Caudalie's Pulpe Friction massage incorporates grapes to deliver both relaxation and anti-aging benefits.
Soaking in a wooden vat of wine may not sound like a viable beauty treatment, but clinical research is now backing it up: The fruit of the vine is one of nature's most powerful anti-aging tools. It turns out the same antioxidants (called polyphenols) responsible for bolstering cardiovascular health and fighting cancer and obesity on the inside are capable of smoothing lines and erasing age spots on the outside.
One particular polyphenol—resveratrol—has garnered the bulk of the attention with respect to the external anti-aging capabilities of the grape. "Resveratrol is many, many times more potent than vitamin-based antioxidants like C and E that we've used for years in skincare," says Richard A. Baxter, M.D., author of a groundbreaking paper on the benefits of resveratrol in skincare products published in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
While all grapes contain polyphenols, resveratrol is typically found in higher concentrations in red grapes, although researchers have discovered that when it comes to antioxidant concentration, the varietal is sometimes less important than the environment in which a grape is grown.
"Grapes that are grown in cooler climates definitely have higher levels of antioxidants, which is why French wine tends to be better than Californian varietals if you're looking to get the most anti-aging power," says cosmetic dermatologist Jason Lupton. Climate isn't the only factor; polyphenols build up in the skin of grapes to protect the flesh of the fruit from various types of environmental stress, including UV rays, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
The jury's still out on whether there's a measurable difference between the topical benefits of grapes versus wine. Many spa treatments and beauty products that purport to be wine-based are actually grape-based, incorporating unfermented skins, seeds, or grapeseed oil. However, some polyphenols increase in concentration in the course of fermentation, so Baxter says a product or treatment with actual wine in it may be better than one with just grapes. Lupton cautions, however, that wine can stain the skin, and thus recommends reserving it for your glass instead.
While experts may squabble about the benefits of fermentation and whether wine or grapes make the best beauty boosters, most agree that vine-based beauty is about to become even more prevalent, especially now that pharmaceutical companies are selling resveratrol as an ingredient to skincare companies. According to Baxter, it's only a matter of time before resveratrol replaces vitamin C as the antioxidant of choice for keeping skin beautiful. Cheers to that!
Want to visit some real wine spas?
Caudalie Vinothérapie Spas Mathilde and Bertrand Thomas, who pioneered vinotherapy in spas during the 1990s at their family vineyard in Bordeaux, went on to open spas in Italy, Spain, and, recently, New York City. Set inside the Plaza Hotel, the couple's first U.S. (and only non-vineyard-based) Caudalie Spa features all the luscious grape-infused treatments the brand is known for, including its famous Red Vine Bath ($75, 15 minutes), which combines spring water and leaf extract from red grapevines. caudalie-usa.com
Somma Wine Spa at Fiesta Americana Grand In a land renowned for tequila, wine is gaining a foothold with health- seekers at the Somma Wine Spa. The robust yields of the grape-growing appellations along the dry Baja peninsula are transformed into intensive vinotherapy treatments like the skin-firming Deluxe Exotic Cabernet Sauvignon Grape Wrap from Baja California ($140, 60 minutes), consisting of a sugar and grapeseed scrub followed by a wrap of deep-red grape pieces. fiestamericanagrand.com
Acbua Spa in Can Bonastre Wine Resort, Masquefa, Spain Located within a working vineyard near Barcelona, Can Bonastre is surrounded by more than 100 acres of grapevines that produce reds, whites, and rosés, all of which are put to good use in the resort's spa. The signature Vinoterapia ($186) includes two hours of being dipped, scrubbed, and lathered in wine, grape, and seed. The treatment starts out with the pop of the cork on a bottle of Can Bonastre's Crianza, which is poured into a bath. Twenty minutes of bubbling in the tub is followed by a grapeseed scrub and wrap, and then comes a massage with red grapeseed oil. slh.com
The GrapeSeed Spa at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, Temecula, California Rising from the heart of a thriving vineyard in Southern California's Temecula Valley wine country, the GrapeSeed Spa combines views of rolling hills covered in vines with exfoliating grapeseed treatments, hydrating champagne facials using pinot noir grape yeast foam ($115, 50 minutes), and an 80-minute Vino-Vinyasa class ($35) combining chakra-centered yoga and wine tasting. wineresort.com
Or, try it at home! The following products help you harness the beauty of the grape.
Olavie Chardonnay Body & Massage Oil A super-hydrating blend of grapeseed, macadamia, jojoba, avocado, and coconut oils. ($43, olavie.com)
Caudalie Beauty Elixir Equal parts toner and serum to smooth wrinkles and boost your moisturizer. ($49, caudalie-usa.com)
Eminence Mimosa Champagne Sugar Scrub Powerful exfoliation for normal to dry skin. ($48, eminenceorganics.com)
Le Vin Eye Serum Blends vitamins and antioxidants to eliminate crows' feet, bags, and under-eye circles. ($98, levinskincare.com)
29 Cosmetics Wine Blot Lip Treatment An unbeatable lip moisturizer that works equally well in the snow and at the beach. ($24, 29cosmetics.com)
