Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment

 (sample)

 Sunday Riley Good Genes had a huge moment a few years ago but did you know that the Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment is now the brand’s global number one best seller? Back in the day, Good Genes was hailed as a first-of-its-kind of formula that exfoliated and brightened the skin, giving us that coveted healthy looking and glowing complexion, with fast results. At the time, the Good Genes we had here in the UK was formulated with Lactic Acid but it’s since been reformulated with Glycolic Acid.

Why was Sunday Riley Good Genes reformulated and is it as good? 

Basically, EU regulations (which differ from the U.S) were changed in recent years to state that Lactic Acid products with a concentration of 10% or more could no longer be sold. This was a real blow to lovers of Good Genes in the UK so Sunday Riley set about creating a new treatment for the U.K market which incorporates exfoliating Glycolic Acid with Lactic Acid salt and so Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment was born. I had only previously tried (and loved) the old formula, so this is my first foray into the Glycolic Acid version.

Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment is designed to:

• Exfoliate the skin
• Improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Target sun damage, dullness and congestion.

Does it work? In short, yes. Below is my experience of using the treatment.

When I first pumped out a dollop of the treatment I was met with that familiar Good Genes scent – a refreshing whiff of lemongrass. Lemongrass is part of the formula to act as an astringent that tones the complexion and I love that you can actually smell it. Prickly Pear is also in the mix to soothe and calm the skin while the Glycolic Acid is, of course, there to exfoliate and improve the appearance of congestion and sun damage.

I’m determined to stick to a retinol regime this year, so Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment will be my morning serum and I’ll use it at night on the in-between retinol days. I’ve only been using it daily since Boxing Day (so around two weeks) and I can already see results in terms of my skin looking brighter and clearer. I can usually feel a little bit of congestion on my chin but now there’s just smooth, even skin. The same goes for around my nose – I sometimes feel and look a little congested around my nostril folds but Good Genes seems to be taking very good care of that too. It instantly adds glow too, almost in the same way that a tinted moisturiser might. I love it. Truly. It’s worth mentioning that if you are someone who finds Glycolic Acid irritating (I do in some products), this does not personally irritate my skin because the acid is buffered with the soothing Prickly Pear. Sunday Riley do recommend you start off using it every other day and then using daily once skin is used to it.

Overall, I’m SO pleased to be using Good Genes again and I’m actually delighted that my skin does not seem to be reacting to the Glycolic. I need to be strict with the SPF now because not only do I have retinol going on at night, the Glycolic Acid is also going to be increasing sensitivity to the sun. Now to find a lightweight, no-fuss SPF I can mindlessly apply every morning so I don’t undo all of the work my skincare is doing!

You can find Sunday Riley Good Genes Glycolic Acid Treatment at lots of retailers but I’ll probably be buying mine from Space NK (it retails for £85 for 30ml and £128 for 50ml).

 

Croma Farewell Dry Skin Face Serum

 (post features sample)

 When I first opened the box containing the Croma FarewellDry Skin face serum, my initial thoughts were all about how exquisite the packaging is. I mean, a frosted glass dropper bottle presented atop its very own little wooden podium with the company name debossed into it is very much next-level skincare product presentation and I am completely here for it! It really is quite gorgeous and makes the product feel even more luxurious.

Croma is an Austrian brand that, quite interestingly, specialises in the industrial production of Hyaluronic Acid Syringes. It seemed like quite a natural progression then for the family owned business to start producing their own skincare ranges.

The Croma Farewell collection is a range of vegan and cruelty free serums designed to target specific skin concerns. Each of the serums contains high and low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid at the core, with other ingredients added to address particular issues/areas. The collection includes Farewell Ageing Skin, Farewell Irritated Skin, Farewell Oily Skin, Farewell Puffy Eyes and Farewell Dry Skin, which is the serum I’ve been trialling.

With Hyaluronic Acid, D-Panthenol, Aloe Vera and Niacinamide, Farewell Dry Skin delivers a hefty dose of hydration and moisture to skin that needs a little extra help. The ingredients also work to strengthen the skin’s barrier and maintain softness and elasticity. The lightweight serum is designed to be used morning and night, with the recommended dosage of 3 drops to be applied after cleansing and before any moisturiser and SPF you might like to use.

I really like the texture of this serum; it’s so light and sort of feels like thick water on the skin. It’s therefore incredibly easy to apply and spread, with my face feeling like it’s had a big drink of water almost instantly. It absorbs well too and doesn’t really leave an obvious sign that I’ve just applied anything to my skin, except that it makes me look a little more awake and healthy, but there’s no sheen or shiny finish. I do however notice an immediate difference in the feel of my skin - there is an instant softness and sort of bounciness, almost like fine lines are being plumped and everything is being rehydrated. It's a very welcome sensation!

The Farewell Dry Skin Serum also plays very well beneath other products – I absolutely detest products that ball up and pill and this is not one of them, so it gets a big tick from me in that department too.

The serum does not have a scent and feels incredibly gentle so unless you are sensitive to Niacinamide it should be suitable for virtually everyone. All in all, a lovely luxury serum that I would suggest to anyone dealing with dry skin.

Croma Farewell Dry Skin target-specific face serum for dry skin is £109 for 30ml at Croma.