The 5 Most Expensive Beauty Ingredients in the World

As one of the most precious stones on the planet, diamonds are certainly among the most expensive beauty ingredients trending in the skincare world right now. Diamond powder is used in beauty products to polish the skin through exfoliation, leaving a luxurious glow in its wake. Gently exfoliating the skin with diamonds allows the skin to soak up hydration, reduce the appearance of sun damage, and brighten the skin. 

These gems can cost anywhere between $1,300 and $16,500 per karat, and as one of the most expensive beauty ingredients in the market, diamond-infused products tend to run consumers hundreds of dollars. 

In the culinary world, saffron is known for being the most expensive spice in the world, imbuing food with a uniquely complex bittersweet earthy flavor. However, in the realm of cosmetics, it hydrates the skin, promotes anti-aging effects, and works against inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and UV damage.

The price for one kilogram of saffron typically begins at $5,000, but often is sold for much more depending on the quality. Because of its already hefty price tag and high demand, saffron is one of the most expensive beauty ingredients in the world, with quality products often ranging upwards of $300. 

Just like saffron, caviar is already well known for its expensive value in the culinary world. While caviar may be your favorite snack to splurge on, did you know that it's also one of the most expensive beauty ingredients in the world, and helps the skin with its moisturizing and repairing properties? 

While the price has varied greatly over the years, the cheapest caviar is sold for around $1,500 per kg, while the most expensive type, Beluga caviar, goes for more than $4,000 per kg. Typically, consumers can find caviar skincare products that range anywhere from $200 to $2,000.

Rose oil is also among the most expensive beauty ingredients and is widely used in perfumes and other fragrance products. You may be familiar with rosehip oil, which is a commonly used hydrating ingredient in beauty products, but rosehip oil is derived from the fruit and seeds of the rose plant, while pure rose oil comes only from the petals. Given that it takes 10,000 pounds of rose petals to make just 1,000 pounds of rose oil, it's no surprise that it ranks as one of the most expensive beauty ingredients in the world. 

Chances are, if you're active in online beauty spaces, you've seen photos of influencers and supermodels like Alessandra Ambrosio touting gold-leaf face masks. If you've wondered what all the hype is about and suspected that gold is one of the most expensive beauty ingredients on the market, you would be correct.

Gold is known for its anti-aging properties and is commonly used in creams and lotions, as well as the many celebrity-endorsed face masks that have trended over the years. One ounce of gold costs around $1,700.

Like caviar and saffron, truffles are primarily known as a delicacy in the food industry, but they can also be used as an agent for the skin's hydration because of their rich, luxurious oil-based components. In the skincare world, where it is one of the most expensive beauty ingredients, the truffle is valued for its anti-aging properties, as the luxury delicacy promotes a youthful, renewed glow when utilized in skincare.

One kilogram of truffles usually sells for anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000, and skincare products infused with truffle tend to range anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending on the quality of the product and the concentration of truffle oil.