Malachite Is the Ideal Stress-Reducing Skincare Ingredient for Crystal Lovers

Calling all crystal girlies: It might be time to let malachite transform your skincare routine, as the ingredient as effective and beneficial as it is beautiful. With a laundry list of benefits that range from calming redness to warding off free radicals, it’s quickly caught the attention of the internet—and us, too. “Historically, it’s been used for centuries to absorb negative energies from the body, healing it from a number of ailments,” says board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi, MD. We’re intrigued at the crystal’s energy benefits potentially extending to our skincare—and dermatologists have insights explaining exactly how. Ahead, learn all you need to know about malachite for skin, from the benefits to how to use it.

MEET THE EXPERT

• Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and a clinical assistant professor at Cornell University.
• Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of AziMD Skincare.

What Is Malachite?

“Known as the ‘Stone of Transformation,’ malachite is a mineral composed of copper carbonate hydroxide,” Shirazi explains. “This extract is a copper-rich mineral used in skin and beauty products for its antioxidant properties. It helps reduce oxidative stress on the skin and protects it from free radical damage.”

MALACHITE

TYPE OF INGREDIENT: Antioxidant

MAIN BENEFITS: Reduces oxidative stress on the skin, protects and repairs damaged skin from environmental stressors, and calms inflammation.

WHO SHOULD USE IT: Malachite is generally safe for most skin types.

HOW OFTEN TO USE IT: Typically, you should use malachite once daily in the morning.

WORKS WELL WITH: Hyaluronic acid and other skin-soothing ingredients

DON’T USE WITH: Vitamin C, as the combination may irritate the skin.

Dating back to 4000 BC, malachite is quite literally an OG antioxidant that has served many purposes throughout time. Ancient Egyptians used malachite and wore green to symbolize the power of new life and resurrection¹, which in some ways has translated to its current use: giving skin new life and warding off stressors. Today, you’ll find it in a variety of products ranging from toners to serums and creams. (See a few of our favorite face serums here.)

Benefits of Malachite for Skin

Malachite’s benefits for skin are tangible and go well beyond energy and emotional healing, as its literal millennia of use go to show. A few of the main ways it can aid your complexion are as follows:

• Protects skin and helps repair damage: Malachite is a mineral that’s rich in copper, and in this way, it serves as an antioxidant by working to protect against free radical damage and reducing oxidative stress, notes board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD.
• Promotes collagen synthesis: Due to its high copper composition, malachite also promotes collagen and keratin synthesis, Shirazi shares.
• Reduces inflammation: Given the detoxifying nature of copper, malachite can reduce inflammation and help with skin regeneration.
• Boosts hydration: Malachite can hydrate the skin by reducing moisture loss and strengthening the skin barrier, Shirazi adds.

Side Effects of Malachite

Like any skincare ingredient, there’s always the risk of a product not agreeing with your skin for one reason or another, leading to potential irritation. “While malachite is generally tolerable, those with sensitive skin should be cautious when incorporating a new ingredient into their skincare routine,” Garshick shares. If that’s you and you’re looking for some new products, check out a few of our recs for sensitive skin. Also, when incorporating a new ingredient or product into your routine, always patch-test prior to a full facial application.

While malachite can generally pair well with many ingredients (especially hydrators), there is one that you should avoid: vitamin C. “Hyaluronic acid is one of the best ingredients to pair with malachite,” Shirazi shares. “The combination deeply hydrates the skin and plumps up fine lines and wrinkles. It also works well with other nourishing skincare ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, panthenol, and vitamin E. It’s best to avoid malachite with vitamin C, as the copper oxidizes vitamin C, thereby inactivating it.”

How to Use Malachite for Skin

When using malachite for skin, it’s usually integrated into a formula, so use the product as directed. You’ll find the ingredient in a range of cleansers, toners, serums, and creams, both experts note. “It’s best used as a serum along with hyaluronic acid, applied to damp skin before applying your moisturizing cream,” Shirazi says.

The Best Skincare Products with Malachite

If you’re looking to integrate malachite into your skincare routine but not sure where to start, you may want to try the following products. Since malachite is in a wide range of formulas, you can opt for whichever one fits your skincare goals and the part of your routine you envision it in.

Glo Skin Beauty Oil Free Moisturizer $56.00

SHOP

“This moisturizer works to nourish the skin, incorporating algae extract and hyaluronic acid,” Garshick shares. “It also contains malachite extract to protect against free radical damage. This can help calm the skin and also reduce redness.”

Sisley Paris Eye Contour Mask $170.00

SHOP

“This contour mask helps reduce under-eye puffiness while also hydrating the skin,” Garshick shares. “Containing ingredients like rose, arnica, and gingko biloba as well as glycerin, it also contains pro-vitamin B5 as well as malachite to protect the skin against free radical damage. Together, this helps brighten the under-eye skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”

Goop G.Tox Malachite and AHA Pore Refining Tonic $75.00

SHOP

Given malachite’s antioxidant and detox properties, it can work well as part of a toner to refine pores and texture. This one from Goop also includes alpha hydroxy acids, boosting exfoliation to leave you with clearer, more radiant skin. For more AHA/BHA products to try, check out our roundup.

The Final Takeaway

Malachite has been a beloved crystal for thousands of years, and it turns out it also has a solid amount of potential benefits for your skin when integrated into toners, serums, and more. As an antioxidant, it can help with protecting your complexion, repairing damage, and calming inflammation—leaving you with healthier, happier skin. It’s suitable for most skin types and pairs well with hydrating products, so it’s definitely worth a try if you’re looking to see what this mineral can do for your skin.