French beauty secrets: The power of grapes

Please tell me I’m not the only one who has ever googled the combination of French women, Parisian chic, and secrets – once or maybe several times?

Let me just say: the marketing of French style is on point.

But if you’ve ever been to Paris or saw French style icons, like Catherine Deneuve, Ines de la Fressange, Coco Chanel, Caroline de Maigret, Charlotte Gainsbourg or Emmanuelle Alt, you know there’s a lot of truth behind the branding.

There IS an incredibly chic, yet effortless vibe to their style and beauty. Something cool, something simple, something eternal that shines above ephemeral trends and hypes.

That certain “je ne sais quoi”.

But it’s not just fashion, it’s just as much French beauty as well. No wonder that the second most googled thing in connection with French style is probably the wonderful world of French drogeries, full of little gems in bottles and jars. A no-nonsense attitude towards skincare and high-quality natural ingredients ensure the success of French beauty products.

So let’s talk about one French brand specifically that will probably always have a place in my skin care routine: Caudalie. And the French beauty secret that they built their whole range on – grapes.

BTW, this is not a sponsored post. It was inspired by the current grape season as well as one of my (rather frequent) beauty researches, this time into seasonal fruits and their potential benefits for skin. I’ve been using Caudalie for years now, and my love for them is genuine and real.

The power of grapes

+ Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol, a compound produced by plants that has potent anti-oxidant effects and other health benefits. It can be found in the skin of grapes, berries, and in peanuts and red wine. Its main function is to protect the plants from environmental harms, like UV light, infections, and toxins.

There are currently a lot of research going on regarding its potential health benefits, like reducing inflammation, lowering bad cholesterol, preventing heart diseases, as well as its anti-aging effects on our health and in skin care.

According to initial research, this powerful antioxidant can help protect the skin’s surface, interrupts and helps rebuff negative environmental influences, and brightens a tired-looking complexion. It also has significant skin-calming properties that may help minimize the look of redness.

There’s already a fairly big cult following of resveratrol in the beauty industry – and with good reason. The magic of red wine on your face, can it get any better?

+ Grape seed oil

Grape seed oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes, which actually might be one of the healthiest parts of the fruit (along with its skin). It has antioxidant properties, healthy fatty acids, polyphenols, and vitamins, and is a great moisturiser.

+Grape seed extracts

Grape seed extract is derived from the ground-up seeds of red wine grapes and contains powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage from free radicals.

Brand spotlight: Caudalie

Caudalie is a French brand that has built its cult following on the power of grapes, grape seed, resveratrol, and other gorgeous ingredients like hyaluron acid, fatty acids, and plant extracts. They don’t use parabens, mineral oil, SLS, phthalates, or animal-derived raw materials. They don’t test their products on animals, BUT they sell in China, which mandates animal testing on products, so essentially, it’s not a completely cruelty-free band.

The brand takes research very seriously with an active and robust in-house research center.

By the way, if you’re ever in France and in need of a serious spa experience, they have a Vinothérapie Spa as well, which combines thermal water, wines, and grape extracts in the treatments.

5 products to try

Caudalie was one of my first serious skin care loves, as their products work wonderfully for my skin. But as always, I encourage you to do your own research, read the ingredient lists (here’s how), and maybe ask for samples at stores or start with one of the travel or discovery kits (Caudalie has a lot).

Beauty Elixir

I blame my first purchase of Beauty Elixir on Into The Gloss and especially the Top Shelf series. I’m not sure there’s a product that has been featured more heavily than this one, especially with models, make up artists, and, of course, French icons. This grape seed infused face mist is incredibly reinvigorating and refreshing, probably due to a mixture of bitter orange flower water, rosemary leaf oil, peppermint oil, balm mint leaf oil, and grape extract. I’d advise you to go to a Sephora or another retailer and check the smell, because even though I love it, it IS quite strong. Also, close your eyes when using this, because the oil extracts can irritate them.

Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

A lightweight morning serum for everyday use. It has a watery consistency, absorbs quickly, and gives skin a nice radiance along with great hydration. It’s my current go-to morning serum.

Vinoperfect Overnight Renewal Cream

This night cream has a thicker consistency than regular moisturizers, but still spreads and absorbs beautifully. It has great hydrating ingredients, like squalane, glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, shea butter extract, as well as grape seed oil and grapevine extract. I’ve been using this for a couple of weeks now and it has become one of my fave night creams so far – it smoothes and plumps the skin quite effectively.

Vinosource S.O.S Thirst-Quenching Serum

During the cold season, I like using a hydrating serum under my daily moisturizer for double hydration and protection against the harmful effects of cold, heating, and the wind. This one is incredibly lightweight with an almost runny consistency, but still provides a perfect moisture layer. If you’re wondering about the price/amount value, one bottle lasts a whole fall/winter season for me (4-5 months), even if I use it everyday.

Vinoperfect Radiance Moisturizer

I still remember the first time I tried this – I was so amazed at how radiant my face looked. Up close it looks it has some shimmering particles that make the skin really smooth and silky. I’m not crazy about the chemical SPF-s in it (along with titanium dioxide), but then again, I also don’t rely on it as my main sun protection. It’s a nice, lightweight moisturizer with a pleasant citrusy smell, and a very nice silky, radiant finish.

Have your tried anything from Caudalie?

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