MDSUN Intensive Eye Gel

Until I was approached by a representative of MDSUN, I had never heard of the company. Not only that, at first glance, I assumed from the company name that it was a line of sun products (ho hum). Instead, I learned quickly, it is a superb line of skin care products founded by the world-renowned cosmeceutical surgeon, Dr. George Sun, in 2001.

When Dr. Sun began developing the MDSUN line, he drew upon his extensive background as an aesthetic plastic surgeon and a biochemist. Each MDSUN product features a custom formulated base, designed with specialized ingredients that provide clinical efficacy and long-term improvement in the look and feel of skin. At the same time, MDSUN products are mild enough to for use on sensitive skin over a lifetime. MDSUN products do not require a peeling or acclimation phase in order to enhance the appearance of skin (praise the Lord!). They are safe to use pre- or post-treatment or in conjunction with surgical procedures. The line reminds me of one of my long-time favorites, RéVive developed by Dr. Gregory Brown.

MDSUN sent me two products to try, and I have been using Intensive Eye Gel ($105) for well over a month. I love it! It is a gel that acts like a cream (I'll explain below), and the dispenser allows me to pump out only the small quantity I need, avoiding waste (one of my pet peeves with luxury products).

MDSUN’s Intensive Eye Gel addresses delicate skin concerns with a unique blend of anti-aging, brightening, and hydrating ingredients, leaving the skin more firm, moisturized, and radiant. Infused with sodium hyaluronate (nature's sponge), coenzyme q10, and vitamin E - all ingredients I want in my eye cream - the gel’s formula helps to support natural collagen and elastin and softens expression lines and wrinkles, and it restores suppleness and youthfulness. Anti-fatigue agents vitamins C and K significantly reduce under-eye puffiness due to fluid retention and dark circles so that the skin looks brighter and well-rested. Precious algae and oat extracts further protect the skin against aging and environmental damage. All true! (Forgive me; I try not to use too many exclamation points, but when I get excited about a product, they slip out).

You are supposed to use Intensive Eye Gel twice/day, but I have been using it in the morning only. Still, I have realized its beneficial effects. Most impressive? I sleep on my right side, and fluid tends to build up overnight in a pocket over my right sinuses. I don't often have time to lie with frozen peas over my eyes for 20 minutes in the morning to shrink that pocket, but MDSUN does it for me within minutes. I'm impressed. It also makes my "expression lines" far less visible by plumping the thin skin around my under-eye area. I use it both under and over my eyes, and I have had absolutely no seepage into my eyes. It's a gel, but it absorbs quickly like a cream, and my makeup goes over it without any unevenness. My eye area looks hydrated all day - just like it looks when I use any of my favorite eye creams. I'm totally in love with Intensive Eye Gel.

Its key ingredients are Phytonadione (Vitamin K), Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract, Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, and Algae Extract - a relatively short list, but one that's filled with excellent ingredients.

I am eager to try other products from MDSUN. They sent me a product that is laden with retinol, and I am afraid to try it (given my serious allergic reactions to retinol and my dermatologist's advice to avoid it). I just don't want to risk going to work with a burned face (although I only have a week left on this current job, so maybe I should risk it later). Here is a blurb from MDSUN's Web site on its innovative philosophy, with my comments added in parentheses. I think it's important to emphasize the company's commitment to quality and state-of-the-art beauty product manufacturing.

Innovative, Effective, Revolutionary, and Researched
With thousands of clinical experiences, we at MDSUN understand the importance of staying connected to our patients and customers to make sure their needs are met in every way possible and provide an experience that other brands cannot reproduce. Our associates are selected on the basis of their distinguished research and product development, and we choose only from the research labs that meet our stringent standards and requirements in order to create the UltrapackTM product line; carrying with its name a treatment experience that is innovative, safe, effective, and revolutionary. (Here is a little secret in the industry. Many well-known companies buy prefabricated products and pass them off as specialty care developed specifically for their customers.)

Manufacturing Specialties
We at MDSUN specialize in pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical skin care, hair care, and supplements - all incorporating Liposome technologies and Ultrapack™ ingredients. In accordance with our mission, we make it our utmost responsibility to ensure our products and manufacturers meet all GMP guidelines. Our products are certified high-quality, manufactured in the USA (many thanks!), and meet the most stringent of standards. Our professional team consists of experts from across the disciplines: doctors, chemists, pharmacists, beauty therapists, and nurses. We aim to provide the most effective and safe skin care treatments to our patients and customers. Patients and customers are our foremost concern, and in this, we provide the best treatment option whether pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, or a combination of both.

Confidence in Quality Assurance
All our materials are derived from American facilities that guarantee compliance with stringent SGS and ISO standards (if you don't know what that means, trust me, it's good). All materials come from American and European-based research facilities to ensure the product compliance to SGS and ISO standards.

• Dr. Sun requires MDSUN to be a quality brand name in the skin-care industry.
• All products follow FDA guidelines and fall under the supervision of a recognized Product Development Committee.
• Collaboration with well-established suppliers to provide Ultrapack™ ingredient, use Liposome™ technology.
• Each step of manufacturing, production, and packaging is strictly monitored to adhere to MDSUN’s professional standards.
• SGS-certified laboratories work closely with our professional staff to conduct tests and research to provide the best and most efficacious active ingredients.

Effective, Safe, and Mostly Paraben Free
MDSUN focuses on two lines of products: cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical. Our pharmaceutical line of products focuses on effectiveness, safety, research, and clinical studies. We provide products that meet our rigid safety guidelines and effectiveness standards while minimizing the pre-and-post-surgery/pre-and-post-therapy recovery times of thousands of our patients. The products in our pharmaceutical line are targeted for medical usage and are formulated from years of experience in both the research laboratory as well as with thousands of patients during clinical studies.
Our cosmeceutical line of products focuses on using the most effective, non-prescription ingredients available to provide the best possible results. By producing vitamin-based and antioxidant supplements, we using Ultrapack™ ingredient to provide the upmost care for our customers’ beauty and health. We ensure our cosmeceutical line to produce the fastest results.

I've learned a few lessons here. Don't assume anything about a company until you have learned its specialty and tried its products. The fact that it's not on the counter at Neiman Marcus and Saks may be an advantage. You can wink when your friends ask you what you've done to look so young and fresh and you tell them your secret didn't involve a surgical procedure. I always share product recommendations with my friends, and I'll definitely be sharing this one, now that I've shared it with you.

You can purchase MDSUN products - and there is a great, long list from which to choose - at the company's Web site. I intend to become a regular customer.

Photo courtesy of MDSUN