Why do Crystal Serums Work? The Science and the Theory
Traditional uses of Crystal Serums
In many traditional cultures crystals have been applied to the skin to naturally improve the appearance and cultivate beauty. In some cases these crystals were powdered and applied in creams and serums while in others small pieces of crystal were strung together to create masks.
Ancient Cultures use of Crystal in skincare
China used jade to create this sort of mask and examples of these can still be purchased today particularly to cool the eyes. Ancient Egyptians on the other hand preferred rose quartz as a natural remedy for the signs of aging.
The explanations of how they worked were taken from the culture of the time. The Chinese for example believed that jade contacting the skin improved the natural qi (energy) and blood flow to the skin nourishing and enhancing the appearance.
Modern Crystal Skincare Research
In the modern era we have been able to apply scientific research to determine how and if rituals like the application of crystals achieve their results. Unsurprisingly as with many insights of the ancient Chinese they were fairly correct. Only the terminology has changed as we will see.
To determine how and if ground crystals can create changes in the skins appearance 10 people were chosen 5 men and 5 women aged between the ages of 26 and 35 (1). Several crystal formulations were then developed. Each formulation used powdered nephrite jade and powdered tourmaline in an oil and water base but in different proportions. The content of crystals in the formulations varied between 0.25%, 1.0%, 3.0% and 7.0% (w/w).
Energy created by crystals in skincare
It has long been known that crystals emit natural wave energy in the natural infrared range. This is not a myth and can be easily measured using modern scientific equipment. In this research an ‘IR spectrometer' was used to measure the energy emitted by each formulation.
Interestingly it was found that the energy emission was almost saturated at 1% content of each powder. In other words adding more than 1% of the powdered crystal made very little difference to the amount of energy produced. The 0.25% formulation produced far less energy while the 7% formulation produced practically no more energy than the 1.0%. For this reason the study continued with the formulation containing 1% of each crystal powder.
It has been proven that far infrared rays can increase peripheral blood circulation and this naturally increases skin temperature. To understand if the crystal serums applied to the skin were being effective the team used an ‘infrared ray thermal analyser thermography’ to detect slight changes in the peoples skin temperature.
The 1% crystal formulation was applied to one side of the subjects face while the other side of their face was treated with a control cream that did not contain the crystals.
The results of the crystal research on the skin
The subjects faces were analysed before and after the application of the formulations. All subjects experienced an elevation in the surface skin temperature on the side of the face that had received the crystals only. The temperature rise varied between 0.6 and 1.5 degrees celsius with an average rise of 1 degree celsius.
This clearly demonstrated the ability of crystals to emit wave energy to the skin.
This is an important break though as infrared rays have long been known to have powerful cosmetic affects. It is known that infrared rays:
- Can stimulate natural skin cells called fibroblast to synthesise new collagen and elastin (2).
- Can improve wound healing by promoting collagen synthesis, cell proliferation and keratinocyte motility (3,4).
- Can increases the motility of body fluids due to a decrease in the size of water clusters. This body fluids to more deeply penetrate, nourish and detoxify skin cells (5).
- In one study 20 people who received far infrared treatments for 6 months reported a 51-75% improvement in skin smoothness and tightness (2).
- 20 people who received far infrared treatments for 6 months reported a 26-50%% improvement in skin tone and colour (2).
- 20 people who received far infrared treatments for 6 months reported a 26-50% improvement in the appearance of fine wrinkles (2).
The issue with far infrared rays has been that by creating artificial machines to replicate these naturally occurring energies there is a risk that damage could be done to the skin or the wider health. This becomes particularly relevant as cosmetic practitioners search for more and more innovative and powerful treatments to satisfy their customers.
The knowledge that simple natural crystals can stimulate natural wave energy to create these beneficial effects is a break through. It takes us straight back to the original understanding of the Chinese that the jade crystals emitted beneficial qi to enhance the appearance. Once again the ancient wisdom is born out by modern science.
A comparison then needs to be made between the benefits that would be obtained by masks of larger crystals compared with powdered crystals in a serum. Again thankfully this has been researched. It has been shown that tourmaline amongst other crystals emits more energy as particle size decreases (6). The finer the particles the more energy emitted, In the case of the research above the crystals were ground to an average diameter of 10 micrometers, so very small. In this form they emit far more energy than a mask of larger gems.
Never confuse finely ground crystals in a serum with groups who advertise crystal infused beauty products. Crystal infused skincare simply means a crystal is dipped in the formulation at some point in its journey and then removed. No trace of the crystal remains in the formulation and this is largely used for marketing purposes.
White Lotus is at the fore front of implementing the latest natural beauty research and making it available to a wider audience. Following this research White Lotus has developed the ‘Activated Jade and Tourmaline Crystal Serum’. The formulation follows exactly the crystal formulation used in the positive research explained above.
The crystal serum contains 1% (w/w) of both tourmaline and nephrite jade in a delicately balanced oil and water serum. The crystals are powdered to an average of 10 micrometers in keeping with the study, making them fine enough to gently diffuse throughout the serum.
In keeping with the wider philosophy of White Lotus the serum also contain bio active ingredients such as Ginseng, Rose, green tea, jojoba and frankincense. 90% of the ingredients are certified organic. It is certified vegan and cruelty free and is free from parabens, phthalates, sulphates, detergents, Silicones, ethanolamines, synthetic fragrances, preservatives, mineral oil, petrolatum, palm oil and synthetic colours.
The serum can be used alone or with the White Lotus Jade Roller and Jade Gua Sha to create the complete Crystal Facial
White Lotus is a company founded by acupuncturists almost 20 years ago who specialise in decoding ancient beauty practices and bringing them to the modern world.
Learn More
White Lotus Activated Jade and Tourmaline Crystal Face Serum
Create Your Own Bespoke Crystal Facial
References
- Yoo, B. H., et al. (2002). Investigation of jewelry powders radiating far-infrared rays and the biological effects on human skin. Cosmet Sci. May-Jun;53(3):175-84.
- Lee, J. H., Roh, M. R., Hoon, K. (2006). Effects of Infrared Radiation on Skin Photo-Aging and Pigmentation. Yonsei Med J. Aug;47(4):485-490.
- Singer. A. J., Clark, R. A., (1999). Cutaneous wound healing. N Engl J Med;341:738–746.
- O’Kane, S., Ferguson, M. W., (1997) Transforming growth factor βs and wound healing. Int J Biochem Cell Biol;29:63–78.
- Shojiro, I., Morihiro, K,. (1998). Biological activities caused by far-infrared radiation. International Journal of Biometeorology September Volume 33, Issue 3:145–150.
- Junping, M. et al. (2010). Effects of Particle Size on Far Infrared Emission Properties of Tourmaline Superfine Powders. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Volume 10, Number 3.
