Skin Health Magazine Issue #7 / Spring 2018 | Page 25

RESVERATROL
Ingredient Spotlight
W
hat if we told you that drinking red
wine could be the secret to youthful
skin? That one large glass a day
could relieve your complexion of fine lines and
uneven tone? Well, we’d be stretching the truth
a little but now we’ve got your attention, let’s
talk about Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in
the skin of red grapes aka the ones used to
make wine.
A naturally occurring polyphenol, Resveratrol
is thought to be one of the most powerful
antioxidants in the world – it’s even stronger
than Vitamin C – and it does more than simply
fight off free radicals. In the plants it is ex-
tracted from, Resveratrol is produced in re-
sponse to an injury or an attack by foreign
pathogens like bacteria and fungi. In the skin,
it provides protection against harmful free
radicals found in the atmosphere by seeking
out these unwanted molecules and neutralising
them before they can damage the skin’s col-
lagen stores. In fact, it was proven to be 95%
successful at preventing oxidative skin damage.
But what makes Resveratrol so special is its
ability to trigger the synthesis of antioxidant
enzymes within the skin, essentially telling the
skin to improve its defence strategy.
By protecting the skin against daily oxidative
stress, Resveratrol can play a major role in
keeping the skin smooth and wrinkle-free. A
study in 2015 noted that a topical skin care
product that contained 1% Resveratrol (along-
side a couple of other key antioxidants) demon-
strated a noticeable increase in the production
of type III collagen, the kind that keeps skin
plump and smooth. This, coupled with its
well-documented antioxidant prowess, make it
an excellent addition to any type of anti-aging
formula, from serums to creams. Not only that,
this impressive antioxidant also possesses an-
ti-microbial benefits (making it a great ingre-
dient for older skin that is prone to acne), an-
ti-inflammatory properties (ideal for anyone
who struggles with frequent flushing) and the
ability to repair mild UV damage (that’ll be
useful for anyone who’s ever stepped outside
during the day).
So how can you get more of this antioxidant
in your life? Well, there are two ways: through
topical skin care and via daily supplements
taken orally. However, experts believe that to
be truly effective at improving the condition
of the skin, Resvera trol should be applied to
the skin rather than be consumed. This allows
the antioxidant to penetrate the skin directly,
where it is most needed, instead of being
utilised elsewhere in the body. This way, ac-
cording to the aforementioned research, the
ingredient can do its job properly.
It might not be as immediately satisfying as
drinking a glass of wine in the evening, but
the long-term benefits of Resveratrol are
more much rewarding. Plus, no hangover
the next day.
ISSUE #07 | 2018 | SkinHealthMagazine.com 25