The powerful ingredients

So how do grapes give your skin a smooth, healthy glow? Two main components are oligometric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) and resveratrol.

• OPCs are antioxidants that fight harmful free radicals, protecting from collagen loss and skin breakdown. In addition, they also keep blood vessels strong, allowing blood circulation to deliver beneficial nutrients to skin. These nutrients aid in repairing skin cell damage, writes dermatologist Nicholas Perricone, M.D., in his book, The Clear Skin Prescription: The Perricone Program to Eliminate Problem Skin.
• Resveratrol is another antioxidant found in grapes and wine. Some research suggests it shields against skin cancer. According to one study, resveratrol defends skin cells from skin cancer following exposure to UVB rays by lowering survivin (which controls cell division), reports Science Daily.

  So, what’s so important about survivin? It's actually "overexpressed in most human cancers, but absent in normal adult tissues," reports the article, "and is considered a promising therapeutic target for novel anticancer therapies."

Product picks

Many skincare companies are eagerly embracing the technology of grapes by using grape and vine extracts from French vineyards in their products, writes Elizabeth Khuri in The Los Angeles Times. Fortunately, you don't have to travel to France to get grape skin care.

You can pamper your skin at home with Caudalie Paris Skincare. Rich in antioxidants and free from harsh chemicals and synthetic additives, these products are both gentle and effective.

• Day creams with grape and grape seed extract perform double-duty. They protect your skin from harmful environmental damage while smoothing and hydrating skin for a flawless look. Combine these with sunscreen to protect skin from UV damage. This way, your skin will be protected year-round. Try Caudalie Vinoperfect Day Perfecting Cream SPF 15, which contains natural botanicals and Viniferine, found in grapevine stalks, to protect your skin and keep it healthy.
• Night creams work while you sleep to undo the day's damage. Creams with grape seed extract are particularly suited for this task: Research has shown grape seed extract is effective at wound healing and building up epidermal tissue. Try Caudalie Vinoperfect Night Correcting Cream to gently renew the skin for a more radiant complexion.
• Body lotions made with grape ingredients offer skin-smoothing and antioxidant benefits from head to toe. Try Caudalie Nourishing Lotion, which increases microcirculation, firms and softens the skin on your entire body.
• Hand and nail creams containing grape antioxidants reverse the daily damage we inflict on our delicate hands — a body part we often neglect, even though spotted or wrinkled hands can add years to our appearance. Caudalie Hand And Nail Cream contains antioxidant ingredients, such as grape seed oil, avocado, organic shea butter, plant glycerin and sweet orange.
• Lip conditioners that use grape technology are a necessity for smoother, younger-looking lips. Antioxidants repair damage that can leave lips looking thin and frail. Pick up Caudalie Lip Conditioner to restore and protect your delicate skin. Stash a tube in your beauty bag, purse and office desk so you'll always be prepared.

Spa treatment

Want to experience the benefits of grapes away from home? Spend a day at one of the many Caudalie Vinotherapie Spas for the ultimate in mind and body rejuvenation. A Vinotherapie spa treatment combines naturally warm, mineral-rich spring water with extracts from grapes, grape vines and grape seed. These ingredients help fight the visible signs of aging while also increasing microcirculation and strengthening blood vessels.