Dr.Ci:Labo® co-hosted Luncheon Seminar 5, "Tackling Pores and Plugged Pores with Daily Skincare: Linking Indicators and Perceived Results," with the Japanese Society of Cosmetic Dermatology at the 44th Annual Meeting and Scientific Congress of the Japanese Society of Cosmetic Dermatology, held on August 1 and 2, 2026, and presented research findings on the efficacy and tolerability of an exfoliating-care formulation.
The presented study reported that continued use of a skincare formulation containing mandelic acid and gluconolactone, which are mild exfoliating-care ingredients, and panthenol, a barrier-function-supporting ingredient, was confirmed to deliver greater smoothness, glow and acne reduction than a single chemical peeling session at a clinic.
Background of the Conference Presentation
Many women in their 30s and older are said to have multiple skin concerns, such as noticeable pores, uneven skin texture and reduced clarity.
Behind these are changes in turnover and in the function of the stratum corneum. Chemical peeling performed at a clinic is effective as one way to address skin concerns, but it has challenges: it places a burden on the skin and requires regular treatments to maintain the effect.
Dr.Ci:Labo therefore turned its attention to at-home peeling, which encourages natural exfoliating care and is easy to include in daily skincare, and scientifically verified its usefulness and safety as daily care for pore and plugged-pore concerns.
Seminar Overview
This seminar was held on the theme "Tackling Pores and Plugged Pores with Daily Skincare: Linking Indicators and Perceived Results." With Dr. Fukumi Furukawa, Honorary Director, Advisor and Director of the Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Center at the Japanese Red Cross Takatsuki Hospital, as chair, lectures were given in the following two parts.
Part 1: Dr. Hiroki Fujita, Principal Scientist at Kenvue's Research and Development division, organized the mechanisms of pores, uneven skin texture and skin barrier function, and explained key points of daily skincare from the viewpoints of moisture retention and clarity.
Part 2: Dr. Hiromi Kanto, Chairperson of the Japan Esthetic Research Foundation, introduced changes in skin smoothness, moisturization and pore indicators based on the latest data on exfoliating-care products and research findings on a highly penetrating vitamin C derivative, and explained evidence-based product selection and safety.
Study Overview
In this study, a clinical trial was conducted on subjects with acne-prone skin or photoaging concerns.
Product-use groups and control group
Product-use group 1 (n=33): acne group. Used the formulation containing mandelic acid, gluconolactone and panthenol on the entire face every day continuously
Product-use group 2 (n=5): anti-aging care group. Used the formulation containing mandelic acid, gluconolactone and panthenol on the entire face every day continuously
Control group (n=34): received one chemical peeling session (20% salicylic acid) at a clinic and used their daily skincare products
*Product-use groups 1 and 2 used 0.5 ml (about 15–20 drops) of the formulation containing mandelic acid, gluconolactone and panthenol on the entire face once a day in the first week. From the second week on, usage was changed to twice a day (if no irritation or adverse events were observed in the first week).
Evaluation items
Over 56 days, a multifaceted evaluation including the following indicators was carried out.
Primary endpoints
Number and severity of acne
Smoothness
Glow
Secondary endpoints
Skin moisture content
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL)
Skin sebum content
Pore visibility
Redness
Evenness of skin tone and texture
Other anti-aging care
Main Study Results
It was announced that the skincare formulation Dr.Ci:Labo focused on, which contains mild exfoliating-care ingredients (mandelic acid, gluconolactone) and a barrier-function-supporting ingredient (panthenol), was confirmed to promote smooth turnover of epidermal keratin while keeping skin moisture, delivering combined skin-improving effects.
Skin-Improving Effects Equivalent to One Chemical Peeling Session from One Bottle
As a result of continued use of about one bottle (28 days) of the formulation containing mandelic acid, gluconolactone and panthenol, higher effects were confirmed compared with the group that received one chemical peeling session at a clinic: "smoothness (+12.6%)," "glow (+7.5%)" and "acne reduction (-25.1%)."
With 56 days of use, further improvement was seen: "smoothness (+22.9%)," "glow (+26.8%)" and "acne reduction (-38.3%)."
▼Examples of subject improvement (smoothness, acne reduction)
Improved Skin Moisture and Improved Barrier Function
With the formulation containing mandelic acid, gluconolactone and panthenol, skin moisture content increased significantly (+92.89%) even after a single use, and high moisture levels were maintained afterward.
In addition, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), an indicator of skin barrier function, decreased significantly, and recovery of the skin's moisturizing ability and barrier function was reported to be confirmed.
Sebum Control and Improved Pore Visibility
After use, sebum content decreased in a statistically significant way, and pore visibility also improved significantly, according to the study.
▼Examples of subject improvement (pores)
High Safety and Tolerability, and Consumer Perception
In a survey of subjects who used the formulation containing mandelic acid, gluconolactone and panthenol for 28 days, 100% answered that "skin texture is more refined" and "the balance of sebum and moisture is better."
In addition, 96% answered that "the product is suitable for daily use" and that they were "satisfied," and it was announced that a strong perception of effectiveness was confirmed.
Features of the Ingredients
Mandelic acid (AHA)
Because it has a higher molecular weight than other AHAs and penetrates slowly, it is the mildest AHA and suited to daily use
Suppresses and controls sebum, removes dead skin cells and promotes turnover
Gluconolactone (PHA)
A gentle exfoliating-care ingredient that also has a high moisturizing effect
Strengthens the skin barrier function and reduces sensitivity to external irritation
Panthenol
A moisturizing ingredient that raises the moisture content of the stratum corneum
Promotes strengthening and repair of the skin barrier and protects skin after peeling
An Approach to Clarity with a Toner Containing Highly Penetrating Vitamin C (APPS)
At the seminar, past research findings were introduced on vitamin C, an important element alongside exfoliating care in creating clarity.
Effects Equivalent to Aesthetic Medicine, and Effects of Combined Use
In a study in which a toner containing APPS was used continuously for eight weeks, skin-improving effects (moisture content, elasticity, improvement of dark spots, firmness) equivalent to three sessions of IPL (light therapy), a form of aesthetic medicine, were confirmed.
In addition, when a toner and emulsion containing APPS were used together after IPL treatment, no adverse events were observed, and the results suggested a possibility of supporting a skin impression of clarity from many angles, from two axes: the approach to the appearance of uneven color associated with IPL, and the approach to moisture and elasticity with the toner and emulsion containing APPS.
An Integrated Approach of "Promote," "Refine" and "Support"
It was concluded that, to create clarity, it is important to carry out in an integrated way: "promoting" the replacement of old dead skin cells with mandelic acid, "refining" the condition of the stratum corneum while providing moisture with gluconolactone, "supporting" the promoted and refined skin with panthenol, and "forming clarity" from within the skin with highly penetrating vitamin C (APPS).
Based on these research findings, Dr.Ci:Labo says it will pursue clinic-level experiences and results through daily skincare and aim to offer new value that responds to each customer's skin concerns.
