Wine lovers rejoice! This at-home wine facial will leave you feeling snazzy

Hey wine lovers, chugging that bottle of Pinot Noir may not get you those apple cheeks but maybe a hangover. We have got you a healthier way to treat yourself with this burgundy drink. At-home wine facial it is! This one’s just perfect for a relaxing weekend and some quality self-love time. So, stay with us, ladies!

Not promoting you to gulp down all the Shiraz in the world, but red wine is loaded with antioxidants. After the fermentation of the grape skins, your wine gets its colour and the benefits of a few potent antioxidants called resveratrol, flavonoids, and tannin. Before you excitedly rush to find a corkscrew, let us tell you something. Yes, wine does contain these antioxidants, but also alcohol!

To know the effect of using wine on the skin, we at HealthShots spoke to Dr Nivedita Dadu, a renowned dermatologist. She listed some extraordinary beauty benefits of wine when applied topically.

Let us find out some wine ingredients that benefit the skin:

1. The antioxidant properties of red wine can help to flush out all the toxins from the skin and make it look radiant and refreshed.
2. Resveratrol present in wine helps to slow down the aging process by easily penetrating the skin barrier and keeps the skin breakout-free.
3. Flavonoids, an antioxidant in wine, have anti-carcinogenic and anti-viral properties that help to treat sunburn and reduce cancerous toxins.
4. Tannin in wine contains natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce blemishes and help in balancing the skin’s pH levels.

A word of caution from the skin expert

“Before using red wine or any other ingredients used in this facial routine, make sure you do a patch test of all of them. Use them on your elbow first and if no irritation persists, only then use them on the face. Using a low alcohol version of wine is advised for this facial at home.” says Dr Dadu, Founder and Chairman of Dr. Nivedita Dadu’s Dermatology Clinic.

Here is a step-by-step guide to follow for a wine facial at home:

1. Cleanse

Begin with cleansing the face to get rid of any excess dirt, oil or impurities settled into the pores of your skin.

Here’s how to do it:

1. In a bowl, take one tablespoon of red wine and one tablespoon of lemon juice.
2. Mix both the ingredients to combine.
3. Use a mild face wash before starting this facial to remove all the excess dirt, oil, and pollutants and get the skin ready for some deep-core treatment.
4. Dip a cotton ball in this mixture and apply all over your face and neck. Keep for 10 minutes and then wash.

2. Exfoliation

Why is exfoliating the skin so satisfying? Maybe, the thought of skin’s real glow emerging post it keeps us hooked on this step.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Mix 2 tsp of red wine with 1 tsp of powdered rice.
2. Fold it into a thick paste consistency.
3. Wet your face using some water.
4. Massage it on the face in gentle circular motions to get rid of the buildup.
5. Wash it off with lukewarm water.

3. Steaming

Hold on! This step doesn’t require wine but just plain water. Steaming your face will open the pores well for receiving all the goodness of the red wine. It will also get rid of all those stubborn black and whiteheads.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Dip a clean face towel in warm water.
2. Cover your face with it.
3. Leave it on for 5 minutes so that the pores are opened and blackheads are softened.
4. This step will also loosen dirt build-up for a deeper cleanse.

4. Massage

A relaxing massage is our favourite step in a facial . It increases the blood circulation on the face and let’s the moisturizing ingredients seep into the skin surface.

Here’s how to do it:

1. In a bowl, add one tablespoon of aloe vera gel and one tablespoon of red wine.
2. You can also add a few drops of essential oil.
3. Mix all the ingredients well and apply it on the face.
4. Massage your face with inward to outward strokes gently. You can follow a face map for massage if need be.
5. Massage your face till the facial cream gets completely absorbed in the skin.
6. Clean your face with a warm washcloth to unveil a blinding glow!

5. Face mask

If you’ve reached this fun part, get your favourite book to read while the mask dries.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Mix 1 tbsp of wine with 2 tbsp of unflavoured Greek yoghurt.
2. Add 1 tsp of honey and mix well.
3. Apply this paste evenly all over your face using your hand or a face mask brush if you’re a fancy Mademoiselle!
4. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
5. Once the mask is dried up, wash it off with ice-cold water.

6. Toning

To complete the facial, dab rose water all over your face to tone your skin for a well-rounded look.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Mix 1 tbsp of red wine with 1 tbsp of rose water.
2. Apply this toner on the face using a cotton pad.
3. Let it sit on your skin or wash after 10 minutes if you need to step out.

For best results, avoid using a face wash or any other face product for the next 24 hours after doing this facial at home.

Once you’re done, pour some of that vino for yourself and your partner. Well, don’t you need an audience to display that ‘just got a facial’ glow? Get ready to be bombarded with compliments and remember to not overindulge.