RED WINE MIRACLE ACNE CURE?

THE LIST OF health benefits derived from red wine is indeed a lengthy one.  Previous studies have linked it to lowering cancer risks, depression, heart disease and stroke . . . to name just a few.  And apparently, it helps fight acne, too.  Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles suggest that when the antioxidant resveratrol (found in red wine) was combined with benzoyl peroxide, it produced amazing results in treating acne.  Resveratrol is known to effectively prevent free radicals from forming.  For the study, which was published in dermatology and therapy, the scientists applied resveratrol to bacteria called Propionibacterium acnes (P.Acnes) taken from blood samples of volunteers.  Acne is usually caused when this type of bacteria grows in number, swimming in oil released by hair follicles trapped under the skin.  A common acne treatment, benzoyl peroxide, was also used.  Researchers tested the two compounds both alone and together.  They then assessed the effects of the treatment for 1O days.  Both treatments are effective for treating acne but when combined, the results lasted twice as long compared to using just peroxide.  After just one treatment, the combination killed P.acnes for more than two days.  Study author, Dr. Emma Taylor, said: “We initially thought that since actions of the two compounds are opposing, the combination should cancel the other out, but they didn’t.”ù

“It was like combining the best of both worlds and offering a two-pronged attack on the bacteria,”ù added senior author Jenny Kim.  The scientists found that benzoyl peroxide is more toxic than resveratrol, and when the two are combined, its toxicity to other skin cells was minimized while prolonging antibacterial effects on acne.  The researchers note that the study was done with a topical application, so drinking wine won’t help.  But it’s always worth a shot!