Resveratrol is a multi-functional active ingredient:
Resveratrol acts on two levels to fight against oxidative stress: it protects cells from free radicals and it encourages them to produce more endogenous antioxidants. As a reminder, free radicals are reactive oxygen species naturally produced by the body. Nevertheless, when cells are confronted with stress, they produce them in an excessive way. There are many sources of stress, the main ones being exposure to UVA rays, pollution, smoking and a diet rich in fats and/or sugars. Free radicals are particularly unstable molecules because of their single electron. They tend to react with other molecules to form an electron pair, and then cause damage to cells, DNA and proteins in the body. This accelerates aging and causes wrinkles to appear on the skin's surface. Resveratrol is a polyphenol that captures free radicals and prevents them from damaging and accelerating the natural aging of the skin. The antioxidant effect of resveratrol is due to the 4'-hydroxyl group but also to the meta configuration of the two hydroxyl groups of the first benzene group of the molecule.
Acne vulgaris is a common and chronic dermatological disease. It is characterized by the appearance of non-inflammatory lesions (comedones) and inflammatory effusions (papules, pustules) in seborrheic areas. The three main causes of acne are increased sebum production, hyperkeratosis of hair follicles (epidermal hyperproliferation), and the colonization of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes. Thanks to its antibacterial and sebo-regulating properties, resveratrol reduces acne.
Studies carried out on epithelial cells have demonstrated the effects of resveratrol on the COX-2 enzyme responsible for the production of prostaglandins, lipid mediators of inflammation derived from arachidonic acid.
The appearance of brown spots is linked to several factors: the natural aging of the skin, exposure to external aggressions such as pollution and UV rays, taking certain medications, and hormonal fluctuations. As a reminder, hyperpigmentation is defined as a disturbance in the pigmentation process: melanin, the pigment responsible for the natural coloring of the skin, is overproduced in certain areas, which leads to the appearance of brown, red or pink spots. Studies have shown that resveratrol was able to modulate the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme essential to the melanogenesis process.