How effective is resveratrol?

It is the ingredient with the least catchy name, but it is being used more and more in skincare. Resveratrol is a compound found primarily in the skin of red grapes and some other fruits and nuts.

Fermented red grapes – wine – are the most concentrated source. This discovery had the science community in a lather for years. Trials and research were launched to find out if this was the reason the French stayed so healthy despite eating a relatively high-fat diet. Red wine drinkers were thrilled, especially my dad. Wine was suddnely a health drink, and he wasn’t going to listen to any evidence to the contrary.

But don’t rush to pour that glass of Merlot. No convincing evidence was discovered, but wine drinkers had their fingers in the ears. This is the reason the idea that resveratrol is healthy and might add years to lifespan still hangs around. Supplements containing resveratrol are still big sellers.

So, although it is not a magic nutritional bullet, resveratrol is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants in skincare are well-established skincare ingredients and they work. However, they tend to work best in a cocktail; a serum containing more than one antioxidant will often give better results than it would alone.

Resveratrol began to be added to the skincare mix as results showed it was powerful enough when applied topically to prevent skin ageing and sun damage. It can be found in everything from serum to foundation. Some of the best ones are in this week’s Tried and Tested.

amcdermott@irishtimes.com
Twitter@aismcdermott