Vino-therapy facial

A glass a day could keep the doctor away. Can a wine facial do the same to dry, dull skin?

What they claim

The experience promises to be a holistic one, with benefits perceptible two days after the treatment.

“De-stress and rejuvenate with improved circulation and antioxidants to treat both body and soul," reads the menu. The wine component -- they claim -- will give your skin a refreshing glow and remove tans and blemishes.

What to expect

Some of questions in their exhaustive client consultation form could stump you -- not everyone knows if the products they use have hydroquinones or AHAs, for example.

Next is a face-to-face with cosmetologist Sujata Naik, owner of Sakasti Skinic, who quizzes you about the products you use and analyses each face zone -- the forehead, the bridge, the chin -- separately. Then Naik recommends a customized Rs 3,500 wine facial -- white for oily skin, rose for combination skin and red for dry skin.

Wine’s pH is acidic which can be harsh on skin, but Naik reassures that the organic wine she uses is diluted with a fruit blend before being applied and mixed with products from Eminence Organic Skincare.

Drinking wine (in moderate quantities) has its positives but the benefits of applying it directly on the skin are still debatable.

Reservatrol, one of the hero compounds found in wine is known to fight acne and reduce sun damage, but Gabriella Fabbrocini, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Naples Federico II, Italy, and lead author of a study released last year, says, “Rubbing red wine on the face wouldn't provide a similar concentration, stabilization, or delivery of the reservatrol and would likely be ineffective.”

Naik feels the contrary. “Wine has a lot of antioxidants and amino acids, and the molecules are very tiny so everything gets absorbed into the skin,” she says.

What's our take?

The vino-therapy at Sakasti Skinic facial gets top marks for hygiene. The exfoliation, done sans steam, got a little painful but the therapist diligently cleaned up each square centimetre of the face.

Your skin does feel cleaner and moisturised immediately after, but as claimed, the tangibly brightening, vitalizing effects kick in on cue a couple of days later with results lasting about the same time.