The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA Versus Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
Updated on March 04, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 5 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain AHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens or sulfates
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 15 ingredients
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment 32 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 15 ingredients
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment 32 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
Buffering
Glycerin
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventSodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit/Leaf Extract
Antioxidant
Acacia Senegal Gum
MaskingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingIsoceteth-20
Emulsifying
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin Conditioning1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientWater
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCypripedium Pubescens Extract
Skin ConditioningOpuntia Vulgaris Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningAgave Tequilana Leaf Extract
AstringentArnica Montana Flower Extract
Masking
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Emollient
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract
Skin ConditioningLeuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingSqualane
Emollient
Lactic Acid
Buffering
PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer
EmollientPropanediol
SolventButylene Glycol
Humectant
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Dimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Phenyl Trimethicone
Skin Conditioning
Disiloxane
Skin Conditioning
Ceteareth-20
Cleansing
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
Skin ConditioningGlycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract
Bleaching
Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil
Masking
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientChlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Sodium Phytate
Water, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Cypripedium Pubescens Extract, Opuntia Vulgaris Leaf Extract, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Extract, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, Lactic Acid, PPG-12/Smdi Copolymer, Propanediol, Butylene Glycol, Stearic Acid, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Alcohol, Phenyl Trimethicone, Disiloxane, Ceteareth-20, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Xanthan Gum, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Phytate
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterLactic Acid is an AHA that is derived from fermenting lactose, a carbohydrate from milk. It removes the top layer of old and dead skin cells and helps increase cell turnover.
Benefits of Lactic Acid are that it can help to reduce large pores and reduce the effects of aging. Some potential downsides are that it can be bad for dry skin, cause irritation, worsen eczema, and worsen rosacea.
Not only does it help exfoliate the skin, it helps strengthen the skin's barrier. When applied, lactic acid helps the skin create ceramides.
Lactic acid is an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant that comes from the fermentation of lactose — a carbohydrate found in milk.
Legend has it that Cleopatra used to bathe in sour milk to help reduce wrinkles.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Lactic AcidPropanediol is an all-star ingredient. It softens, hydrates, and smooths the skin.
It’s often used to:
Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use. It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.
Learn more about PropanediolXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan GumCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 15 ingredients
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA 15 ingredients
Holy grail for real. This stuff works instantly overnight to sooth acne and balance skin tone/texture. Everytime I do some damage picking at my skin, this serum basically undoes it all. Fantastic for maintenance whilst purging acne, I use this in rotation with the inkey list BHA serum and they have resurfaced and evened out all my fungal acne, going to move onto the 10% for clearing up my scars Show more
🤍 been using this for 2 years now, and i've really seen significant changes in my skin—especially with hyperpigmentation and texture ♡ however, it can be a bit irritating since i have sensitive skin, and it feels a little harsh when i combine it with the niacinamide 10% + zinc from the ordinary too. so, on my heavier days where my skin is extra sensitive, i skip this serum and just use moisturizer Show more
Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment 32 ingredients
Clears my sensitive skin of dead cells without irritation.
Clears my skin
