A New Favorite: MaMa Lotion - Mandelic and Malic Acid
Ah, just when I think I’ve heard it all, I run across MaMa Lotion ($44.50, Cosmeticville.com). A dermatological-grade potent combination of 20% unique alpha hydroxy acids (10% mandelic acid, 10% malic acid), MaMa Lotion has what it takes to become a new regular in my skin care line-up, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, freckles, acne blemishes, acne scarring, hyperpigmentation, enlarged pores, melasma, ingrown hairs, and rough skin.
One of the main ingredients in MaMa Lotion, mandelic acid, is an alpha hydroxy acid derived from almonds. According to research published in the journal Tetrahedron, mandelic acid is a potent antioxidant, preventing skin lipid peroxidation when applied topically. A review in Clinics in Dermatology further affirms that mandelic acid is an AHA tat is able to treat signs of photoaging (including skin roughness and fine lines). Interestingly enough, mandelic acid is also used at 0.5% in antimicrobial solutions as an activating solution for 0.1% sodium chlorite.
Malic acid (hydroxybutanedioic acid) is an alpha hydroxy acid that is found naturally in apples. In the Journal of Dermatology, a published study found that a combination of malic acid and glycolic acid increased cell proliferation and functional activation of fibroblasts, indicating that the ingredient is effective in stimulating collagen production. Although it has been reported in the International Journal of Skin Science that malic acid is somewhat less effective than the alpha hydroxy acids glycolic acid and lactic acid, in combination with other AHAs (like the mandelic acid in MaMa Lotion), malic acid has been reported to have great efficacy in treating skin roughness, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. Unlike the other AHAs, malic acid has also been demonstrated to have some level of anti-microbial activity, as reported in The American Journal of Enology and Viticulture.
Skin following 1 month treatment with MaMa Lotion.
MaMa Lotion is a very strong and effective product, with 20% AHAs and a pH of 2.5. For this reason, special instructions are necessary for those using MaMa Lotion; namely, MaMa Lotion should not be used more than twice a week for the first few weeks, and usage can then be increased to every other day or everyday, depending on the skin’s tolerance of the product. A gentle, broad-spectrum sunscreen, like LaRoche Posay, should be used everyday in conjunction with the product, and other products with AHAs, retinol, and the sun should be avoided. Those with darker skin should additionally consult this page for further instructions.
Although MaMa Lotion goes on very thick, it absorbs into the skin within 10-15 minutes, leaving the skin extremely smooth. The treatment can also be used on rough areas like the knees, elbows, and feet (with appropriate sun protection on these areas, of course!) With that said, I love MaMa Lotion. Although the very potent product does need to be used with caution, when used properly and in conjunction with proper sun protection, it really gives skin a fantastic glow! Product rating: 9.5/10. (High concentration of effective ingredients: 3+/3. New technology or unique formulation: 3/3. Value for the money: 3/3. Sunscreen: 0.5/1; there is no sunscreen in this product, but it should only be used at night anyway, so it is only a 0.5 deduction).
If you would like to try MaMa Lotion, Cosmeticville.com is currently giving away a free sample of MaMa lotion with any purchase! In the comments box at checkout, put - MaMa Lotion Sample. For more information, please visit Cosmeticville.com.
Ingredients in MaMa Lotion
Water, Mandelic Acid, Malic Acid, Algae Extract, Polyacrylamide, Potassium Hydroxide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Ubiquinone, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Fragrance, Squalane, Laureth-7, Tetrasodium EDTA, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben and Butylparaben.
I’m a little scared reading about the warnings on this product. Does it… hurt, as in stinging or anything? It sounds like a wonderful product. I have some acne scarring that I am very unhappy about.
Comment by Elizabeth | June 2, 2008
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Mama Lotion:) It “almost” got rid of most of my blemish scarring. I’m so glad you reviewed the product! Did you have any peeling at all? I had some major peeling in the beginning ( I was using it 3 times a week
), sorta like my skin with retinaldehyde. But I really love the results.
Comment by Denise | June 2, 2008
that woman got those results after 1 month? I am skeptical with such before/after pictures- I’d love to see a progressive set of pics. It does sound interesting, though and worth checking out.
Comment by sofi76 | June 2, 2008
i have been using this for four years. i would almost say that this might be better than the obagi system only because it is so easy to use with very little irritation. i alternate this with retin-a gel .1%. i usually get mine from skincarerx.com but cosmeticville and ebay sells small samples. the samples last about a week or two weeks each because you need so little. caution-major peeling the first week or two of use.
Comment by MONICA | June 2, 2008
oh, and to answer above, there is an inital stinging but it’s not bad and goes away almost instantly. also, i ve notice that this almost mattifies the skin so it’s great for people who are super oily.
Comment by MONICA | June 2, 2008
thanks Monica for all the info.
Comment by sofi76 | June 2, 2008
Monica-I read that you alternate this potent AHA lotion w/ Retin-A. Do you mean you alternate every other night? If so, does this irritate your skin? I am confused by products that say you should not use it “with” another product. Does “with” mean at the same time? or during the same day? week? Also, why do you use both? I use Differin at night, although lately my skin has been awful. I was thinking of alternating it with another product, but I’m afraid how my skin will react.
Comment by Danielle | June 2, 2008
hi there.
yes, i alternate this product with retin-a every other night. i also use md forte II cream before retin-a for product penetration. as you can tell, my skin is used to this protocol. i would not recommend someone just starting out to do this. i would even recommend that one one using mama lotion to start slow, 3x a week and increase every two weeks until you are using every night or every other night like i do. i do not use anthing else with mama lotion.
Comment by MONICA | June 3, 2008
md forte II cream Monica? What is in that and why do you use that first- wouldn’t it get in the way of Retin-A doing what it needs to? I use Retin-A as well and trying to be cautious about not using it with an AHA or Benzoyl peroxide for fear of those things ‘deactivating’ or lessening the effectiveness of the retinol. I’d love to hear your reasoning or what your doctor thinks. Thanks
Comment by sofi76 | June 3, 2008
md forte is an AHA glycolic based line that you can only get at the RX or medispas. i use cream number II which has a 12% glycolic acid with a very low pH. i have actually heard both things from doctors. some say that AHA before retin-a can deactivate it and some say that use of glycolics before can help the retin-a penetrate better. i have done both. i feel in my own experience, that the retin-a does owrk better when i use a glycolic prior. but BP does deactivate the efficacy of retin-a although, i do not use BP as i do not care for it at all.
Comment by MONICA | June 4, 2008
Thanks Monica. I did some research last night after reading all this over and I did find one reference to AHA helping Retin-A penetration- it was on Paula Begoun’s web site. She does not cite her source which is odd because she usually cites so much. Well, thanks for the extra feedback
Comment by sofi76 | June 4, 2008
I will def try this. anything to maintain healthy great skin;) I currently use Bliss Labs Sleeping Peel serum 2x a week. Have you tried this peel?
Comment by naom | June 5, 2008
i have tried sleeping peel but it was not aggressive enough for me.
for the amount of money, i would spend it on a true cosmecutical, like md forte where the pH is low enough to really affect your skin.
but i do love the sleeping peel cleansing cream. that is a nice cleanser.
Comment by MONICA | June 5, 2008
I have this product and am also using Retin-A Micro every other evening. I still haven’t truly adjusted to using the Mama Lotion. I’ll use it, and then peel like a snake for 2-3 days. Of course, after the peeling my skin looks better, but it’s tough stuff for my skin (and I’m a guy). So I’ve been using it once per week to once every other week. I don’t like the stickiness of it, or the fragrance, but it’s a truly effective exfoliator. You have to use sunscreen daily, obviously, if using this.
Comment by Marc79 | June 5, 2008
I’d like a peel that isn’t too harsh– and sleeping peel is great.. but i want a little more oomph. I’d also like to stay away from glycolic and retinols– can you recommend a good aha/lactic acid product? Gentle on skin, but doesn’t break down collagen? Thanks!
Comment by naom | June 5, 2008
Naom- I don’t think any of the AHA’s “break down collagen”. I believe they just exfoliate the top surface layer and may even stimulate the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (skins own moisturizers).
If you want to add a lactic acid cleanser, I just started using Belli’s Acne Clearing Facial Wash. It’s a product line for pregnant women, but I’m a guy and use it. Really gentle but effective, and smells like lemon
I just leave it on 1-2 minutes before jumping into the shower in the morning. Maybe something to try.
Comment by Marc79 | June 6, 2008
Hm. As someone with super sensative skin, I’m hesitant to try this. I peel bad enough with Skinceuticals Retinal 1.0, and after reading the commenter reviews, I think I’ll wait on this one.
Comment by Christine | June 7, 2008
I used MaMa for about 10 months, but it didn’t make much of a difference in reducing hyperpigmentation.
Comment by Joy | June 9, 2008
side note- once you get hyperpigemntation in an area, you will be more likely to get it there again. certain foods can also worsen hyperpigmentation, such as almonds and well as your internal body heat rising.
Comment by monica | June 12, 2008
Wow! I can’t believe how fast the woman got more even skin in four weeks. Though this lotion seems promising, I think my skin would be too sensitive for this. I used to apply Retin-A 0.1% and it made my skin peel and red. Then, I switched to Differin, which is supposedly gentler. After seven weeks, I still experience redness and peeling. My face would probably look like a tomato if I used MaMa Lotion.
Comment by Joyce | June 15, 2008
Could you use this on legs that have too much sun damage?
Comment by Debi | June 17, 2008
I’ve been using this product for a month now. I did have to have a break from it since I decided to use more than the prescribed application of once or twice a week when first starting out. The fact that I was using Retin A about thesame time (though not in conjunction)also probably didn’t help my poor face (which peeled and felt very raw).
My face has since recovered so I’m back to using it again. The stinging is still there but it’s very mild. As for results, the texture of my face has improved significantly (very smooth indeed),my pores do appear reduced and I break out less. However, it is still early days and I’m hoping and yet to experience dramatic results on my fine lines and acne scars.
Comment by AubreyM | July 14, 2008