Top 5 Sunday Riley Good Genes Dupes: Comparison & Reviews 2024

• What is Lactic Acid?

Before getting into the dupes, let's discuss lactic acid. Lactic acid is a water-soluble Alpha Hydroxy Acid that exfoliates the surface of the skin to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. While synthetically produced for products today, lactic acid was naturally derived from dairy products like sour milk. Lactic acid is seen by many as the gentler, more tolerated alternative to glycolic acid due to its slightly bigger molecule size.

As an exfoliant, lactic acid speeds up cell turnover as well stimulating cell renewal to help even out skin texture, fade hyperpigmentation and smooth fine lines. At the same time, it's a powerful humectant, helping improve the skin's natural moisture barrier and hydration levels. This makes it ideal for dry or sensitive skin, alongside being a safe and effective ingredient for darker skin types too.

• About Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment is formulated with purified lactic acid to exfoliate, smooth, brighten, and improve skin texture and the appearance of dullness, discoloration, and dark spots.

Lactic acid isn't even the only skin brightener within the treatment. The product also has licorice and lemongrass which further help to brighten the skin and improve tone and texture. Llicorice extract has anti-inflammatory effects, which boost the formula's appeal. Plus, Arnica soothes the skin and prickly pear extract is a rare desert cactus that calms irritation that can come along with chemical exfoliation.

The only downside to this extremely popular treatment is the $85 per 1 fl oz price tag, so let's take a look at some more affordable alternatives.

• Top Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment Dupes

| The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA

($6.00/30ml, up to 7% cashback at Selfridges)

Key Ingredients:

Lactic Acid

Tasmanian Pepperberry

Hyaluronic acid

Comparison & Review: 

Often named the top dupe for Sunday Riley Good Genes, this Lactic Acid serum from The Ordinary is more than 10x cheaper!

No two formulas are created exactly equal, but this lactic acid peel from The Ordinary comes pretty dang close. Both formulations have 5% lactic acid and work to target dullness, fine lines and hydrate the skin. Unlike Good Genes, the primary base for this product is hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring carbohydrate that can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Hyaluronic is a holy grail ingredient for drier skin types, and its inclusion in this product makes The Ordinary's formula less abrasive than Good Genes on chapped or irritated skin. Also the texture of the two serums is different but you cannot beat the price of The Ordinary.

If you're looking to try out lactic acid and want long-term results, The Ordinary’s version is a great entry point.

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| Mad Hippie AHA Exfoliating Peel

($10.99, up to 5% cashback at iHerb)

Key Ingredients:

Glycolic Acid

Lactic Acid

Apple Stem Cells (PhytoCellTec®)

Gigawhite

Matrixyl Synthe '6 

Sodium Hyaluronate

White Tea

Goji Berry

Ceramide

Comparison & Review: 

While not strictly a lactic acid treatment, Mad Hippie Exfoliating Serum contains lactic acid along with some other fantastic exfoliating ingredients to help you get your glow on.

This product includes 16 different actors that can rejuvenate and retexturize your skin. A blend of lactic acid and glycolic acid exfoliate away dead skin, acne scarring and discolorations while keeping skin hydrated. Apple stem cell extract helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles for more youthful looking skin. Plus Matrixyl Synthe 6, an incredible peptide, plumps skin by stimulating collagen and elastin production.

Hyaluronic acid and ceramides plump skin with hydration and keep the skin barrier strong and healthy, which is essential for glowing skin! It also contains various antioxidant properties that give your skin a good dose of vitamins. Just like Good Genes! This serum receives excellent reviews and it's a great option for dry and sensitive skin.

This is a pretty impressive ingredient list for such an affordable serum. This is not surprising due to the addition of glycolic acid and a more complex formula. I think it is a solid contender for a Good Genes dupe.

| The Inkey List Lactic Acid Serum

($11.03/30ml, up to 5% cashback at Cult Beauty)

Key Ingredients:

Lactic Acid

Hyaluronic acid

Comparison & Review: 

The INKEY List is another affordable skincare brand that offers powerful products.

This serum is formulated with 10% lactic acid and it's paired with low molecular hyaluronic acid - which is a humectant that pulls moisture from the air or from deeper within your skin. Unlike Good Genes, it has a lightweight, liquid texture. Unfortunately, it was difficult to control the product, as it would run down the side of the bottle. The Inkey List recommends this dupe for Good Genes serum if you have dry or more sensitive skin. 

| Pixi Clarity Concentrate

($24.00/30ml, up to 10% cashback at Pixi Beauty)

Key Ingredients:

Salicylic Acid (Willow Bark Extract)

Lactic Acid exfoliates & clarifies

Probiotics

Aloe

Comparison & Review: 

If you want to target your oily and acne-prone skin and want something similar to Sunday Riley's good genes lactic acid treatment you must go for this product.

This serum uses a triple acid blend with lactic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid for ultimate exfoliation and brightening. BHA works to unclog pores, minimize pores and control oil production while the AHA's smooth skin texture, fade hyperpigmentation and hydrate skin. The Clarity Concentrate also has probiotics added to keep the skin's microbiome in check so it's not as susceptible to bacteria and irritants that can lead to acne. Aloe vera reduces redness associated with breakouts and also calms any irritation.

The consistency is that of a lightweight serum and it is known to exfoliate and give your skin an excellent texture while it also reduces pores and helps your skin balance out the oil production.

| Paula's Choice RESIST Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA

($39.00/30ml, up to 7% cashback at Paula's Choice)

Key Ingredients:

4 Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA)

Salicylic Acid (BHA)

Peptides

Ceramide NG

Green Tea

Comparison & Review: 

Paula's Choice is an excellent substitute for Sunday Riley's good genes as its exfoliating treatment is very similar and the way it works is also almost the same. 

While Paula's Choice has tons of different exfoliants, this one in particular has a blend of BHA and AHA that includes salicylic acid, glycolic, lactic, malic, and tartaric acids. With so many different exfoliants, this product can help with acne, clogged pores, pore size, oil production, fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and texture – so it pretty much does it all.

It's also enforced with peptides and ceramides to keep the skin barrier strong, plump and youthful. Tons of antioxidants like chamomile, grape seed extract and green tea fight free radical damage, while allantoin soothes skin.

But recommends that those with sensitive skin use caution as it's so chock-full of exfoliants.

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