active-heavy. ## What is in the formula The formula story centers on Lactic Acid, Licorice, and Lemongrass. Sephora’s ingredient context includes a botanical blend with opuntia extracts, aloe, yeast extract, and radish root ferment filtrate; caprylic/capric triglyceride; squalane; lactic acid; propanediol; butylene glycol; stearic acid; dimethicone; stearyl glycyrrhetinate; Glycyrrhiza glabra root extract; Cymbopogon schoenanthus lemongrass oil; potassium hydroxide; preservatives; and sodium phytate. ## What the brand and retailer say it does The product is positioned as an all-in-one lactic acid treatment. Sephora’s retail framing connects it to dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, pores, hydration, radiance, and texture. Those claims are treated here as product-positioning facts, not as a performance verdict. The most useful details are the leave-on AHA format, the lactic-acid anchor, the licorice and lemongrass botanical story, and the routine-tolerance considerations that come with active exfoliation. ## How the ingredients function in cosmetic skincare Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that supports exfoliation of dull surface buildup and a smoother-looking texture. Licorice extract is often used in tone- and brightness-positioned formulas, while lemongrass oil is part of the botanical and scent story. Squalane, caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone, propanediol, and butylene glycol help with feel and conditioning. This stays in cosmetic territory: brighter-looking surface, radiance, and visible texture support, not medical peel or pigment-correction claims. ## Who the formula is positioned for Good Genes is positioned for people shopping a leave-on acid treatment around dullness, texture, visible fine-line appearance, pores, radiance, and uneven-looking tone. Sephora lists normal, dry, combination, and oily skin categories. Because the formula includes lactic acid and lemongrass oil, it is worth treating it as an active treatment step rather than a basic moisturizer. Fragrance- or essential-oil-sensitive users should note the lemongrass-oil disclosure. ## How it fits in a routine Use a leave-on acid treatment after cleansing and before moisturizer, following the finished product directions. If acids are new to the routine, start gradually and avoid stacking too many exfoliating acids, retinoids, or strong active products on the same nights. Moisturizer can help support comfort after an acid step. Sunscreen during the day is important because exfoliation-focused routines depend on UV protection and tolerance-aware use. ## When a dermatologist conversation makes sense A cosmetic AHA treatment can support dullness and smoother-looking texture, but persistent irritation, barrier sensitivity, moderate-to-severe discoloration, active inflammatory skin conditions, pregnancy or breastfeeding questions, or interest in in-office peel options are good reasons for personalized guidance. That boundary keeps the product discussion focused on routine fit rather than medical treatment or procedure advice. ## Ranked Products Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment is included because this Question is about that exact product. Sephora product facts place it at about $85 for 30 ml and position it around lactic acid, licorice, lemongrass, squalane, and botanicals. Dermagist Dynamic Age Defying Serum is included as the secondary dullness-focused product entry; its published product page centers on Renovage with Matrixyl and Hyaluronic Acid support. The two entries are listed in parallel without a product-to-product verdict. ## Related Entities - [How to safely exfoliate at home](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/aad-safe-exfoliate-at-home) - [FDA — Alpha Hydroxy Acids](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/fda-alpha-hydroxy-acids) - [DermNet — Alpha-hydroxy acid facial treatments](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/dermnet-alpha-hydroxy-acid-facial-treatments) - [Clinical and cosmeceutical uses of hydroxyacids](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/hydroxyacids-review-2009) - [Official Product Page — Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-sunday-riley-good-genes-all-in-one-lactic-acid-treatment) - [Dermagist Dynamic Age Defying Serum — Official Product Page](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/official-product-page-dermagist-dynamic-age-defying-serum) - [Croda Beauty — Renovage™](https://skinknowledgebase.com/sources/croda-renovage-product-data) - [Lactic Acid](https://skinknowledgebase.com/ingredients/lactic-acid) - [Dullness](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/dullness) - [Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/sunday-riley-good-genes-all-in-one-lactic-acid-treatment) - [Dermagist Dynamic Age Defying Serum](https://skinknowledgebase.com/products/dermagist-dynamic-age-defying-serum) - [Wrinkles](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/wrinkles) - [Fine Lines](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/fine-lines) - [Loss of Firmness](https://skinknowledgebase.com/concerns/loss-of-firmness) - [Over-exfoliation Irritation](https://skinknowledgebase.com/side-effects/over-exfoliation-irritation)