This Affordable Sunday Riley Good Genes Dupe Works Like a Charm

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Are you on the hunt for a budget-friendly alternative to Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic acid that delivers the same results? Well, I’ve got you covered. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA is the closest dupe you’ll find. Finding an exact match for a high-end product isn’t easy, but I’ve personally tested both these serums, and The Ordinary’s version comes surprisingly close to Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid treatment, without the hefty price tag weighing you down.

Sunday Riley Good Genes has a cult following for a reason, and its lactic acid treatment is no exception. It contains 5% lactic acid to gently exfoliate and fade hyperpigmentation with consistent use. It also has licorice to brighten the skin and is suitable for all skin types thanks to its gentle formula.

The Ordinary has also %% lactic acid along with hyaluronic acid. Both of these products seem to do pretty much the same thing, but The Ordinary is the more budget-friendly option. Read on to find out how similar they really are, and which one is the better fit for you.

Sunday Riley Good Genes Dupe: Is the Ordinary Lactic Acid just as good?

I’ve had my fair share of acne, and let me tell you, the battles I’ve fought with the scars left behind? Countless. It’s like a never-ending cycle, just when I think I’ve won, boom, another breakout. Even with a solid exfoliation routine and religious skincare habits, my skin still throws surprises at me.

If you don’t know me, hi, I’m a skincare freak. Like, obsessed to the core. I research ingredients for fun, geek out over formulations, and never skip my routine. No exaggeration. So, as much as I’d love to claim that my skincare game is flawless, I still deal with breakouts from time to time.

And since I never leave the house without sunscreen and makeup, exfoliation is a must for me to clear out clogged pores and keep my skin fresh and glowy. Now, I’m always switching things up, testing new serums, some make the cut, some don’t. But one of my all-time favorite brands is Sunday Riley.

Sunday Riley’s Lactic Acid treatment is worth it but pricey

At one point, I wanted to bring lactic acid into my routine because, let’s be real, my sensitive skin was not vibing with too much salicylic acid. That’s how I ended up trying Sunday Riley’s All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment, aka Good Genes.

Lactic acid is an AHA, so it’s a gentler exfoliation option compared to salicylic acid. It helps smooth out skin texture and gets rid of rough patches without being too harsh.

When I first used Good Genes, I was blown away. No magic tricks, no instant miracles, but over time, I saw real improvements. Just to give you an idea: before using it, if you were sitting across from me, you could probably spot the pores on my cheeks. Not a crazy amount, but still visible. After Good Genes? My skin texture looked way smoother, and my pores looked smaller.

I was also alternating it with tretinoin, and together, they worked. Like, especially on my cheeks, which have always been the victims of my acne battles. But here’s the thing, Sunday Riley is not cheap. It’s effective, totally worth it, but not everyone wants to drop that much cash on a single serum. So, naturally, I went on a mission to find a budget-friendly alternative.

Sunday Riley Good Genes Dupe the Ordinary Lactic Acid

After tons of research (and a lot of Reddit deep dives), I landed on The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA, a $7 alternative to Sunday Riley Good Genes. And guess what? It’s shockingly similar in results. As the name suggests, it contains 5% lactic acid along with hyaluronic acid.

At first, I was skeptical about using it. With The Ordinary products, it’s either hit or miss, some products are absolute gems, while others, not so much. But this one was definitely not a disappointment.

Here’s what I noticed with consistent use of the ordinary lactic acid:

• Surprisingly gentle on the skin, just a slight stinging sensation after application but nothing crazy
• Almost similar brightening and exfoliating effects as Good Genes
• Ingredient list is almost identical

Sunday Riley vs. The Ordinary: What’s the difference

• Texture: Sunday Riley’s lactic acid serum has a more creamy like texture, while The Ordinary is more watery and almost gel-like
• Price Tag: Sunday Riley? $85 while The Ordinary? $7 (do I even need to say more?)

Final verdict: Which one should you get?

If you’ve got the budget and don’t mind splurging, then Sunday Riley Good Genes is absolutely worth it. It’s one of those products that just gets it right, it smooths out your texture, gives your skin that glow, and actually delivers without making empty promises.

But let’s be real here, not everyone wants to spend that much on a single serum. And honestly you don’t have to. If you’re looking for something that gives you nearly identical results without the eye-watering price tag, The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA is the best option available. It’s got the same exfoliating power and costs a fraction of the price. So really, why wouldn’t you try it?

Other alternatives

I’ve personally used The Ordinary Lactic Acid treatment, and honestly, it’s the closest thing to Sunday Riley’s, at a way friendlier price point. But if The Ordinary isn’t your jam, don’t worry, there are other options.

Paula’s Choice Smoothing Treatment is another solid pick with 10% lactic acid. But it contains stronger punch of lactic acid than Sunday Riley, which sits at around 5%. If you’re new to exfoliation, I’d say start with the lower concentration first, no need to dive in headfirst. You can always work your way up to 10% once your skin gets used to it.

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