AllthingsBeauty
allthingsbeauty-logo

Tips and Inspiration
From Unilever Beauty Experts

Smiling woman with white teeth posing in front of the camera.
Resveratrol is the latest anti-aging ingredient to capture the attention of skincare enthusiasts. Is it worth adding to your vanity?

Why Resveratrol Is an Essential for Mature Skin

Want to age like fine wine? Discover all the benefits of resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found in your favorite bottle of vino.

October 31, 2023
Read Time: 4 Minutes

It Helps Smoothen Fine Lines>

It Boosts Skin Firmness>

It Calms Redness and Inflammation>

It Evens Out Skin Tone>

It’s Deeply Hydrating>

The Best Way to Use Resveratrol >


Wine may be the closest thing the world has to a fountain of youth, and it’s all thanks to a little ingredient called resveratrol. This potent antioxidant has been touted as one of the best in delaying skin aging. The good news? It’s not only present in expensive bottles of Shiraz. Now, you can also find it in many skincare products.

Does this new buzzy anti-aging ingredient deserve a spot in your skincare routine? Scroll down to learn more about resveratrol benefits and how you should use it.

It Helps Smoothen Fine Lines

Woman drinking a cup of hot cocoa inside a plant-filled greenhouse.
Not just in wine, resveratrol can be found in dark chocolate, berries, and peanuts.

Collagen production begins to decline in your 20s. Your skin gradually loses its ability to renew itself, leading to telltale signs of aging like crow’s feet, smile lines, and forehead wrinkles. This is where resveratrol comes into play.

A 2022 study reveals that resveratrol has estrogen-like effects on the skin and is able to protect the cells from oxidative stress. When applied topically, it increases the levels of collagen and elastin in the dermis, reducing the appearance of fine lines.

It Boosts Skin Firmness

Given that resveratrol promotes collagen production, it can also firm up sagging skin by accelerating skin regeneration. According to a clinical study, using 2% resveratrol emulsion once per day for eight weeks can significantly enhance skin elasticity and thickness. What’s more, its antioxidant properties ensure your skin stays resilient to external stressors like pollution and maintains its stretch-and-bounce ability.

It Calms Redness and Inflammation

As you age, your skin undergoes a shift in pH balance, making it more vulnerable to harmful bacteria and irritants. Plus, fluctuating hormones during menopause can trigger breakouts and, in some cases, exacerbate conditions like eczema.

Resveratrol’s anti-inflammatory qualities effectively calm redness and relieve itching, as stated in research published by the Journal of Food and Drug Analysis. Moreover, experts have found that it supports wound healing and inhibits the growth of acne-causing bacteria. This means red bumps won’t bother you as much, and when they do, they’ll go away much faster.

It Evens Out Skin Tone

Woman with gray hair and glasses holding a white smartphone.
Blue light from smartphones and TVs can have the same damaging effects on your skin as UV rays from the sun.

The harsh truth is you can’t totally avoid sun exposure. Over time, the UV rays take a toll on your skin. As if that wasn’t enough, a drop in estrogen causes melanin production to go haywire, making your skin become more sensitive to sunlight. Cue age spots around your face and neck.

Multiple studies have shown the brightening power of resveratrol. By counteracting the damaging effects of free radicals, it helps regulate the production of melanin – the pigment responsible for dark patches and uneven skin tone. Additionally, it actively speeds up cell turnover, removing dead skin and fading hyperpigmentation.

It’s Deeply Hydrating

Woman with short hair wearing white top and white shirt.
Resveratrol is a gentler alternative to retinol for those with sensitive skin.

Most big-name anti-aging active ingredients tend to be drying on the skin, but not resveratrol. It fortifies the skin’s barrier and stimulates the production of ceramides – the lipids that are responsible for sealing in moisture deep inside the skin. This not only ensures your skin remains hydrated but also makes your face glow. In conclusion, you’ll look (and feel) a few years younger.

The Best Way to Use Resveratrol 

Although you can apply skincare products with resveratrol at any time, many recommend using them at the end of your bedtime routine to maximize their anti-aging benefits. This is because your skin has a body clock. At nighttime, it enters a phase of repair and becomes more receptive to skincare ingredients.

If you plan to add resveratrol to your PM ritual, try POND'S Bright Miracle Night Serum. This face serum uses skin-loving ingredients like niasorcinol to give you a brilliantly luminous complexion. When you wake up, your skin will be visibly smoother and brighter.

Resveratrol is generally well-tolerated with no known side effects. However, it’s wise to do a patch test first to be on the safe side. If you don’t see any redness or purging, keep using it and be consistent. Now you can have a glass of vino because you and your skin deserve it.

Share

Sign up for our newsletter and receive exclusive hair care tips from the experts at All Things Beauty

Subscribe