Why pearl powder should be a part of your beauty routine

Pearls are not only made for sitting around your neck, they are also great to use in your beauty routine. Pearls, or more specifically pearl powder, are combined with oils, lotions, creams and balms to create an illuminating paste which helps to revitalise tired and dulling complexions.

Origininating from Asian Chinese medicine, the use of pearls in skincare dates back thousands of years. While it's not shouted about in Western regimes, it's a common ingredient in Asian skincare routines, and we all know that anything big in the East works wonders.

What is pearl powder?

A natural source of calcium (thanks to its oceanic heritage), pearl powder is a finely milled dust ground from good-quality freshwater pearls.

Aside from its obvious radiance-enhancing properties, pearl powder also boasts a wealth of skincare benefits from promoting cellular renewal and detoxifying the skin, to shielding against environmental damage and smoothing out uneven skin texture and pigmentation.

How do pearls help add radiance to skin?

Pearl powder actually helps to inhibit an enzyme in our skin called tyrosinase. This enzyme is responsible for producing melanin, which helps to give the skin a deep, golden colour. By reducing production of this, the skin is naturally brightening and illuminated.

Its also rich in amino acids, which are responsible for smoothing and strengthening the skin, both of which contribute to enhanced luminosuty and radiance.

5 of our favourite pearl-infused skincare products

1. Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm (Various Shades)

Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm (Various Shades)

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COMING SOON

Formulated with pearl particles, the Bobbi Brown Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm is perfect for hydrating and priming tired, dulling and dehydrated complexions. It comes in 3 different shades depending on your skin tone and the level of radiance you want to achieve, and you can wear alone or mix into your favourite foundation to add radiance and a little glow to your face base.

2. Zelens Z Luminous Brightening Serum 30ml

Zelens Z Luminous Brightening Serum 30ml

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£140.00

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Boasting a cocktail of brightening ingredients, including pearl, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, the Zelens Z Luminous Brightening Serum melts into the skin to target dark circles, discolouration and dulling areas, to reveal a radiant complexion behind. Rich in antioxidants, this is a great serum to apply in the mornings to help shield your skin against environmental aggressors and keep it glowing and healthy.

3. Darphin Age-Defying Dermabrasion (50ml)

Darphin Age-Defying Dermabrasion (50ml)

£52.00

COMING SOON

As pearl powder is finely-milled, it can also be used as a gentle exfoliant to remove dulling debris and leave the skin refined and glowing. The Darphin Age-Defying Dermabrasian contains pearl, lave and silica to rejuvenate tired, clogged and dulling skin and leave a renewed complexion behind. To use, simply apply onto damp skin in circular motions and rinse away with warm water.

5. Holika Holika Prime Youth Black Snail Repair Toner

Holika Holika Prime Youth Black Snail Repair Toner

£43.95

COMING SOON

We couldn't do an edit of our favourite pearl-infused skincare without nodding to an Asian beauty product, where the trend first originated. Holika Holika's Prime Youth Black Snail Repair Toner is perfect for dulling, mature and congested complexions as it contains pearl extract to brigthen and a blend of other actives to clarify. To use, apply onto a cotton pad and sweep over the skin after cleansing.