If the battle to maintain your youthful appearance has you slathering your face with expensive beauty products, a potent antioxidant called resveratrol could be the solution you’re after. In fact, this clever little antioxidant can not only provide a youthful boost to your skin, but it offers many other potential health benefits too. Here we look at resveratrol and why you should consider adding it to your daily regime to keep you looking and feeling your best. (1)

What Is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in foods such as: (2)

• Seeds
• Grapes
• Blueberries
• Pomegranates
• Papaya
• Cranberries

Polyphenol compounds help protect your body against damage caused by free radicals. Because resveratrol is also found in red wine, sometimes people wonder if they should drink more red wine to reap the benefits of resveratrol. But most health organizations are less enthusiastic about that idea, sticking to the old adage (probably rightfully) that it’s best to keep alcohol intake to a minimum. This makes food sources and supplements the best way to get more of this powerful antioxidant. (2)

What Are Free Radicals?

Free radicals are difficult to explain without the aid of complicated chemistry. Put in very simple terms; free radicals are a byproduct that is created when our cells process oxygen to produce energy. This “redox” process produces free radicals that are either reactive oxygen species (ROS) or reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Our bodies need low or moderate concentrations of ROS and RNS to aid the many cellular processes and work with our host defense system. (3,4)

What we know about free radicals is that when they increase in number, they harm our health while also contributing to the aging process. Free radicals break down cells over time, and as we age, our bodies become less effective at fighting them off. As a result, we have more free radicals in our bodies as we get older, leading to oxidative stress. (3,4)

What Is Oxidative Stress?

Along with aging, studies show oxidative stress also contributes to many health issues, including: (3,4,5)

• Central nervous system diseases
• Cardiovascular disease
• Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders
• Cataracts and vision decline as we age
• Diabetes
• Genetic degenerative diseases

However, antioxidants work to combat the adverse effects of free radicals and can even help repair damage caused to our cells. (4)

What Are The Health And Skin Benefits Of Resveratrol?

Trans-Resveratrol has been tied to many health benefits, including: (1,6,7,8,9,10,11,12)

• Supporting cardiovascular function
• Boosting memory performance
• Assisting in weight management
• Reducing skin redness, aging, dark spots, and dry skin conditions such as eczema

"Like any antioxidant, resveratrol neutralizes free radicals produced by environmental damage such as radiation, cigarette smoke, and air pollution," says board-certified dermatologist Geeta Yadav, M.D., M.H.S., F.R.C.P.C. of Toronto. "This kind of cellular damage accelerates the process of aging by increasing the oxidative stress on the skin." (1)

Repairing Oxidative Stress

Our bodies produce antioxidants naturally to combat oxidative stress. However, when we can provide support to increase antioxidants through food or supplements like resveratrol, our bodies become better at preventing and repairing oxidative stress damage. (4)

Repair can also impact the skin. “As we age, we lose our natural collagen and elastin. We begin to experience a thinning of the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kormeili, of Santa Monica, California. “Antioxidants are thought to help protect against the accelerated aging effect of free radical damage.” (12)

What Are The Skin Benefits Of Trans-Resveratrol?

In a nutshell, trans-resveratrol helps neutralize free radicals, which can help reduce their ability to damage your skin. Because free radical damage causes signs of aging, using a product that can help combat free radicals can reduce the appearance of tell-tale signs like dark spots, wrinkles, or sagging skin. "By regularly applying skincare products formulated with antioxidants like resveratrol, you'll help mitigate signs of photo-aging," says Dr. Yadav. (1)

Sensitive Skin Can Benefit From Trans-Resveratrol

Trans-resveratrol is also a good choice if you have sensitive skin that tends to be more reactive. Because resveratrol helps calm inflammation, it has a more soothing effect than some harsher ingredients. (1)

Trans-Resveratrol Helps Uneven, Discolored Skin

According to Dr. Yadav, resveratrol is also the ideal solution if you have hyperpigmentation. She recommends pairing trans-resveratrol with other skincare ingredients when addressing uneven skin tone. "One of the biggest sources of free radical damage is sun exposure — so be sure to pair it with a good sunscreen," she says. "In fact, some research shows that pairing resveratrol with glycolic acid can help strengthen both of their abilities to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation." (1)

Making The Most Of The Skin Benefits Of Trans-Resveratrol

As an antioxidant, Dr. Yadav recommends using trans-resveratrol in the mornings. Because it has a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect, people with almost all skin types can use it without the worry of irritation. However, you should always test new skin products in a small area first to ensure you do not have a reaction. (1)

Cautions About Trans-Resveratrol Use

Despite resveratrol creams being quite gentle, there are some words of caution when using them. For example, you should speak to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as some doctors recommend not using the cream. As well, when taken as a supplement, resveratrol should not be taken with certain medications before speaking to your doctor, including: (13)

• Blood thinners
• Blood pressure drugs
• Cancer treatments
• MAOI antidepressants
• Antiviral and antifungal medicines
• NSAID painkillers
• St. John's wort
• Garlic supplements
• Ginkgo

It’s always safest to speak to your doctor before adding any new supplements to your regimen.

While the fight is always on to combat the signs of aging, it can be challenging to find products that see results. Using trans-resveratrol supplements could be the solution you’ve been looking for, as a powerful antioxidant primed to fight free radicals. 

Our Trans-Resveratrol offers an affordable, easy way to add a high-quality, effective dose of this powerful antioxidant to your daily regime.

Sources:

1. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a37376842/resveratrol-for-skin/
2. https://mypuritylabs.com/products/trans-resveratrol?variant=39932558573657 
3. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318652#How-do-free-radicals-damage-the-body
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614697/
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7785961/
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21261638/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6608268/#:~:text=This%20study%20provides%20initial%20evidence,maintain%20brain%20health%20during%20aging. 
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4390800/
9. https://jddonline.com/articles/reduction-of-facial-redness-with-resveratrol-added-to-topical-product-containing-green-tea-polypheno-S1545961613P0770X/
10. https://jddonline.com/articles/evaluation-of-efficacy-and-tolerance-of-a-nighttime-topical-antioxidant-containing-resveratrol-baica-S1545961614P1467X/
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770230/
12. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/resveratrol-for-skin#how-to-use-it
13. https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/resveratrol-supplements