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Key Points
- Combined oral + topical saw the greatest wrinkle reduction
- Topical trans-resveratrol increased natural oil (sebum) levels in drier facial areas
- Oral supplementation raised blood trans-resveratrol levels
- All treatments were well tolerated, with only mild adverse events reported
Overview of Study
Researchers followed 122 healthy women aged 40 and older for 8 weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups:
- P/P: oral placebo pills + topical placebo cream
- A/P: 75 mg oral trans-resveratrol, taken twice daily + topical placebo cream
- P/A: oral placebo pills + 1.5% trans-resveratrol cream, applied twice daily
- A/A: 75 mg oral trans-resveratrol, taken twice daily + 1.5% trans-resveratrol cream, applied twice daily
Wrinkles were measured using advanced facial imaging. Researchers also looked at skin oil levels, pigmentation, hydration, elasticity, and blood markers to see whether trans-resveratrol was absorbed. Skin assessments were performed at baseline, week 4, and week 8.
Wrinkle Visibly Improved
All groups showed some improvement, but women who used both oral + topical trans-resveratrol had the largest reduction in total wrinkle scores. The combined group had 12% fewer wrinkles compared to where they started, outperforming all other groups.
"The group that used the combination of the capsule and applied the cream had the greatest improvement in wrinkle scores…"
"This suggests that the combination of topical and oral trans-resveratrol treatment) was more effective at reducing wrinkle appearance than the dual placebo group or either trans-resveratrol treatments [oral or topical] alone."
Using trans-resveratrol internally and externally together provides added benefit, likely by supporting skin health through multiple pathways at the same time. Researchers noted that the topical only group saw significant changes in wrinkles as well.
This multi-pathway effect aligns with broader research on plant-derived stilbenes, which shows these compounds support skin structure by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation while preserving collagen and barrier integrity.
Natural Skin Oils Increased
As skin ages, it often becomes drier due to lower oil production which was consistent in all groups.
Both groups that used topical trans-resveratrol showed a 2–4× greater increase in natural oils in typically dry facial areas (U-zone) suggesting improved skin barrier support rather than excess oiliness.
"At week 4, the A/A Group increased U-zone sebum significantly more than the A/P Group."
"The two groups applying topical trans-resveratrol (P/A and A/A Groups), regardless of oral supplementation, significantly increase U-zone sebum."
"This suggests that trans-resveratrol topical application may be more effective at protecting the skin compared to a standard moisturising cream."
Importantly, the increase in sebum was not linked to oily or greasy skin. Instead, the pattern suggests improved skin comfort, hydration balance, and barrier support, an effect consistent with evidence that resveratrol supports cellular metabolism and lipid regulation in aging tissues.
Pigmentation Improved
Women who applied topical trans-resveratrol showed greater improvements in skin pigmentation compared to those using placebo creams. These changes reflect a more even-looking skin tone over the 8-week period.
"The change from baseline in pigmentation for the P/A and A/A Groups decreased significantly more than the P/P Group."
This graph shows participants who used the topical trans-resveratrol cream (green and blue groups) showed a greater reduction in pigmentation scores compared to those using placebo creams (orange and gray groups), indicating topical trans-resveratrol may be more beneficial than oral for improving skin tone.
Measured pigmentation scores decreased more in the topical trans-resveratrol groups, indicating that applying trans-resveratrol to the skin may help reduce the appearance of uneven pigmentation.
Tests Confirmed Strong Absorption and Safety
Blood testing showed that oral trans-resveratrol was absorbed and well processed by the body. Women who took trans-resveratrol capsules had significantly higher levels of trans-resveratrol byproducts in their blood.
- Increased trans-resveratrol sulphates in the A/P and A/A groups
- Increased trans-resveratrol glucuronides in the A/P and A/A groups
- Higher total serum trans-resveratrol in the A/A group
These increases confirm that the oral supplement reached the bloodstream and underwent normal metabolism, rather than passing through the body unabsorbed. Across all groups, the study treatments were well tolerated and no serious safety concerns were identified during the 8-week study period.
Conclusion
This study shows that trans-resveratrol alone, without added cosmetic ingredients, can help improve visible signs of skin aging in women over 40.
"Trans-resveratrol, when applied topically, or consumed orally, was superior to the topical placebo and/or oral placebo for improving aspects of facial skin health."
The benefits appear to come from a combination of smoother-looking skin and better skin barrier support, especially when trans-resveratrol is used both internally and externally, supporting further research into trans-resveratrol as a tool for supporting skin health as we age.
