Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment ingredients, decoded

What Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment is mostly made of, which ingredients do the work and what to watch for — based on the ingredient list the brand publishes.

Sunday Riley
Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
굿 진스 락틱 애씨드 트리트먼트
What the brand says it does

Leave-on lactic acid treatment that exfoliates dull surface cells, plumps the look of fine lines and brightens uneven tone and dark spots.

32ingredients
1key ingredients
1worth knowing

What it targets

  • HydrationAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Lactic Acid
  • SoothingAloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract
  • ExfoliationLactic Acid
  • Barrier repairSqualane
  • BrighteningGlycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract

Based on which ingredients are in it, how high up the list they are, and whether they are key actives.

Key ingredients

Lactic Acid#12
락틱애씨드
Above the 1% line

Gentler AHA that exfoliates and hydrates. Increases sun sensitivity.

ExfoliationHydration

Ingredient guide →

Worth knowing

  • Contains exfoliating acids (Lactic Acid), which can make skin more sensitive to the sun. Use sunscreen during the day.

What most of it is made of

  1. WaterBase
  2. Opuntia Tuna Fruit ExtractPlant extract
  3. Arnica Montana Flower ExtractPlant extract
  4. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf ExtractSoothing
  5. Cypripedium Pubescens ExtractPlant extract

1% line: from Phenoxyethanol (#28) onward, ingredients are probably at 1% or less. Phenoxyethanol is limited to 1% in the EU, and ingredients at 1% or less may be listed in any order. Products made only for other markets can use more.

Full ingredient list, decoded (32)
1Water정제수The base of most creams and toners; dissolves the water-loving ingredients.Base
2Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract프리클리페어열매추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning.Plant extract
3Arnica Montana Flower Extract아르니카 몬타나꽃추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning.Plant extract
4Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract알로에베라잎추출물Aloe leaf extract; soothing and hydrating.Soothing
5Cypripedium Pubescens Extract푸베스켄스복주머니란추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning.Plant extract
6Opuntia Vulgaris Leaf Extract드룹핑트리피어잎추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning.Plant extract
7Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract블루아가베잎추출물Plant extract, usually present in small amounts for conditioning.Plant extract
8Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract맥주효모추출물Ferment ingredient made with yeast or bacteria; used for conditioning.Ferment
9Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate류코노스톡/무발효여과물Ferment ingredient made with yeast or bacteria; used for conditioning.Ferment
10Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride카프릴릭/카프릭트라이글리세라이드Light, non-greasy emollient made from coconut oil fatty acids.Emollient
11Squalane스쿠알란Stable, skin-like oil that softens without feeling heavy.Emollient
12Lactic Acid락틱애씨드Gentler AHA that exfoliates and hydrates. Increases sun sensitivity.Ingredient guide →Exfoliant
13PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer피피지-12/에스엠디아이코폴리머Emulsifier or solubiliser that keeps oil and water mixed.Emulsifier
14Propanediol프로판다이올Humectant and solvent, often plant-derived; also boosts preservation.Humectant
15Butylene Glycol부틸렌글라이콜Light humectant and solvent that helps other ingredients spread and absorb.Humectant
16Stearic Acid스테아릭애씨드Fatty acid used as thickener and co-emulsifier.Emulsifier
17Dimethicone다이메티콘Silicone that smooths, adds slip and forms a breathable protective film.Silicone
18Cetearyl Alcohol세테아릴알코올Fatty alcohol blend that thickens creams and stabilises emulsions.Fatty alcohol
19Phenyl Trimethicone페닐트라이메티콘Silicone that adds shine and slip.Silicone
20Disiloxane다이실록세인Silicone that gives a smooth, silky finish.Silicone
21Ceteareth-20세테아레스-20Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed.Emulsifier
22Glyceryl Stearate글리세릴스테아레이트Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed.Emulsifier
23PEG-100 Stearate피이지-100스테아레이트Emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed.Emulsifier
24Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate스테아릴글리시레티네이트Emollient that softens skin and helps the formula spread.Emollient
25Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract스페인감초뿌리추출물Licorice root: soothing and mildly brightening.Plant extract
26Cymbopogon Schoenanthus (Lemongrass) Oil카멜그라스오일Plant oil that softens and nourishes dry skin.Plant oil
27Potassium Hydroxide포타슘하이드록사이드Strong alkali used in small amounts to adjust pH or to make soap in cleansers.pH adjuster
1% line — probably 1% or less below this point
28Phenoxyethanol페녹시에탄올The most common preservative. The EU caps it at 1%, so everything listed after it is at 1% or less.Preservative
29Xanthan Gum잔탄검Natural gum thickener.Thickener / texture
30Caprylyl Glycol카프릴릴글라이콜Humectant with preservative-boosting action.Preservative
31Chlorphenesin클로페네신Preservative capped at 0.3% in the EU.Preservative
32Sodium Phytate소듐파이테이트Binds metal ions so the formula stays stable.Chelating agent

Based on the ingredient list the brand publishes; formulas can change and differ by country. The order shows relative amounts, not exact percentages. General information, not medical advice.

Ingredient list as published on the brand’s official website. Formulas change and can differ by country, so check the list on your pack too. General information, not medical advice.