Resveratrol is one of the most powerful antioxidants used in skincare.
It’s also one of the least used.
WT…?
Resveratrol is very tricky to formulated with so few brands bother with it. If you can find a bottle, you’re in for a treat:
- What Is Resveratrol And What Does It Do For Your Skin?
- Best For Oily Skin: Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 ($33.00)
- Best For Dry Skin: Dr Dennis Gross Clinical Concentrate Radiance Booster ($68.00)
- Best For Antiaging: Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum ($38.00)
- Best On A Budget: The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% (ÂŁ5.50)
What Is Resveratrol And What Does It Do For Your Skin?
Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant found in grapes, berries and peanuts. It has many superpowers:
- It fights the free radicals that cause premature wrinkles
- It helps prevent UVB-induced damage
- It has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe irritations and inflammation
All things that keep your skin looking younger for longer.
Related: The Complete Guide To Resveratrol In Skincare
Where can you find it? Here are the best skincare products with resveratrol (in my humble opinion):
Need help creating an anti-aging routine that really works? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Anti-Aging Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).
Best For Oily Skin: Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 ($33.00)
Paula’s Choice Resist Super-Light Daily Wrinkle Defense SPF 30 has a lightweight texture that dries to a matte finish – just what oily skin needs. The formula is enriched with every antioxidant you can think of, including quercetin, vitamins C and E, green tea and yep, resveratrol. It leaves a white cast behind (that’s the SPF) but I can put up with that to get my antioxidant fix.
Available at: Nordstrom and Paula’s Choice
Related: 6 Things To Look For In Sunscreen
Best For Dry Skin: Dr Dennis Gross Clinical Concentrate Radiance Booster ($68.00)
Dr Dennis Gross Clinical Concentrate Radiance Booster can’t exfoliate skin like it implies but it does a lot of other fab things to dry skin. It has ceramides and fatty acids to strengthen your skin’s natural barrier and keep moisture in, hyaluronic acid to infuse your skin with all the water it needs and plenty of antioxidants to keep those pesky wrinkles away. Resveratrol is one of them (obvs!) but it also has green tea, ferulic acid, retinol… The whole crew is there.
Available at: Dermstore and Sephora
Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin
Best For Antiaging: Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum ($38.00)
Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum was formulated for oily skin but that doesn’t mean other skin types can’t use it. The matte formula is loaded with resveratrol, vitamins C and E, quercetin, ubiquinone and plenty of other antioxidants. Plus hyaluronic acid to hydrate and niacinamide to brighten.
Available at: Paula’s Choice and Skinstore
Related: Common Antioxidants Found In Skincare: Which Ones Should You Use?
Best On A Budget: The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% (ÂŁ5.50)
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3% contains more resveratrol than I’ve ever seen in any skincare product. Same for ferulic acid. They are two of the most powerful antioxidants used in skincare so it’s great to see The Ordinary finally giving them the recognition they deserve. On the other hand, skin needs more than two antioxidants, no matter how powerful they are. But, if your skincare routine doesn’t include them already, do your skin a favour and grab a bottle. You can always mix it with your fave moisturizer or serum to supercharge their anti aging properties.
Available at: Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, Feel Unique, and Ulta
Related: My Full Review Of The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
What are your favourite products with resveratrol? Share them in the comments below.
Replenix Power of Three Cream is fantastic: green tea, resveratrol and caffeine. Very soothing for sensitive skin. I can’t live without it.
Daryl, thanks for sharing. Sounds awesome! 🙂
I tried a facial at a spa in Naples, they used products that have resveratrol in them and my skin is glowing afterwards. It’s been two weeks since my facial and I could say it was really effective, my skin has never looked better. If you want more information about the facial, check out their website: mybodytlc.com
Kat, sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing.
I read your post on resveratrol and am anxious to give it a try. I am addicted to antioxidants! Where do you suggest using resveratrol in your routine (am or pm or both) after serums but before moisturizers? I am also curious to know which hyaluronic acid serum you would recomend if I am using skinceuticals CE feuric serum in the a.m. only. Thanks
Elizabeth, you can use it both day or night. As for the order, it depends what products you pick. If a moisturiser with resveratrol, apply it after serum. If a serum, apply to after vitamin C.
You can check out my fave hyaluronic acid serums here: http://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/best-hyaluronic-acid-serums/ Hyaluronic acid doesn’t interfere with vitamin C, so pick the one that best suits your needs.
First of all I love your blog. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and true opinion with us .
Is it true that Niacinamide must be used with Resveratrol?
Have u ever heard of it?
Thanks:)
Tatiana, I’ve heard this rumour too but to be honest, I haven’t found anything in the scientific literature that either confirms it or denies it. If you’re worried, you can supplement with an antioxidant serum with resveratrol.
Thanks, Gio, for taking your time to answer readers questions 🙂
I bought the skinceuticals Resveratrol but I don’t understand why it’s a night serum if Resveratrol can be used during the day… do you think it’s ok to use in the morning?
I would love to hear your opinion about skin care on summer beach days. It’s ok to applie vitamin c before heading the beach? There is any product to be avoided?
Tatiana, I don’t see any reason why you can’t use resveratrol in the morning. However, if you’re going to the beach, I’d keep my morning routine as simple as possible (cleanser, vitamin C serum and moisturizing sunscreen) and use the other actives at night. Sunscreen needs to form a film on the skin and that’s easier the less stuff you put on it. Plus, a lot of your skincare will probably sweat off in the sun. Vitamin C is ok because, especially when paired with vitamin E and ferulic acid, can boost the effectiveness of your sunscreen. Hope it helps.
Thanks!
Hi Gio, I’m currently using The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%. I’ve since learnt that it doesn’t contain Vitamin E or Ferulic Acid. Would it help to add The Ordinary Resveratrol and Ferulic Acid to it? Thanks
Bree, yes!
With 4-5 acids dotted thru the ingredients list why wld it not exfoliate?
Elissa, the pH level is too high to allow the acids to exfoliate properly. You may get a little exfoliation, but there are many products that do this better.