Gold Skincare: How Does It Work And The Products To Try
Cover We spoke with dermatologist Dr. Rachel Nazarin to learn about gold skincare, including the benefits, uses and results (Photo: @111skin/Instagram)

We break down one of the most hyped ingredients in the beauty world today: gold—exploring how exactly it works on the skin and the products you’ll find it in

Beauty junkies have long raved about the healing powers of gold. Considered as one of the buzziest—and probably the most luxurious—anti-ageing ingredients available in skincare today, gold is lauded for its medically proven ability to smooth fine lines, improve skin elasticity and reduce inflammation. But what makes gold so powerful? Why do most skincare experts consider it pure magic? And most importantly, how should we incorporate the ingredient into our daily routines and reap its many benefits?

To get educated, we spoke to Dr. Rachel Nazarian, a top New York-based dermatologist of Schweiger Dermatology Group for the full rundown on gold skincare. She offers insights on everything we ever wanted to know about using gold in our skincare routines, including why, how and precautions to follow. Additionally, we’ve also compiled a list of the best gold-infused products and treatments to try for beautiful, healthy skin.

Read on to learn the basics of gold skincare.  

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What is gold skincare? How does gold work as an effective ingredient?

Gold is more than just a raw material that has a glittering appeal. The precious metal has been used historically in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries, mostly for arthritis, which becomes a new miracle skincare ingredient dominating our social media feeds in recent years, thanks to its proven, abundant healing benefits.

As a skincare ingredient, the usage of golds use derives from its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Scientific studies have shown that gold can help accelerate wound healing in the skin and promote tissue repair. It’s good for calming the skin and reducing redness, which also works as a shield to protect the skin against free radicals from environmental aggressors such as UV rays and pollution—a key part of any anti-ageing regimen.

How to incorporate gold into our daily skincare routines properly?

It’s important to note that some people have an allergy to gold, so you should always test a discreet spot before applying the product to your whole face.

Scientific research that indicates using gold for anti-ageing beauty purposes, including reducing wrinkles and boosting collagen production, are promising, but there’s still a lack of evidence concluding that the properties in gold are superior to any other antioxidants. It’s best to consider those gold treatments as add-ons to your skincare regimen to achieve your desired beauty goals, but certainly not something to solely rely on.

You should always read the ingredient label and make sure that gold particles are listed. Many marketers and products are taking advantage of the industry buzz and misleading consumers with fancy packaging these days. One of the most common forms of gold used in skincare products is “colloidal gold”, which refers to suspending small gold particles in a liquid. When fermented, the minerals will become bio-available and can penetrate into the skin properly, thereby calming and nourishing the skin for a glowing complexion.  

See also: How To Use Face Oil For Glowing Skin, According To Drunk Elephant Founder Tiffany Masterson

Check out our top picks for the best gold-infused products below—including face masks, eye creams, serums and more.  

Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Face Cream

Infused 24-karat gold and silk extracts, this skincare treatment by Chantecaille is not your average face cream. The lightly hydrating cream is also specially formulated with high-performance botanicals to tackle visible signs of ageing, including fine lines, wrinkles and dullness, whilst nourishing the skin and leaves it with a youthful glow.  

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Chantecaille Gold Recovery Mask

Just like the face cream, this mask from Chantecaille is enriched with 24-karat gold and silk extracts to offer you a spa-esque beauty experience. Incredibly soothing and rich without being heavy, the mask also features blackcurrant seed oil and peptides to reduce inflammation and repair the skin’s barrier, leaving you with a healthy glow.  

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Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Eye Cream

If you’re after a quality all-rounder eye cream to target your ageing concerns, this is your best bet. Another hero product by Chantecaille of the same line, Nano Gold Energising Eye Cream is enriched with premium botanicals, elderflower and algae extracts to help you get rid of fine lines and improve firmness around the eye area. It also features caffeine and powerful peptides to diminish the appearance of dark circles and puffiness. Pair it with the brand’s Gold Energising Eye Recovery Mask for best results.

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See also: How To Treat Acne-Prone Skin, According To A Dermatologist

Chantecaille Gold Recover Intense Concentrate P.M.

Packed with 24-karat gold, the luxury Chantecaille serum works to smooth fine lines and boost elasticity for firm, healthier-looking skin. The serum is also free from parabens and fragrances, meaning it’s ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin.  

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111Skin Rose Gold Brightening Facial Treatment Mask

Known as one of the most reputed and luxurious gold face masks available in the market, 111Skin’s Rose Gold Brightening Treatment promises to revive tired skin and combat signs of ageing. This mask is formulated with 24-kart rose gold particles to promote a more even skin tone, firm and hydrate the skin. Use it to prep your skin before an event for a lit-from-within glow.

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MZ Skin Hydra-Bright Golden Eye Treatment Mask

Formulated to transform the look of the eye area, this soothing MZ Skin golden treatment mask is packed with powerful Nano Gold particles and premium ingredients such as collagen, hyaluronic acid and seaweed to improve elasticity and depuff, while imparting a beautiful glow. 

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Omorovicza Gold Night Drops

Elevate your nighttime routine to the next level with this luxury night serum by Omorovicza. Comes with colloidal gold and rich in antioxidants, the product is known to minimise the appearance of wrinkles and promote skin elasticity for a youthful complexion.  

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Omorovicza Gold Rescue Cream

Omorovicza’s Gold Rescue Cream is a cult favourite for a good reason. Enriched with water from Hungary’s thermal springs, the treatment is loved by beauty influencers for its ability to deeply moisturise the skin. It also features Omega 6 ceramide and polypeptides to improve skin texture and minimise fine lines.  

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Tatcha Camellia Gold Spun Lip Balm

If your regular lip balm isn’t doing much for your chapped lips, this ultra-deluxe treatment by Tatcha is totally worth the splurge for the perfect pout. It contains 23-karat gold flakes and a blend of nourishing Japanese ingredients such as camellia oil, Uji green tea and Okinawa Mozuku algae to heal, plump and condition the lips with a silky softness and subtle glow.   

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Pixi Gold Luminous Oil

Featuring a nourishing blend of colloidal gold, antioxidants and vitamins, this face oil from Pixi is like magic in a bottle. Not only does it work to revive tired-looking skin and offer protection against environmental stressors, but it also helps to hydrate and soothe irritation with aloe vera and olive oils, leaving your complexion more supple and radiant than ever. The formula is fast-absorbing, lightweight that’s suitable for all skin types, without leaving a greasy residue. Bonus: Comes encased in an Insta-worthy packaging, this product will add a touch of glamour to your vanity table, too.

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