January 29, 2018
Through the years, I think FutureDerm readers have come to know that MDSUN are some of the best products out there, in my opinion. I’ve called the brand everything from “Skinceuticals on Steroids” to “Luxe like LaMer — Except with AMAZING Effects From Day One,” and I’ve meant it. So imagine my excitement when the brand recently debuted its MDSUN Skin Exfoliation Pads. Replete with all-star ingredients like glycolic acid, lactobionic acid, niacinamide, lactic acid, and panthenol, these exfoliation pads help to remove pore-clogging debris, improve skin tone, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sunspots, and refine skin texture with regular use over time. I’m a HUGE fan! For more, read on!
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is the smallest of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and is a common ingredient in skincare ingredients. Both in vitro and in vivo tests have shown it to increase collagen production, fibroblast proliferation, and cell turnover rates (Dermatologic Surgery).
Glycolic acid acts as both a moisturizer and an exfoliator; it increases the skin’s supply of hyaluronic acid, which can hold 1000 times its weight in water, thus making glycolic acid a humectant. It also exfoliates by increasing the separation of skin cells, a process calledcorneocyte desquamation, resulting in even more cell turnover. And you know what that means: smoother, more elastic skin with regular use over time.
Lactobionic Acid
MDSUN Skin Exfoliation Pads are effective also due to their high concentration of lactobionic acid. A relatively new alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) on the market, lactobionic acid sets itself apart by being gentler and more effective than other AHAs. Chemically, lactobionic acid has more oxygen-hydrogen groups (called “hydroxyl” groups) than other alpha hydroxy acids. These additional hydroxyl groups make lactobionic acid more hydrating than glycolic acid (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010).
In 2010, researchers in London, Serbia, and Slovenia compared the efficacy of 6% lactobionic acid and 6% glycolic acid in a gel and an emulsion. Twenty-six volunteers applied one of the four different formulations twice daily for two weeks. The lactobionic acid was even better tolerated than glycolic acid in both forms, with similar results (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2010). Considering glycolic acid is proven to refine fine lines and wrinkles, hydrate the skin, and renew collagen to firm skin over time, this is an exciting finding!
In addition, lactobionic acid also has been found to brighten the skin with time, meaning that it should be able to help with uneven skin tone and the appearance of sunspots. In the same study, it was noted that the melanin index was significantly reduced with lactobionic acid use. However, the researchers noted this finding would need further investigation.
Niacinamide
According to a study from Bissett et. al., Niacinamide
The high-pH version of vitamin B3. Improves mild to moderate acne and signs of aging, such as hyperpigmentation.Niacinamide (Wikipedia)
Nicotinamide, (/ˌnɪkəˈtɪnəmaɪd/) also known as niacinamide and nicotinic amide, is the amide of nicotinic acid (vitamin B3 / niacin). Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin and is part of the vitamin B group. Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin, is converted to nicotinamide in vivo, and, though the two are identical in their vitamin functions, nicotinamide does not have the same pharmacological and toxic effects of niacin, which occur incidental to niacin’s conversion. Thus nicotinamide does not reduce cholesterol or cause flushing, although nicotinamide may be toxic to the liver at doses exceeding 3 g/day for adults. In cells, niacin is incorporated into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), although the pathways for nicotinic acid amide and nicotinic acid are very similar. NAD+ and NADP+ are coenzymes in a wide variety of enzymatic oxidation-reduction reactions. Commercial production of niacin and niacinamide (several thousand tons annually) is by hydrolysis or aminolysis of 3-cyanopyridine (nicotinonitrile). reduces hyperpigmented (age) spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness (yellowing), and increases elasticity.
According to a 2002 study by Hakozaki et. al., a topically applied 2% Niacinamide
The high-pH version of vitamin B3. Improves mild to moderate acne and signs of aging, such as hyperpigmentation.Niacinamide (Wikipedia)
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, is the only ingredient that is FDA approved for the treatment of dry skin as prescription Lac-Hydrin. Along with the oat starch and feverfew in MDSUN Exfoliation pads, lactic acid should also help to provide something of a barrier that fights irritation, despite the high concentration of ultra-effective ingredients. Lactic acid also refines, clarifies, and exfoliates the skin in a similar fashion to glycolic acid, but milder, such that it does not thin the skin (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1996).
Panthenol
Like many ingredients ending in “-ol,” panthenol is an alcohol (don’t be frightened by that!) that helps other ingredients penetrate skin and hair.
It coats skin and hair as a humectant moisturizer — which means that it draws in moisture from the environment (International Journal of Cosmetic Science). Several studies done on mice also show that panthenolic acid increases the production of cell fibroblasts. It’s effective in aiding wound healing and for this reason has been shown to work well in anti-aging products (Drug & Cosmetic Industry). In a study on 30-60 year old women, a combination of panthenol and niacinamide improved signs of aging, such as hyperpigmentation and redness (Indian Journal of Dermatology).
Bottom Line on MDSUN Skin Exfoliation Pads
MDSUN Skin Exfoliation Pads are an exceptional product designed to fight hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and other signs of aging. I highly recommend using them, and will definitely be incorporating these into my own routine!
Ingredients in MDSUN Skin Exfoliation Pads
Glycolic Acid, Lactobionic Acid, Niacinamide(Vitamin B3), Lactic Acid, Panthenol (Pro Vitamin B5),Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, and Avena Sativa (Oat) Starch. *Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer’s discretion.