The Benefits Red Wine Has On Your Skin
(photo: Getty Images)
Whether your on a date, hanging out with your besties, or binge watching the latest installment of House of Cards, chances are (especially with these soul-crushing arctic temps) you’re doing it with a little vino.
And it turns out there’s more to wine than getting your buzz on. You might be aware of its heart-healthy benefits—which come from drinking a “moderate” one to two four-ounce glasses a day, according to the American Heart Association—but did you know that the seeds and skins of wine grapes are awesome for your skin as well?
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In fact, at The Allison Inn & Spa—a chic 5-star property tucked away in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and a short drive from Portland—wine grapes have played a central role in the spa and menu offerings (like the Divine Wine Facial and Grape Seed Cure Body Scrub) since opening in 2009.
"Most people don’t understand the level of antioxidants within the grape skin and seed," says spa director Tara Calton. "When antioxidants called polyphenols get absorbed into the skin, they keep skin cells healthier, by helping them produce more collagen." Pinot grapes, in particular, possess especially high concentrations of a skin-boosting polyphenol called resveratrol. "It’s easily absorbed, fortifies the skin, reduces inflammation, and the slows the skin from aging prematurely."
All good stuff, right? So, if you’re ready to harness the power of the almighty grape, here are five products to get you well on your way.
Caudalie Polyphenol C15 SPF20 Anti-Wrinkle Protect Fluid
Grape-seed extract and vitamin C fight free radicals while fortifying the skin. Broad-spectrum SPF shields against the sun’s damaging rays. Hyaluronic acid, a humectant, binds moisture to the skin. Plus, it smells crisp and clean. Is there anything this moisturizer can’t do?
Desert Essence Italian Red Grape Shampoo
This stuff will take you back your childhood. It smells ridiculously good, like grape bubble gum. And it lathers up big, leaving your hair fresh and clean. But unlike the shampoos of your youth, this one’s free of sulfites, parabens, and other synthetic nonsense.
See more: 5 Doctor-Approved Ways to Combat Winter-Ravaged Skin
100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Eye Cream
Because the skin around the eyes is so thin, it’s often the first place to show signs of aging. Dab (never rub) a tiny amount under the eyes morning and night and before you know it, you’ll be back to your bright-eyed self.
The Grapeseed Company Vino Crush Face+Body Polish
Use this product—packed with crushed wine-grape seeds, grape-seed oil, and red-wine extract—in two ways. Swirl some on your face to freshen up dull skin and dislodge gunk from pores, then massage some into your body (focus on extra-gnarly zones like elbows and feet) to buff away rough, flaky skin.
Wine Country Organics’ Organic Grape Seed Oil Lip Balm
While petroleum and mineral oil are found in many lip balms and may feel soothing, they do nothing in terms of hydration. In fact, they simply form a barrier on the skin. This all-natural balm stars grape-seed oil, which actually moisturizes without feeling greasy.
By Katie Chang
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