Cosmetics ingredients such as pearls, gold, myrrh, diamonds, silk, truffles and caviar are not uncommon. Increasingly, these symbols of luxury and objects of desire can be at your fingertips and they do not cost a fortune at all, and certainly add beauty. What properties of pearls, silk or gold make them valued in the cosmetics industry? What products are made with their use? Find out more about luxury cosmetic ingredients!
Cosmetics ingredients are increasingly of natural origin. In addition to the plants from which the most ingredients for the production of cosmetics are obtained, luxury goods of mineral origin are becoming more and more popular. Pearls, silk, gold, myrrh, caviar, truffles and diamonds were once available only to the powerful of this world, valued for their beauty, taste and smell. But it turned out that these are not their only advantages, because also - as cosmetic ingredients - they wonderfully care for the skin, prolonging its youth and adding radiance.
Cosmetics ingredients: pearls
There are many legends explaining their origin. According to one of them, black pearls are Adam's tears, white pearls are Eve's tears. And just like women's tears, there are also more white ones. However, looking at it more prosaically, these one of the most expensive gems in the world consist mainly of amino acids (including alanine, glycine, aspartic and glutamic acid, serine) and mineral salts (including calcium, magnesium, sodium, silicon). ). Amino acids nourish, moisturize the skin and slow down the aging process. Mineral ingredients have a toning and moisturizing effect. And that's not all. Pearl extract brightens and smoothes scars, soothes the symptoms of acne and reduces stretch marks. Pearl powder brightens the skin, and also has antibacterial and detoxifying properties.
Pearl creams and balms are recommended primarily for dry and delicate skin. Freshwater pearls are best for 20–30-year-olds as they accelerate cellular metabolism, slowing down skin aging; white and black sea pearl extract is an ideal cosmetic for 40-year-olds, because it stimulates the activity of mature skin cells.
Cosmetics ingredients: silk
The thread woven by the silkworm seems delicate and very fragile. And yet appearances are deceptive - no other natural fiber is as resistant to stretching. In this respect, silk is 3 times stronger than steel! The main components of silk are proteins - sericin and fibroin. They contain as many as 18 amino acids that resemble the structure of our skin, so they easily penetrate it, maintain its elasticity and elasticity, delay the appearance of wrinkles. Silk proteins also have a unique ability to retain water in the epidermis - they can bind water in an amount 300 times their weight. In addition, they have an electrostatic charge opposite to that of the skin, thanks to which the cosmetic containing silk adheres strongly to its surface, which results in a feeling of excellent smoothness. In the same way, silk proteins create a protective coating on the surface of the hair, smoothing it and keeping moisture inside.
Shampoos and conditioners containing silk restore shine and elasticity to dull and dry hair. And body creams and lotions with silk proteins are perfect cosmetics for dry, rough and lacking elastic skin, even very sensitive.
Cosmetics ingredients: gold
Due to its bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, gold has long been used in medicine, but has also been appreciated by cosmetologists. Research has shown that gold ions reach the reproductive layer of the epidermis - they activate the mechanisms of its moisturizing and are a carrier of active substances derived, for example, from herbs. As a result, the skin is better nourished, its color and elasticity improves. Cosmetics with gold also delay the aging of the epidermis, and by stimulating the production of elastin and collagen, it reduces the already existing wrinkles. They also reduce discoloration because they slow down the secretion of melanin. In addition, gold dust beautifies - gives the impression of illuminated, radiant skin.
Cosmetics with gold are perfect for both mature, allergic skin (gold does not cause allergies), and young skin - neglected, excessively dry, e.g. with intense sunbathing.
Cosmetics ingredients: fragrant myrrh
It is an aromatic resin obtained from myrrh embalmer - an inconspicuous thorn tree growing in the mountains of Arabia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. Once a valuable item of trade, today it is less expensive, but still a very desirable ingredient in care cosmetics and fragrances. The strong aroma of myrrh makes it a valuable raw material not only for perfume manufacturers, but also for deodorants. Its antiseptic properties are used in cosmetics intended for oily skin, prone to acne breakouts. Myrrh extract inhibits the secretion of sebum, destroys the bacteria that cause acne lesions and accelerates the healing of eruptions on the skin.
Care cosmetics with myrrh are perfect for oily and acne-prone skin. But thanks to its regenerative properties, embalming extract is also a desirable ingredient in preparations for sagging skin.
Cosmetics ingredients: delicate caviar
Depending on the species, the fish has different sizes and colors. However, on the table, black and red are most in demand. Just like in cosmetics. Caviar is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids that regenerate the protective barrier of the epidermis and allow proteins and enzymes to penetrate. They increase the absorption of vitamin A, which stimulates the epidermis to renew. Small, delicate balls hide a lot of phosphorus (nourish the skin) and phospholipids (retain moisture in the skin). They provide the micronutrients necessary for skin renewal (including zinc, iodine), as well as proteins that improve skin firmness, and vitamins (A, D, E) to combat free radicals accelerating cell aging. Therefore, after cosmetics with caviar, you can expect an improvement in the density and elasticity of the skin, and the reduction of even deep wrinkles.
Creams, tonics or lotions with caviar extracts are a luxurious gift for mature skin, as well as for young, but dry, tired and devoid of vitality.
Cosmetics ingredients: exquisite truffles
These mushrooms are a rarity even on the royal table - especially if they are the rarest white truffles. Their price is much higher than that of gold. Truffles contain a rare combination of active ingredients with very beneficial effects on the skin. These are amino acids, B vitamins, sugar compounds and AHA acids. That is why cosmetics containing the extract of these mushrooms lighten age-related, hormonal and intense tanning stains and discoloration. They improve the tone and firmness of the skin, stimulating the synthesis of collagen and elastin, especially the activity of fibroblasts - cells responsible for the elasticity and structure of the skin.
Truffle extracts are mainly used in anti-wrinkle cosmetics targeted at mature women.
Cosmetics ingredients: clear diamond
It is a crystalline form of carbon with an unusually symmetrical internal structure. This makes diamond an extremely hard mineral with an exceptionally strong luster due to its high refractive index. Although rare and valuable elements can be found in diamond crystals - carbon dioxide, nitrogen, boron, iron oxide or various forms of silica - its cosmetic qualities are determined by an unusual flickering flash.
Diamond dust is mainly added to beauty cosmetics - creams, lotions or varnishes, which are supposed to illuminate the skin, hair or nails.
