The Skincare Ingredient That’s In Your Wine and Why You Need It

By Melissa Epifano

Attention red wine lovers: pour yourself a glass and prepare to revel in the fact that your favorite vino contains a skincare ingredient that’s good for your skin. Yep, you heard correctly — but before you smugly report back to your besties with a preference for chardonnay, there’s more to the story you need to know. While you may already be sipping on this antioxidant-like compound, you’ll need to get a healthy helping of resveratrol topically, too, to truly reap the benefits.

But what even is RESVERATROL (rez-veer-uh-trol), to begin with? Found in the skin of grapes and several other foods, it’s a chemical that works in a way similar to antioxidants, which is almost always a plus when it comes to your skin. A study published in the journal Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics found, “Skin is particularly well suited for the use of this promising agent because the antioxidant properties of resveratrol work well against the high oxidative stress that skin cells come under frequently.” Best used for those SOS moments like sudden breakouts, redness, and stress-induced skin.

Excited? Well, you’re going to need a little extra supplementation with your occasional glass of Rioja. Don’t panic though if you’ve found that your skincare routine is void of resveratrol. We’ve rounded up a handful of products that’ll help you get your fill.

 

Caudalie Premier Cru The Cream

Caudalie has learned how to harness the best parts of grapes — including resveratrol — and infuse it into some pretty fabulous products for your skin. Added to firm and lift your complexion, this particular cream goes beyond the benefits of resveratrol. Peptides and other polyphenols are also involved to smooth and prevent wrinkles, and if you can’t get enough of the formula you can complete the collection, which features an oil, serum, and eye cream, full of resveratrol, too.

Skin Ceuticals Resveratrol B E

Mixed with skin-loving vitamin E and baicalin, two great antioxidants, this serum will baby your skin overnight and help reduce signs of aging. Antioxidants are best known for their ability to make free radicals — a type of damage that comes from things like the sun and pollution — run for the hills. After you cleanse, pat onto your skin and let it do its thing while you catch some Zs.

Image Skincare VITAL C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum

If you’re sold by the firming capabilities of resveratrol but are needing a little more than just that before you whip out your wallet, we totally get it. This formula is peppered with vitamin C, squalane, and marine algae, so the firming benefits of resveratrol are complemented with the brightening and hydrating benefits of its counterparts. It’s also a serum that can be used on anyone, so even those with sensitive skin can get away with using it.

 

Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Exfoliating Peel Spray

A good exfoliant is a must in any well-rounded routine, but one with resveratrol is worth celebrating. Not only is this exfoliating peel a non-messy version of classic peels and face masks (it’s a spray!), but it does more than expected. Thanks to a blend of fruit stem cells combined with a grapeseed base that’s laden with resveratrol, you’re left with a product that can slough off dead skin while plumping, softening, and smoothing your complexion.

Versed On the Rise Firming Serum

For those with the motto of testing before investing, you can’t go wrong with a serum that’s under $20. Clean skincare brand Versed launched this formula that prioritizes firming over everything. With peptides and vitamin C also making appearances, you’re getting the best bang for your buck with this if you’re coming at it from a financial standpoint.

photo courtesy of Pinterest