You already know that I love to explore weird skincare ingredients. From wine-infused products to fermented skincare ingredients — the world of beauty is truly a fascinating one. However, there has been one particular trend that I’ve seen become increasingly popular lately — gold-infused skincare. And doesn’t that just sound like the gimmick of the century? What better way to amp up the price of a product than by adding a few gold particles to it, right? But is it all really pure marketing, or is the golden trend onto something? Are there any benefits to gold in your skincare routine? Let’s find out.
Gold in Skincare — Why?
So, why would anyone add gold to skincare products? Well, the truth is that gold has been used in skincare for centuries. Even though we only see it as a shiny metal, it actually has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In ancient civilizations such as Egypt and China, gold was believed to give youthful skin and a gorgeous, glowing complexion. Even today, gold nanoparticles are often incorporated into skincare products for their purported ability to stimulate collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and enhance skin tone.
The Potential Benefits of Gold-infused Skincare
Even though we’ve already touched on the subject, let’s take a closer look at the potential benefits of gold-infused skincare. However, we want to give a huge disclaimer — most of these benefits aren’t fully backed up by science. A lot more research is needed before we can give a definitive answer. However, here’s one interesting study that can give you a little bit more info.
Anti-aging effects: Gold nanoparticles are thought to stimulate collagen production and promote skin cell renewal, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin. Collagen formation slows down after the age of 25, which means that our complexions need a little boost to help keep the firmness and elasticity that once came naturally to us.
Increased hydration: Gold-infused skincare products could also help lock in moisture and improve skin barrier function. This would result in smoother, more hydrated skin. But of course, there are far less expensive skincare ingredients that have a similar effect.
Brightening and radiance: Gold is known for being shiny and bright. So it’s no surprise that gold particles in skincare can impart a subtle luminosity to the skin, giving it a radiant glow and improving overall complexion.
Anti-inflammatory properties: Last but not least, gold-infused skincare has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it beneficial for calming redness and irritation in sensitive or inflamed skin. Considering all the benefits together, gold nanoparticles in skincare could have the potential to be an all-in-one solution.
Considerations
So, do you really need gold in your skincare? Honestly, I don’t think so. Sure, it seems like a promising ingredient. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other, far cheaper, substitutes for it. If you’re someone who enjoys a touch of luxury in their skincare routine, then gold-infused skincare could be a great option for you. But if you don’t particularly care for that stuff, we would advise you to stick to what you know already works for you.
