Copper Is Our Favorite New/Ancient Beauty Ingredient

Here’s a factoid for beauty geeks and historians alike: Copper was the ancient Egyptian symbol for eternal youth. As copper products and their devotees keep popping up, we figured it was time to learn what brought this ancient element to our corner Sephora.

So the deal is: Copper’s natural anti-aging properties boost collagen, elasticity and provide energy to the skin. Recent studies have shown copper skincare increased brightness, reduced fine lines and smoothness. Oh, and it’s what pennies are made from. Here are a few of our favorite products to featuring the newest ancient technology:

 

1Purity of Elements Pore-Minimizing Clay Mask

We can’t imagine a better place to develop a clay mask than Purity of Elements’ home, Sante Fe. This pore-minimizer is enriched with a Copper 5 Complex made from copper salt, white and green tea leaf extract, grape seed extract, and vitamin E.  A touch of lemon peel extract also aids in brightening dull skin.

 

 

2DEJ Face Cream from Revision Skincare

Revision’s new antioxidant face cream has been clinically designed to reduce fine lines by targeting them at the base: the oft-overlooked area where your inner and outer layers of skin meet. Copper complex boosts energy, while extract from traditional Chinese herbs add a soft hydration perfect for dry and mature complexions.

 

 

3Iluminage Skin Rejuvenating Pillowcase with Copper Oxide

Lots of products promise to improve your skin overnight, but Iluminage’s copper oxide pillowcase gets bonus points for younger-looking skin and on a more comfortable sleep. The pillowcase fibers are embedded with copper oxide, so all you have to do for bright skin is rest up.

 

4Omorovicza Cleansing Foam

Even a simple morning wash can provide your daily dose of copper in this sudsy cleanser with a proprietary formula for mineral absorption. With the addition of copper, you can remove your makeup while enhancing your skin’s natural collagen and elasticity. (Plus the copper turns it naturally blue!)

 

5boscia Konjac Sponge Mini Trio

Boscia’s cleansing sponges are my go-to for natural exfoliation. This trio features a copper-enriched deep hydrating clay sponge that’ll gently exfoliate your skin and then renew it with copper’s proven nourishing properties. For the adventurous, we also recommend the trio’s bamboo charcoal sponge for pore-minimization.

 

6RapidLash Eyelash Enhancing Serum

Your skin doesn’t get to have all the copper-based fun. You’ll only need four weeks of this targeted serum to see growth in your lashes or brows. If only Ancient Egypt could see us now!

READ MORE: Pretty Clean: What to do When Mascara Gets Everywhere