Go For The Gold With The Best Gold-Infused Skincare Products

All that glitters is not gold—but in the case of gold-infused skincare, it sure can bring a glow. Safeguarding skin from free radical damage, reducing inflammation and minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are just a few of the precious metal’s perks. “Gold can improve skin’s firmness and elasticity, making it more toned,” says Terese Linke, Director of Education at Amala. “Gold also increases collagen production and slows down the loss of collagen to give a more plump, youthful look while brightening your complexion for that lit from within glow. Gold is essential for us to achieve the radiant, firm and rejuvenated skin we all desire.”

That explains why gold is making an appearance throughout the skincare aisle, from masks to moisturizers to serums and much more. There are two types of gold commonly used in skincare products: 24K and 23K. “Since pure 24 karat gold does not contain any additional components (like copper or silver), the thin leaves are very soft and almost sticky,” Linke says. “Twenty-four karat gold is usually only used in eye pads, lip masks, face masks as well as the body treatments.”

To get the most out of your gold-infused skincare, it’s largely up to the rest of the ingredients in the formulation. “It can really depend on the product—the type and amount of gold that is used, what other ingredients are being used with it (such as retinols, etc.) and the results you are looking to achieve,” Linke says. “Therefore, one should follow the skincare brand’s directions for best practice and for best results.”

Put the petal to the (precious) metal with these top gold-infused skincare products:

La Prairie Pure Gold Radiance Nocturnal Balm

The latest addition to La Prairie’s Pure Gold is a luxurious pre-bedtime ritual that delivers smoother, firmer, hydrated skin with a more even texture and increased volume. Spotlighting the Pure Gold Diffusion System, a blend of four active ingredients, it includes gold particles of an average size of 60 microns to deliver an instant glow, as well as spherical submicron particles of pure gold with a replenishing peptide and a polyphenol attached to the gold particles’ surface. The refillable container comes with a cooling marble massage tool to stimulate microcirculation and lymphatic flow. $975, laprairie.com

Amala Illuminating Pro-Retinoic Treatment Oil

“After much research, our team has learned how many amazing benefits gold has on our skin,” Linke says. “Not only is it a beautiful, luxurious element, but gold is proven to enhance the effectiveness of other ingredients within the formula. The Illuminating Pro-Retinoic Oil features three key retinol-alternatives (picão preto extract, cacay seed oil and rosehip oil), so the gold helps improve the formula by acting as a carrier to increase penetration to the skin. A huge point of differentiation between the Illuminating Pro-Retinoic Treatment Oil is that we formulate with natural retinol alternatives, giving the same benefits of a synthetic retinol without the harsh side effects. Ingredients like picão preto extract and cacay seed oil allow those with sensitive skin and women who are pregnant or nursing to experience the amazing benefits of this transformative oil.” $188, amalabeauty.com

Tatcha Gold Camellia Beauty Oil

Quite the multitasker, this beauty oil can be used on the hair, face and body, leaving all three glowing thanks to 23 karat gold and extra virgin Japanese camellia oil. The latter is sourced from the seeds of the camellia flower that grow on the Oshima and Kagoshima Islands and cold-pressed to maximize results, as the lightweight oil is rich in vitamins A, B, D and E as well as omega fatty acids 3, 6 and 9 to deeply nourish skin and hair. The formula also contains licorice extract to calms skin reduce redness. $98, tatcha.com

Cle de Peau Precious Gold Vitality Mask

Get a spa-like experience without leaving your own boudoir with this luxe mask spiked with 24 karat gold that gives tired, stressed skin an energy boost. Loaded with antioxidants, it leaves the complexion firmed, lifted and glowing, helping to ward off sagging and fine lines. The included application brush adds to the elegant experience. $310, cledepeaubeaute.com

Bellefontaine The Soap

Sudsing up will never be the same again after you’ve cleansed with this beautiful bar soap enhanced with 24-karat gold particles. There’s also the brand’s signature edelgen complex and almond oil to refresh and soften skin. It works into a rich foam with a delightful scent of mint and lemon. $120, neimanmarcus.com

Merle Norman 24K Gold Firming Foundation Primer

This feels like a super silky serum, but works as a primer for foundation. The suspended 24-karat gold flakes ensure it will look as good on your vanity as on your skin, since they boost radiance and energize the complexion. The formula includes patented biopolymers that provide a lifting and smoothing effect, making it the perfect canvas for makeup. $70, merlenorman.com

A Method 24K Gold Snail Growth Factor Serum

Talk about a twofer—this serum spotlights not one but two trending ingredients: 24k gold and snail secretion growth factor. That dream team delivers impressive regenerative properties and healing benefits for cell growth, making it quite the anti-ager. It also fights inflammation as well as fine lines and wrinkles, plus it brightens. $196, theamethod.com

Chantecaille Nano Gold Energizing Eye Cream

Antioxidant-packed 24 karat gold isn’t the only luxe ingredient in this nourishing eye cream—it also contains silk to minimize a range of signs of aging, including firming skin and minimizing fine lines, puffiness and dark circles. A base of rosewater helps soothe and hydrate, while plant stem cells and peptides also help turn back the clock. $266, skinstore.com

Physicians Formula 24-Karat Gold Collagen Serum

This serum’s ingredient list is full of power players. We’re talking vegan collagen to boost elasticity, 24 karat gold for an overall complexion boost, glycerin to hydrate, polymers to lift and protect, and vitamin B3 to brighten. That means skin is left firmer and plumper. $16.49, physiciansformula.com

Keys Soulcare Radiant Eye Cream

Gold foil restores radiance to the delicate under eye skin, while peptides smooth and hydrate, and sunflower seed oil nourishes and smooths with essential fatty acids and antioxidants. The fragrance-free formula smooths fine lines, locks in moisture and helps fake a full night of sleep. $30, keyssoulcare.com

Peter Thomas Roth 24K Gold Mask Pure Luxury Lift & Firm

There are two types of gold in this face mask to ensure all the bases are covered. Both colloidal and 24 karat gold lift and firm skin, while the latter also gives off a glow. Additionally, it’s spiked with caffeine to tone and tighten; peridot to nourish; and hyaluronic acid and glycerin to moisturize and plump skin. $85, sephora.com

111SKIN Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Mask

When you want your peepers to pop, simply wear these under eye masks for just 20 minutes for a gorgeous glow. That comes courtesy of colloidal gold, which brightens and evens skin tone as well as boosts circulation; rose to strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier and ward off dehydration; pomegranate seed cell culture to reduce pigmentation; and yeast protein that’s rich in amino acids, proteins and peptides. $15, 111skin.com

Knesko Nano Gold Repair Collagen Lip Mask

Pucker up for this lip mask that ticks off all the boxes: It lifts, repairs, firms, hydrates, plumps and has anti-inflammatory properties. You can thank 24K colloidal gold, Knesko’s Age-Defying Complex, hyaluronic acid and elastin for those effects. $19, knesko.com

Ahava 24K Gold Mineral Mud Mask

The classic mud mask—with authentic dead sea mud—gets a major upgrade with the infusion of 24 karat gold. Together, they refine skin, smooth and firm, leaving it luminous. $68, ulta.com