Good Genes
This is the product that Sunday Riley is most known for, their all-in-one lactic acid treatment: Good Genes. There was and there still is so much hype around this product. Full disclosure, I fell into their ‘hype’ trap, now I have a $158 bottle of Good Genes that I’m only using because I don’t want it to go to waste.
Friend: What do you think of Good Genes?
Me: Thank you, next!
Friend: Why?
Me: There are so many other affordable lactic acid treatments on the market. I didn’t notice significant improvement in my skin. Also, Sunday Riley was caught posting false reviews on Sephora.
Friend: *Shocked face emoji*
Fake Sephora Reviews
Unfortunately, After I purchased this product I read many online articles and watched Youtube videos about the fact that Sunday Riley has been caught posting fake reviews on Sephora:
- A supposed former Sunday Riley employee leaked an email online to show that employees had been encouraged by the company to register as Sephora users, and write positive reviews for two of its new acne products. They were even instructed on how to change VPNs so the reviews wouldn’t get linked back to their actual IP addresses.
Their goal was to keep the reviews on Sephora’s website positive and generate confidence in their products. Their employees were encouraged to do this on an ‘ongoing basis.’ Btw, Sunday Riley admitted that they indeed encourage their employees to engage in this behavior.
This product has 2k reviews on Sephora and 150k loves. Without hesitation I purchased the more expensive, bigger bottle because I was convinced this product was going to work great on me. Ugh, I should have bought the standard size. I Just haven’t really enjoyed Good Genes since I’ve become aware of this scandal. I will never purchase another Sunday Riley product ever again. However, I’ve learned an expensive lesson from this experience: I’m not taking customer reviews/ratings too seriously anymore.
TIP * Seek out samples of Good Genes before committing to the whole size product. Try to buy travel sizes if at all possible.
No significant Improvement
I use the Good Genes lactic acid treatment several times a week. I’ve had no negative reaction to it at all (thank goodness). My skin does look good in the morning. Oddly, it has an intense lemon scent. It feels nice when I use it, I don’t mind the texture of the product. It sinks in nicely. But, after all this time using it, I haven’t noticed a major improvement of my skin.
On a positive note – It can be used as a primer because it does temporarily smooth and plump your skin.
Too Expensive
I put this treatment on in the evenings, and yes, in the mornings my face does temporarily look plumper and brighter. However, I honestly don’t feel like I’ve benefited in the long run from using this product. It’s just not worth the money. There are so many other lactic acid treatments that are far much more affordable on the market.
Don’t fall for the over hyped reviews online like I did. Good Genes from Sunday Riley is way too over hyped and too expensive and you might only get mediocre results from this lactic acid treatment.
Good Genes – Pros & Cons
+ Temporarily, face looks brighter and plumper
+ Sinks into skin nicely
+ No negative reaction to this product
+ Elegant, glass bottle (does not feel cheap)
+ Can be used as a primer
x Too expensive
x No long term benefits
x Didn’t notice significant improvement of skin
x Did not live up to the hype
x Sunday Riley employees write fake reviews on Sephora.com
x Cheaper lactic acid alternatives on the market
x Intense lemon scent
Have you used Good Genes? Do you disagree with this review? Do you use any other Sunday Riley products?
Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
Thank you so much.
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no way! i’ve always heard great things of Sunday Riley. I myself adore the luna oil and the ufo one and I had major improvement for my acne prone skin.
I was once very disappointed by CT Magic cream so I can relate when you say this cream didn’t do almost anything visible for you. But with such expensive brands I always ask for samples first.
Cate // 35mminstyle
Sunday Riley is so expensive!!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Wow, that’s so expensive! I totally agree with you, there are much cheaper alternatives on the market! Thanks so much for sharing and being so honest, I really appreciate the honest review! Have a lovely day xx
Emily
https://itsemilystephens.weebly.com/
That’s too bad it didn’t live up to your expectations. I usually look at the reviews too and believe them.
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
sounds like a neat product! thanks for sharing!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
There is so much hype around this product. Thanks for the honest review. This product is definitely not my cup of tea.
http://www.bismarauf.com
Author
Cate, so glad to hear that you’ve had great experiences with Sunday Riley products. I should have found a way to get samples of Good Genes before I bought it. Thx for the helpful tip 🙂
Author
Jennifer, yes they are. Thankfully my skin didn’t break out using Good Genes, but I know there are far more affordable alternatives on the market. Definitely don’t give into the hype like I did, I don’t think they are worth it. Hope you have a beautiful day 🙂
Author
Emily, thank you so much for the positive feedback. I’m so glad you found this post helpful 🙂
Author
Jodie, unfortunately, I ‘m going to have a more skepticall approach to product reviews/ratings from here on out because of this experience. It wasn’t a horrible product, just not worth the $$$.
Author
Bisma, thank you so much for your positive feedback. I just don’t want others to spend a lot of $$$ on this product because it has good ratings. Glad you found this post helpful 🙂
Oh I too had heard great things about this product. Sorry this did not work out for you. Thanks for sharing your review. Have a great weekend.
Dheera
http://www.thestylepanorama.com
I always read the reviews before purchasing a product and it’s sad that the company didn’t have enough confidence in their own product that they had to resort to false reviews. Sephora has a great return policy so maybe you can exchange it for something else. Thank you for sharing your honest review!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Author
Dheera, thanks so much for the positive feedback. Glad you found this post helpful. Hope you have a beautiful day 🙂
Author
Jill, I’m glad Sephora has a great return policy. I’m gonna keep this because my skin hasn’t reacted negatively to it, so that’s a plus. I won’t ever purchase a Sunday Riley product ever again. I was so disappointed when I heard that they posted false reviews on Sephora, they admitted it and justified it because they said that everyone else does it too, so keep that in mind when something is super overly hyped up on Sephora.com. Have a beautiful day, lovely 🙂
To be honest, I have never heard about this brand but I am always on the loop to try new good products and reviews are always helpful. So thanks for exposing this situation and for such an honest review! I bookmarked this post as a reference.
Vanessa
https://thefashionstatement.net
Author
Vanessa, thank you so very much for the positive feedback. So glad you found this post helpful. Hope you have a beautiful day 🙂
Oh really is that so… I always heard good things about Sunday Riley specially that good genes is the favorite for many I know…. I never tried anything from SR tho… thanks for your honest review …❤️
http://www.geniusenough.com
I’ve been wanting to try out this brand!
xx- Nina
http://www.stylingwithnina.com/2019/06/floral-kimono-duster-summer-look.html
Author
Thanks so very much for the feedback, lovely. Have a beautiful day 🙂
Author
Hope you have a great experience with this brand, Nina. Have a beautiful day 🙂
Thanks for the honest review hun, wanted to try out this brand but a little hesitant.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
I’m not going to buy this, thanks!!
xoxo
marisasclosetblog.com
Author
Thanks so much for the lovely feedback. Hope you have a better experience with this brand than I did. I recommend to do a little research on this brand, their products a pricey. Have a beautiful day, lovely 🙂
Author
Marisa, so glad you found this blog post helpful. Thank you so much for the positive feedback 🙂
I have never heard of this product, but it definitely seems really expensive and imagine that there are other reasonably priced options. Thanks for sharing your honest feedback…this info was really helpful!
http://roadesque.com
Author
Valerie, thanks so much for the feedback. Yes, there are more affordable alternatives on the market. So glad you found this post helpful 🙂
It’s good to know about this brand though how bad to hear about the fabricated reviews. Good on you for being honest about what you knew.
http://www.busyandfab.com
Great post and fabulous blog! It’s such a shame that you didn’t love this product and I totally agree that this is the perfect example of where we can so easily get conned as beauty consumers. I wouldn’t think twice about trusting reviews on a product (something I do a lot – I’ll find a product of interest, then hunt down the reviews and act accordingly) so it’s rubbish to hear that a company is manipulating a system that so many of us rely on.
Thanks again for the post and info xx
Beauty Geek Beauty Blog
Author
Mercy, thank you so very much for the feedback. Honestly, I was disappointed when I read the about the ‘fake Sephora reviews’. I have no confidence in the Sunday Riley brand at all. Hope you have a beautiful day 🙂
Author
I completely agree, Sascha. My thoughts exactly: Sunday Riley is manipulating a system that so many of us rely on. Thank you so very much for your positive feedback. I so greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a beautiful day 🙂
Author
Cassandra, thanks for the tip about the TO Lactic Acid 🙂 You know, this wasn’t the worst product on the planet, but the price point is the kicker. I so greatly appreciate your positive feedback. Hope you have a beautiful day!
I heard about that fake Sephora reviews by Sunday Riley. Such a bummer that it’s kinda pricey and didn’t do any improvement on your skin.
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY
Author
I’m glad I’m not the only one that’s heard about these fake reviews, Alyssa. Good for you for not falling into the trap like I did. Thank you for the feedback. Hope you have a beautiful day 🙂