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A couple months ago, I picked up an exfoliating scrub that worked wonders on my skin. I was so enthused about the results I was seeing that I went a little overboard. My skin got irritated, and I got a reminder in the importance of exfoliating infrequently.
If you too have sensitive skin, there’s no reason to be afraid of exfoliators—as long as you exfoliate sparingly. But if even that seems like too much, may I suggest chemical exfoliators?
A chemical exfoliator (AKA an exfoliating serum) tends to be gentler and more effective than its scrub counterpart. Rather than scrubbing away dead skin cells, exfoliating serums deeply penetrate your skin to dissolve dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. This targets common skin concerns like dark spots/hyperpigmentation, acne, and wrinkles. And, because your skin is cleaner, exfoliating serums can actually boost the efficacy of your other skincare products! Your takeaway: These miraculous serums will totally upgrade your skincare routine.
When it comes to chemical exfoliators, there’s one that stands alone (IMO) and that’s cult-beauty favorite Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment Face Serum ($72.25).
The hero ingredient of this serum is lactic acid, which is a milder alpha-hydroxy acid that’s ideal for those with sensitive and/or acne-prone skin. Lactic acid exfoliates the skin’s surface layers, fighting a build-up of dead skin cells and excess sebum. It simultaneously diminishes the look of discoloration and plumps up fine lines/wrinkles, giving you clear, glowing skin.
So far, all this sounds pretty consistent with other exfoliating serums. But users really appreciate how gentle, yet effective, this product is. It doesn’t make your skin itch or burn upon application (an issue I have had with other exfoliating serums), and it delivers results in as little as two weeks.
Any skin irritation I’ve previously dealt with from other chemical exfoliators has been because I left the product on my face for too long. So, while Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment Face Serum ($72.25) does advertise itself as a leave-on treatment, I would advise leaving it on for about 15 minutes or so before rinsing off. This will give you a chance to test your skin for any irritation; plus, the lactic acid treatment is still reportedly super effective if you rinse it off.
Look on BeautyTok and you’ll find thousands of reviews from beauty influencers and beauty-obsessed people, all raving over Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment Face Serum ($72.25). Reviews on Amazon are equally glowing, and the exfoliating serum is an Amazon’s Choice product.
“I’m skincare-obsessed, so it takes a lot to impress me. It does what it claims to do,” one customer wrote. Another person praised the lactic acid formulation, adding, “Its exfoliating properties work wonders in promoting skin renewal and addressing dullness. Over time, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the overall smoothness and brightness of my complexion.” A third gushed, “There’s nothing like Sunday Riley‘s good genes. Makes your face feel fresh and radiant.”
Try it for yourself—your skin will love it!





