Resveratrol for skin: What are the benefits (p.s. there's many)

Resveratrol and skin: a match made in glowy heaven! Here's the lowdown on this buzzy ingredient, how it works, and how you can best maximize its benefits in your skincare routine. ✊

What is resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant, commonly found in foods such as grapes, blueberries, red wine and dark chocolate. In fact, red wine has one of the highest concentrations of resveratol (hand me another glass). It definitely has sex appeal as far as skincare ingredients go! Like other antioxidants such as vitamin C and niacinamide, it helps protect your skin from free radical damage. In case you're wondering, free radical damage refers to the daily wear n' tear that occurs on your skin from exposure to the environment. Also known as oxidative stress, it can destroy healthy skin cells as well as cause premature aging - which is what makes the inclusion of an antioxidant such as resveratrol in your skincare routine so important.

And not only is resveratrol an antioxidant, it is also a particularly effective one, backed up by several studies. There is nothing gimmicky about this skincare ingredient! 

What does resveratrol do?

The benefits of resveratrol are plentiful. Tied into resveratrol's antioxidant properties are its abilities to increase collagen production, reduce inflammation, repair UV damage and even improve moisture retention. You'll often see this ingredient in anti-aging formulas because not only does resveratrol build collagen, but it can also protect existing collagen from breaking down. And because it helps boost the skin barrier function, your skin can also appear plumper thanks to an improved ability to retain moisture. Lately, we've been seeing it pop up in anti-acne formulas as well. This is a no-brainer because a stronger skin barrier actually decreases the severity and frequency of breakouts.

What not to mix with resveratrol?

Unlike other active anti-aging or anti-acne skincare ingredients, resveratrol is powerful without being so active that it poses a risk of irritation to sensitive skin or going wonky if combined with other skincare ingredients. It retains its effectiveness when combined with most other skincare. What we will say, however, is that it makes a particularly good match with ferulic acid, particularly if you are looking for strong antioxidant protection during the day.  Check out some popular resveratrol skin care combinations in the table below.

And there you have it! Want some examples of popular resveratrol serums skin products? Read on.

What is the best resveratrol product?

1. Dr Althea 345 Relief Cream: Of course, this viral AF product belongs in any top 3 regarding resveratrol! It's one of the best resveratrol creams out there. A lightweight, soothing gel-cream designed for combination and oily skin with blemishes, it does a seriously good job at strengthening the skin barrier over time to reduce the severity and frequency of future breakouts. Just trust in the process. After a good 3 months of consistent use, we noticed our skin could even handle more active ingredients like a 10% vitamin C serum or niacinamide serum without flushing or irritation. 
2. Dr. Ceuracle's Vegan Active Berry First Essence: If you like your resveratrol from grapes only or are looking for something Caudalie-esque that's packed with peptides and collagen for extra anti-aging prowess, this is the essence to beat! Filled with tiny resveratrol capsules in a silky, moisturising formula, it'll make dry skin plump and juicy. Like a grape.
3. The SKIN&LAB PoreBarrier Tightening Ampoule is an excellent resveratrol serum for skin ranging from oily, acne-prone to mature. The vegan formula uses a 35% concentration of caffeine, niacinamide and resveratrol to improve your skin's texture and elasticity. It's actually been designed to work on enlarged pores, but this turned out to be a surprisingly good anti-aging and lightly hydrating serum (in our experience).

FAQs

What is resveratrol good for?In a nutshell, resveratrol soothes, reduces redness, boosts hydration, provides antioxidant protection, and treats the signs of aging. It can also provide a shield against premature aging. 

Is resveratrol better than retinol?There's no objective answer when it comes to which is better: resveratrol or retinol. It depends on your skin and your needs. Retinol is an active ingredient that is backed up by countless studies regarding its efficacy when it comes to fine lines and acne: but on the flip side, it can cause dryness and irritation on sensitive skin. Resveratrol on the other hand, is far gentler but also effective on aging skin when used consistently. It doesn't quite have the same effect on acne that retinol can, but can reduce breakouts over time. With that said, you don't have to consider one or the other: use them both together if you like! They can actually enhance the other's effects on the skin. Use a retinol serum over a resveratrol essence like this one to buffer the skin from potential redness and dryness associated with retinol. 

Is resveratrol or vitamin c better for skin? Same goes for resveratrol and vitamin C. One isn't necessarily better than the other. Vitamin C generally brightens the skin relatively quickly (around 3 weeks to notice a difference) but can also be irritating. Resveratrol has been shown to lead to a more even skin tone, but over time - around 2 months of consistent use with most resveratrol products. But lets talk about vitamin c and resveratrol together. They work wonderfully to brighten, hydrate, plump and produce better skin health. In fact, that is the beauty of resveratrol - it is so versatile and can be combined with any skincare ingredient to achieve your goals.

Can resveratrol reverse skin aging? Resveratrol can indeed help reverse skin aging. But consistency is important. For the best results, try incorporating resveratrol in more than just a single step in your skincare routine - i.e. use a resveratrol essence/serum as well as a moisturiser. We would also recommend using resveratrol for your morning routine, to maximize its antioxidant benefits.

Does resveratrol help dark spots? When it comes to dark spots, it's hard to get past a good vitamin C serum. But combining it with a resveratrol cream/essence in the day time is EVEN better - because the combination offers stronger protection against free radical damage (which cause discoloration).

What is the downside of resveratrol? The great thing about resveratrol is that there's no real downside - unless you happen to be allergic to how it's derived! For example, if you’re one of those most unfortunate among us who is allergic to grapes or wine, this is an ingredient we'd avoid.

Got any other questions on skincare products / resveratrol australia? Or simply want a recommendation, like the best serum for fine lines and wrinkles? Just drop us a line in the comments or send us an email at hello@kanvasbeauty.com.au.