Red wine is said to have a lot of health benefits. Previous studies have linked red wine to lowering cancer risks, depression, and heart disease and stroke. Well, apparently, it helps fight acne, too.

Resveratrol, A Red Wine Compound, Is An Antioxidant

Researchers from University of California, Los Angeles suggest that when the antioxidant resveratrol was combined with benzoyl peroxide, it produces amazing results in treating acne. Resveratrol, according to Nature World News, is an antioxidant naturally found in red grapes. It 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.

Both Treatments Work Well Alone, But Became More Effective When Combined

They then assessed the effects of the treatment for 10 days. Both treatments are effective for treating acne but when combined, the results last 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."

"It was like combining the best of both worlds and offering a two-pronged attack on the bacteria," added senior author Jenny Kim.

Also, 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.