Crystal healing, long the domain of new-age pseudoscience, is having a moment – and the Beauty Industry wants in.
During a pretty grim past couple of years, our homes have become the centre of our lives for most of us. Spending so much time at home has spurred a shift in our thinking; we’ve come to realise the importance of creating a space that supports our day-to-day practicalities but also our emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
It’s also been a time to practice mindfulness and lavish ourselves with the self-care we’ve all desperately needed. It’s no wonder then crystals are trending right now, for uses ranging from rejuvenating the aura of our surroundings to releasing negative energy in our body to even energising our skin.
‘Despite a lack of scientific backing, new-age philosophies are gaining momentum in an environment where consumer interest in emotional and spiritual self-care is closely linked to physical and mental health and overall wellness,’ says Irina Ene, researcher at market intelligence agency, Mintel.
‘Following centuries of Eastern tradition, healing crystals and energy cleansing have become popular methods of promoting emotional health. Apart from their physical exfoliating and illuminating properties, crystals and gemstones also benefit from a reputed vibrational energy that helps the user to set intentions, address fears and achieve emotional balance, offering an opportunity to incorporate them as part of modern self-care beauty routines,’ she says.
Beauty benefits of crystals
Crystal beauty regimens were part of many ancient civilizations, with many cultures believing crystals descended straight from the heavens. Cleopatra even wore Lapis Lazuli stones crushed as an eyeshadow (now that’s an expensive eyeshadow!). And now they are increasingly making their way into our modern beauty routines. Brands are exploring the spiritual properties of crystal healing to create beauty products with aura-awakening benefits – in the form of tools and gadgets as well as crystal- infused beauty products.
Gua Sha tools, as well as jade and rose quartz rollers, have helped propel the rebirth of today’s mainstream beauty crystal trend. Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese massage technique that uses a smooth-edged tool to scrape the skin. It is believed to redirect energy flow and relieve tension in the muscles. The facial massage is claimed to boost lymphatic drainage and circulation, and consequently help to improve skin tone and elasticity, smooth wrinkles and improve jawline definition.
Crystals are also showing up in skincare in the form of crystal or gemstone-infused exfoliators, micellar waters, moisturisers, cleansers, serums, oils, masks and even makeup. It’s thought that infusing crystals such as rose quartz, tourmaline and amethyst will interplay with our bodies’ energy fields (chakras) for a myriad of skin-health benefits.
‘They work at an “energetic” level,’ Sharon Hilditch, founder of crystalclear.co.uk, told Healthline. ‘Everything contains vibrational energy, from our own bodies to stationary objects, which are constantly fluctuating at varying frequencies.’
It’s believed that the potent energy within these crystals has the power to influence human energy, both at a physical and spiritual level.
While there isn’t any scientific evidence, anecdotal evidence has shown this high vibration energy has the power to improve skin woes such as redness, breakouts, fine lines and lacklustre complexions.
5 crystals that belong in your beauty routine
Tourmaline
Tourmaline is said to energise, boost radiance, detoxify the skin and help soothe and resolve blemishes.
Rose quartz
Commonly used in facial rollers for enhanced circulation, rose quartz is now popping up in skincare formulations. It’s believed to calm the skin, boost circulation and restore vibrancy. On a spiritual level, it’s also connected to the heart chakra, so you’ll also be dosing up on some self-love to help you shine from the inside out.
Rainbow Moonstone
Known in the healing arts as an anti-ageing crystal connected to feminine energy, moonstone is said to help improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles and an ageing complexion.
Amethyst
Amethyst is more than just a pretty face. It is touted as restoring balance and bringing equilibrium to ‘hormonal’ skin. It’s said to reduce oiliness and remove toxins, provide cleansing properties and raise your vibration to ward off negative energies.
Jade
Also well known as a skin roller, beautiful jade is believed to soothe sensitive, irritated skin and promote harmony and good luck.
Fast Facts
A crystal is any solid material in which the atoms, molecules or ions are arranged in a highly ordered repetitive pattern (similar to the repeated motifs you would find in a mosaic) that forms a three-dimensional lattice, or shape.
Types of crystals include quartz (rose quartz and amethyst being the most well-known), diamonds and even snowflakes.
The process of crystal forming is called crystallisation. In nature, crystals often form when liquids (such as magma, or liquid rock), cools and hardens.
Interestingly, a gem can be a crystal whereas a crystal will not always be a gem.
Celeb Crystal Crushes
Miranda Kerr
Did you know that each KORA Organics product is infused with rose quartz, Kerr’s all-time favourite crystal?
‘During the manufacturing process, all Kora products are filtered and energised through the rose quartz crystals, so the vibration of self-love flows into the products and on to our customers,’ she told Byrdie.com. ‘I use crystals every day, and carry them with me everywhere. Rose quartz carries soothing energy to encourage love and acceptance towards both ourselves and others.’
Adele
Adele is a big believer in the power of crystals and how they affect her onstage performances.
‘I was so nervous about my comeback show and I was panicking. I was out of practice and I was busy being a Mum,’ she told The Sun. ‘But it was one of the best shows I’ve ever done and I had these bloody crystals in my hand.’
As more ‘proof’ of crystal power, she lost her crystals before the Grammys, where technical issues plagued her now-famous performance. ‘The Grammys came and I lost my f**king crystals!’ she explained. ‘It turned out to be the worst, most disastrous performance that I have ever done.’
Katy Perry
Rumours are that Madonna gave Perry her crystal healer’s number after her breakup with John Mayer back in 2014 and the singer has never looked back.
‘I don’t stay single for long,’ Perry told Cosmopolitan. ‘I carry a lot of rose quartz, which attracts the male. Maybe I need to calm it down with the amethyst.’
Kate Hudson
The actress told Marie Claire that she keeps ‘a crystal bowl filled with rose quartz heart crystals’ on her nightstand.
Victoria Beckham
A devout believer in the power of crystals, Beckham reportedly has various crystals backstage at her fashion shows to ward off bad energy and promote creativity.
‘I currently carry a black obsidian skull crystal — it’s for protection and strength,’ she told Vogue. ‘I’m really into crystals. I’m a real positive thinker. I believe in creative visualisation — the glass is always half full. I have no time for anything negative. I bought crystals for all my team, so they carry them, too.’
Gwyneth Paltrow
It’s probably not a surprise that this New Age health ‘guru’ is a fan of crystals.
Her wellness brand Goop even sells a product that advocates women putting a jade egg up their lady parts!
