Being a family that loves the slow luxury mindset of simple things like homemade, artisan soap and cooking on a cozy wood stove during an ice storm, we love diving deep into history and enjoy the stories that come from centuries ago. It always bemuses me to see our modern science and culture still has ties directly back to many things those ancient cultures would do, especially in the beauty world.
Pearl Powder – An Ancient World Skincare Routine
The science behind using pearl powder as a main ingredient in a beauty regimen has been thoroughly researched in Asia and widely used in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) as both a health tonic internally, as well as externally when applied directly to the skin for it’s many skin benefits. Pearl powder has between 17-20 essential amino acids, depending on whether it is sourced from freshwater or saltwater pearls. These amino acids are the secret to youthful skin, fighting free radicals and relieving oxidative stress – all things that make us age faster.
Both ancient and modern Indian Ayurvedic medicine agrees the human body responds to the use of pearls as an *adaptogen*, meaning it helps the body and nervous system cope with stress (both internal for the immune system and external by promoting healthy skin).
By using crushed up pearls mixed with rose water for a special tonic, the effect is said to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, mitigate cardiac problems, etc. Many scriptures in Ayurvedic medicine mentions using pearl powder for a variety of illnesses, so while it may sound strange and foreign to our modern, western minds, using pearls for overall health and beauty is a well-established concept.
Wealthy Families & Royalty – the Timeless Style of Pearl Powder
While I knew pearl powder was regularly used in Asian cultures as a fine powder, I didn’t realize how timeless it was as a beauty routine across thousands of years and multiple different cultures and elite families of the world. From European royalty, Cleopatra in Egypt, to Chinese and even Mayan cultures, pearl powder has almost always been used by and for the elite.
Wu Zetian, the only female Empress of China in her own right throughout Chinese history, in 320 AD was known for her love of using it directly on her skin as well as Empress Dowage Cixi, from the Manchu Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) not only used pearl powder on her face, but ingested it daily. She is well-documented to have been known for her childlike skin even at the age of 74.
Topical Uses of Pearl Powder
- Acne
- Skin tone beautifier (brightens dull skin)
- Redness Relief
- Dark Spots / Age Spots
- Cellular repair at the DNA level
- Cell turnover
- Removes toxins
The use of pearls to cope with all kinds of skin issues is quite actually amazing. Having tried it myself, while doing a winter routine of strong Resin A to “reset,” my skin for the year, I found that pearl powder could be used as a beautiful and natural looking mineral makeup, even when you have *especially* sensitive skin. I just used a bit of loose powder, combined together with one of the best over the counter moisturizers, and it would press and smear into my face without causing any flaking! The secret to why it doesn’t flake like regular makeup is because pearl powder is absorbed into your skin – and it’s safe because it’s compatible with our human body (more below). In fighting free radicals at the cellular level, you get decreased inflammation, which is a game-changer for Retin A users. Less inflammation means better skin texture.
And if you’ve ever done a strong Retin A treatment, you know how awful it can be to try to use commercial makeup for a few weeks. You’re either left with bright red skin (hey – it’s under-going intense anti-aging treatment… there’s a purpose to the madness!) or with extremely flaky makeup that actually makes your skin look *more* aged, cracked, and wrinkled. Pearl powder used as a mineral makeup is a secret that needs to shouted from the roof tops.
Pearl powder is Absorbed into Your Cells … Then Repairs them at the DNA level
While researching for this article, I found that scientists discovered back in 2004 that pearl powder was able to repair DNA damaged skin cells by stimulating the metabolism of DNA and RNA, promoting faster new cell regeneration. This was found to be true for skin cells, as well as *bone cells*, because right down to the DNA level, pearl is compatible with the human body! Being both absorbed by it, as well as correcting it at the cellular, DNA level. No wonder why it seems so miraculous in skin care… and why Empress Dowager Cixi had childlike skin in her 70’s.
Oily skin, Dry skin, or Combination skin
And no matter your skin type – whether you have oily skin, dry skin, or combination skin – pearl powder’s essential amino acids and trace minerals like calcium carbonate, help improve collagen production and skin texture. It seems as though it reads what your personal situation and body needs, and then assists in that specific way, much like we’ve found out with studying the effects of Castor Oil.
Hopefully we’ve convinced you of the many benefits of pearl powder in your beauty products. It is a little known secret of the world’s elite, both past and present. This is why I took the time to research and develop a product that will blow your mind away with how effective it is at anti-aging and improving skin texture, while not breaking the bank with its price tag.
Our Bakuchiol Pearl Powder cream Bejeweled, contains pure pearl powder (read about it here), while also offering the fluffy, comforting texture of a moisturizer. FDA disclosure, this product is not tested by the FDA, legally we are not allowed to claim our products can do what the ingredients scientifically-studied are known to be able to do, we cannot make any claims, regarding the efficiency of our products to be more than cosmetic.
Bakuchiol, the second active ingredient, is a natural, plant-based alternative to Retinol for people with sensitive skin, I understand how hard it can be to use Retin A if you already are suffering from eczema, psoriasis, or just naturally very dry skin… it’s virtually impossible! Bakuchiol, however, is a gentle and patient, yet powerful, alternative that works through the exact same receptors retinol does, it simply causes less inflammation and irritation while doing its job. CLICK HERE to try it out! FDA disclosure, this product is not tested by the FDA, legally we are not allowed to claim our products can do what the ingredients scientifically studied are known to be able to do, we cannot make any claims, regarding the efficiency of our products to be more than cosmetic.
References
From the National Library of Medicine, pearl powder… in 2021 has become legitimate in biomedical applications
Skin Benefits of Pearl Powder https://www.embodyzen.com/blog/pearl-powder-the-brightening-elixir-you-need-in-your-skin-routine#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20pearl%20powder%20is,ingredient%20definitely%20worth%20trying%20out!
Indian Ayurvedic Medicine on Pearls
Scientific Evidence of Pearl Powder correcting DNA & compatibility with human bone
Scientific Breakdown of Amino Acids and Trace Minerals in Pearl Powder – how each amino acid contributes to both internal DNA correction and anti-aging, as well as external anti-aging
Product Information SAFETY DATA SHEET https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0555/5421/2003/files/SDS_-_Hydrolyzed_Pearl_Powder.pdf?v=1691707000
[…] being a multi-decade long user of Retin A and retinols, it even makes wearing makeup difficult (before I found a natural solution to that problem here, that is). I MUCH prefer Retin-A’s plant-based, natural alternative, Bakuchiol. I prefer it […]