Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment for oily skin
Lactic Acid
Licorice Root
Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract
Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Arnica Montana Flower Extract
Superior
- HighOily Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best products for oily skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 excellent exfoliation for your oily skin, as lactic acid works to smooth texture and reduce oily shine, while yeast extract provides essential hydration.
- The inclusion of lemongrass oil offers a refreshing scent and mild astringent properties, further benefiting oily skin.
- This formula is safe for your skin, with no reported risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh or prohibited ingredients.
How to apply
- Use this exfoliant product as part of your PM routine once a week. Start slowly and build up frequency only if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the exfoliant after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the exfoliant into your skin and let it absorb fully. Avoid any harsh rubbing to keep your skin calm.
- Apply the exfoliant directly onto completely dry skin to get the best balance and results. Clean, dry skin helps the product work evenly.
- Always avoid the delicate eye area when applying. Be sure to use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily while using exfoliating acids.
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 one of the best fits for oily skin?
Sunday Riley Good Genes is an exceptional fit for oily skin because lactic acid smoothly refines texture and reduces shine while yeast extract delivers essential hydration. Lemongrass oil adds a refreshing feel with mild astringent benefits, and the gentle formula is very unlikely to cause irritation.
Which ingredients make this exfoliant a good fit for oily skin?
This exfoliant is a great fit for oily skin because lactic acid smooths rough texture and reduces shiny oiliness, while yeast extract delivers essential hydration. Additionally, lemongrass oil provides a refreshing scent and mild astringent benefits, and the formula avoids harsh ingredients to keep your skin safe from irritation.
What does Lactic Acid do for oily skin?
Lactic acid helps manage oily skin by significantly reducing oil production and pore size while improving moisture levels. It supports a clearer and smoother look through gentle surface renewal.
What does Licorice Root Extract do for oily skin?
Licorice root extract helps calm redness and lower irritation for oily skin by reducing daily oxidative stress. This ingredient also helps balance skin and manage breakouts, making it a useful addition to your routine.
Experimental Dermatology, 2015Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022
Where does this exfoliant go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This exfoliant treatment goes in your evening routine, starting at once a week and slowly increasing frequency if your skin tolerates it well. It helps smooth texture and reduce oily shine.
Can I use this exfoliant with retinol, and in what order?
Using this exfoliant with retinol may easily overwhelm your skin and cause irritation, so it is best to use them on separate nights or skip the retinol when applying this treatment. When combining active steps in your routine, apply your exfoliating treatment first on clean, dry skin before following up with your moisturizer.
How often should I use this exfoliant?
Start using this exfoliant treatment once a week in your evening routine, and if your skin tolerates it well and shows good results, you can carefully use it more often. The formula provides excellent exfoliation to smooth texture and reduce oily shine while keeping your skin safe from irritation.
Can this exfoliant clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This exfoliant is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on oily skin, as lactic acid helps clear dead skin and yeast extract supports overall balance. You may experience mild tingling when you start using it, but the formula has a safe profile with no harsh ingredients.
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
Application 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.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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