Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Serum For Dark Spots And Uneven Texture
by Sunday Riley · skin_care
Editor's Take
Undeniably effective at resurfacing texture with a heavy hit of lactic acid, though the underlying formula leans hard on conventional silicones and synthetic polymers to make that high acid load tolerable.
Four-pillar formula scores
- Efficacy: 8.0 / 10
- Modern Tech: 7.5 / 10
- Clean Beauty: 3.3 / 10
- Sustainability: 6.9 / 10
The Verdict
This serum earns its strong efficacy rating by pairing a potent dose of Lactic Acid with a highly modern delivery formula. A specialized synthetic copolymer controls how the acid hits the skin, maximizing the brightening benefits of licorice root while buffering the burn. The trade-off for that sophisticated performance is a distinctly conventional base built heavily on silicones and ethoxylated emulsifiers. It remains a benchmark choice for aggressive texture correction, provided you are comfortable with the synthetic chemistry required to stabilize it.
Full INCI list
and visibly clarifying blemishes. - Licorice and Lemongrass: Brighten the appearance of dark spots and skin discoloration. - Prickly Pear Extract: Soothes the appearance of surface redness and sensitive skin. - Botanical Blend [Aqua, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Cypripedium Pubescens Extract, Opuntia Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (Yeast) Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate], Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Lactic Acid, PPG-12 / SMDI Copolymer, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Disiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Phytate.