It’s hard to believe that Cindy Crawford is in her mid-50s, she hardly looks any different than she did in her modeling heyday. What’s her secret? Well, it certainly helps that Crawford has access to celebrity estheticians and dermatologists that have shared their best advice to keep her skin looking flawless over the years.

But the skincare expert that has made the biggest impact in Crawford’s life is Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh, a French anti-aging specialist. Over 10 years ago, Cindy and Dr. Sebagh began collaborating to bring his anti-aging formulas to women all over the world. And that’s how Meaningful Beauty was born.
The Meaningful Beauty products are said to be Crawford’s secret to youthful, radiant skin. But can these products really give you skin like Cindy Crawford? To answer this question, we’ll review the top 10 best Meaningful Beauty products with a scientific lens, meaning we’ve evaluated the research that supports (or doesn’t support) the ingredients that you’ll find in these products. We’ll also share some Meaningful Beauty reviews so that you can get a better idea of what customers really think about these products.
Is Meaningful Beauty Skincare Worth The Money?
A common question about this brand is if the products are worth the cost.
In our opinion, Meaningful Beauty products are worth the money, but there are other brands that deliver greater value.
One brand is Carrot & Stick, a clean skincare brand that perfectly balances the gentle nurturing of plants with the powerful results of innovative science.
Carrot & Stick intro bundles deliver great value for money because you can bundle 3 full-size products worth up to $240 for $88.
What are the Best Skin Care Products of 2023?
What’s Inside Meaningful Beauty Skincare?
There’s one key ingredient that’s used throughout the entire collection of Meaningful Beauty products, and that’s melon fruit extract. According to the brand, this rare French melon extract is used because it contains superoxide dismutase (SOD). Below we’ll discuss the benefits of this ingredient, as well as supporting key ingredients in these products.
Antioxidants
Superoxide Dismutase (SOD)
SOD is an antioxidant enzyme found in all living cells. Antioxidants limit oxidative damage caused by free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. Specifically, superoxide dismutase catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide free radical into oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
Topical application of superoxide dismutase has been shown to protect cell membranes and also protect against fragmentation from free radical damage to type I collagen. Ultimately, this helps to prevent fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Research also indicates that superoxide dismutase may help with wound healing, soften scar tissue, and protect against UV rays.
A 2018 controlled clinical study published in the journal Nutrients investigated the potential skin photoprotective effects of a food supplementation and a topical administration of a melon concentrate alone or in combination. The study was conducted with four test groups including the placebo group (n = 22), the active cream group (n = 22), the active supplement group (n = 22), and the double active group (n = 22).
Results from this study demonstrated a significant increase of minimal erythema dose (MED) after melon concentrate application and supplementation compared to the placebo group. Ultimately, this means the melon concentrate had a photoprotective effect due to the antioxidant superoxide dismutase.
We recommend this antioxidant-rich moisturizer to protect skin cells against environmental stressors and boost skin’s vitality.
Vitamin C
While French melon extract is an innovative ingredient, we’re happy to see that several Meaningful Beauty products include tried-and-true vitamin C.
While there’s no such thing as a miracle treatment when it comes to combating age, vitamin C comes pretty close. It’s a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from environmental free radical damage.
Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.
It’s in Meaningful Beauty Dark Spot Correcting Treatment, which also contains skin brighteners like hydroquinone and glycolic acid.
But our favorite antioxidant serum is Carrot & Stick The Concentrate. It contains a multitude of plant and marine antioxidants to help defend against visible aging and free radical damage. Use it every morning.
Retinol
Meaningful Beauty Age Recovery Night Cream and Meaningful Beauty Dark Spot Correcting Treatment contain retinol, which is widely considered the gold standard ingredient in anti-aging skin care.
That’s because retinol has been clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, shrink the appearance of enlarged pores, and more.
Use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.
Everything Else
Parabens
Some Meaningful Beauty products contain parabens. Parabens have been linked to reproductive, immunological, neurological and skin irritation problems. Parabens penetrate the skin and hang around in our bodies. As preservatives, parabens keep the bacteria out of the products, but keep in mind there are clean alternatives.
We recommend products that are free from parabens, as well as sulfates, and formaldehyde. One brand is Carrot & Stick. We recommend Carrot & Stick The Moisturizer.
What Are The Top 10 Best Meaningful Beauty Products?
The Meaningful Beauty product collection provides everything you need to build a skin care routine, including cleansers, toners, exfoliators, masks, eye creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, and serums.
The brand offers three different kits:
- Glow and Go Trio (three Meaningful Beauty products)
- 5-Piece Skincare System
- 7-Piece Skincare System
If you aren’t ready to invest in a kit, here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best Meaningful Beauty products.
Meaningful Beauty Creme De Serum
Meaningful Beauty Creme De Serum was formulated to combine the potency of a serum with the moisturizing effect of a cream. As you’ll learn, all of the Meaningful Beauty products feature a French melon extract as the key ingredient (we’ll give you the details on this extract in the Key Ingredients section below).
In addition to melon extract, Creme De Serum includes supporting ingredients like vitamin E, sodium hyaluronate, and peptides. You’ll notice that Creme De Serum has a very silky, soft feel upon application thanks to the high concentrations of silicones and emollients.
Meaningful Beauty Dark Spot Correcting Treatment
This dark spot treatment is formulated with the gold standard ingredient for hyperpigmentation: 2% hydroquinone. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, hydroquinone produces reversible lightening of the skin by interfering with melanin production by the melanocytes.
Plus, Meaningful Beauty Dark Spot Correcting Treatment contains additional brightening ingredients, such as glycolic acid (a type of alpha hydroxy acid), ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C derivative), and retinyl palmitate (vitamin A derivative). Unfortunately, this formula does contain two parabens as preservatives, as well as a synthetic fragrance blend.
Meaningful Beauty Skin Softening Cleanser
This mild, soap-free cleanser is formulated to maintain the skin’s natural pH balance while gently removing excess oil, impurities, makeup, and mascara. The formula contains sodium laureth sulfate as the key cleansing ingredient. Despite the name’s similarity, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) is not the same as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which is known to cause skin irritation. Rather, SLES is a mild cleansing agent that can clean the skin without causing dryness, tightness, or irritation.
Meaningful Beauty Ultra Lifting and Filling Treatment
Meaningful Beauty Ultra Lifting and Filling Treatment is a dual-action serum that promises to give skin a “visible lift”. Sound too good to be true? It might be, but there is one ingredient in this serum that should provide relatively fast results, and that’s Neodermyl. Neodermyl is a blend of glycerin, copper lysinate/prolinate, and methylglucoside phosphate. It readily absorbs into the deep layers of skin, directly targets fibroblasts, and triggers the essential elements needed to reactivate collagen and elastin. Plus, Neodermyl works fast, demonstrating high clinical efficacy within 15 days, resulting in visible reduction of deep wrinkles and improvement of skin firmness.
Meaningful Beauty Glowing Serum
The Meaningful Beauty Glowing Serum contains a high concentration of hydrolyzed soy protein, which is a rich source of isoflavones. Isoflavones have a weak estrogenic effect and therefore may be able to increase skin thickness. Additional key ingredients in this serum include ascorbyl methylsilanol pectinate (a vitamin C derivative), kelp extract, pumpkin fruit extract, and vitamin E.
While these are all beneficial ingredients, we have to point out that the formula contains one paraben as the preservative and synthetic fragrance ingredients. In fact, this formula contains over 10 different synthetic fragrance ingredients, which have the potential to cause skin irritation and sensitivity.
Meaningful Beauty Youth Activating Melon Serum
This Meaningful Beauty serum is said to visibly increase firmness and elasticity while helping to protect the skin from future environmental damage. One key ingredient in this serum is encapsulated melon leaf extract.
Meaningful Beauty Lifting Eye Cream
The Meaningful Beauty Lifting Eye Cream has a very light, silky feel and applies very smoothly without feeling greasy. The fragrance-free formula features melon fruit extract as a key ingredient, as well as hydrating ingredients like glycerin, aloe vera leaf juice, bisabolol, and sodium hyaluronate. There are also plenty of emollients and cholesterol in the formula to support the skin barrier, thereby keeping skin moisturized and healthy.
Meaningful Beauty Eye Enhancing Serum
The brand recommends using the Meaningful Beauty Eye Enhancing Serum together with the Lifting Eye Cream. Two eye care products in one routine? Seems a little complicated to us. We don’t think adding in this extra serum is necessary, especially since there’s nothing special about the formula. You’ll find key ingredients like silicones, synthetic emollients, melon fruit extract, and botanical hyaluronic acid in this serum. Like we said, nothing particularly special that would justify purchasing a second eye care product.
Meaningful Beauty Anti-Aging Day Creme
Anyone who’s even a little bit interested in skin care knows the importance of a day cream that provides protection against the sun’s UV rays. It’s the best way to prevent the formation of lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. You can protect your skin with the Meaningful Beauty Anti-Aging Day Creme, which provides broad spectrum SPF 30 protection thanks to chemical sunscreen ingredients (avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, oxybenzone). While these chemical sunscreen ingredients won’t leave a white cast like mineral sunscreens, research has shown that they do absorb through the skin and into the bloodstream.
Meaningful Beauty Age Recovery Night Cream
If you’re trying to prevent or reduce signs of skin aging, then you’ve probably heard that it’s a good idea to add a retinol cream into your nightly routine. Retinol is clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores. If you want to reap these benefits, then the Meaningful Beauty Age Recovery Night Cream may be a good option for you. The formula not only contains retinol, but also antioxidant vitamins C and E. And of course the brand’s #1 key ingredient, French melon extract.
Where to Buy Meaningful Beauty Products?
Meaningful Beauty products are sold on the brand’s website, as well as several third party online retailers such as Ulta, QVC, and Amazon.
What is The Meaningful Beauty Return Policy?
Meaningful Beauty offers a 60-day money back guarantee. The policy states, “If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied, just return the containers within 60 days of receipt, and you’ll get a full refund of the purchase price (minus shipping and handling), even if the bottles are empty.”
Is Meaningful Beauty Cruelty Free?
Yes, Meaningful Beauty is cruelty free.
Meaningful Beauty Reviews
Meaningful Beauty reviews on the brand’s website are very positive, with the brand as a whole receiving an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars after more than 6,000 customer ratings (the brand does not display reviews for specific products, but rather groups all reviews together).
The Meaningful Beauty reviews range from “I used Meaningful Beauty for about 10 years then quit for about 3 years and since, haven’t found anything I’ve liked as much so I’m back!” to “Such a big difference after only 30 days. Fine lines are gone.”
There are a smattering of 1 to 3 star reviews, which are mostly customers expressing their disappointment with the line. “I didn’t see any improvement in my skin after using the product,” writes one reviewer, while another one says, “Average product at best. Too expensive. Not worth it.”
We also read through the Meaningful Beauty reviews on Amazon. The five-piece Meaningful Beauty kit has more than 1,500 reviews with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. There are many 5-star ratings with comments that say things like, “While every product in the sample kit may not be right for everyone, some are very good. Within a week, my skin is smoother, deep lines less noticeable and I look 10 years younger than I did in prior months. I say Hoorah!” Another user writes, “Love it!! My skin looks better than it ever has!!”
Click on the one-star Meaningful Beauty reviews and the complaints are due to the pricing, subscription delivery method, and the general effectiveness of the product. Some reviewers say they broke out in a rash or hives while others felt the products did nothing for their skin. For example, one review says “Honestly? I expected something a little better. But it was no different than anything I would get at a drugstore. I would not buy it again, total waste of money.”
Some users who may have initially been drawn in by Crawford expressed doubt that her ageless looks were chalked up to Meaningful Beauty, while others say, “I think Cindy Crawford has beautiful skin to begin with. That makes it much easier.”
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that some Meaningful Beauty products are better than others. Some products contain low concentrations of key ingredients, and others contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, and parabens.
Pros
- Research supports the antioxidant properties of melon fruit extract
- Many positive Meaningful Beauty reviews
Cons
- Some products contain synthetic fragrances and dyes
- Some products contain parabens
- Some products contain low concentrations of key ingredients
What Are Some Alternatives to Meaningful Beauty Products?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend the Day & Night Routine.
References:
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology “Hydroquinone”.
JAMA. 2019;321(21):2082-2091.
Nutrients. 2018 Apr; 10(4): 437.
Women’s Voices for the Earth “Unpacking The Fragrance Industry” 2018.
Megan Original review: Dec 05, 2022.
The products are great, makes my skin feel soft, no irritation, moisturizing BUT it’s incredibly expensive & it doesn’t help much with fine lines/wrinkles. The customer service is absolutely terrible & it takes 2-3 week to receive the products. The payments are set up odd as well, seemed like they was pulling large lump sums of money off my card every week, so difficult to tell if I was being ripped off or it was legit payments. You can forget about trying to reach ANYONE from this company. I called 4 different numbers trying to get in touch with anyone over 5 day period. No matter how good this stuff is, I will not be a repeat customer.