When Misty Copeland stepped away from the American Ballet Theatre stage last year, she left behind a legacy of firsts: first Black female principal dancer in the company’s 75-year history, first ballerina to appear in a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and the first dancer to headline a Disney live-action film. Yet even in retirement, the 41-year-old icon still spends her days in front of cameras, whether filming fitness classes, directing her dancewear line, or guest-judging televised competitions. That constant exposure means skincare is still part of the job description.
In a recent interview with The Cut, Copeland walked readers through the exact products that keep her complexion camera-ready, name-checking one standout she refuses to skip: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-in-One Lactic Acid Treatment. “I find that it’s really good for any imperfections and impurities,” she told the outlet, adding that she smooths it on “almost five days a week.”
Why Good Genes Earns a Permanent Spot on Her Vanity
Copeland’s loyalty to the $85 serum isn’t a casual endorsement. Dancers battle stage makeup, sweat, harsh lights, and constant travel—conditions that can trigger breakouts, dullness, and uneven texture. Good Genes relies on 5% purified lactic acid to dissolve the “glue” that holds dead cells on the surface of the skin, revealing brighter, smoother skin within minutes. The formula also includes licorice and lemongrass to calm redness and boost radiance, making it gentle enough for daily use yet potent enough to tackle hyper-pigmentation left by old blemishes.
Copeland isn’t the only A-lister who keeps a back-up bottle. Oprah Winfrey featured the treatment on her 2018 “Favorite Things” list, calling it an essential step in her nighttime regimen. Summer House star Paige DeSorbo has raved about the glow it gives before filming, while Drew Barrymore once told her 15-million-follower Instagram audience, “I’ve been using this product one to two times a week at night and love the results!” Amazon shoppers echo the praise: the serum maintains a 4.6-star average across more than 3,000 reviews, with many claiming they’ve given up on finding a cheaper dupe.
The Rest of Copeland’s “Very Regimented” Routine
Good Genes may be the headline act, but Copeland’s full lineup reads like a masterclass in low-maintenance, high-performance skincare. She double-cleanses morning and night with Merit Great Skin Double Cleanse Face Wash ($16), a two-in-one gel-oil hybrid that melts away long-wear makeup without stripping. For extra-dry spots—think knuckles, elbows, and sometimes lips—she reaches for Aveeno Skin Relief Healing Ointment ($13), a petrolatum-based salve her husband and toddler son also swipe.
Fragrance is another non-negotiable. Copeland’s signature scent is Creed Acqua Fiorentina ($310), a crisp fruity-floral blend of greengage plum, apple, and bergamot that lingers through curtain calls. On makeup days, she skips heavy foundation in favor of Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint ($65), a sheer, water-based veil she says “makes you look bright and awake” without settling into fine lines.
How to Layer Lactic Acid Like a Pro
Copeland’s near-daily use of an acid serum might sound intimidating, but dermatologists say lactic acid is one of the gentlest alpha-hydroxy acids thanks to its large molecular size. The key is smart layering. Here’s the order Copeland follows on performance nights:
- Cleanse with Merit Great Skin to remove every trace of stage makeup.
- Pat skin dry, wait 60 seconds, then apply one pump of Good Genes over face and neck, avoiding the eye contour.
- Wait another three to five minutes for the pH-dependent formula to fully absorb.
- Seal everything in with a dime-size layer of Aveeno ointment on dry patches only.
- Finish with a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ the next morning (Copeland switches to Supergoop Play when she’s outdoors).
Beginners should start with two nights a week and scale up only if no stinging or redness occurs. Pairing lactic acid with a simple, fragrance-free moisturizer helps mitigate any initial dryness.
From Stage Lights to Street Style: Skincare Lessons Anyone Can Steal
Copeland’s routine proves you don’t need a 12-step K-beauty shelfie to see real change. Three principles carry her through:
- Consistency beats quantity. She’d rather use five products religiously than rotate 15 and forget what goes when.
- Multi-taskers save suitcase space. A cleanser that doubles as makeup remover and an ointment that works on cracked heels, cuticles, and baby cheeks means fewer bottles to juggle on tour.
- Listen to your skin, not the trend cycle.
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