Gold Facials: Skincare with a Touch of Glam
As the owner and therapist at Areté Beauty and Wellness, I’ve had the pleasure of performing many gold facials, both on myself and on my clients. And one thing I’ve noticed is that people are always curious:
What does gold really do for the skin? Is it just for luxury? Is it safe? Does it actually absorb?
So, I decided to write this blog post to answer the most frequently asked questions I get about this treatment, and to share why the Gold Facial is not just beautiful, but truly beneficial for your skin.
Gold: From Gourmet Plates to Skincare Rituals
You might have seen edible gold leaf used in fine dining to decorate steaks or desserts. Yes, the gold leaf is truly edible and safe to consume, but when used on food, it’s purely decorative and holds no nutritional value.
However, when this same pure gold leaf is gently massaged into the skin during a facial, it becomes more than just luxury, it becomes skincare with real benefits.
The Skin-Boosting Benefits of Gold
Anti-Inflammatory: Calms redness and soothes sensitive skin.
Anti-Aging: Stimulates collagen production to improve firmness and elasticity.
Radiance Enhancer: Boosts blood circulation for a healthy, luminous glow.
Antioxidant Protection: Helps defend the skin from environmental stress.
Product Absorption: Gold improves the effectiveness of active ingredients applied during the treatment.
What Happens During Your Gold Facial?
During your personalized session at Areté Beauty and Wellness, I gently apply 24K edible gold leaf to your skin and massage it in with hydrating, nourishing serums. The process is relaxing, non-invasive, and designed to stimulate circulation while allowing your skin to soak in all the benefits.
Your skin feels soft, smooth, and glowing right after the treatment, but what’s even more exciting is that the results keep improving over the next few days.
Why Does My Skin Look Even Better After a Few Days?
This is something I’ve noticed on my own skin, and clients often tell me the same. The full effect of the Gold Facial becomes more visible a day or two after the treatment.
That’s because the skin continues to respond:
Collagen production is stimulated
Blood circulation improves
Cell regeneration is activated
The result is a fresh, natural radiance that unfolds gently, without redness or peeling.
A Touch of History: Gold in Ancient Beauty Rituals
Gold has been treasured in beauty rituals for thousands of years, not just for its shine, but for its believed power to heal, rejuvenate, and preserve beauty.
In ancient Egypt, Queen Cleopatra was said to sleep with a gold mask every night, believing it would keep her skin youthful and radiant. Egyptians valued gold not just as a luxury, but as a tool for skin renewal and purification.
The ancient Greeks also associated gold with divine beauty and healing. Gold was used in salves and ointments to treat wounds, and Greek physicians believed it could restore balance to the body. In beauty rituals, it symbolized harmony, luxury, and physical perfection, ideals that still resonate in skincare today.
Similarly, in ancient Rome and China, gold was prized for its anti-aging and circulation-boosting effects, long before modern science began to study its cosmetic potential.
Today, your Gold Facial at Areté brings that same royal tradition into modern skincare, combining ancient wisdom with a gentle, glowing experience.
At Areté, I link ancient wisdom with modern beauty. This is the heart of everything I do, creating rituals that feel timeless, personal, and deeply nourishing for your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe if some gold residue stays on my skin after the facial?
Yes, and it’s totally normal! After a gold facial, some tiny gold particles may remain on the skin, especially around pores or fine facial hair. I use only pure, edible 24K gold leaf, which is completely safe and non-toxic.
Instead of rubbing the skin harshly to remove it, I let it settle naturally. Any leftover gold will wash away gently over the next few showers or face cleanses. And while it's there, your skin continues to benefit from its soothing, brightening effect.
Does the skin really absorb the gold?
Only partially and mostly on the surface. Because gold is a metal, it doesn’t absorb deeply like water-based ingredients. But that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective!
The gold leaf interacts with the outer layers of your skin by:
Boosting circulation
Soothing inflammation
Supporting collagen activity
Helping other skincare products absorb more effectively
So while it won’t fully “sink in,” your skin still benefits, and that’s part of why the glow builds over time.
Gold nanoparticles in face serums offer several potential benefits: Anti-aging: Gold nanoparticles can stimulate collagen production, leading to firmer, more youthful-looking skin and reduced wrinkles.
Curious to see what gold can do for your skin? Book your facial at Areté Beauty and Wellness today for a golden glow.
