You Can Quote Me on It—This Face Serum Is the Best Skincare Product I've Ever Used

I didn't think I would ever write this headline. After all, how do you go about deciding the best skincare product you've ever used when it's your job as a beauty director to put hundreds of new beauty products to the test every year? Frankly, I have long trusted my journalistic integrity too much to imagine a scenario in which I would flippantly call any one product the best I've ever used. And yet, here we are. I'm saying it, and it's not flippant: Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is the best skincare product I've ever used.

And before I get into what makes Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment so good, I want to clarify some things, because the history of this product has been somewhat confusing. Sitting somewhere between a face serum and an exfoliating skin treatment, Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment has long been heralded as one of the most loved skincare products amongst beauty editors, well, ever. The glass-skin finish? Unrivalled. The smoothness? Exceptional. The even skin tone? Almost unbelievable. But then, back in 2018, the product was pulled from the shelves in the EU due to regulation around the permitted strengths of lactic acid.

As a response, the brand released a glycolic acid alternative to Good Genes (another form of exfoliating AHA that, weirdly, is arguably more potent than lactic acid but didn't face the same scrutiny under EU regulations). The results were good, but they weren't the same. But now, after nearly seven years of going without, Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is back in the UK. And my gosh, have I been missing out all of these years. After four months of using it religiously, this is what I think everyone deserves to know...

The Formula

Okay, let's get into what Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment actually does, shall we? Inside this serum-like formula is a form of purified lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid derived from milk that works to exfoliate skin at a deep level, improving congestion, skin texture, dullness and uneven tone. It works by sloughing away at dead skin cells to reveal fresher, more radiant skin underneath. On top of this, though, unlike other AHAs of its kind, lactic acid also possesses hydrating properties. As a humectant (similarly to hyaluronic acid), it attracts water molecules in the skin to create plumping results.

And for me, a formula that contains lactic acid over glycolic acid is everything. You see, the molecules of lactic acid are larger than those of glycolic acid, meaning, as a general rule, lactic acid is more widely tolerated among those with reactive skin (although, as with any acid-containing products, patch tests should always be carried out and you should stop using the product at any sign of irritation).

Along with lactic acid, you can also find glow-boosting licorice, refreshing lemongrass, nourishing aloe and soothing arnica and prickly pear extract in the Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment formula.

What is promised? A wonder product that smooths, brightens, evens out skin tone and plumps, with less chance of irritation.

The Application

If you've ever used a Sunday Riley product before, you'll know the joy of the luxury all too well. The bottle looks chic on the shelf, and one to two pumps of product is all it takes to cover my face and neck. The texture is light and lotion-like. It glides over the skin like silk and feels hydrating as you massage it in. Much like all of Sunday Riley's products, the scent is unique and natural-smelling—it's fresh and pleasant, with a slight medicinal kick that really lets you know it's getting to work.

Although the directions suggest you can apply this morning or night, due to the product's acidic nature, I would always recommend applying it at night to avoid risk of sun damage during the day. As someone who has reactive (albeit oily and breakout-prone) skin, I started off applying it three times a week, straight after cleansing and before my moisturiser. As time has gone on, I have increased my application to, more or less, every evening. Despite my sensitivity to acids, I haven't had even a hint of upset.

For those with very sensitive skin, however, it is worth knowing that, for you, Sunday Riley recommends using Good Genes as a face mask. Apply one to two pumps all over and leave on for 15 minutes before removing with water.

The Verdict

Let me first make it known that you will see and feel results after just one use of Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment—and that isn't something I can say for many skincare products. The morning after my very first use, my skin felt baby-soft and looked brighter and more radiant. It's the sort of product that involves results so good, you have to remind yourself to not go overboard with the application.

I am now four months into using Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid treatment, and I can hand on heart say that my skin has never been this good. In these photos, I'm not wearing any makeup. Can you still see years of sun damage peeking through on my forehead? Of course. Are my previously frozen fine lines starting to show as my Botox wears off? Yes. But this is just your reminder that no skincare product will work miracles. Because when I overlook these deeper-than-surface-level skin gripes, I see a complexion that is the best it has looked in more than a decade.

My heavily acne-prone skin has seen little more than the odd pimple. The blackheads that usually plague my nose are fewer than ever. My typically lacklustre complexion is bouncy and bright. And, most crucially, the post-breakout scarring that decorates my chin barely requires a dab of concealer nowadays. My skin, frankly, has never looked so even, felt so smooth or seemed so alive.

Are there drawbacks? Of course. It's pricey. £70 for a 30ml bottle to precise. It's a luxury product, and therefore, a luxury price tag is to be expected. However, when I think about the other seriously hardworking products in my routine—I'm talking the likes of Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream and Skinceuticals C E Ferulic—their price tags are equally as, if not more, eye-watering. I have been using Good Genes for four months, and I'm only just hitting the bottom of my 30ml bottle. Is the glass bottle ideal for travelling? No, but you can afford to skip a week of use and hop straight back on the wagon when you're home. Is it the product for people with incredibly dry, reactive and/or sensitive skin? Also, no, but no acid product of this nature will be.

In my opinion, our problem when it comes to skincare products is that we assume the very best products must work for everyone. Despite writing about products for other people daily, when it comes to my own skincare routine, the best skincare product, surely, has to be one that delivers unrivalled results for my own skin. And that, for me, is Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment. I simply don't ever want to be without it again. And if you, too, are looking for a product that works fast and just makes your skin look and feel like its healthiest, I have a suspicion you might share my opinion after trying it.

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