Evaluation of Research and Octadecenedioic Acid

I cannot directly access the PDF link you provided, so I cannot review the research paper or the substance related to groundwater mentioned within it to assess its credibility or findings. However, I can provide information based on the discussion in the forum thread you shared.

Based on the forum discussion:

• The user "cosmeceutical7" notes that the research is still in the animal testing phase, indicating it is far from being proven effective and safe for human skin.
• They also mention unfamiliarity with the journal "Integrative Medicine Research" and find the use of groundwater as an ingredient questionable, possibly linked to the research institution's focus.
• This suggests that, according to this forum participant, the research is preliminary and its credibility is uncertain due to the journal and methodology.

Regarding Octadecenedioic Acid, which was also discussed:

• The forum user "cosmeceutical7" mentions hearing about this ingredient years ago, that a counter brand marketed it, but it seemed not very effective and disappeared from the market.
• They also suggest that whitening agents from Asia (Japan, Korea) have been more successful recently compared to those from Europe or America, and that Octadecenedioic Acid originated from Europe and was marketed there more for "even tone" or treating melasma rather than general whitening, although it can have a whitening effect.
• The user "isthislove" asks if it can reduce Tyrosinase mRNA and Protein expression.

I have searched for Octadecenedioic Acid in my product database but did not find any direct matches for this specific ingredient.

In summary:
The research paper you inquired about, based on the forum discussion, is still in its preliminary stages (animal testing), and its credibility is questioned by some forum participants.

As for Octadecenedioic Acid, it is an ingredient that has been used in whitening products, but according to the forum discussion, it may not be as popular or considered as highly effective as other current whitening agents. I was unable to find a direct match for this ingredient in my product database.