Gold
INCI: Colloidal Gold
Also known as: Colloidal Gold
Precious metal and element
EWG Safety Score
What Is Gold?
Gold is a precious yellow metal and a chemical element with the symbol Au. It is a noble metal, meaning it is resistant to corrosion or oxidation when exposed to water or air. Gold’s history as a prized component of jewelry and other adornments goes back to antiquity.\n\nGold has also been used in skin care preparations for nearly as long, dating back to the era of Cleopatra at least. In many cases it was included in formulations for the luxury component, though claims about its healing properties were also abundant.\n\nModern science has explored claims that gold has anti-aging, antibacterial, and soothing properties. While there are some studies indicating this could be the case, there isn’t enough peer-reviewed research yet that gives these claims credibility – though research is ever-changing, and this definition will be updated as new research becomes available.\n\nWhere gold truly shines (pun intended) in cosmetics is in its previously mentioned resistance to oxidation. Unfortunately, many of the beneficial antioxidants skin needs to fight off environmental stressors to remain youthful are extremely vulnerable to light and air exposure. Gold stabilizes these antioxidants (particularly vitamin C), so they retain their potency longer, meaning you get its full benefit.\n\nIn cosmetics, gold can also be a carrier, meaning it can help deliver certain ingredients to specific areas of skin, enhancing the ingredient’s efficacy. The typical use level of gold in cosmetics range from 0.0001% to 0.05% in skin care. For makeup, gold flakes may be used in trace amounts such as 0.01%.\n\nNote: gold is a contact allergen for some people. While most cosmetics containing gold are formulated to be non-irritating, if you know you have a gold allergy, it is best to patch test any product containing gold to see how your skin will respond.
Benefits for Your Skin
Clinical Evidence & References
Published Research
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PubChem, Website, Accessed December 2025 PubChem, 2025
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UL Prospector, Website, Accessed December 2025 UL Prospector, 2025
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Indian Journal of Applied & Pure Biology, September 2025, pages 1,643-1,648 Indian Journal of Applied & Pure Biology, 2025
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Journal of Polish Hyperbaric Research, March 2024, pages 57-66 Journal of Polish Hyperbaric Research, 2024
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