---

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably never wondered what happens to grape seeds during the wine-making process. The grapes are crushed, the solids are filtered out and, one would assume, they end up in the trash. Right? While that may be true of the skin and pulp, it is certainly not true of the seeds. Grape seeds are used to create oil that is one of the healthiest food products available and is also becoming a popular ingredient in skin care products. The question is this: since you can’t keep hundreds of skin care products in your bathroom, are the benefits of grape seed oil sufficient to warrant making a place for it on your natural skin care product shelves? The answer is most definitely yes. Here’s why:

-- Grape seed oil is high in procyanidolic oligomers (PCOs); the same antioxidants found in berries, green and black teas, and red wine. According to some experts, PCOs are more powerful antioxidants than vitamins C and E. In fact, berries, green and black teas and red wine are known for their health-giving properties. Red wine has even been touted as the reason some Europeans who drink wine daily - the French, for example - are generally healthier than Americans.

-- Grape seed oil is also rich in essential and non-essential fatty acids: Linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, a-linoleic acid, and palmitoleic acid - all of which are vital to good overall health and healthy skin.

-- Studies on grape seed oil have also found it to lower low density lipoproteins (LDL), the bad cholesterol, and raise high density lipoproteins (HDL), the good cholesterol.

In foods, grape seed oil is used for cooking by many of the great chefs - some have even noted that their clients feel better after a meal that contained grape seed oil - and it is also used in some salad dressings and mayonnaise.

Why should grape seed oil also be used for natural skin care? As the benefits of PCOs and fatty acids are well-known, they are found in many skin care products. However, there’s a major difference between grape seed oil and many of the other products: Grape seed oil is readily absorbed through the skin instead of simply sitting on it.

If you can actually absorb the nutrients they will fight free radicals and inhibit several enzymes that degrade collagen, elastin and other connective tissue. When it comes to skin care, we’re now talking about something that really counts. There are plenty of products out there that temporarily smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and plump up the skin, but very few that actually help the underlying structural problems caused by the loss of collagen and elastin.

How do you use grape seed oil? Unless you can find a product that does not contain other ingredients that may be harmful or toxic, make your own recipes at home. For a cleanser, mix equal amounts of jojoba oil and grape seed oil with a few drops of geranium oil and dab on with cotton. As a masque, mix grape seed oil with egg whites, beaten to meringue consistency, smooth on and relax for 15 or 20 minutes before washing off. You can also smooth a little grape seed oil around the eyes, mouth and other areas that tend to wrinkle.

To help protect your skin after your grape seed oil treatment, apply a shielding lotion. A good shielding lotion bonds with the outer layer of the skin to form a protective layer that keeps natural moisture in and keeps free-radical producing chemicals out. The benefits of any natural skin care will last longer if you protect your skin from the chemical and environmental toxins that often cause skin problems.

In ancient times, women in France and Italy used the filtered by-products of wine-making on their skin although they had no idea why they were beneficial. Now we know - it’s the oil in the seeds. Add grape seed oil to your natural skin care routine, and you’re sure to notice the difference. And don’t forget the shielding lotion!

Related Articles on Skin Care

1. Why is LED Photo Rejuvenation so popular these days? by Dr. Stanley Stanbridge
   LED photo rejuvenation is quickly becoming as widespread these days as baby boomers are prevalent. F...
2. Photo Rejuvenation Takes Skin Care to a New Level by Dr. Stanley Stanbridge
   Photo rejuvenation or the use of certain kinds of light to create an anti-aging effect on the skin i...
3. What is going on when you get Photo Rejuvenation therapy? by Dr. Stanley Stanbridge
   You may have heard of photo rejuvenation, it has been discussed on TV and radio talk shows, in magaz...
4. Are the Colors of Light in a Photo Rejuvenation or a Photo Facial device important? by Dr. Stanley Stanbridge
   In a word, yes. I have stated in previous articles that companies who make photo-rejuvenation device...
5. What can I expect from the use of an LED Photo-Rejuvenation device? by Dr. Stanley Stanbridge
   Previously I stated that the light from photo rejuvenation devices has an invigorating and stimulati...
6. If Your Skin Care Products Are Not Working, You May Not Have Isolated the Problem by Creative Assistant
   Natural skin care starts with a healthy diet and lifestyle, but what if your skin problems are still...
7. How Long Should an LED Photo-Rejuvenation Session Be? by Dr. Stanley Stanbridge
   If you are familiar with LED photorejuvenation, the newest and best non-surgical technological break...
8. LED Photo-Rejuvenation Skin Care: Fact or Fiction by Dr. Stanley Stanbridge
   Let’s look at natural skin care advancements in the area of LED photorejuvenation. Is LED photorejuv...
9. The Best Skin Care Allows the Skin to Heal Itself by Creative Assistant
   Natural skin care products, good food and exercise are the secrets to healthy, beautiful skin. Throw...
10. Skin Care at the Beach? It May Have Drawbacks, But There Are Also Many Benefits by Creative Assistant
    Skin care products monopolize the shelves of many pharmacies, but a day at the beach might do more f...
11. Improve many skin conditions naturally. Learn about the power of herbs by Ruby Hayes
    In over 20 years of researching botanicals, I came across much valuable information. I am fascinated...
12. Skin Care Q & A: Is Mineral Make-up Good for the Environment and the Skin? by Creative Assistant
    Skin care treatment is going green, but you still have to make sure you read the labels! Many cosmet...
13. Skin Doctors by denverderm
    If you happen to reside in Colorado, then you’re already near some of the best cities to get help wi...
14. Toronto rosacea by Baywood Clinic
    Rasacea is a common skin disease that affects most of the Europeans. It is more common in white skin...

Related topics in Health & Fitness

Submit Articles © 2008 KeepArticles.com, All Rights Reserved.