Ageless in Los Angeles has posted a well-written commentary on the “Meaningful Beauty System,” a misnomer if we’ve ever heard one. The product line caught our eye because its claim to fame is an antioxidant derived from “a rare French melon.”
Hoo boy, does that ever sound like Marketing hype! While antioxidants are an important part of the body’s natural defense system, The Beauty Brains are very skeptical of the melon story. Click on over to Ageless to read the full post.
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{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I just started useing Meaningful beauty, please tell me if I am wasting time and money.
Thanks and God Bless
Shelley jo
Shelley Jo,
Just based on a quick review of their facial cleanser ingredients
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Galactaric Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Sodium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Magnesium Laureth Sulfate, Magnesium Laureth-8 Sulfate, Sodium Oleth Sulfate, Magnesium Oleth Sulfate, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben
I’d say this product will work fine (so you’re not wasting your time) but at $29.95 for a couple ounces you are definitely wasting your money!
This product is not much different than Cetaphil at 1/3 of the cost. Additionally, this product is packed full of preservatives which makes no sense to me. One or two preservatives should be plenty. They have 5 by my count!
Hope that helps.
So I’ve been using the MB products since mid-January, and while I knew the “melon” thing was probably a gimmick, I was intrigued about how it was supposed to make your skin feel so velvety… and it did! I haven’t tried a lot of moisturizers, but a decent number, mostly of the Neutrogena persuasion. My dad uses Cetaphil, as did my cousin, and I wasn’t turned off, but never noticed that velvety feeling. (And I must admit, I’m a sucker for feeling like I’m pampering myself, and Cetaphil doesn’t contribute to this… but I’m practical enough to go with a product because it works, not because I like its marketing hype.) Could you tell me what might contribute to this velvety feel that I love, as well as maybe suggest some other alternatives?
HI,
I would like to know what the melon is called that they use for Meaningful Beauty. And how much longer this melon lasts then other melons.
Propylene glycol is what they use on runways to get rid of the ice.
On our skin it draws moisture from deep down to the surface making the skin appear ‘moist’ when, in reality, one is being DEEPLY dehydrated.
BEWARE!
Sandra,
What does the fact that PG is used on runways have to do with anything? Salt is used on roads to get rid of ice. Does that mean there is something wrong with it?
Hi Jen,
I to was curios about the super secret melon since they seem to not want you to know what it is .So I did a little research on the subject and found an interesting melon grown in France called cucumis melo (cantaloupe) which seem to fit the super secret ingregients list of benefits. This melon has high antioxidant activity and I think the key is the high natural amount of superoxidedismutase(SOD).So I hope this is a lead as to what all the fuss about melons is.
All of the ingredients – including the melon – are listed on the Meaningful Beauty website. As for the roughly $30 a month pricing, it’s for the full system. Just two of my skin products from Target cost that much. If you are concerned about preservative numbers then perhaps shift to Murad…but note you will be paying much more.
I am concerned that none of these comments talk about putting all those chemicals on the skin, which is being absored into the body. If you can’t put it in your body, you shouldn’t put it on your body. You should be doing research on what those chemicals do it you, not just if it works or what it costs. It could be costing more than money – how about your health!
Debbie,
I am assuming you don’t color your hair or wear makeup of any kind. I haven’t tried MB, just researching it. I do color my hair and wear makeup, but have never been tempted to put them IN my body by eating or drinking them. That’s not a very credible statement.
Actually, Debbie is kind of right. Makeup and hair coloring are also bad for you, as they get absorbed into your skin or get inhaled into your lungs. However, I certainly don’t want to taste any lotion I will ever use.
More and more alternative products are becoming widely available in a variety of prices and these companies are putting a lot of energy into researching ingredients. I am tempted to buy MB after seeing the marketing (and the price is quite amazing), but any ingredient with -paraben on the end probably means the company wasn’t concerned about chemicals possibly hazardous for you in the long-term. Try Aveda, pricey but well respected.
I ordered the trial size kit from MB and used it for 3 days, I have a case of Dermatitus on my chest from the chest cream and the eye cream caused my eyes to swell and wrinkle. My current product is Clarins and will never order another cosmetic pushed by a celb. They did credit my credit card and told me that I didn’t have to send the product back, however they wanted the lot numbers from the products. I heard they had flooding at their warehouses and they may of been contaminated.
This is a scam!! Any merchandiser who forces their consumers to purchase a 90 day supply is not legit in my book. They should allow people to buy what they want and how much they want! I question their ethics right off the bat! I also don’t like the fact that they don’t allow people to post comments on their product on their site. They are affraid of what would be said….burning…redness…tching..etc etc.
Don’t trust any company that would scam you in purchasing more then what you want. It’s all about the $$$ not the product!!!
BUYER BEWARE!!
First- The unethical way they sell their product is a HUGE red flag!! Any honest company would sell in a reputable manner!
2)The product contains parabens which is linked to contact dermatitis and skin irratations.
3)Active Ingredients, Octinoxate and Avobenzone are relatively common compounds used in a variety of cosmetics and sunscreens. The highly touted French melon extract is buried in the list of “other ingredients.”
4)No clinical research studies referred to that show the effectiveness of the product or support the claims made on the website.
5) I agree with the last poster, the site should allow for testimonials for past purchasers. Any good product marketed would not be afraid of testimonials, they should welcome them.
***BUYER BEWARE****
DON’T DO IT!!!!!! I tried to purchae just a 30 day supply at $29.99 and they nailed me with the 90 day. I didn’t want a 90 day just the 30 to try it out! So that right there left a bad taste in my mouth! Then I tried the product and it sucked! My face burned and my neck is like leather! It itches. I couldn’t go out of my house! I called in sick to work because my face is like shoe leather! Horrible reaction to this product and horrible customer service over there. I called to complain and they were very nasty!
Don’t waiste your money or time with this! There are “safe” products out there at a much easier price tag. Don’t get sucked into those infomercials like me! I hope one person can learn from my mistake! Shame on you Cindy Crawford!
I totally agree with Debbie this product has sooo many chemicals plus it has hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fat). The very thing no one wants to put in their mouth but yet people are willing to shove it in their skin. Go organic that’s the best for your skin. Remember celebrity sells. I won’t be surprised if celebrities don’t use what they endorse.$$$$$$$$
I agree that the people on the other end of the phone are pushy little liars! I asked if the product was on back order( I had run into that prob before) ans was told no…it would be at my door in 5-7 buisness days, YEAH RITE! But I would like to say that I have used this product for a long while now and yes my face was red and hot for about a month and then it went away, the product was still working but the irritation was gone. I do like MB the product NOT MB the people (If that makes sence)
I was really impressed with the infomercial and was expecting great things based on Cindy’s claims.
What I got was a neck rash and the ‘glow serum’ – which is really supposedly the key to this product line – on back order for over a month. I called about it and the woman said it would be 2-3 more weeks but as a consolation prize she was sending me the full size serum…. a week later I received this box from Meaningful Beauty with a TINY bottle – the trial size of the serum. In the meantime I discovered that the rash cleared up when I stopped using Cindy’s products so I didn’t even use the serum. I called the company and the guy was matter of fact and defensive – not at all apologetic about the rash or the unexpected extra charge… I have cancelled all future shipments. Propolene Glycol? that’s antifreeze! eegads, that’s poison… if you get it on your hands when filling your radiator you’re supposed to wash your hands immediately. What are they thinking?
Thanks all,
You just saved me a lot of money and a rash:-)
Well, I have used it and really like it.
Sorry, but it has really improved my under eye area and puffiness. I also see my skin looking younger. I am on my second order
I had high hopes for this product line but I think it’s gimmick. I thought I’d give it a chance and withstood the burning sensation. There’s been no improvement of my wrinkles whatsoever. So much for the miracle melon.
ok, someone please explain to people that $30.00 is pennies for skincare and that most products that are high end cost $30.00 for one item. secondly, the rumors about products getting contaminated start ringing more and more true the more reviews you read. the majority of people complaining didn’t get the serum in time and a lot of them also had a bad allergic reaction. Read reviews from 2006, everyone raves. Sure doesn’t distinguish the company in any way but sounds like a bad batch case – maybe too much demand, didn’t really take the time to make sure everything was in order before the informercial aired & got themselves some problems but what smart company would admit to that? Thirdly, I agree, the info probably shouldn’t say for all skin types because all products are different & some work for some people, some for others. Personally I love it & I’ve used it one day. Now granted I might hate it in a week but so far have been very impressed even though horrified by the reviews. Arrived fast, customer service great, not pushy, answered all my questions, everything in the box that was promised, packaged beautifully, looks great, smells great, feels amazing. The cleanser might take some getting used to if you like lots of foam and scrubbing but cleans fine. Loved the mask, loved the night fluid. Loved the eyecream, never burned or produced any rash. Did try everything out on the inside of my wrist first for about 8 hours just to make sure. You do feel a slightly warm sensation but it’s pleasant, not itchy. Pores do look smaller & that’s after using it once. So, so far very very impressed and praying that it’ll deliver & work for me. Don’t be afraid to give it a try. If you don’t want the 90 day supply, say so. Then call and double check. It’s your money, if you care, take the time to follow up and make sure everything is on track.
ok, this is a no brainer, go to this site http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=9722
and read all the reviews from 2006! not a single person complaining about a rash or an allergic reaction! customer service still sucks but we’re evaluating a product, not who answers the phones. hope this helps.
Reviews mean practically nothing. Anyone can write anything on a website. That doesn’t mean it’s true.
Love the Product. I have very dry skin and tried over a 1000 products!!! MB is the only product that works for me!!!
The price is also perfect and cheap, you cant even get loreal skincare for under 10$ a bottle and let’s be honest you need more than just a moisturizer!!!
I almost did cancel my order after reading the reviews but i am glad i did not cancel it!!!
I don’t believe any of the complains!!!
I am 46 year-old woman from Montreal (Canada) and have been using Meaningful Beauty on a daily basis for over a year now, morning and night. I have truly wanted this product line to work yet feel compelled today to inform women out there that Meaningful Beauty is truly… MEANINGLESS!. I have many more wrinkles now than I had a year ago, certainly due to the natural process of aging, yet Cindy Crawford and Dr. Sebagh have definitely not created products that are helpful in controlling the onset of wrinkles, nor in reducing their appearance. I have cancelled all future delivery of this product, after having spent too much money on hope dispensed in bottles and tubes, and after having contributed in increasing the wealth of these already wealthy people. These people know to what extent women can be fools for the sake of beauty. I feel cheated.
Hi there. i am a fruit grower in victoria australia and i would love to grow melons for your product!! we are doing it hard and this is probably a chance of a life time!! outstanding how the dr. found the goodness in this melon.
To those of you who’ve had a bad reaction to MB, can you tell me if anything improved your rash and itching? I have been “off” MB for 3 days now, but my skin is still soooo itchy and red, I can barely stand it. I’ve tried hydrocortisone, allergy tablets, hypoallergenic Ponds Cold Cream and my normal, pre-MB product, Neutrogena. Nothing helps – my skin looks okay under makeup, but I can’t stop scratching it off! Thx for any advice for things that have worked for this.
Going back to Debbie’s comment about all of the chemicals in this stuff-your body is your largest digestive organ. Everything you put on your skin, your body is absorbing it. So whether you look younger or not, is it worth it? What if it gives you cancer-how good will you look then?
@Tina – if your skin absorbs everything you put om it, why don’t we just put food on it instead of eating?
Your skin absorbs almost nothing. It is an excellent barrier to chemicals and carcinogens in the environment.
Left Brain– your skin absorbs up to 40% of what you put on it. Parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, mineral oil, fragrance– all cause cancer, neuro-toxicity, endocrine disruption, and a growing number of other diseases. You may look younger when you get older but how’s that going to help you when you’re dead from cancer? Google “Skin Deep” or visit cosmeticsdatabse.com and input some of the ingredients from these products. You’ll see what they really do to you. Oh, and why is this product made in the US? Because by using all those ingredients, it CAN’T be EU Cosmetics Compliant, as they’ve banned some of these ingredients for the past 10 years.
@AB: Just FYI, none of the chemicals you mentioned are banned in the EU.
@AB – What’s your evidence that skin “absorbs up to 40%” of what you put on it? I’ve never seen any science to back this up.
When thebeautybrain says 1st post):
“This product is not much different than Cetaphil at 1/3 of the cost. Additionally, this product is packed full of preservatives which makes no sense to me. One or two preservatives should be plenty. They have 5 by my count!
Hope that helps.”
T BB completely misses the point. Let me ask this brain, what makes those 5 preservatives active? What’s that…they are anti-oxidants? BINGO! The preservatives, themselves, have a LOT to do with the efficacy of this product. They preserve the cream (of which they are component), and they help to preserve the skin of the user. Of course, this use is not indicated, so it can’t be advertised as such. Also, the melon is an ingenious red herring. It both sounds natural, and throws the user off the trail of the real actives here, the antioxidant preservatives. I DOUBT this post will see he light of day here. Too bad, as the intent of this website is to help show the truth…an inconvenient truth perhaps.
Having said that, the cream is WAY over priced. Go get he preservatives yourself, spend $100 one time, and have a life time supply.
BB,
I am very sorry about my bad tone/attitude above). It was completely uncalled for, and I just assumed my post wouldn’t make it (ignorance on my part). Now, I am very happy to share what little knowledge I can share with you all.
One of the most elegant formulas for anti-aging “water”.
Water, glycerin, and vitamin C ascorbic acid). The beauty here, is that vitamine c (collagen synthesis) is soluble in both water. But water won’t deliver vitamin c to lyphphyllic tissue. But glycerin will, and glycerin (most importantly) is miscible quantitatively with water. So you have a method to deliver the C right to the cells. I have seen this “water” sell for about $50 an ounce. I will add more latr. Once again, sorry for my post above. This is a great site!
The SOD Superoxidedismutase products that Cindy Crawford used on her skin by the now famous doctor were specifically made for her from freshly made SOD enzimes. Now the quantity of SOD the doctor used for Cindy Crawford which paid at least 500 GBP for a session were millions times more powerfull then the invisible amount that is contained in this fake product. Secondly Cindy Crawford will never allow anyone to put on her skin poison substances like the ones contained in these chemical factory bottles! Please don’t waste your money for something that has being banned from most EU countries! If you want SOD there are pure capsules that can be bought from very high proved patented sources. Also consider Resveratrol and red grape seeds capsules together Coenzime Q10 and vitamine E. A cocktail that can really do good for your health and even skin. Leave these cancer causing bottles to rot in their factories!! DR. Scott
I honestly could tell you that the trial size of the products where really great on my olive skin. I have tried alot of different skin creams and I personally feel that this has made my skin feel nice and sexy and healthly looking. I believe that what we put in our bodies like good nutrition is 90% of how good our skin will look. The creams are only 10%. So please don’t blame it all on one particular cream. I hope this will help.
In my opinion, these MB products are awful! After using all products for 2 full days, I now have a face which is broken out in a red, bumpy rash everywhere! I have to go to a Dermatologist on Monday. I’d go today, only it’s the weekend! It itches and burns and is a bit swollen. My neck even has a few red bumps from the neck product, but face is 10 times worse. I never have skin problems on my face. It has to be from the products as I didn’t change makeup, detergents, soaps, eat anything different, etc. I should have known to stop the products after the 1st night’s application when it started burning! This worthless stuff is going in the garbage with $ wasted! They say it’s for all skin types – NOT! It should have warnings to “test” for allergic reactions before using on your face!
I love the MB products,I have been using them for about a year.I recently saw my mom (for the first time in 7yrs.) and she kept talking about the fact that I have barely aged. I aam 37.
I decided to try it because I have alot of health problems including mal-absortion syndrom,prenecious anemia ,a genitic primary immune disorder etc… all of this effects my skin in a bad way (oddly enough I have an oppsite problem to most, I get WHITE circles under my eyes not the dark ones). Those poor ladies in the stores who show you how to do your make up and sugest beauty products are always very confused as to what to do with me. Also, since moving to AZ 5yrs. ago I developed a very dark patch with little whit spots in it on my chest (at the base of my neck in the front) regardless of how much or how often I use sunscreen (or of the brand anb strength). After using the MB stuff,the little tub of cream for that area for a few days the dark patch lightened a lot and within a week it was gone. The MB line has helped with this greatly as well as with the other normal stuff my skin looks and feel a lot better than before using it.
How ever, as with every thing eles from soaps to medicines ,(since we are all diffrent),products will not alwasys work the same for every individual! The key is to find what worksfor you so,don’t let negative reviews scare you away, try it and if you have a bad reaction or,don’t like the results then discontinue its use. (you could send the rest to me!)
The only problem I have with the MB products is the price. Since I am now disabled I can no longer afford it and, I would love to use it not only on my face but, intire body!I wish I could find away to buy the seeds of those melons so that I could grow them my self and use it all over.
I trued the MB and it was really no better than all the others I tried. No bad at all but not any kind of miracle product. Cindy has beautiful skin so I took the plunge and yes the celebrity thing convinces you to trust them.
What I did find and at a dam bargain is completely by accident and of all places… I went to pick up my girlfriend at a Solarium and they had these beautiful bottles that caught my eye. So yeah I tried one.
This guy owned salons for many years and had been working on formulas for some time. 4 or 5 years if I remember correctly. I picked his brain while I waited for my friend to finish. Plus he was handsome and smart! Anyway, It’s an 8 ounce bottle not a small 2 ounce tube and it’s a wonderful moisturizer with tons of exotic extracts and french ingredients. Pro Glow moisturizer is the product. radianceonline.com is the site. If you want to see real ingredients and learn what they do they have a link on the menu of whats inside and what it does. Very informative. My skin is gorgeous and I love, love this line. Comes in Dolce & Gabbana or Vanilla fragrance.
I have been using this product for a year now.
Pros: After 2 months my husband out if the blue said “your pores are smaller!” and they are. Many age spots have dissapeared from my face. The uneven color from my face is gone.
Cons: I got a rash on my chest area also so used the rest on my hands. It contains cheap ingredients (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) that have been linked to cancer.
I just called and closed my account. I will find something else that is natureal …but it really did make my pores smaller,get rid of age spots and uneven skin color.
As a beautician who is constantly bombarded with “try this…” all the time I very skeptical of any product that hits the Television venue for marketing. I am sad to see Cindy selling out to any less than Quality! So with that.. I have found that most products are crap in a bottle but If you are looking for a great product with the ecological integrity that provides results you have to check out this product (http://www.algotherm.fr) I have nothing to gain by you using this product except the knowledge that people will find the best hidden secret in the world!!!!
I am 50, good skin but some wrinkles, and I tried it for about 6 months and really liked it a lot (very smooth skin, nice smell, genuine improvement in wrinkles, except for the neck cream which did nothing and was not strong enough–the eye serum worked fine on the neck, actually). My ratings: cleanser A+, day cream B- (I hate sunscreens and have to use Zinc based products for my very fair and sensitive skin–this is a paba or oxy based, don’t know which, but it was bad for me); night cream A+; neck cream F (too weak); eye cream A+, dayglow serum, meh, a B-, because yes it is “glowy” but like all such “glow” products it leaves a residue; mask A. But it is essentially $20 a bottle for what I think I can get in the Target Boots line much cheaper. I am sorry about that but it’s a tough economy. I’m finishing my last bottle of cleanser, which is fantastic, and will say a meaningful farewell to MB.
Okay. Some people are just so desperate to cling to the “perfect” look and youth, that they will put anything and everything on their skin and in their hair. All the medical proof, common sense, or physical evidence isn’t going to change their minds. If you told some of these women that rubbing their own poop on their faces would make them look 20 years younger, they’d do it. Like someone else said, celebrities can sell anything! And the people who stand up in the audience are PAID to speak those praises – SCRIPTED!
Anytime an infomercial says they found a rare something-or-other in a secluded part of whatever-country, you can bet it’s a sham. With all the global satellites and digital technology, nothing is secluded or untouched anymore. Do any of these women who believe this melon is rare ever go shopping in the grocery store? Do they not know what a friggin’ cantelope looks like?
And with all the digital technology, the glow and the magically vanishing wrinkles and blemishes are all digitally altered. There isn’t a true thing on TV really anymore. I’m listening to the infomercial right now for background noise while working, and I am just laughing at them. They really know how to sell to the gullible.
Of course, none of the women who use this stuff is going to come out and admit they were fooled. NO ONE wants to admit they got taken! But they have been. Sure it may work for some. But so will so many other items out there. Heck, go buy the cantelope and rub it on your face after you shower. Get some cucumbers and lay them across your eyes to get rid of puffiness. That’s really all you need. Forget all the chemical additives and go get the real thing!
Get mad at me all you want for this post. But remember, you get angry because I’m right. I get angry because women can be so foolish when it comes to defying nature! YOU CAN’T DEFY NATURE OR AGING! The glow isn’t natural. If you want REAL NATURAL skin, go buy organic soaps, shampoos, and conditioners; leave off the make-up; don’t hairspray or gel the hair; and don’t eat fast food, fried food, drink pop of any kind, or even baked chips. It all ruins your skin. I know this first hand. I stopped all that stuff, and my skin is clear and soft and I hardly have a wrinkle. I use Free and Clear shampoo and conditioner made by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. They have a natural soap as well.
All in all – if you don’t mind being vain and superficial and think beauty is all about the skin, you deserve to be taken by this crap. If you see a GOOD dermatologist, they’ll tell you the same thing I have. They’ve studied this stuff! Cindy Crawford hasn’t. Valerie Bertanelli hasn’t. And this doc in France is a joke. Proove to me that he studied skin.
This Meaningful Beauty is a prime example of how companies pull you in to buy their product….BECAUSE YOU BELIEVE THEM! They don’t care about you! They want your money, your business. That’s all!!!!
Does anyone get the fact that Cindy Crawford of Meaningful Beauty has had numerous plastic surgery! I saw it on the internet. How can she sponsor a skin care line? Her face will look good as long as she has stuff done to her face. I feel we have been double crossed by Cindy Crawford. Hype is not the word for it!!!!
I suggest that you really want to keep yourself looking you, stop looking for a quick magic fix in a bottle and take control yourself.
Read: Eating for Beauty by David Wolfe and Return to Beauty by Narine Nikogosian. They are worth the read and you are worth educating yourselves.
Our skin is the largest absorbing organ, what you do put on it does matter.
But you also need to feed your body with the right foods. What you put in your body makes a huge difference on how the outside of your body will look.
Harsh man-made chemical products are just that. We have more skin cancer today from using more sunscreen than ever. It is dangerous and harmful to our skin. We are a country obsessed with putting products on ourselves. How about simply staying out of the sun, especially between 10am -2pm or if you are in it protect it with proper clothing…….it really boils down to common sense and loving yourself & your body enough to treat it as if you do.