While most people think of pearls as nothing more than a fancy accessory, those rare, lustrous beads from the sea actually offer numerous skin care benefits when used either topically or internally. Ancient royalty such as Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and Chinese Empress Wu Zetian are known to have utilized pearls to maintain their youthful beauty. Today, this precious substance is used in classical Chinese medicine and Ayurveda to strengthen bones, as a skin rejuvenator and brightener. Pearls are also a well-known beauty ingredient in many skin care products throughout Latin America, Europe and Asia. Pearls in skin care are a powerhouse because they contain dozens of important amino acids as well as many beautifying minerals, including calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, strontium, copper, selenium, silicon and titanium. Best of all, these precious nutrients are easily assimilated and utilized by the body, providing a wide range of beauty support, especially to the skin. Both fresh and saltwater pearls can be ground into a fine powder and used for a multitude of benefits.
What Exactly are Pearls?
To understand the “how” and the “why” behind the power of pearl extract in skin care, it’s important to understand the science behind pearls. A natural pearl begins its life inside an oyster’s shell when an intruder, such as a grain of sand or bit of floating food, slips in between one of the two shells, and the protective layer that covers the mollusk’s organs, called the mantle. In order to protect itself from irritation, the oyster quickly begins covering the uninvited visitor with layers of nacre — the mineral substance that fashions the mollusk’s shells. Layer upon layer of nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, coat the grain of sand until the iridescent gem is formed. In essence, a pearl is a self-created panacea to damage, which explains why pearl essence is so potent.
Skin Benefits and Properties
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Anti-inflammatory
Pearl essence is packed with antioxidants and boosts the efficacy of superoxide dismutase, a strong antioxidant enzyme in the body, which helps diminish inflammation. Pearl also contains polysaccharides, 17 amino acids, more than 30 trace minerals, a high concentration of calcium and signal proteins. This includes conchiolin, a fibrous protein that forms the iridescent inner layer — which helps regenerate the skin’s natural collagen.
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Healing
Pearl essence accelerates collagen and elastin renewal, repairs damaged cells and improves the overall health of our circulatory, endocrine and immune systems. It boosts superoxide dismutase, which reverses dull, uneven skin tone and supercharges the body’s power to reverse free radical damage. Powdered pearl’s chief ingredient is calcium carbonate, which is easily absorbed by the skin. This absorption stimulates fibroblasts and accelerates skin healing from injuries such as wounds, burns, redness, rashes and even rosacea.
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Elasticity
Pearl essence promotes elasticity in the skin, making it softer because it strengthens the internal structure of the cells responsible for skin nutrition and density. With such a high concentration of amino acid — the building blocks of collagen — pearl helps skin to maintain its youthful plumpness.
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Luminous
Conchiolin is the property that provides pearls with that iridescent sheen. When applied onto the skin, it brightens the complexion, imparting a rainbow-like luminescence that adds vitality, radiance and a youthful glow. Pearl essence also promotes the growth of new skin cells, smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.
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Disinfectant
Here’s a little known fact: pearl essence is used in surgeon’s gloves during operations to help prevent the spread of infection. Yes, pearl has incredible sterilizing properties. Its antiseptic ability also works wonders on acne and blemishes by absorbing excess oil and killing bacteria. Also a great exfoliator, pearl speeds up the skin’s natural process of shedding dead cells and creating new ones.
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Sun Damage
Pearl’s abundance of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and conchiolin help prevent the development of melanin (which causes age spots, freckles and dark patches on the skin — a.k.a. sun damage). It reduces pigmentation and lightens uneven skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for melanin production. It also acts as a natural filter of UV rays. By stimulating natural collagen production, it helps skin protect itself against melasma, age spots, dark patches and sunspots creating radiant, more youthful- looking skin.
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Rosacea
Packed with fortifying minerals that strengthen skin, pearl essence is very effective at combating rosacea conditions. Its soothing and healing properties reduce the redness, burning and irritation caused by this condition. And, because it is also a disinfectant and natural bacteria fighter, pearl extract dries out harmful moisture and bumps.
Pearl Skin Care Products & Services
Pearl essence can be found in anti-aging, brightening and nourishing facemasks, facial moisturizers, or in a pure powder form. In your spa, you can offer a pearl facial that focuses on healing, anti-aging, brightening and nourishing by incorporating the powder into your mask, moisturizer and final finishing powder. Opt for pearl powders sourced from clean, pure waters that are free from pollution and metals and are not hydrolyzed or chemically treated. Note that powder with a finer consistency is more easily absorbed into the skin.
Pearl Supplementation
Aside from applying pearl powder topically, there are multiple nutritional benefits to oral pearl supplementation. Make sure to choose 100 percent pure, high-quality pearl essence. Because pearl essence is a natural source of calcium carbonate, it also strengthens bones, muscles and nerves when taken internally. The high mineral content combined with calcium activates bone mineralization.
Oral pearl supplementation slows down the aging process by promoting cell building, thanks to its high concentration of amino acids. Pearl protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and even the development of cancer cells. Its high antioxidant count protects skin from free radicals and signals proteins that stimulate the regeneration of collagen. Conchilion acts like the protein keratin — which is found in skin, bones, and hair — and hydrates skin cells to promote skin cell metabolism, facilitates repair of damaged skin cells and enhances peripheral circulation.
As many women are deficient in calcium, magnesium, amino acids and trace minerals (the core components of pearl), it makes sense to start incorporating this gift from the sea into the beauty and health regime you offer your clients. While it may sound out of the norm, people have been using pearls in skin care for thousands of years. It seems they were onto something!
