Bling Worth the Buck

All that glitters, is not gold. All products that say they are beneficial to the skin... sometimes are not.
I have a student who is a researcher,like myself, who brought me an article she read. It was about the newest "trend" in skincare. Actually it is big in the UK and is making a move this way. Which fad? Well,products that contain black diamonds. There has also actually been an influx in gold and gemstones too.

Oh You Fancy Huh?
More and more product lines are adding these pricey ingredients to their regimens. Many companies are claiming that when used, these products are slowing down the aging process and helping diminish fine lines and wrinkles. However, medical professionals are calling the bluff!

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

The article that my student brought was about black diamonds and it's introduction into high-end products. This is about a serum in this particular case. While the article stated it was a skin care cosmetic, another article stated that the diamonds are not absorbed (well duh) but sit on the surface of the skin on top of dead cells.  In essence,they reflect light causing a "glowy" appearance. Said to be almost like airbrush makeup and diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This does not count as a treatment. As an exfoliant, I could see the benefit purely as a physical exfoliant but otherwise it's glorified claim.

Striking Gold?
 More like striking out

In many countries you will hear and see about the serum infused with gold or the mask with a type of liquified gold. The retail products may even have gold flakes suspended in them! Claims of antioxidant properties, healing, and revitalizing of the skin are all being thrown at consumers. When in fact, no scientific research has been found to back up all of these juicy sell points. In the late 1930's good was injected into patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and was said the reduce inflammation. It is not a common treatment anymore due to the many  adverse affects ranging from rashes to renal failure. Some Dermatologists even claim that copious amounts of gold on the skin can be toxic and can cause  contact dermatitis ( a rash caused by coming into contact with a substance).

It just goes to prove that you have to understand what you are putting onto your skin and in your body. While many seek these ingredients for alternative therapies (hint hint, click there) , which we will discuss later, the medical professionals disarm claims of miraculous skin changes.