SUNDAY RILEY Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment
Works for
Anti-agingGlycolic acidWorks well
“This strong glycolic acid formula will help to unclog pores, reduce sun damage and slowly work to minimise fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains glycolic acid.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
ExfoliationGlycolic acidWorks well
“Formulated with clean and formaldehyde-free glycolic acid molecules, Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment works to resurface the skin and deeply exfoliate, for instantly radiant skin.”
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: glycolic acid.
Evens skin toneGlycolic acidWorks well
“Exfoliate and brighten the complexion with the Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment, a multi-tasking treatment serum and mask to improve skin texture and elasticity.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: glycolic acid
Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.
MoisturizingDimethicone, Caprylyl caprylate/caprate + 8 moreWorks
“If that wasn't enough, it can be used daily to give your complexion a moisture boost or applied as a treatment mask to get skin glowing ahead of a special occasion.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, saccharomyces cerevisiae extract.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, squalane.
Anti-blemishGlycolic acidNot delivered
“This strong glycolic acid formula will help to unclog pores, reduce sun damage and slowly work to minimise fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product contains ingredients (glycolic acid) that could help reduce blemishes and clogged pores in theory, but there is not enough evidence that they actually work.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Cymbopogon schoenanthus oilMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Dimethicone~6.8–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeGlycolic acid~4.4–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps to remove the dead skin cells on the surface of the skin reveling a more even, smoother complexation. It is also able to stimulate collagen production with long-term use. Could help to reduce pore congestion. It can be irritating to the skin. Apply sunscreen daily if using products with glycolic acid
More about Glycolic acidCaprylyl caprylate/caprate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Caprylyl caprylate/capratePpg-12/smdi copolymer~2.5–3%
Squalane~2.1–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualanePropanediol~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCetearyl alcohol~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPotassium lactate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Bis-stearyl dimethicone~1–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Glycerin~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPotassium hydroxide~0.55–0.8%
Ppg-24-glycereth-24~0.35–0.65%
Sodium phytate~0.45–0.65%
Xanthan gum~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerGlyceryl stearate~0.4–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearatePalmitic acid~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidStearic acid~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolOpuntia ficus-indica fruit extract~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ceteareth-20~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Has some emollient properties
More about Ceteareth-20Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolChlorphenesin~0.1–0.2%
Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A moisturizing ingredient that works as a humectant to attract water to the upper layer of the skin.
More about Saccharomyces cerevisiae extractSorbitan isostearate~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearatePotassium sorbate~0.1–0.2%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.15%
Ingredient list view
Water, Dimethicone, Glycolic acid, Caprylyl caprylate/caprate, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Squalane, Propanediol, Cetearyl alcohol, Potassium lactate, Bis-stearyl dimethicone, Cymbopogon schoenanthus oil, Glycerin, Potassium hydroxide, Ppg-24-glycereth-24, Sodium phytate, Xanthan gum, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Opuntia ficus-indica fruit extract, Ceteareth-20, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract, Sorbitan isostearate, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| SUNDAY RILEYGood Genes Glycolic Acid TreatmentYOUR PRODUCT | PCA SKINResurfacing Serum | Medik8Sleep Glycolic Serum | Geek GorgeousSmooth Out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 73% | 63% | 60% |
| Price | — | $99.00 | $43.58 | $12.80 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Lactobionic Acid | Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride | Anhydroxylitol |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: VT Cosmetics Azelaic Acid AHA Red Micro Bubble Serum 70mlZO Skin Health Exfoliation Accelerator
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 3
- 4Glycolic acid peel therapy – a current reviewncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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