Gabamed is a facial cream manufactured by Palm Beach Medical Cosmetics. The cream contains a range of ingredients, including GABA -- an amino acid that helps relax muscles, promote healthy skin and reduce wrinkles. Palm Beach Medical Cosmetics states that Gabamed reduces the depth of wrinkles by up to 75%, working in a similar way to Botox -- but without using bacterial toxins, needles and paralysing facial muscles.

Gabamed Ingredients

The primary active ingredient in Gabamed is gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA) -- an amino acid required by the body for mood balance, muscle relaxation and healthy brain function. The idea is that applying GABA topically will help local facial muscles to relax, providing a similar effect to Botox treatments -- but without the facial paralysis. While there are no scientific studies to support GABA being used in this way, some customers do report it works well.

Other chemicals in Gabamed include Peg-150 Distearate (emulsifier, thickener) Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (antioxidant, increases collagen levels, reduces melanin production), Stearic acid (saturated fatty acid used for softening), Diazolidinyl Urea (preservative), Ammonium Acryloyldmethyl Taurate/VP Copolymer (emulsifier), Isopentyldiol (emollient), Cetyl Alcohol (preservative), Methylparaben,  Propylparaben,  Silica (mineral) and Xantham Gum (thickener). Botanical-based ingredients found in Gabamed include grapeseed oil and canola oil for moisturization, and zea mays extract for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Gabamed Reviews

Gabamed has had mixed reactions, depending both on customer's experience of the product and its results, and of the manufacturers and their customer service. Some people have reported that Gabamed worked will for them, with one customer on the Viewpoints web site claiming that they noticed results in "the first day" and that they were "very pleased with the product."

Other customers state that Gabamed was a "joke", its benefits were "nothing special," and the cream did not last the 60 days as advertised. The most worrying complaint against Gabamed and its manufacturers are to do with the advertised 30 day trial. The official Gabamed web site advertises a 30 day free trial, asking customers to only pay $5.95 for shipping. Customers of Gabamed have posted on ComplaintsBoard and Viewpoints web sites, stating that they were also charged between $69-$110 after ordering their "free" trials. When attempting to contact the company to get their refunds, customers reach a voice machine asking them to leave a message. One customer, Zhanna, says Gabamed never did return any of her calls.

Pros

Despite the unfortunate packaging, Gabamed is not administered via a syringe, and in this sense is preferable to other invasive procedures like Botox. Side effects, complications and infections are not issues when applying a product like Gabamed. In addition, the main ingredient GABA is a natural chemical that is produced by our own bodies. While the GABA that is specifically used in Gabamed is probably synthesised artificially, it is still safer (and has less cringe factor) than injecting bacterial toxins to paralyse your facial muscles. Gabamed also contains some botanical products, such as zea mays (corn silk), canola and grapeseed oil. All of these ingredients are beneficial for the skin, provide small amounts of natural SPF, and prevent skin dehydration.

Cons

Gabamed is an expensive product with very little evidence to support its use. GABA has no research to support it being used topically in this way -- and if it does work, the effect is temporary and does nothing for the health or aging of one's skin. In addition, other chemical ingredients used in the formulation of Gabamed are not ideal. According to EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, Ammonium Acryloyldmethyl Taurate/VP Copolymer has been associated with immune systen toxicity, carcinogenicity and skin irritation.

In a case study published in the medical journal "Nephrology" in 2005, doctors reported at least two patients who experienced hypersensitive reactions to polysorbates. And both Diazolidinyl Urea and Xanthum gum have been connected with skin irritations and allergies. The manufacturers of Gabamed offer a 30 day trial for customers who just want to try it out first before purchasing -- but evidently there are numerous issues with this trial and is a source of frustration for many customers.

Final Thoughts

Whether GABA works or does not work when applying it to wrinkles is one thing -- but do customers really want to spend large sums of money on a company that appears to have such serious customer service and billing issues? Many companies have products on the market today that contain GABA, while also managing to trade in an ethical, transparent and helpful way for its customers. Purchase from this company at your own risk. And if you have sensitive skin, you might want to avoid Gabamed completely.