7 Sunday Riley Good Genes Drugstore Dupes That Will Save You Money

Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment is a cult-favorite skincare treatment that has been covered in beauty blogs countless times in the last few years. I admit that I, too, love this product, but I don’t love the price.

So is there a Sunday Riley Good Genes dupe, or an affordable lactic acid treatment out there comparable to Good Genes, or are we all destined to spend countless dollars replenishing Good Genes more times than we’d prefer?

There actually are some fantastic Good Genes dupes available that won’t break the bank!

Since I love lactic acid for my skin, I continue to search for additional comparable lactic acid products available at drugstore prices, and I’m excited to share that I’ve added a few new contenders as a Good Genes skincare dupe.

I found seven Sunday Riley Good Genes dupes, most at very cheap prices. But first, let’s discuss why we want to use a lactic acid serum like Good Genes in the first place.

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It helps to reduce the dead skin cells and excess sebum that can cause blackheads, breakouts, and acne. It has been proven to plump fine lines in as little as 3 minutes. It really works that fast!

The result is brighter, smoother glowing skin.

In addition to lactic acid, the serum contains the following:

• Licorice has brightening qualities that improve luminosity and radiance.
• Lemongrass works as an astringent that supports toned skin. It also imparts a fresh, clean citrus scent.
• Arnica soothes the skin and prickly pear extract is a rare desert cactus that calms irritation that can come along with chemical exfoliation.

Does Sunday Riley Good Genes Work?

When I first tried this Sunday Riley lactic acid treatment, it irritated my skin.

But instead of quickly washing my face like usual when I encounter a product that my skin does not like, I pushed through, and to my surprise, after a few minutes, the irritation went away.

I am SO glad that I gave it a chance because I woke up the next morning, and my skin was never so smooth. Even a few minutes after applying it, my skin appeared plumper!

Fine lines and hyperpigmentation have become concerns for me, and this product went to work on both. No other product has given me such immediate results.

This is due in part to the lactic acid, which worked to provide a gentle exfoliation by sloughing away dead skin cells and plumping my skin, making it appear more radiant.

I find that, personally, my skin tolerates lactic acid better than stronger AHAs like glycolic acid. I continue to see great results with this product, especially when I wake up in the morning after using it at night.

Some days, I wonder why my skin looks better, and then I remember, oh right, I used Good Genes! The only drawback for me is the price. It is expensive, even if I use it every other night.

NOTE: If your skin is sensitive and Good Genes is too strong to leave on overnight, you can use it as a mask. Simply apply 1 to 3 pumps to dry skin and rinse after 15 minutes.

Always patch test any new skin care product on your skin before using it for the first time to avoid a negative initial reaction.

Searching for an Affordable Good Genes Dupe…

So the search began for an inexpensive dupe or even somewhat comparable affordable lactic acid-based product.

Luckily, there have been some very reasonably priced lactic acid treatments that have hit the market recently.

Since my skin has been loving Sunday Riley’s Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment for such a long time, I wanted to try some options to see if they were viable alternatives.

If you consider the cost to be an important factor in your decision to purchase a lactic acid product, well, let me tell you, The Ordinary and The Inkey List’s products have you covered.

You can purchase them at rock-bottom drugstore prices!

7 Sunday Riley Good Genes Dupes

The serum comes in a glass bottle with a dropper that dispenses the liquid formula.

It’s quite runny, so it’s important to dispense the product into the palm of your hand and apply it with your fingers gently onto your face.

Otherwise, it could get messy and run off your face and down your neck, although your neck could certainly benefit from this treatment.

I found that the product did not irritate my face and dried pretty quickly. In the morning, my skin was smoother and more refined.

I noticed that I did not get the immediate plumping that Good Genes provided, but I kept reminding myself that for the price it did a great job.

For more on this serum, see my The Ordinary Lactic Acid Review post.

If the 10% concentration is too strong for your skin, you can try the 5% concentration: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA.

TIP: Some people use this lactic acid serum to help keratosis pilaris, those annoying bumps often found on the back of your arms. I am looking forward to giving it a try. At this price, I can afford it!

Related Post: How to Build A Skincare Routine with The Ordinary Products

It has a running texture, and the plastic squeeze tube became a bit messy upon application.

Unfortunately, it was difficult to control the product, as it would run down the side of the bottle. I understand that due to the price, some concessions must be made, and the packaging is an example of this.

It felt like the hyaluronic acid kept my skin from feeling too tight or dry and provided a nice hit of hydration.

I appreciate the clear instructions on the bottle, which indicate that it should be applied first under other serums and moisturizers.

I applied other Inkey List serums that I was testing on top of this treatment, and it didn’t pill at all.

Just like The Ordinary, my skin appeared smoother and exfoliated the next morning.

This Good Genes dupe is supercharged with 16 actives including alpha hydroxy acids, apple stem cells, and gigawhite. If you are wondering what in the world gigawhite is, I wondered the same thing! Read on…

The alpha hydroxy acids present in the formula include glycolic acid and lactic acid.

We all know the wonderful benefits of lactic acid as noted in the other products in this post, but what about glycolic acid? How does it differ from lactic acid?

Glycolic acid has one of the smallest-sized molecules of all alpha hydroxy acids. This means that it can penetrate pores deeply to exfoliate away dead skin cells, oil, and other impurities.

A side effect of it being so potent is that it can cause irritation for those with sensitive skin.

Glycolic acid is present in higher amounts than lactic acid in this serum (9% glycolic acid vs 1% lactic acid), so glycolic acid is definitely doing more of the exfoliating work in this serum.

Glycolic acid also improves the appearance of wrinkles, discoloration, and age spots. (I luckily am able to use this serum with minimal irritation.).

But there’s more! The serum also contains:

• Sodium hyaluronate, the salt of hyaluronic acid, has been shown to penetrate better than hyaluronic acid. It hydrates and plumps the skin.
• Apple Stem Cells help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Matrixyl Synthe ‘6, an advanced peptide, helps to rejuvenate the skin and reduce the visible signs of aging.
• Gigawhite is a blend of 6 organically grown alpine plants that reduces the look of discoloration.
• White tea and goji berry offer antioxidant protection and a ceramide protects the skin barrier and helps your skin retain moisture.

This is a pretty impressive active ingredient list for such an affordable serum. It brightens, clarifies, and exfoliates just as well or even better than The Ordinary and The Inkey List Lactic Acid Serums.

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.

This lactic acid serum contains a vegan blend of 10% lactic acid and 12 natural extracts to resurface and repair the skin.

A 10% concentration of lactic acid works its magic in this active botanical serum to exfoliate the skin, reduce the look of dark spots, improve the visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines, and boost moisture in the skin.

Here are some of the natural actives that combine with lactic acid to improve the effectiveness of the serum.

• Panax Ginseng Root Extract: Used in traditional Korean medicine, Ginseng extract fights skin aging and has antioxidant benefits that protect the skin from environmental damage.
• Red Algae: Supports skin firmness.
• Gingko Biloba: This antioxidant is rich in antioxidants and helps soothe the skin.
• Botanical Ferment Complex: Rich in enzymes, this probiotic complex supports a healthy skin barrier.
• Ceramide NP: This lipid helps restore the skin’s moisture barrier.
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract: Green tea extract is a potent antioxidant that is also an anti-inflammatory that calms irritated skin. Green tea also has antimicrobial benefits. This study found that a 2% green tea lotion was effective in treating mild-to-moderate acne.
• Hyaluronic Acid Complex: Hyaluronic acid at different molecular weights hydrates your skin at multiple levels for improved, long-lasting hydration.

This Good Genes dupe smooths fine lines and wrinkles and improves skin texture, radiance, and skin tone.

The lightweight serum is non-sticky and quickly absorbs into the skin. Say goodbye to dull skin, as it leaves brighter, plumper, softer and smoother.

This vegan and cruelty-free lactic acid serum is fragrance-free, although you may notice a slight scent from the botanicals. Ideal for dry, normal, combination, and oily skin types.

While it’s a little pricier than the other dupes, it’s a very effective lactic acid formula.

• Lactic acid lifts away dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, just like Good Genes, and helps reduce the look of uneven skin tone and texture.
• The serum also contains glycerin, a non-irritating moisturizer that locks in hydration.
• Betaine, derived from sugar beets, is another nourishing humectant that moisturizes your skin.

The lactic acid concentration is not disclosed, but the serum doesn’t sting or tingle on my skin as much as Good Genes, so I’m guessing that the concentration is lower than Good Genes.

This vegan serum is similar to The Ordinary and The Inkey List lactic acid serums in price, as it is available for a small fraction of the price of Good Genes.

This could be an excellent starter alpha hydroxy acid serum if you are new to chemical exfoliants and AHAs and want the benefits of a gentle budget-friendly lactic acid product.

But it doesn’t stop there:

• This treatment also contains ceramides to lock in moisture and peptides to support healthier, more resilient, firmer skin.
• Antioxidants such as chamomile, grape seed extract, and green tea protect against further environmental damage.
• Allantoin, oat extract, and licorice soothe your skin.

The combination of AHA exfoliants and potent antioxidants makes this a powerful anti-aging treatment that also helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines over time.

This is a very impressive formula, and the milky texture feels very hydrating and soothing on the skin.

In addition to 10% vegan lactic acid, this serum also contains squalane, a hydrating and nourishing ingredient that helps to keep your skin moisturized and glowing.

The serum targets fine lines, uneven skin texture, hyperpigmentation, and dullness for a smoother, brighter complexion.

What is Lactic Acid?

Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that works as an exfoliant on the surface of your skin.

While synthetically produced for products today, lactic acid was naturally derived from dairy products like sour milk. No wonder there are tales that Cleopatra bathed in milk!

Luckily, lactic acid treatments are much easier for us to use on our skin today.

The lactic acid molecule is larger than other AHAs (i.e., glycolic acid), so it doesn’t penetrate the skin as deeply.

Lactic acid may be a good introduction to AHAs if you never used them before or may be beneficial if you have a sensitive or dry skin type.

Lactic acid targets fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, uneven skin tone, discoloration, and may even help acne.

It is generally recommended not to mix AHAs such as lactic acid, other potent actives like other AHAs, vitamin C, or retinol.

Skincare Routine Note: I use lactic acid treatments every other night. I’ll use retinol one night and then lactic acid the next, and so on. Currently, I save vitamin C for mornings due to its fantastic antioxidant properties.

It is important to note that lactic acid and other AHAs make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to wear a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen while using AHAs and for seven days after.

Related Post: Drugstore Skincare Dupes for Best Selling Luxury Skincare Products

Sunday Riley Good Genes Dupes: The Bottom Line

All of these serums are solid alternatives to Good Genes that will brighten, smooth, and exfoliate your skin.

I found both The Ordinary and The Inkey List’s lactic acid treatments very impressive for their low prices.

Due to their affordable prices, I would repurchase all of these skin care dupes. I love the potent age-fighting ingredients in Paula’s Choice and Mad Hippie and the clean botanicals in Peach & Lily and Biossance.

My favorite? I love The Ordinary lactic acid for its low price and effective 10% lactic acid concentration.

Thanks for reading!