The other day I was watching Dr. Phil and I was really shocked at the product he was promoting. A product called Boots No. 7 Serum that claims to reduce wrinkles. There was even a skin expert on with Dr. Phil also promoting the product for skin health and wrinkle reduction.
First, I'm always, always skeptical whenever I hear of a product that reduces wrinkles, red flags everywhere. My thought is that if there actually was a product that really, truly does reduce wrinkles, wouldn't we know about it? Why would women all over the world be spending thousands trying every product under the sun if there was that one product that actually did get rid of those wrinkles? Hmm, good question, right? I used to be that woman trying everything, wrinkles are still here :/ (I've learned to embrace them).
So, in my usual manner, whenever I hear of a product that sounds too good to be true, I always resort to research. So research I did.
The Research Behind the Claim
Here’s what I found, there was indeed a study, carried out by scientists at the University of Manchester, showing that this Boots serum was as effective at stimulating collagen as tretinoin (a prescription retinoid). Sounds great . . . until you look a little closer.
- Boots paid for the study, which means they had a vested interest in positive results.
- The study was conducted “blind” but not double-blind meaning researchers knew who was getting what. This introduces natural bias, especially when money is involved.
- Independent, peer-reviewed studies? None that I could find.
Whenever a company pays for its own research, I always approach with caution. It doesn’t automatically invalidate the findings, but it definitely stacks the deck.
The Bigger Problem: The Ingredients
Even more concerning than the shaky science? The ingredient list.
This serum was loaded with parabens. Yes, parabens, preservatives linked to hormone disruption and skin irritation, and ingredients that many conscious consumers have been actively avoiding for years.
So why would a doctor with a huge platform, someone who has a responsibility to inform people thoughtfully, promote such a product? Why would a skin expert, who should know better, push a formula packed with controversial chemicals?
Those questions . . . made me go hmmm . . .
What This Means for You
Here’s the takeaway: always read the label. Don’t just trust the marketing. Don’t just trust the celebrity endorsement. And don’t let “wrinkle-reducing” claims distract you from what’s really inside the bottle.
Your skin deserves products that nourish, protect, and work with your natural microbiome, not formulas that undermine your long-term health.
All things that made me go hmmm . . .
🗝️ 3 Key Takeaways
- Question the hype – Celebrity-backed wrinkle creams often don’t live up to their promises.
- Read ingredient lists – Many mainstream products still contain parabens and harsh preservatives.
- Choose clean, pro-flora skincare – Sans offers safe, plant-based alternatives that truly support healthy skin.
Recommended Sans Products
Sans Skincare Starter Set – A complete, clean skincare regime to kickstart your ritual, introducing you to the full line gently and effectively.
Daytime Ritual – A curated morning routine that cleanses, nourishes, and protects, designed to elevate your daily self-care.
Nighttime Ritual – An indulgent evening ritual that melts away the day, repairs, and deeply hydrates while you rest.
Comments
I can’t help but feel conned when I see Dr. Phil pretend to be excited about Serum 7. He MUST own at least part of this product It’s slick advertising and I can find any reviews where the actual product is benefiting any skin type.
I also saw this product on the Dr. Phil show and heard that you can buy it in Target. I wanted to research this first now after reading what everyone wrote i am not sure if i should buy this. I googled the best skin care out there and what came up was simply Vaseline. I am wondering if anyone has purchased this product and have you seen any positive results?
Robin has her own skin line. Why is he permoting no 7 . I don’t get it.?
I don’t trust Dr Phil anymore. Any ethical person would disclose up front whether they have a financial interest in any product they endorse. The whole last segment on skin care and No 7 skin cream was immediately suspect to me. Dr Phil and his family have become money whores. They will do ANYTHING to make a buck and promote themselves in the guise of trying to sincerely help others. It is all an act! Shameful!.
His show is sponsored (all shows are sponsored).. Those sponsors pay those VERY high bills and everyone’s salary. As part of the show’s commitment to these companies, they most likely asked for this platform.. So here we are.. That “Dr” may be a Dr on paper and academia.. But she’s a paid bobble-head for Boots junk. As someone who works in the field of skin, nail, and hair care.. There is little to nothing in a drug store or discount market that is either skin loving or skin caring.. The main purpose in mass marketing these products is BUY ME.. That’s it.. Also the words “organic, natural, and holistic” are both fluff words and have no legal meaning.. The key is CERTIFIED Organic.. Without the word Certified? The words mean nothing.. Gasoline is completely natural but I’m not about to clean my face with it! That doesn’t guarantee performance or quality just because it’s organic.. If not preserved correctly, you could be putting decaying, rotted plant extracts and fruits.. So be careful choosing products..
With your research on No.7 is dr Phil an owner of this product. Seems he does a lot of commercials on his show about this product and his sons book company and his wife’s products. I can understand if these commercials were on the network but not during the show Hmmm
I’ve noticed that Dr Phil had done several "infomercials " selling his books, his wife’s products, his sons publishing company, and it seems whoever he can get on to push a product. ..going all Dr Oz.. I’ve long thought his shows have become opportunistic preying on people’s problems as sensationalism. To me he’s no better than Dr Oz and he’s a known quack. He needs to get back the integrity that he once had and stop exploiting people and scamming by infomercials
Yes, i wondered why Dr. Phil promoted this product, but because he had an expert say how good it was, i was duped into buying two tubes. I do not have many wrinkles, but it did not do a thing for me, what a waste of money…but the thing is, he had this skin care expert on twice saying how good it was? Why would a doctor who is a psycholgist, i believe promote this, did they offer him huge money, and considering his wife sells this type of product would he not promote her product instead?? Mad me go hmmmmm too.
I saw that Dr Phil episode and actually wrote down the name of the serum so I could go buy it. Now…I won’t be. Thank you
Is the Serum 7 a product that Dr. Phil or his wife own? If so, they are such whores to pretend to do a segment on his show! Snake oil salespeople. Tell me I am wrong but I smell a dead rar——- and if anybody knows, they stink and you hate them!!!!