Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment for oily acne-prone skin
Lactic Acid
Licorice Root
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
High
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for oily acne-prone skin; a few products fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily acne-prone skin: shine, breakouts, blemishes, and enlarged pores. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers highly effective exfoliation for your oily skin, as lactic acid works to smooth texture and control sebum production, while aloe barbadensis leaf extract and arnica montana flower extract provide soothing benefits.
- Yeast extract further aids in seboregulation, complementing the keratolytic action of lactic acid to address your concerns with acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The product demonstrates a strong safety profile with no risks of irritation for your skin.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant as part of your PM routine once a week to start, increasing frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toning, but before your final moisturizer step.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product directly onto clean, dry skin for the best results against breakouts.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and always use a daily SPF since exfoliating makes skin more sensitive to the sun.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 6.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this lactic acid treatment is highly praised for its ability to quickly exfoliate and retexturize skin, resulting in a noticeable glow and smoother skin texture. Users with dullness, hyperpigmentation, and fine lines report significant improvements in skin clarity and plumpness. Many find it gentle enough for sensitive or acne-prone skin, though the high price point is a frequent concern.
Highlights
Instant radiance Mostly Mentioned
- “woke up glowing”
- “instant radiance”
- “skin looks brighter overnight”
- “got that fresh look back”
Smoothes texture Mostly Mentioned
- “baby soft skin”
- “texture is gone”
- “smoothest my face has felt”
- “got rid of bumps”
High price point Mostly Mentioned
- “very expensive”
- “hurts my wallet”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “luxury splurge”
Plumps fine lines Often Mentioned
- “lines look filled in”
- “plumps my skin”
- “wrinkles less visible”
- “youthful bounce”
Gentle exfoliation Sometimes Noted
- “no stinging”
- “great for sensitive skin”
- “didn't dry me out”
- “gentle but powerful”
Distinctive scent Sometimes Noted
- “smells like furniture polish”
- “strong lemongrass scent”
- “smell is off-putting”
- “sour milk odor”
Mild tingling Rarely Noted
- “tingles a bit”
- “slight burning sensation”
- “spicy on active acne”
- “stings for a minute”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, ulta.com, sephora.com, spacenk.com, amazon.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Sunday Riley Good Genes a great fit for oily acne-prone skin?
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment is a great fit because lactic acid exfoliates to smooth texture and control oil, while soothing ingredients like aloe and arnica help calm the skin. Yeast extract further assists by balancing oil production to help manage breakouts.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because lactic acid helps smooth texture and control oil, while yeast extract supports blemish control. Additionally, aloe barbadensis leaf and arnica montana flower extracts provide soothing benefits with a very low risk of irritation.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023Clinical Pharmacology, 2018
What does Lactic Acid do for oily acne-prone skin?
Lactic acid helps oily acne-prone skin by gently clearing pores and reducing breakouts, which supports a smoother and clearer face. Using appropriate cosmetic acids helps calm red bumps and works well alongside acne treatments.
Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift Fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und Verwandte Gebiete, 2010Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2023
What does Licorice Root Extract do for oily acne-prone skin?
Licorice root extract helps calm redness and swelling in oily, breakout-prone skin. Because acne-prone skin needs ingredients that soothe irritation and clear marks without clogging pores, this extract works well to keep skin smooth and comfortable.
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Starting out once a week is best, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you may carefully use it more often.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
This exfoliant and retinol can be used together in your evening routine, but using them on alternate nights is safer to prevent irritation on your oily skin.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start by using this treatment once a week in the evening, and if your oily skin handles it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. It is unlikely to cause irritation while helping to smooth texture, control oil, and calm breakouts.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily acne-prone skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit because lactic acid helps smooth texture and control oil, while soothing ingredients calm your skin. It is unlikely to cause irritation, and yeast extract helps manage breakouts.
Is this exfoliant fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Topical moisturizers improved skin barrier function and surface moisture, while a postbiotic moisturizer with yeast extract uniquely supported microbiome balance and modulated biomarkers of skin barrier, structure, and inflammation in participants and ex vivo explants exposed to environmental aggressors.
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2023A novel formulation of hydroxyphenoxy propionic acid, ellagic acid, yeast extract, and salicylic acid demonstrated parity in improving pigmentation, skin tone, spot intensity, and spot size compared to standard prescription 4% hydroquinone and 0.025% tretinoin in 82 subjects, with superior tolerability.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2013Application of a cream containing lactic acid 12% and pramoxine HCl 1% significantly improved skin dryness, hydration, and itch compared with a nontreated control in 24 women with a history of dry itchy skin.
Cutis, 2004Topical 12% ammonium lactate produced a significant sparing of epidermal and dermal atrophy induced by clobetasol propionate in human volunteers, without influencing the corticosteroid's bioavailability or antiinflammatory properties.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1992A lactic acid/ceramide lotion significantly improved skin moisturization and desquamation compared to no treatment in women with dry, rough skin on the anterior shins.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020Combining 755 nm alexandrite laser with topical licorice gel significantly reduces terminal hair counts compared to alexandrite laser with placebo in women with idiopathic hirsutism.
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015Licochalcone A activated Nrf2 signaling, elevated cytoprotective enzymes, increased the reduced-to-oxidized glutathione ratio, and decreased reactive oxygen species in human fibroblasts and neutrophils, while a LicA-rich licorice extract lowered UVA-induced oxidative processes in vivo.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Bioactive glycyrrhizic acid and oxymatrine ionic liquid self-assembled nanomicelles significantly promoted the transdermal permeation, subcutaneous retention, and anti-photoaging efficacy of palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 in cellular and animal models compared to unformulated peptide.
Advanced Science, 2025Opuntia ficus-indica extract and its isorhamnetin-glucosyl-rhamnoside suppressed nitric oxide, COX-2, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 production in vitro and inhibited croton oil-induced ear edema in vivo.
BioMed Research International, 2015Opuntia ficus-indica extract activated AHR-NRF2 signaling, inhibited reactive oxygen species generation, and upregulated filaggrin and loricrin expression in human keratinocytes.
Journal of Medicinal Food, 2015Pre-treating normal human keratinocytes with an Opuntia ficus-indica cladode water extract protected against UVA-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by inhibiting free radicals, lipid peroxidation, and GSH depletion.
Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, 2017Gels containing 1% Arnica montana L. flower extract successfully enhanced the volume of the lips and face with a reduction of wrinkles in humans.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2023Topical application of Arnica montana ointment reduced the inflammatory response and oxidative damage in mice exposed to UVB radiation compared to untreated UVB-exposed skin.
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 2020The protocol combining microcurrent with topical Arnica montana reduces inflammation, increases myofibroblast proliferation, and decreases macrophage presence in rats with skin lesions compared to controls.
International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Cypripedium Pubescens Extract, Opuntia Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, 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 Oil Lemongrass Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Phytate
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.