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If you've ever spent more than 30 seconds comparing ingredient labels on the most commonly used cleansers, you know that benzoyl peroxide is basically the king of clear skin. But if you're religiously using a BP face wash after your sweat sessions, and you're still breaking out, the faithful acne treatment might need some assistance.
Enter: Resveratrol. Yep, the heart-healthy antioxidant you guzzle down with every glass of red wine may also reduce acne, according to a new study published in Dermatology and Therapy. Researchers at UCLA analyzed acne bacteria in a lab, exposed it to benzoyl peroxide, resveratrol, or both, and found that the two ingredients may keep bacteria at bay longest when used together.
"Resveratrol's antioxidant properties may help stabilize benzoyl peroxide (a potent oxidant)," says Emma Taylor, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and author of the study. This could mean an acne treatment that fights bacteria over a longer period of time, she explains.
While research still needs to be done in a non-lab, real-world setting, antioxidants like resveratrol are known to protect your skin from damage, making them a solid addition to any skincare regimen. Apply a resveratrol cream or serum after cleansing with benzoyl peroxide to maximize your acne treatment—and reduce signs of aging. We like SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E ($145, skinceuticals.com) and 100% Pure Red Wine Resveratrol Nourishing Cream ($38, 100percentpure.com).