Grape-based facial skin range combines cosmeceuticals and organics

The Le Vin line, to be launched by the New York-based company at Cosmoprof in Las Vegas on July 2007, will contain six products, three intended for professional use only and three designed for professional and take-home care. The products contain high concentrations of peptides and organic herbal extracts claiming to be 'the first organics-based skin care line to deliver physician-grade results'.​ This comes at a time when the organics and naturals markets are becoming increasingly mainstream with 'mass market retailers jumping on the natural and organic bandwagon to satisfy consumer demand for ethical and safe cosmetics'​ stated a recent Organic Monitor report. Likewise, this increasingly competitive market is leading to a rise in niche products that tap into more than one of the growing sectors, such as the Le Vin range, which in turn may demand a tightening of regulations to enable the consumer to better differentiate between multiple and confusing claims. Le Vin aims to harness the antioxidant qualities of the polyphenols, found in the grape seeds and skins, and combine this with organic herbal extracts and a unique cosmeceutical formula. Three of the products in the Le Vin range, the eye serum, the face serum and the face cream, will contain the patent pending Vita-Vino Actif, what the company calls 'a super potent anti oxidant complex'​. The ingredient is a combination of vitamins, Chardonnay grape seed extract and resveratrol, a naturally occurring phytoalexin found in grape seeds and skins that is also known for its antioxidant properties. Antioxidants help to curb the damage caused by reactive oxygen species for example oxygen ions, free radicals and peroxide ions. Reactive oxygen species are a natural by-product of the metabolism of oxygen but in high concentration they can be damaging, a state known as oxidative stress. In addition there are important exogenous sources of oxidative stress including UV radiation and exposure to pollutants in the environment and studies suggest that this plays a role in skin aging. Furthermore there have been suggestions that the topical application of antioxidants can help to protect the skin against possible damage caused by oxidative stress and therefore represent a possible anti-aging ingredient. The new Le Vin range promises to help in the fight against aging by 'stimulating cell regeneration, reducing wrinkles and fine lines, evening out skin tone, and protecting against free radical damage'​. Le Vin will complement Herbwalk's Olavie Chardonnay Wine Therapy range, released in 2004 that includes a bubble bath, body butter and sugar scrub, along with massage oils and body moisturisers all based on the antioxidant powers of wine grapes. Herbwalk's range join a number of wine grape-based personal care products on the market, including French company Caudalie, which has a range that includes body care products and a fragrance based on their 'Vinotherapie' philosophy. Similarly, earlier this year a new cosmetics range was released by Lydia Mondavi including mascara, lip gloss and other makeup products enriched by the beneficial grape seed extract.