Article by BR Tabatha
The latest must-have ingredients in skin care aren't new. They aren't modern discoveries or the result of scientific experiements - in fact they've been around for centuries and centuries.
Precious metals have been used for beauty purposes since the Egyptian times. Our favourite ancient fashionista Cleapatra is said to have slept in a golden mask to preserve her beauty. High-end skin care brands have been using various precious metals for a number of years now and salons are even featuring gold leaf in facials. But what's the deal with precious metals in beauty? Is it hype designed to cater to the wealthy, or do they actually work?
Gold Leaf Facials.
A Gold Leaf Facial costs around $500 for an 80 minute treatment. Premium grade gold leaf is laid onto the face and massaged in. The idea behind this treatment is that when the skin tries to reject the gold it is forced to create new cells. Our bodies generally build new cells every month, but this treatment accelerates the process, tightening and firming the skin.
You'll also find gold in quite of few products on counters in your local department store. Guerlain's makeup base contains 24ct gold and is said to retain moisture and tighten the skin, creating the perfect base for makeup.
La Prairie's Cellular Radiance Concentrate Pure Gold is a serum that contains 24ct and promises to firm and tighten skin,effectively turning back the time. And it's a bargain at $800.
Silver.
The Cor skin care range features an eye cream and moisturiser that contain nano-silver (Colloidal Silver) to brighten and rejuvenate skin. It's said to increase oxygen flow to the skin as well as healing damaged skin and fending off bacteria.
Colloidal Silver can also be taken in the form of a supplement and is touted as a bit of a cure-all.
Platinum.
La Prairie don't just dabble in gold - they utilise one of the rarest materials on the earth, platinum, in their ultimate prestige range. Platinum recharges the electrical balance in the skin which enables it to better absorb beneficial nutrients and other key active ingredients in the products. At over $1000 a product this isn't for the every-gal, but they do offer a 30 day money-back guarantee.
And a word about ... diamonds.
Ok, not a metal per se but none the less a pretty pricey 'ingredient. Now whereas there is evidence for the power of metals in skincare, diamond powder doesn't have any long lasting effects.
It offers an immediate benefit of refracting and reflecting light, which adds luminosity to the skin and makes it look younger and radiant - but to be honest you could get the same effect from mica.
So precious metals in skincare - is it a luxury marketing ploy, or do you believe metals can offer more than shiny accessories? What are you experiences of precious metals as part of your beauty routine?
Get chatting below!
They sound amazing, and if someone wants to offer me one to try for free then heck yes I'll happily offer my services. But at those pricetags, ummm, no :) I wonder if they really do work though, or if it's just the next amazing treatment for people who have more money than sense?