Overview
Dr. Sebagh is the “dermatologist to the stars” who is behind Cindy Crawford’s well publicized “Meaningful Beauty” line of skin care products. The Dr. Sebagh line of products includes cleansers, masks, moisturizers and repair serums. Many of the products are formulated for anti-wrinkle and anti-aging effects. The Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream is part of the Advanced Anti-Ageing Skin Care line. This line includes Foaming Cleanser, Purifying Mask, Deep Exfoliating Mask, Essential Glow, Serum Repair, Pure Vitamin C Powder Cream, the Vital Cream, and Natural Replenishing Cream. The Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream claims to prevent premature signs of aging and to assist in skin renewal through an active ingredient called ETF, which stands for epidermal thymic factor, and which is a biopeptide.
None of the Dr. Sebagh products, including the Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream, are available on the company’s website, but only through selected Barney’s stores and a few online retailers. It doesn’t appear that there is a money-back guarantee offered on any of the Dr. Sebagh products. Also, product samples are not offered on the website but may be available at Barney’s stores.
Product Details
The active ingredient in the Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream is ETF, which stands for epidermal thymic factor. The Dr. Sebagh website describes this as a biopeptide that mimics a hormone naturally present in the skin that helps cell renewal and keeps skin hydrated. Unfortunately, the Dr. Sebagh site does not link to any clinical studies supporting the effectiveness of this ingredient or of the product itself
.Many higher-quality anti-aging skin care products contain collagen or engineered peptides like Matrixyl 3000 or Argiriline, which all have been clinically proven to be effective on existing wrinkles and to help prevent new ones. It does not appear than any of these ingredients are present in Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream. The cream contains a total of 48 ingredients altogether, and it is puzzling why so many ingredients are needed if the ETF is effective. The ingredients we were most disappointed to find in the Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream are methylparaben and propylparaben. Parabens are cosmetic preservatives that are often excluded from higher-quality skin care products because they are known allergens. Those with skin allergies and sensitivities may want to be cautious of this product until you at least test how it will affect your skin.
The Good
- Developed by renowned a dermatologist.
- Contains biopeptides that may be helpful to regenerate collagen and rejuvenate skin.
The Bad
- Cannot buy product on the Dr. Sebagh website.
- Does not contain proven anti-aging ingredients like collagen, Matrixyl or Argiriline.
- Contains known allergens.
- No links to clinical studies showing the effectiveness of the main ingredient or the product itself.
The Bottom Line
The Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream is a twice-daily moisturizer that may be effective for its stated purpose, since it contains biopeptides. However, there simply is not enough evidence of the ingredients’ or the product’s effectiveness provided. What makes the Dr. Sebagh Vital Cream very difficult to recommend is that it does not appear to offer a money-back guarantee, which means if you purchase the product and are unhappy with it, you may be stuck with it. Also, the fact that it contains known allergens makes it a risk for those who have allergic or sensitive skin. If you are considering trying out this product, see if you can get a free sample at a nearby Barney’s before committing to an entire jar.
