"Meaningful Beauty" lacks true meaning

Beauty Cred on 16 Jan 2007 at 12:00am

Cindy Crawford has associated her beauty, name, and reputation to the “Meaningful Beauty” anti-aging skin care product line.

Cindy is obviously a natural beauty -- who denies ever getting Botox injections-- so we have to wonder, does Meaningful Beauty have true meaning?

Meaningful Beauty Ingredients

Meaningful Beauty is based on a formulation developed by French skin care expert, Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh. What is the secret ingredient unearthed by Dr. Sebagh? Rare French melon. Sebagh believes some melons can defend our skin from the breakdown of collagen, which happens with age. Meaningful Beauty describes this ingredient as

“a rare French melon that stayed fresh and firm much longer than similar varieties. This melon contained a powerful “first generation” antioxidant (superoxide dismutase), which preliminary studies suggest, prevents the formation of new free radical species. By utilizing this first generation antioxidant, Meaningful Beauty's formulas are designed to help protect your skin against the visible signs of aging in a remarkable way.”

This is skin care, not science fiction

So why is the key Meaningful Beautiful ingredient referred to as a “rare French melon?” What is the name of the melon? Google the phrases “rare French melon” and “French melon” and the results offer limited help. I found out that the French name for a cantaloupe is a “Charentais” melon, which is especially prized in France for its rich, honey finish. No word on its potent antioxidants, but the Meaningful Beauty website gives this answer on their FAQ’s page:

What kind of melon does Meaningful Beauty's patented melon extract come from? The patented melon extract in Meaningful Beauty’s revolutionary treatment products is taken from a rare form of "cantaloupe charentais", which is grown only in the south of France.

Does meaningful beauty work?

With a very beautiful woman attached to lure consumers, is Meaningful Beauty just a gimmick? Does it work? I think the commenters below are much more apt to reveal the truth than one person's opinion.

My opinion is it’s going to take a lot more than fruit to mimic the skin tone of one of the world’s most celebrated supermodels. I'd rather find my meaning in skin care products with more research to back up their claims.

Where can you buy Meaningful Beauty?

Meaningful Beauty is marketed by TV marketing pros Guthy Renker (home of Proactiv and Youthful Essence) as the “Complete Age Maintenance System." The line consists of a cleanser, moisturizer, night fluid, eye cream, masque and neck cream. Meaningful Beauty can be ordered as an introductory kit that gets you an automatic shipment every 90 days.

Give us your opinion of Meaningful Beauty - - Is it a scam that pulls you into a customer service nightmare? Or does Meaningful Beauty really work for you?

Comments (632)

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Molly M. (unregistered guest) 17 Jul 2007

I've been using meaningful beauty for about 6 weeks to 2 months now (yes, the 30 day supply really did last me that long!), and I have seen amazing results. My number one praise is that I have had those dark circles under my eyes my whole life---I have very translucent, fair Irish skin, and they have actually lightened several shades! Not only that, but my skin is really soft, and I rarely get the breakouts that used to be a weekly occurance. I think it might have something to do with how gentle but thorough the clenser is. Anyway, just last week I ran out of the clenser, and it put me in a panic! I admit, I'm hooked, I think it's an amazing product that I will continue to buy, phony melon or not.

Darlene S. 19 Sep 2008

Molly, I too have had wonderful results with Meaningful Beauty products and I can hardly believe that it only takes a small amount of product for my regiments. Not only have I seen great results, but my family and friends are amazed at how soft, smooth and tight my skin is. The glowing serum wakes my skin up and rejuvenates me when applied through out the day. I too could care less where the melon comes from I am hooked. So I beg to differ with those who dare to knock a product they haven't even tried.

Dr. Judith A Hirsch-Fikejs 22 Sep 2008

I continue to be very glad that I have these products . . . I am 69 and am still getting compliments on my skin, either with or without makeup. I have been surprised at how some have had allergic reactions, but being redhead/sensitive skin myself, I am glad that I have not had any problems. I know my daughters have various issues, some I never had to deal with, so I know all of us are different. I just think it doesn't hurt to try them. We spend mega-bucks on other stuff; it doesn't take a lot of $$$ to try and if they work, so much the better. I am not affiliated with the company so am not just touting them for that reason. They had just been very good for my skin.

1407nini 8 Jul 2009

I here ya...I love this product. I think anyone who does not like it does not know what a good skin care product is like. My skin feels soooo good. People have to be patient and keep using the product. Sometimes our skin reacts to something only because it is new. Stick with it and you will see amazing results. I have! Love it!

5933anon 10 Jun 2010

I have been in the beauy biz for 17 years, used expensive creams and cheaper creams. here's the thing! with MB you are getting a WHOLE kit cleanser, eye cream, day cream with spf, serum, masque, neck cream, AND a night cream for the same price I paid for THE CHEAP face cream only. I have just re ordered and I really like the product. I am 36. I believe in the power of natural things and many of these ingrediants are natural, coQ10, sunflower oil, melon extract ect...you don't need much of any of it, and it works well. there are lots and lots of products out there that "burn" a little and thats what those "rich"ladies are paying for, my advice give it a try, use it all, then after the 60 days if you really don't like it return it. I love it, its fairly cheap, it works well, and like I said, most kits like that would cost a WHOLE LOT MORE than MB. Like I also stated,I have been in the beauty field as a hairstylist,skin care,and massage therapist for 17 years, so I sold single eye creams that cost hundreds of dollars that don't work as well as this entire kit that costs 100 bucks every 3 months....and no I don't work for cindy or guthy renker!

Donna1968 28 Sep 2010

First of all you cannot be using it everyday because they do not give you ENOUGH to last every day for a month. The bottle for the Glowing Serum has a spacer in it and you are only getting 1/4 of the amount you would get if they did not have the spacer in the bottle. This company is a rip off and I will NEVER EVER buy anything with Cindy Crawford's name on it again. Go ahead, take the bottle apart. The other bottles are probably the same. As for me I am filing a claim against the company and get my money back. I am livid that they would do this to people.

Laara 29 Nov 2010

I bought what looked like a good product a couple months ago. It actually dried out my skin. I noticed that my credit card was being charged too much so I called and returned all remaining product. I am still being charged and cannot access their 1-800 from Canada, or use their on-line customer service forms either from Canada.

Canadian ladies do not buy this product!

Danilou 30 Nov 2010

get your credit card company involved. that is the only way i was able to get my $$$$ refunded.

Laara 30 Nov 2010

I have so far and there has been a delay in the dispute process. I just called the company ordering line yesterday and they have said again that they will post the refund even though their 6-8 week return processing is not complete. We will see!

woodlock 2 Jun 2011

I agree. I discovered some of the bottles had false bottoms. In an effort to get more product out of the bottle I unscrewed the cap and put a Q-tip inside, I discovered the "bottom" was just 3/4" from the top of the bottle! I wrote the company and gave them the benefit of the doubt that perhaps they mistakenly sent me the 30 day supply bottle by mistake...much to my amazement, they sent me a "free" 90 day kit. No letter, just the kit. False bottoms are sue-worthy, of course, but I also have to admit I love the night fluid because it softens my skin and isn't greasy or heavy - and unfortunately they seem to have discontinued that formula and now make the greasy night creme, which I loathe.

zzuzu 18 Oct 2011

Good luck with that. These people are crooks.

marynellie 12 Nov 2011

I am glad to know that you had a positive experience with Meaningful Beauty. I am getting ready to try it myself soon. I believe Cindy Crawford said she has been using it for about 14 years. I have seen her pictures then and now and I think she looks even better now.

nadiahoney 1 Mar 2012

Good for you Donna1968 -- I always knew this bs was a crock and a horrifying one at that! All that happened is a botox and surgery-happy famous model got hooked up with a company looking to make quick bucks -- and by the way I am acquainted with the company and its tactics -- and I only wish someone would finally, oh please finally, stop allowing such companies to take advantage of all-too-willing consumers! Go by a five-dollar bottle of emu oil or something, worth thousands more than this crappy snake-oil! Having been privy to the machinations behind it, I would only buy this to return it afterwards. That's all

nadiahoney 1 Mar 2012

You should be ashamed of hawking this ridiculous product, because you are a doctor. Read the ingredients list -- you can buy these products (and better ones, at that) for half the price. I don't care how "cheap" it is for a TV product, it's still full of it. I won't fund this product as a matter of principle.

lack luster 2 Mar 2012

I hope you have a better day. Chill.

B.Cobbs (unregistered guest) 25 Aug 2007

I have not yet tried out the product but I am definitely curious, because of all the positive reviews and the infommercial. On the other hand I am very skeptical about the product because of all the failures with the other ones that I have tried. One issue that constantly rattles me is I've seen that it works on fair skin consumers but what about darker skin individuals. How does it react to their skin,this does play a factor in if I should get it or not.

LisaofSeattle (unregistered guest) 24 Mar 2008

I am a woman of color with a medium complexion. I have now used Meaningful Beauty products for nearly a year. I truly love it!! My face is softer,evenly toned and youthful. I am 44 years old and now able to radiantly go without makeup by choice; sometimes even being carded for I.D.!! :)

PatofCanada 28 Jul 2008

I am also a woman of color and I was looking to see if other women of color were having the same issues as I was. I love this product. I am only 39 and I have very nice skin. I am not one to do the regement cleansing with special products twice a day and when ever I go for a facial I always get the comment of how nice my skin is and no-one is ever able to guess my correct age. They all think I am in my late twenties. Well I saw the infomercial and thought that I should start a regiment and why not try to hang to the young look I have. Anyways, I have been using the product for about 3 weeks now. I love how it makes my skin so so clear, bright, the dark shadows around my face are disppearing, the dark circles under my eyes are fading and skin looks so firm and to me, radiant. However, I am experiencing the tingling every once in a while and what is really bad is when it is really hot and my face sweats, it burns and itches. So now I have read enough today to realize that I have an allergic reaction to the product and it saddens me because there were also so many positive effects from using this product. For those of you wanting to try this product. I say DO IT! and I hope you have success with it. For those of you who have posted such negative responses on this site. Thank you for your information, but I think the message would have come across from a a more positive comment. Beauty comes from within, Like so many others have mentioned here, it comes from healthy living. It also comes from posivite outlook on life. Good Luck with that.

opi (unregistered guest) 4 Aug 2008

I am 40 and have tried the beaauty kit on Tv. Upfront, I will say that the face cream and face cleansers are wonderful. I regret to say the Neck and Decollete cream has severly burn my neck and chest area. Its been 2 weeks now and my skin is still visibly burned, I can't even stand the sun on my clothes. I hope to get my skin back to normal eventually. They should tell you that you may lose layers of skin to acheive results. Warning everyone, if you truely have sensitive skin, you may want to stay away from the neck cream. If it starts to burn, STOP using it right away!

Visitor 10 Aug 2008

I'm in my 30s and usually never fall for anything that's offered in these infomercials but this time I tried it. I have been using the products for 2 weeks now and decided to only apply it on one side of my face to see if there is any change. The dark circle under my eye has faded a bit but the other products are worrying me. The side of my face has been drying up and peeling after using the Night Fluide. Would I recommend any of these products? No. My advice is to avoid even watching infomercials! Peace. :)

Megan Crichton 8 Sep 2008

I am not a person with "problematic or sensative" skin..That is until I tried this product. Parts of my face are burned,splotchy, and peeling. This has been going on for almost 4 weeks now. I do like the eye cream. Today I was able to get right thru to customer service to request a return label and a refund. Even though I do feel thatmy skin is softer, I can't get past the cons. Be warned that you may experience the same. I do suggest a cold (freezing) pack to put on your face to alleviate the burning.

Dani62 25 Sep 2008

Hi Lisa, I just purchased the Meaningful Beauty 30 day supply. I am also a woman of color, light brown complexion and I a 46 years old. I don't wear make up at all and don't want to start! Thank you for your entry. I guess the product is good for all skin types. We'll see!

Law of Diana 26 Sep 2008

I know it has been a while since you commented but I do hope you receive this. I have been experincing great results plagued with some side effects. At times my skin burns when I touch it or after washing my face with the product. Could it be that I am having an allergic reaction as well? I am simply stunned because I am not allergic to anything. Anyways, any information you can provide will be helpful. Thank you

loadsoftrouble 5 Nov 2009

I am darker skinned and it has worked wonders for me!

D. Bowles 28 Sep 2010

I am a woman of color, caramel skin tone. I have been using this since January of the 2010. I think the product is great! My skin is softer, fewer deep lines, under eye circle barely noticeable. GREAT PRODUCT.