Move over, pretentious diamond facials
Recently, I read a blurb about a spa in New York offering facials featuring a diamond-based microdermabrasion, with each treatment accompanied by an exorbitant price tag. I thought this fad of using jewels for skin care was new, until I recently learned about the benefits of pearl powder for skin.
Interestingly, pearl powder has been used both internally and externally in China for thousands of years. The only female empress of China, famed for her impeccable complexion, used pearl powder as a skin care preparation and cosmetic. Today, many skin care creams and masks in Asia feature pearl powder.
At first, I balked at the mere thought of slathering my face with pearl powder, due to the assumed price tag of this treatment. Using pearl powder may sound luxurious, however, but it is a relatively economical option as far as effective and natural beauty remedies go. I have been blown away by the results of using pearl powder as a skincare treatment and natural cosmetic. The pearls that are unsuitable for jewelry due to imperfections are carefully ground into a superfine powder, with a constancy resembling cornstarch, to use in cosmetics and beauty creams.
Where can I find pearl powder for skin?
I played eenie-meenie-minie-moe when picking out a brand of pearl powder for the first time, but ended up with a product with which I’m happy. I made sure it said “100% pure pearl powder” on the package and also picked a package that had the label written in English rather than Chinese, so I could read it.
I got these Pearl Powder capsules, which are convenient for both using it topically and internally, as I explain below. I emptied the capsules and put them in an empty glass jar, as shown in the pictures.
3 ways to use pearl powder for skin health
1. Make a pearl powder mask
The first time I tried this divine treatment, I couldn’t believe how effectively it calmed the redness in my skin! It leaves your face silky, matte, soft and soothed.
Directions: Empty one capsule of pearl powder into a bowl and add water of rose water, a few drops at a time, until you have a thick liquid that you can apply to your face with fingers. Let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. I use only one capsule of this pearl powder per mask, so one bottle contains enough for 100 masks.
2. Use pearl powder as a finishing powder
Do you use a pressed powder to mattify your skin or set your makeup? Ditch the compact and switch to pearl powder! It sounds crazy, but pearl powder could be considered “mineral makeup” because pearls are minerals. Pearl powder makes an ideal face powder that diffuses imperfections and adds a shine-free luminosity.
I have a fair skin tone and it doesn’t leave any noticeable color, probably because the pearl powder is so fine. I believe it would work equally well on darker skin tones, too.
Directions: To use pearl powder as a face powder, I empty a capsule of the pearl powder onto a saucer, dip in a fluffy makeup brush, and very lightly brush it over my face. As an added bonus, you’ll reap the skin care benefits of pearl powder by using it this way. You can even apply it before bed, and it helps soothe skin and absorb excess oil during the night.
3. Supplement with pearl powder
100% pure, high quality pearl powder may be taken internally to support skin health. I have not yet tried taking pearl powder internally, primarily because I’m already juggling a smorgasbord of supplements, but the unique benefits of supplementing with pearl powder intrigue me! According to acupuncturist Patricia Pilot, these are the benefits of pearl powder supplementation:
- Pearl powder contains an antioxidant that boosts the efficacy of superoxide dismutase, one of the strongest antioxidant enzymes in the body
- Pearl powder contains signal proteins that stimulate the regeneration of collagen
- Pearl powder contains a concentrated source of the most bio-available form of calcium
- Pearl powder is rich in amino acids and more than 30 trace minerals to support health (source)
Have you used pearl powder before? Would you be up to taking it internally?
I’m making facial scrub can I use pearl powder in it with other essential oils? i also would like to know where to purchase it.
Yes, I want to know, too. Can you share it to me please? I’d appreciate it verymuch. Thank you. Joy Carpio
You can buy it sraight from China on Aliexpress.com, or if you don’t want to wait for 4-6 weeks get it from Amazon until you get it.
Hi, which one did you choose on this web site there are so many!
You can buy it sraight from China , or if you don’t want to wait for 4-6 weeks get it from Amazon until you get it.
I get mine here: https://rootandspring.com/collections/women/products/leishipai-pearl-powder. They’re in the US and their stuff is really good. I use it by mixing the powder with honey and making a face mask. My skin feels AMAZING afterwards.
Thanks Cici!! ! I picked it up from the rootandspring.com website after reading your comment and the product is excellent, extremely well done pearl powder. Came in 3-4 days. What a good value.
awesome find. it has made my skin glowing. thanks for the share!
I don’t find a blog very credible when comments made by readers are not answered. I have some of the same questions to ask but am not going to bother since I most likely will not get a reply either. Sorry Empowered Sustenance but it’s like poor customer service, one can’t be bothered going back.
Brenda, I empathize with your comment and I ask you to, likewise, extend empathy to my situation. I do the best I can with answering questions but I am just one woman behind this website and not a business with a customer service agency. The sheer volume of questions I receive in emails, blog comments, Facebook comments, and instagram comments makes it unfeasable for me to answer everyone. If I did answer all the questions, I would not be able to do write additional content or make new recipes. However, I answer questions when I can and take other comments into consideration for future blog posts.
Hey there, thanks for all you do and may you all your paths lead to happiness and joy
along with great health!
Smiles & Hugs
I agree 100% first of all it has to be the right pearl powder From saltwater and you can only get it in specific places if you go to Amazon write her about it or use is lutz Pearl powder. It’s a bit pricey and a little bit does go along way you could mix it with aloe in then use a facial mask that you can also purchase on Amazon they sell them by the packages 500 to hack and simply silk one cotton mask soak up well that apply to your face leaving it on for about 15/20 minutes .i have a group Called Diy Amazing beauty Secrets And More For the Mature Woman. It’s all about natural ingredients no chemicals or fillers, you’re welcome to visit the group and then had to make your own beauty products without the expense of cost and harsh chemicals into your bloodstream .
Is your group on Facebook??
really awesome. my skin is glowing and supple. thank you for sharing this product. i like the little vials it keeps dirty hands away
Hi Lauren,
I hope pearl powder is available at our local stores. I really want this baby and I included this on my list. Thanks!
I’ve looked and looked and nobody carries it…probably because it really works…lol!
Hi if there’s anyone want a 100% authentic Pearl Powder (South Sea Pearl) not freshwater theres a lot of difference of the two . . . we have low grade pearls and we want to make it into powder , we also want to do emulsion , and we want to share this good powders to anyone in a reasonable price.
Many in the market are Freshwater pearl powder, ours is South Sea Pearl Powder.
Just email me or go to my website krisjewels.net
I have decided to carry Pearl Powder in my holistic health center, New Wave Chiropractic in Farmingdale, NY. We do ship, but any locals on Long Island that are interested feel free to drop by! Others may call the office at 516-249-2310 and place an order. Great stuff!! And thank you for these recipes Lauren!
I am a man who is interested in having good clean looking skin ….is Pearl Powder good for men?
Could any of you post where you get it from? Only CC posted her link, as of Aug 2018, it’s discontinued. Also, a LOT of stuff from China is fake and US sellers buy it from China then mark it up 5000%! So for all I know, they could be buying the stuff on eBay that is cut with GMO corn (watch out! It’s on the label folks: “zea mays” is GMO corn!!!!!!!!!) and upping the price to make a killing.
WHERE DOES ONE BUY REAL SOUTH SEAS PEARL POWDER? (yes, I don’t want the freshwater pearl, those are meh!) I read reviews on Amazon saying and elsewhere people saying the stuff wasn’t real, cut with talc. Lucky it wasn’t cut with anthrax or arsenic, I say! Hey, China, remember what they do with peppercorn and exploding watermelons? Nuff said!
Wawaza.com!
Thanks for the article. I use a lot of My Beauty Diary and other Asian sheet masks that seem to be really big on pearl powder. One of my favorites is Royal Pearl! I love it. The Bird’s Nest (which also has pearl, I think) is my favorite though, I think.
By the way, you said, “The only female empress of China, famed for her impeccable complexion, used pearl powder as a skin care preparation and cosmetic.”
All empresses by definition are female. I think you meant to say the only female Emperor. (Kind of like “the only female Pharaoh”, just as an example – although there may have been more than one!)
Okay, now I’ve got that off my chest, I can read the rest of the article. haha!