What is it?
'A brightening, multitasking, radiance treatment and mask.'
'Naturally brightens and improves radiance, texture and circulation.'
It's an AHA exfoliant.
Who is it for?
Ideally for someone concerned with the texture of their skin or pigmentation and scarring issues.
What’s in it?
Agave Tequilana (Blue Agave) Leaf, Cypripedium Pebescens (Orchid), Opuntial Tuna (Prickly Pear) Fruit, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract & Saccaromyces Cerevisiae (Yeast), Glycyrrhiza Glabra Extract, Lactic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Coconut Oil), Butylene Glycol, Squalene, Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Stearic Acid Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) extract , PEG-100 Stearate, PEG-75 Meadowsol, Lemongrass Extract, Arnica Extract, Triethanolamine, Xanthan Gum, Phenoxyethanol, Steareth-20, DMDM Hydantoin
What's not in it?
parabens
mineral oil
sulfates
phthalates
shea butter
Possibly acne/allergy/troubling for some ingredients?
40% lactic acid so no good for really sensitive skins
PEGs
Natural? Organic? Man made? Vegan?
Man made/natural/vegan
Tested on animals/sold in territories that advocate testing?
No/No
How does it smell?
Fresh, citrus-y
How does it feel on the skin?/Absorption rate?
Like a lotion, absorbs easily
How do you use it?/Where to use in your routine?
Daily as a serum or when required as a treatment mask. I would suggest using it in the evenings under an oil or a moisturiser. And yes you can use it after exfoliating acid toners. Maybe not P50, but certainly the milder ones.
I've seen a few reviews recently of people from people that are using it AM and PM as a serum. Personally, I think that's overkill and you may be opening yourself up to milia and broken capillaries. I'd keep an eye on your skin to ensure it isn't over-exfoliated. And make sure you are adding moisturiser/oils afterwards.
How long before you should see results?
If you are new to acids you will see results in a day or two. If your skin is acclimatised to acids it may take a few more days, but it generally works quickly.
How long did I test it for?
A few months
How much is it? /Size/Approximate cost per usage?
£85.00 for 30ml - hard to say but it should last around 2 months if using a few evenings a week (from my experience).
What’s good about it?
Good Genes gets all the praise because the effect is almost immediate. It contains 40% unneutralised lactic acid which gives it a very low PH. As lactic acid works on the surface of the skin - more topical than its counterparts, the irritation risk is less than with other acids such as glycolic and salicylic.
I prefer to use it in the evenings simply because it is so effective at resurfacing that I find my makeup can have a tendency to go patchy if I use it during the day.
It is purposely used in a soothing, calming base to counteract any potential irritation from the strength of the lactic acid, and this seems to work well.
What’s not so good about it?
The high % of lactic acid could be too much for some skins.
Works well with?
You can mix it with Sunday's Ceramic Slip cleanser for a 'Flash Facial'. Sunday Riley recommend using this over Luna, but I have always done it the other way around. Good Genes first, then Luna.
What’s the website like?
It's being revamped as of 25.03.16 and thus unavailable.
Similar products?
Obagi ExfoDerm Forte
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Night Serum
Cosmedix Purity Clean
Sunday Riley Good Genes is £85.00 from CultBeauty.co.uk and $105.00 from Sephora.com
