Precious metals are revolutionising luxury skincare, as the anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory and collagen-boosting benefits of gold, silver and platinum come to the fore

Mar 10 , 2025

Once confined to the jewellery box, gold, silver and platinum are taking their place in the skincare cabinet as well. Photo: Trunk Archive

From Cleopatra to nanotech: precious metals in beauty regimes according to influencer Renée Chow, Joyce Beauty’s Harriet Lee, and Subtle Energies spa founder Farida Irani

Precious metals and minerals are becoming increasingly important in beauty regimes. From 24k gold face masks to platinum-infused serums and diamond creams, there is no shortage of luxe products that offer benefits, from reversing the signs of ageing to promoting collagen production.

While using precious materials in skincare isn’t exactly a novel concept – it’s been said that Cleopatra applied pure gold on her skin to keep it youthful, while colloidal silver was used to treat wounds and infections during World War I – the offerings are expanding as more research and technology come to the fore.

Chantecaille 24k Gold Cream Intense. Photo: Handout

“Brands are creating their own signature formulas with innovative delivery systems that are also being patented,” says Harriet Lee, chief strategy adviser at Joyce Beauty. “Potency and concentration matter when it comes to delivering these types of ingredients to the skin, and we have really seen a breakthrough in recent years.”

Leading skincare expert and beauty influencer Renée Chow, aka Gothamista, adds, “Nanotechnology is the game changer for why minerals and metals are effective and more present in skincare today, whether for more efficacious skin penetration or textural elegance.

“Ingredients can now penetrate layers of the skin to reach where they need to in order to work effectively,” she says.

For years, gold has outshone other metals in terms of popularity. Although gold-infused products tend to be more expensive, the ingredient’s apparent list of benefits outweighs its high price tag. Supposed advantages include reducing skin inflammation and damage, and brightening the complexion, making it ideal for anti-ageing.

Mogra Rejuvenating Gold Cream from Subtle Energies. Photo: Handout

Gold can also stimulate the mitochondria – the powerhouses of cells – boosting their collagen support and promoting healthy skin cells, says Farida Irani, founder of spa brand Subtle Energies.

The gold rush can also be attributed to the fact that the material is now readily available in new forms and concentrations, allowing it to be absorbed easily into the skin.

“There needs to be a certain quantity of gold delivered for the efficacy to be potent topically,” explains Irani. “In our Mogra Rejuvenating Gold Cream, we use the gold leaf broken up so that combined with the fats in the cream it can reach the inner dermal layers to then react with the cells.”