Quick Question: Can Gold Really Help Your Skin?

Confessions of a skin-care enthusiast: sometimes we buy skin-care products solely because they’re made with fancy ingredients. Case in point, gold-infused skin-care products. We don’t know about you, but there is something just so satisfying about knowing that there are infused extracts of actual gold in our products, and adding it into our daily skin-care routines instantly makes us feel more luxurious. But is gold added to our skin care products solely to make us feel like we’re doing something better for ourselves and our skin or are there real noticeable benefits? Spoiler alert, the skin-care benefits are real! Ahead, we’re giving you the full lowdown with the help of Natalia Bednarek, founder of Herla Beauty, which has an entire collection of products infused with 24K gold and board-certified dermatologist and Skincare.com consultant Dr. Hadley King. 

What Are the Different Types of Gold Used In Skin-Care?

According to Dr. King there are two main types of gold that are commonly used in skin care. Colloidal gold is one and is essentially small particles of gold that are suspended in a liquid formula. It is also sometimes referred to as “nano gold,” which is just colloidal gold broken down into very small particles through nanotechnology. Then there is 24K gold. “24K gold is the purest type of gold available,” says Dr. King. “Unlike 10K, 14K and 18K gold, which are all made from an alloy of gold and other metals, 24K gold is made of 100% pure gold.” She further explains that there are not that many studies on the dermatologic use of gold yet, but the studies that have been performed support several claims regarding the benefits of gold on your skin. Learn more about them, here: 

#1 Benefit of Gold: Boosts Radiance 

According to Bednarek, gold has brightening properties that make the skin appear radiant. Dr. King says this is because gold particles can reflect light and therefore make the skin appear more luminous. 

#2 Benefit of Gold: Can Help to Prevent Loss of Collagen and Elastin 

As we get older, our collagen and elastin production tends to slow down. For some, this can be concerning because it can lead to more visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles. Look for skin-care products formulated with gold in them, which are known to  help combat the visible signs of loss of collagen and elastin on the skin’s surface. “Colloidal gold, in fact, is sometimes injected by doctors to treat rheumatoid arthritis,” says Dr. King. “The thinking is that the same properties could also help  with collagen and elastin loss, however further research is needed to concretely assess the benefits of gold on collagen and elastin. ”

#3 Benefit of Gold: Protects the Skin From Free Radicals 

“Gold particles have been shown to have antioxidant properties and therefore could be helpful for protecting the skin’s surface from damage caused by free radicals,” says Dr. King. Free radicals, remember, are highly unstable molecules that can be formed by environmental aggressors, such as UV rays, smoke and pollution and lead to premature signs of aging.

Gold-Infused Skin Care to Try

Herla Beauty Gold Supreme Rejuvenating Super Lift Cream With 24K Gold
Consider this moisturizer your luxurious pick-me-up for fine lines and wrinkles. Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone, its formula works to minimize visible signs of aging, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and calm inflammation.

Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Mask
Bring back your skin’s luminous glow with this anti-aging 24K gold mask. It helps to target loss of firmness and elasticity, dullness, uneven texture and dryness, all while unveiling a healthy, youthful-looking and radiant glow. 

Rodial Rose Gold Moisturizer
Indulge in the rich and buttery formula that is this Rodial Rose Gold Moisturizer. Infused with 24K gold, vitamin C and white rose fresh cells, the formula helps to promote skin that is instantly smoother, firmer, brighter and more luminous after every use. 

Read More: 
This Little Known Skin-Care Ingredient Is a Gift From Bees
Peptides May Be the Missing Ingredient in Your Skin-Care Routine
Why Tiger Grass, or Centella Asiatica, Is a Skin-Care Ingredient to Keep on Your Radar