If you’ve been into skincare for awhile, you know that incorporating crystals and gemstones into products and practices is nothing new. After all, using a jade roller has been “in” for years, and big skincare companies have made a fortune selling sparkly products that are infused with gold, amethyst, tourmaline, rubies, and even diamonds.
But is there any substance behind the shine? And is gemstone-forward skincare really worth your time and money?
Here’s what we know.
First Thing’s First: What Are Your Options?
Before we dive into the details, let’s discuss the options that are available to you when it comes to crystals and gemstones in skincare.
Option 1: Crystal Tools
First, there are the crystal tools that you can use on your skin, like rollers and gua sha. These can be made from a variety of crystals, though the most common ones you’ll find are usually made of jade, quartz, tourmaline, and amethyst. The idea here is that you run these tools across your face, and they’ll ultimately work to:
- Facilitate lymphatic drainage massage
- Stimulate oxygen flow
- Allow products to penetrate the skin
Option 2: Crystal-Infused Skincare
Then there’s crystal-infused skin care products. Crystals are literally ground into serums, moisturizers, and exfoliants to creating shiny, beautiful end products that come with a whole host of supposed benefits, including:
- Increased circulation
- Brighter skin
- A lifted appearance
- A firmer complexion, and more.
Plus, there are those that believe that these products can help ward off bad energy and negative vibes.
The Reality Behind Crystal’s Benefits in Skincare
So what’s the reality here?
When it comes to rollers and gua sha, the reality is that these tools can help to:
- Increase circulation: The massage you get from these rollers can increase circulation which, in turn, can help release toxins, calm inflammation, and bring fresh blood and nutrients to the surface of the skin. This can help your skin look brighter and clearer over time.
- Reduce puffiness: The physical coolness of these tools will also reduce puffiness, brighten skin, and promote further circulation.
- Make your other products work better: Rolling skincare products like antioxidant serums and hyaluronic moisturizers into your skin can help them penetrate more deeply. This can help you see more dramatic results, faster.
Similarly, crystal-infused skincare products can truly help:
- Gently exfoliate the skin: Depending on the particle size, powdered crystals can provide gentle exfoliation on the skin, sloughing away dead skin cells and encouraging increased cell turnover.
- Increase radiance (at least temporarily): This one’s a no-brainer if you really think about it. Crystals are shiny, and they refract light. Finely ground crystal in your moisturizer, then, will help make your skin appear more luminous and dewy (at least until you wash it off).
- Reduce inflammation: All crystals are cool to the touch, even when they’re ground into a powder. That means that applying crystal-infused skin care can ultimately decrease puffiness and inflammation. In the long run, this can help smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.
Final Thoughts
In short, using crystals in your skincare won’t hurt your skin -- and it could actually lead to marked benefits like decreased inflammation and more immediate radiance. So, if it makes you feel beautiful and fun, give it a try!