Being a natural beauty doesn’t have to mean turning your back on scientific innovations. In fact, sometimes the two go hand-in-lovely hand.

Look Fine with Red Wine
The beauty benefits of the grape have been known since the time of French King Louis XIV, when ladies of the court would apply wine to their faces to improve their complexions. Pricey modern spa vinotherapy (wine therapy) treatments often involve applying masks or creams to help skin soak in all the benefits of the grape extract. Now you can find affordable take-home versions in the beauty section of your favorite natural products store.

While the plant enzyme resveratrol is certainly the star when it comes to wine benefits, grape extracts also contain a host of other polyphenols and antioxidants that work together to provide skin protection and anti-aging benefits. Studies support the topical use of wine constituents, like resveratrol, during and after sun exposure—great news if you don’t want to look like a raisin.

Everything Old is New Again
Neem isn’t new—in fact, it’s been used for thousands of years in Southeast Asia for its therapeutic benefits. What’s innovative is how it’s being used now.

Neem is rich in quercetin, a polyphenolic flavonoid recognized for its anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, and antifungal actions. Oil of neem is rich in essential fatty acids that help to protect, moisturize, and balance skin tone and texture is renowned for its cooling, soothing, and astringent actions to support healthy skin.

Where skin is red, hot, and inflamed, the cooling action of neem brings soothing relief and antibacterial qualities help to keep skin healthy. The gently astringent action of neem helps to tighten skin and lessen secretions, so it’s great for oily skin types. And if the idea of putting oil on oily skin worries you, have no fear. Using healthy oil topically balances the skin and may lead to fewer blemishes.