Gold has fascinated humanity for millennia. Featured in some of the most iconic beauty rituals throughout history, it has journeyed across civilisations from ancient Egypt to today’s cutting-edge cosmetic innovations.
A symbol of light and perfection, gold has long been associated with radiance and youthful skin. According to legend, Cleopatra herself used gold to preserve her beauty, embedding this precious metal into a unique and timeless skincare tradition.
Today, 24-carat gold, in micronised or colloidal form, has become a signature ingredient in premium skincare.
Renowned for its instant glow-enhancing effect and its ability to illuminate the skin, it also acts as a light booster and enhances the performance of other valuable actives.
Feel the glow: the luxury and emotional power of 24K gold skincare
In high-end facial treatments, gold is not used for therapeutic effects but rather for its symbolic value, its immediate visual impact and its association with luxury. It evokes purity, rarity and elegance, making it a perfect fit for sensorial and emotional cosmetic approaches.
Today’s consumers no longer seek only visible efficacy but expect a complete sensorial experience: visually striking skincare, pleasurable textures and inspiring storytelling. Gold fully meets these expectations, adding emotional resonance to the beauty ritual while delivering an immediate glow synonymous with luminous, enhanced skin.
Gold in cosmetic formulations: forms, INCI names and applications
Gold can be incorporated into cosmetic formulas in various forms, each with its own technical, regulatory and sensorial characteristics:
Gold (INCI: Gold) refers to high-purity metallic gold, used in cosmetics in micronised powder, flakes or leaf form, most commonly 23K or 24K, with a purity between 95.8% and 99.9%.
Gold (CI 77480) is a colourant derived from gold, prized for its pearlescent or metallic visual effect. It is widely used in colour cosmetics such as eyeshadows, blushes and nail polishes as well as in premium skincare products like serums, creams and masks, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and positioning the formula in the luxury segment.
Colloidal Gold (INCI: Colloidal Gold) refers to a suspension of gold nanoparticles in an aqueous medium, used as a skin-conditioning and antimicrobial agent. It is sometimes claimed to improve the delivery of actives such as vitamin C.
Colloidal Gold (nano) refers to the nanometric form of colloidal gold, also used in aqueous suspension. While sometimes promoted for its revitalising properties or as a carrier for active ingredients, this form has been deemed incompatible with current safety standards by the SCCS.
24K gold leaf skincare ritual: illuminate, unify and enhance glow
In high-end skincare, 24K gold is incorporated into expert formulations to provide the skin with immediate radiance while enhancing the action of anti-ageing actives. It is notably used in brightening and unifying serums that combine proven ingredients such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid with innovative complexes like Illumiskin Glow which targets pigmentation disorders and dull skin, reviving the skin’s natural luminosity.
Beyond its integration in skincare formulas, 24K gold is also used in luxury protocols performed in spas, aesthetic clinics or at home.
The ritual begins with the application of a gold-infused mist or an activating mousse that prepares the skin, boosts hydration and improves adhesion of the gold leaves.
Sheets of 24K gold leaf are then gently applied to the face.
After a short application time, a soft massage activates the treatment. The gold gradually dissolves on contact with moisture, releasing an immediate glow while enhancing the efficacy of actives present in the base formula or serum previously applied.
This protocol combines the visual power of gold, the emotion of ritual and real cosmetic performance for visibly more radiant, even and revitalised skin.
The elegance of gold, shaped by Made in France expertise
At Laboratoire Orescience, 24K gold is transformed into an exceptional cosmetic experience. Drawing on our expertise in high-end cosmetic formulation, we support brands in creating and developing signature treatments that combine gold flakes, leaf or colloidal gold with precious textures.
From the meticulous selection of raw materials to the mastery of the most demanding galenic forms, every formula is designed to reveal the full nobility of gold in accordance with the highest standards of modern cosmetics.
At Laboratoire Orescience, we believe that a rare ingredient deserves more than a functional role. It should inspire a gesture, an emotion, a signature.
Let’s create skincare that leaves a lasting impression, tells a story and elevates beauty.
Contact us and let’s build a unique offering for your brand.
