Resveratrol Wine Benefits for Skin

California is home to some of the country’s best wines, so there’s no way we’re not going to research the incredible array of skin and health benefits that red wine resveratrol has to offer. Luckily, when it comes to staying healthy, wine is slipping in as one of our golden exceptions because of its multitude of health benefits.

There is a growing body of research around the benefits of indulging in red wine specifically, and also applying it topically to our skin. Turns out red wine can lower your cholesterol, protect your heart (through helping to keep your blood vessels flexible), and keep your memory sharp. Plus it’s very high in resveratrol, an antioxidant that’s been linked to lower levels of coronary artery disease when ingested. In science we trust, so we’ll be pouring a glass, applying wine-based skin care and makeup to our face, and toasting to our (and your) health!

Located in Saratoga, California, The Mountain Winery is a historic location dating back to its roots in the 1880’s when Paul Masson, a Frenchman, arrived in San Francisco and began his career producing champagne and wine. Today the mountaintop winery is still bustling, based out of the same Spanish Cathedral that Masson turned into a wine cellar in 1907. In the fifties, the grounds were converted into an outdoor concert and event space and today, the landscape is one of breathtaking vistas, redwood groves and of course, wine tasting rooms – all with a totally old-world, magical ambiance. We caught up with the local sommelier and winemaker to talk shop and explore how red wine is making its way into the world of skin and body care.

The 5 stages of the Winemaking Process

The artistry and science behind making the perfect bottle of wine is no easy feat. Even though this process has been modernized with machines, there are still basics that any winemaker must adhere to. It takes expertise and sometimes, gut instincts to achieve the perfect taste and color. We’ll guide you through the 5 basic steps that every winemaker follows, while adding in their own flair and time-tested tips that make their own recipes unique.

Harvest

The timing of harvesting grapes is absolutely critical -- this first step in the winemaking process can set you up for either wild success or a huge flop. The grape is the key factor in determining acidity, sweetness and overall flavor of the wine. There needs to be a perfect balance in order to avoid too bitter, too sweet or too dry a taste. Depending on the vineyard, grapes can be harvested by hand or by machine. They’re gathered, sorted into bunches, and filtered to remove any rotten or underripe clumps. Did we mention you also have to take into account the weather while harvesting? Yes, that actually makes a difference in the overall flavor, too! Some wineries will harvest grapes from slopes and hillsides spaced miles apart, in order to capture particular wind and weather patterns that result in specific flavor profiles within the grapes.

Press

Once the sorting process is complete, the grapes move on to be de-stemmed and prepped for crushing. There are still vineyards that adhere to the old time tradition of manual stomping and crushing with feet, but we’ll stick with the modern machinery on this one. The mechanical press crushes the grapes into a “must,” which is basically just fresh-pressed, unfiltered grape juice (skin, seeds and solids). These winemaking byproducts are the bits that tie into the world of beauty, but we’ll dive into that when we cover skincare later in the blog.

Ferment

Just like sake or beer, wine also goes through its own natural fermentation process. The “must” will be mixed by winemakers with cultured yeast to kick-start the fermentation stage, and fermentation will continue until all of the sugar has converted into alcohol; that is unless they’re producing a sweet, dessert wine. The entire fermentation process can anywhere from 10 days up to a few months to complete. It all depends on the yeast, must, desired wine outcome and conditions of the tanks.

Clarify

After fermentation is finished, the clarification process can begin. This is the process where seed and skin solids are removed, and the dead yeast cells are filtered out. The wine then makes its journey to a new vessel to be “racked”, in either an oak barrel or stainless steel tank.

Bottle and Age

The final stage of winemaking is bottling and aging the wine. There are a couple options at this point for the winemaker, as there are in any great “choose your adventure” scenario: A) bottle the wine immediately, or B) let it age for additional time. If they go with option A, the wine is bottled and moved onto aging racks. If they choose option B, they will be able to build a more complex flavor of wine. Taking the time to age wine in oak barrels will help produce a smoother and more vanilla-flavored wine because of the exposure to oxygen through the wood. This will help decrease the tannins and enhance the fruity flavor. It does all end the same though; each bottle is sealed off with a cork (natural or synthetic) or screw cap. Did you know that bourbon and whiskey makers will often buy old barrels from winemakers? It’s a symbiotic relationship: the bourbon and whiskey makers get the leftover flavors in the wood, and the vineyard recoups some of the initial investment of new barrels.

Surprising Benefits of Adding Red Wine to Your Skincare Routine

When the winemaking process is all said and done, there are plenty of byproducts to repurpose into other forms; hop on the reduce, reuse, recycle train! There is a whole lot of grape “waste” after the process, which is actually chock full of nutrients, many of which can be used as valuable and super healing additives in skincare formulas. What better way to create sustainable organic cosmetics than to literally source from the byproducts of another industry? As it happens, wine production byproducts contain resveratrol and vitis vinifera seed oil, both ingredients proven to promote more youthful skin and improved elasticity when applied topically. I.e. two more reasons to love wine.

What is Red Wine Resveratrol?

We already mentioned resveratrol briefly: it’s an antioxidant belonging to the polyphenol group present in the drinking kind of red wine, which can reduce your risk for a heart attack. It moonlights as a potent ingredient for promoting youthful skin when applied topically, and can help neutralize free radical damage at a cellular level while allows for increased collagen production. We’re talking about the same regenerating process that allows grape vines to live for a century, but harnessed to be used on your skin. Resveratrol works by protecting your skin against free radicals, which are one of the bigger culprits contributing to fine lines and wrinkles.

Resveratrol is found in the skin of grapes, and is more abundant in the red variety. While you can definitely get some antioxidants from a glass a vino, our Red Wine Resveratrol Cream 0.3 oz packs as much red wine resveratrol as 30,000 glasses of wine. We’re all for working smarter, not harder, so it’s a no-brainer that you can slather versus sip in order to get the maximum antioxidants possible in a shorter period of time. Not to say you can’t double down by doing both!

Resveratrol Wine in Natural Skin Care and Makeup

With these benefits in mind, we’ve featured resveratrol in a variety of natural products. For one, both the anti-aging Does It All Mask and hydrating Red Wine Resveratrol Cream 0.3 oz are formulated to aggressively target wrinkles and environmental damage. As we begin to age, the collagen levels in our skin start to break down because of free radicals, via environmental stressors such as UV rays and pollution. As we age, our skin becomes more prone to cellular damage, which then results in fine lines and wrinkles. Resveratrol plays an important role as a potent remedy, helping to repair skin damage and restore a more youthful complexion.

We also use red wine resveratrol in our fruit pigmented® makeup! Our signature palettes, Luminous Primer, and Full Coverage Water Foundation each include resveratrol to make your makeup not only gorgeous -- but multitasking, too! In addition to the antioxidants naturally present in our fruit pigments, these makeup products also pack a punch of free-radical fighting content of resveratrol wine.

Can pregnant or nursing women use Red Wine Skin Care?

We always recommend nursing or pregnant women to check with their doctors before trying anything new. But yes, resveratrol is safe to use while pregnant or nursing because there is no measurable amount of actual alcohol in the red wine products.

Vitis Vinifera in Natural Body Care

Our next all star wine-derived ingredient is one you’ve probably heard of: vitis vinifera seed oil, also known by its common name of grapeseed oil. Vitis vinifera seed oil has been celebrated for its high antioxidant levels (it’s 20 times more potent than vitamin C) and it’s anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties, which make it a really safe choice for sensitive skin. It’s also known to tighten skin and regulate natural oil production, so it’s a great ingredient to use on your face and body.

We’ve included it in our line of nourishing body creams, which are formulated with rose flower water, cocoa butter and grapeseed oil. These creams are super absorbent, soaking into your skin quickly so you’re not left with a greasy after-feel. The rich butters help heal problem areas on your body – areas that are extra dry, rough or irritated are instantly nourished.

PRO TIP: Dry skin is not the same thing as dehydrated skin. While they have similar qualities, they have different underlying causes. Dry skin results from inadequate levels of oils deposited on the surface, while dehydration results from a lack of water in the skin. Take care and give your skin the extra moisture boost it needs with our Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil based body care products.

Easy to Use

There might be a little bit of an intimidation factor when it comes to new makeup trends or complicated makeup application, but primer should not be one of them. It’s as simple as applying your favorite moisturizer all over your face. There are really no wrong ways to apply primer, so just go for it and see the difference!

PRO TIP: A few pumps will be enough to cover your entire face and neck. Wait about 90 seconds for the primer to dry before moving on to your foundation application.

High Performance, Long Lasting

With all the hustle and bustle happening, the time from when we put our makeup on to when it actually comes off seems to be getting longer and longer. No one wants to be caught with late afternoon, melted makeup! Primer will keep your makeup set all day (and night) long without the use of any harsh or toxic chemicals. Set yourself up for success by applying our silicone free primer, a best buddy that will keep your makeup lasting long after last call.

Packed with Antioxidants

Whether you prefer a Luminous Primer or a Mattifying Primer, both are infused with skin benefiting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Our silky formulas are super lightweight and can be compared more to a serum-primer consistency. The Luminous Primer ingredient highlight of red wine resveratrol helps give your skin an extra antioxidant boost, while the Mattifying Primer contains seaweed collagen for extra plumping minerals.

Creates a Smoother Surface by Minimizing Pores and Fine Lines

Just like you have to prep a canvas with gesso before painting a masterpiece with oils, you’ll also need to set a smooth foundation on your face before creating your makeup masterpiece. Applying primer before makeup application helps to hide imperfections and creates a smooth surface for easier makeup application. Primers work by helping to fill in fine lines and help minimize pores.

Adds Hydration

Our serum-like formula is not too thick or too thin. It’s the Goldilocks of primers and will not over-moisturizer your skin. It’s the perfect primer for oily skin to help combat shine.

Gives a Glowing Complexion

You might opt for the Luminous Primer, but don’t be fooled by the name. This primer dries to a matte finish with a very fine shimmer, via mica. You’ll have a beautiful, glowing after-effect that isn’t going to leave your skin glittery or shiny. The light reflective pigments diffuse skin’s imperfections, leaving you with a healthy, glowing complexion.

Combats Humid, Hot Weather

We’re at the peak of summer and the heat (and other environmental stresses) are not about to let up anytime soon. Primers are here to help you avoid a makeup meltdown (literally)! They’ll act as a protective layer between your makeup and any oil or sweat produced by your skin. Sure you’ll be glowing this summer, but only via your on-point highlighting.

Works on All Skin Types and Skin Tones

Primer is a universal makeup product. You don’t need to stress about ‘will this work with my skintone?’ ‘Will this be okay for my {dry, oily or combination} skin?’ Since our Primers have no pigmentation or coloration, they’ll work for everyone. The result for every skin type and skin tone will be the same: flawless skin.

GET THE LOOK: Wine Inspired Beauty

Natural Makeup Products

Luminous Primer

2nd Skin Foundation

Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder

Fruit Pigmented Sex Kitten Palette

Long Last Liquid Eye Liner: Blackberry

Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara - Black Tea

Lip Caramel: Plum Wine

Tools

Non-Latex Makeup Blender

Cruelty Free Powder Brush F50

Cruelty Free Blush Brush F20

Cruelty Free Smudger Brush E20

Cruelty Free Flat Shader Brush E30

Nails

Creamy Polish: Jam

1. Apply our Luminous Primer to your entire face.
2. Apply our 2nd Skin Foundation in your correct shade with a damp makeup blender.
3. With your brow builder, gently stroke brush through each eyebrow for added fullness and definition.
4. Create an evening look with our Sex Kitten Palette, applying Risqué with our Cruelty Free Flat Shader Brush E30 all over the eyelid area, blending upward.
5. Apply Provocateur as the bottom liner of the eye, under the water line using the same E30 brush.
6. For an extra dramatic look, use Cat Eyes and apply with our Cruelty Free Smudger Brush E20 at the outer corners of your eyes.
7. Using our Cruelty Free Blush Brush F20, apply Allure blush to the apples of your cheeks and gently diffuse the color with our Cruelty Free Powder Brush F50. Apply the Luminizer (Sexy) lightly to highlight your cheeks and the bridge of your nose.
8. Apply a thin line of liquid liner to your eyelids, getting as close to your eyelashes as possible.
9. Apply our Black Tea mascara to complete your eyes. The more coats you apply, the more dramatic it will look.
10. Complete your look with a wine-inspired shade on your lips. Use Plum Wine to finish your evening look.