Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford- Crème de Sérum

One evening in the late 80s my mom and I were sitting together watching an infomercial for Victoria Principal's skincare line. I think it was the first time I paid any attention to anti-aging skincare, and I was nearly as mesmerized as my mother. Looking back I realize that my mom was a year or two younger than my age today, so no wonder that finding the perfect skincare routine was a high priority. And Pamela Ewing, three years younger than my mother, was so convincing! Conveniently, both of us ignored the well-known fact that Victoria was married to a plastic surgeon, so my mom made the phone call and bought the entire starting kit of Principal Secret.

She never reordered.

I was reminded of Victoria Principal and her cosmetics (the line still exists. I wasn't aware of that until I googled) when a few years ago Cindy Crawford teamed with Dr. Sebagh and Guthy-Renker (the company that sells Principal Secret) to create her own products under the name Meaningful Beauty. Meaningful or not, establishing an anti-aging skincare regimen is a good idea for everyone. It's just that celebrity endorsements don't really make me buy stuff, especially when the celeb in question has been having work done since she was 28 years old. But a bottle of  Meaningful Beauty's Crème de Sérum appeared on my doorstep thanks to Influenster, and I am here to try stuff, so why not a product that was

"designed to help protect, increase hydration and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles."

Ok, then.

The serum looks pretty cool, with its creamy part appearing as a spiral suspended in gel. You squeeze the pump and both are mixed together evenly.

The ingredients in Creme de Serum are:

Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Neopentyl Glycol Diheptanoate, Pentylene Glycol, Castor Isostearate Succinate, Butylene Glycol, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cucumis Melo (Melon) Fruit Extract, Elaesis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Sodium Hyaluronate, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Soluble Collagen, Maltooligosyl Glucoside, Decarboxy Carnosine Hcl, Hexapeptide-9, Tripeptide-3, Saccharomyces/Zinc Ferment, Cholesterol, Tocotrienols, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Dimethicone, Ethylhexylglycerin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Hydroxypropyl Guar, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Polysilicone-11, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Hexylene Glycol, Denatured Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Iron Oxides, And Titanium Dioxide.

The serum's claim to fame is that melon extract that's supposed to be a strong anti-oxidant. There are also some oils, collagen, and lots and lots and lots of silicone that makes the serum go on very smoothly and create a soft sensation on skin. The product is heavily scented and I have to say the smell is kind of cheap, though that's a matter of taste more than anything. I also find that it stings a little when used on freshly cleansed and scrubbed face, but that can be a feature, I can't really tell.

As for performance, the serum is very lightweight and at least during the cold months doesn't provide enough hydration to my skin. It doesn't affect the way a good moisturizing cream is absorbed, though I do have to wait for the silicone feel of the serum to go away before I can add another product. Does it prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles? I highly doubt it. The only thing to prevent premature aging is wearing heavy duty sunscreens all the time. ALL THE TIME. A good serum combined with regular chemical peels and adequate moisturizing (as well as a healthy lifestyle) definitely helps, though. Is Crème de Sérum from Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford a good serum? It's hard to tell. It's not plumping and hydrating enough for my needs, and after over a month of use I can't see anything significant happening there. I'm back full time to my trusted BFF Serum Oil  that actually makes a difference (calming redness, promotes healing, gives significant nourishing). What's left of the Crème de Sérum bottle  is now a hand cream and I use it before bed.

Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford- Crème de Sérum can be purchased online as part of the $40 starter kit, a full size (1oz) bottle retails for $90. The product for this review was a press sample.