Resveratrol is an antioxidant known to have powerful anti-ageing properties. While the compound is found in red wine and cocoa, work is now being done to investigate if resveratrol’s benefits can be replicated in other products.
One area where much research is focused is in skincare, with the ultimate goal of devising a topical treatment or cream that will reduce wrinkles and smooth out ageing skin.
Resveratrol is a plant compound known as a polyphenol, known for its antioxidant properties and produced by plants to protect them against harsh conditions such as climate and light. It is most commonly found in the skin of red grapes and in peanuts and berries.
Studies involving mice have shown that resveratrol can protect the body against heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and diabetes. There is also the possibility that resveratrol can hep lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of blood clotting. Researchers at the respected Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have, however, reported that resveratrol taken in supplement form cannot be absorbed by the body.
In the area of skin care, the results are more positive. A 2005 study used resveratrol to examine its effects on the skin of laboratory animals exposed to high ultraviolet radiation and the results showed the compound acted as a sunblock while also preventing skin cancer from developing.
In humans, resveratrol has been confirmed as reducing the visible signs of ageing on the skin, such as better elasticity and fewer age spots; a 2011 study involving people with acne revealed that using a gel with resveratrol reduced the signs of acne by more than 50%.
The suggestion is that the compound will show better outcomes when used over a longer period of time; for example, up to 60 days in the case of the acne sufferers. In the meantime, the best effects of resveratrol are still seen in the traditional ways, such as drinking red wine.
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