Resveratrol is a polyphenol (chemical substance found in plants with antioxidant properties) derived from the skin of red grapes (and therefore abundant in red wine) and some berries including blueberries, bilberries and cranberries. It has recently garnered a lot of interest due to anti-aging properties attributed to its use when taken internally or applied topically. What can resveratrol do for your skin?
Studies have shown that when taken orally that resveratrol delivers cardiovascular benefits and may benefit those with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, it has been shown to delay the initiation, promotion and progression of cancer. When it comes to skin care, resveratrol’s strong antioxidant properties as well as its ability to calm inflammation, have made it a contender for inclusion into a range of formulations.
More research on resveratrol would be welcome, but it is certainly an ingredient to watch out for. One thing to keep in mind is that there is some research to show that the topical application of resveratrol is associated with cell death if skin is exposed to sunlight. Given this, you may want to consider applying any resveratrol formulations at night or on days when you will be staying indoors.
