The healthy benefits of drinking moderate amounts of wine have been in the press on a number of occasions.  These benefits include a lowered risk of heart disease, plus certain types of cancer and osteoporosis.  There’s even evidence that wine may help stave of the colds.

Equally exciting are the powerful anti-ageing effects that grape-seed extracts can have on your skin.  Harnessing these antioxidant properties has been quickly taken up by beauty companies so we can benefit from new products and treatments.

Grape seeds contain the most powerful antioxidant-substances that blitz excess free radicals, the molecules responsible for premature ageing.  Grape seeds are 10,000 times more powerful than Vitamin E and far more potent than Vitamin C.

Grapes skins also contain tartaric acid, a type of fruit sugar or alpha-hydroxyl acid (AHA) which is great for the skin; whilst the fleshy part of the grape contains high amounts of B Vitamins.  AHA stimulates the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) as well as stimulating by gently exfoliating the skin, leaving it feeling smoother, combating free lines and wrinkles plus lightening the pigmentation.

The next time you eat grapes remember that the pips are the most valuable part of the grape.  Not only do they have an antioxidant effect, they help to strengthen the structure of the skin, inhibiting production of enzymes that break down the collagen and elastin in the dermis, the deeper of the skin.

This results in a firmer feeling complexion as well as a more youthful looking one.

The pips also contain essential fatty acids (EFA’s) which are great for nourishing dry skin and keeping it supple.

Grape extracts are fast becoming a popular ingredient in the new breed of skin-care supplements that treat the skin from within.

Even the stalk of the vine is good for skin as it contains ‘resveratol’, which increases cell production in the dermis.   Any formula that contains resveratol is great for older skins where cell turnover has slowed down.

Grape seed can also help with cellulite as it improves circulation.