That golden glow

Gold and esthetics have ancient ties. Egypt, Greece, and Japan have all leveraged gold’s inherent skincare benefits, including wound healing and rejuvenation treatments.

Today, doctors and cosmeticians treat a range of skincare conditions, like acne and dermatitis, with gold-infused products including colloidal solutions of gold nanoparticles and masks made of gold leaf or foil.

In addition to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, gold may also encourage cell regeneration, prevent the deterioration of collagen, aid with skin hydration, improve circulation, and offer some protection from the sun’s harmful rays.

Some face masks containing gold start from just $20, while one gold nanoparticle serum costs nearly $1,500 an ounce. And reportedly, a customer of a Malibu spa flew from Dubai for a full-body gold facial, totalling a cool $4,000.

Discover more on Harper's Bazaar, Refinery 29, Leaf.tv and My Gold Guide.