Aight, so y’all can thank a friend of mine for this article. I say that because, after teasing her about how I don’t know if she loves her man or her red wine collection more, she had to pause before giving me an honest answer. LOL. And although I personally am not the biggest wine drinker on the planet, I do get why it brings her joy. Aside from the fact that various wines can provide a variety of flavors (and even textures), science has proven that, when consumed in moderation, wine is pretty good for you too.
For instance, both red and white wines are able to strengthen your heart, lower your cholesterol levels and even increase longevity while red wine, especially, has the ability to improve your gut health, reduce oxidative stress, lower your chances of being diagnosed with breast or lung cancer, less depression-related symptoms and, red wine is also considered to be an aphrodisiac (give thanks).
Even if you already knew (most of) this, what might surprise you is the fact that wine is wonderful, not just when it comes to your insides but your outsides (your skin, specifically), too. Yep, thanks to the antioxidants, tannins, and manganese that wine contains, if you apply it to your skin, it can benefit it in ways that you probably never would’ve imagined — until today.
According to the American Heart Association, men should have no more than two glasses of wine a day, while women should indulge in no more than one. Still, if you’re looking for some other ways to make wine a part of your daily routine, I’ve got 10 that can have your skin looking absolutely amazing in no time.
How to Use Wine for Your Natural Skincare and Beauty Routine
1. Exfoliate Your Skin with Red Wine
Aight, something that you may not have known (until now) that wine has in it is alpha hydroxy acid. That is good for your skin because it increases blood circulation to it, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helps to even out discoloration, brightens your skin over time, and even aids in exfoliating it (you know, removing dead skin cells). Since red wine contains a good amount of this type of acid, why not exfoliate your skin with a red wine solution? I happened upon a red wine scrub recipe that is super easy to make here.
2. DIY a Red Wine Mask
Between the alpha hydroxy acid, antioxidants, and polyphenols (plant-based antioxidant compounds) that are in red wine, you could do your skin a world of good by also making your own peel-off face mask. HelloGiggles featured one that contains only three ingredients: wine, kefir, and honey. The kefir is a nice addition because it’s packed with probiotics and those can help your skin to be far less dry while also balancing your skin’s pH levels and even soothing acne and eczema. As far as honey goes, it’s good for your skin because it softens it, contains anti-aging properties, and it can help to reduce the appearance of pimples, too. The mask recipe is available here.
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3. Apply Red Wine As a Toner
When it comes to maintaining optimal skincare, one thing that continues to be underrated is toner. Toner is essential because it deeply cleanses your skin, unclogs your pores, balances the pH levels of your skin, and helps to soften the feel and appearance of your skin. If you mix two tablespoons of red wine with two tablespoons of rose water, the red wine will provide toner benefits, while the rose water will moisturize your skin and give anti-aging benefits.
4. Rinse Your Hair with Red Wine
Since red wine has polyphenols in it, if you’re looking for something that will clarify and even help strengthen your hair, you might want to try some red wine. Word on the street is that not only will it help to remove extra product or residue from your tresses, but it can also decrease frizzing as well. My two cents? Because wine has alcohol in it, rinse with it like every third wash day and also apply the rinse in between shampooing and conditioning — just so you decrease the chances of inadvertently drying your hair out in the process.
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5. Soothe Your Scalp with Red Wine
If you already deal with dry scalp quite a bit (check out “Stop Scratching: The Differences Between Dandruff And Dry Scalp”), please keep in mind that, reportedly, a five-ounce glass of wine is made up of approximately 12 percent alcohol. What this means is if your skin (or scalp) is naturally dry, using wine only on it could amplify the issue. The flip side to this? Thanks to the antifungal properties that are also found in wine, if you put some of it on your scalp, it can help bring relief to itchiness and irritation. Just be sure to mix the wine with something like olive oil; it will help to keep the wine from drying out your scalp and the antioxidants and fatty acids in the oil will help to soothe your scalp even more.
6. Dab White Wine on (Minor) Breakouts
It’s kind of ironic that although alcohol has the ability to alter your hormones to the point where it could cause a pimple or two (inflammation overall, if you’re not careful), applying a bit of wine to your zits can help speed up their healing process. That’s because the antioxidant resveratrol that’s in wine helps to prevent the growth of the bacteria that causes acne in the first place. So, if you’ve got a pimple that you would like to go down overnight, put some wine on a cotton ball and then dab it on your zit; you should see some reduction in size by morning.
7. Create a Skin Mist with Champagne
Champagne is simply sparkling wine, so yes, it comes with some impressive skincare benefits. For instance, since the tartaric acid that’s in wine can help to exfoliate your skin, reduce the signs of aging in your skin as well as increase hydration — using a skin mist that has champagne in it can give you all of these benefits in just a couple of sprays. Just add a bottle cap of champagne to some distilled water and a few drops of vegetable glycerin (which will help to soften your skin), and you’ll be good to go!
8. Use Champagne Cubes to “Tighten” Your Skin
Something else that champagne has in it is potassium. Since potassium is both a mineral and an electrolyte, and electrolytes help to provide your blood vessels with the nutrients that your skin needs, champagne can also do wonders for your skin if you turn the drink into ice cubes and then apply the cubes to your freshly washed skin. Apart from all of the benefits that I’ve already mentioned, the ice will help to tighten up your pores, get rid of puffy eyes, decrease the inflammation of breakouts, and help your skin to look younger and (temporarily) tighten it as well.
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9. A Bit of Champagne Might Even Out Your Skin Tone
Something else that champagne has in it is carbon dioxide (CO2). The reason why carbon dioxide laser treatments are becoming more popular is that they are known for removing mild scarring and lesions as well as evening skin tone and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Although the CO2 in champagne will not provide as dramatic results as laser treatments do, using champagne on your skin a few times a month could result in you seeing more even skin over time.
10. Drink Wine to Slow Down the Aging Process
And yes, if you are looking for a way to slow down the aging process of your system overall, science has shown that resveratrol has increased the lifespan of mice, rats, and monkeys. And so, although studies are still being conducted on humans, with all of the benefits that were mentioned in the intro — if it can do all of that and make your skin look younger, why not toast yourself with a glass from time to time? (I mean, really…)
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BONUS: Can (and Should) You Bathe in Wine?
With all that I just shared about how wine can benefit your skin, you might wonder why you shouldn’t just jump into a tub that’s filled with it. Good question. Several years back, Allure published an article entitled, “I Bathed in Red Wine and Here's What Happened to My Skin.” The biggest takeaway that I got from the author is it sounds good more than anything. And while doing something this “extravagant” would certainly qualify as a form of self-pampering, I think it is a good idea to, once again, keep in mind that wine has alcohol in it.
So, if you are going to “treat yourself,” make sure that you put no more than a cup or two of wine into your bathwater and also that you seal your skin (check out “Your Skin Is BEGGING You To Do This Right About Now”) once you step out of it.
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Martin Luther once said, “Beer is made by men, wine by God!" If you factor in that the Bible says that Christ turned water into wine (John 2) with all of what was just shared, that is definitely a fair debate. LOL.
So, whether you drink wine or not, at least consider nourishing your skin with it. As you just read, there are far too many reasons — really good ones, at that — not to.
Indulge, sis. INDULGE.
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Kayla Nicole says she wore a dress that was once worn by Braxton herself for the Halloween costume. “It’s not a secret Toni is more on the petite side. I’m obsessed with all 5’2” of her,” she tells xoNecole via email. “But I’m 5’10'' and not missing any meals, honey, so to my surprise, when I got the dress and it actually fit, I knew it was destiny.”
The episode was the perfect way for the multihyphenate to take control of her own narrative. By addressing the viral moment on her own platform, she was able to stir the conversation and keep the focus on her adoration for Braxton, an artist she says she grew up listening to and who still makes her most-played playlist every year. Elsewhere, she likely would’ve received questions about whether or not the costume was a subliminal aimed at her ex-boyfriend and his pop star fiancée. “I think that people will try to project their own narratives, right?” she said, hinting at this in the episode. “But, for me personally – I think it’s very important to say this in this moment – I’m not in the business of tearing other women down. I’m in the business of celebrating them.”
Kayla Nicole is among xoNecole’s It Girl 100 Class of 2025, powered by SheaMoisture, recognized in the Viral Voices category for her work in media and the trends she sets on our timelines, all while prioritizing her own mental and physical health. As she puts it: “Yes, I’m curating conversations on my podcast The Pre-Game, and cultivating community with my wellness brand Tribe Therepē.”
Despite being the frequent topic of conversation online, Kayla Nicole says she’s learning to take advantage of her growing social media platform without becoming consumed by it. “I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out,” she says.
On The Pre-Game, which launched earlier this year, she has positioned herself as listeners “homegirl.” “There’s definitely a delicate dance between being genuine and oversharing, and I’ve had to learn that the hard way. Now I share from a place of reflection, not reaction,” she says. “If it can help someone feel seen or less alone, I’ll talk about it within reason. But I’ve certainly learned to protect parts of my life that I cherish most. I share what serves connection but doesn’t cost me peace.
"I refuse to let the internet consume me. It’s supposed to be a resource and tool for connection, so if it becomes anything beyond that I will log out."
Credit: Malcolm Roberson
Throughout each episode, she sips a cocktail and addresses trending topics (even when they involve herself). It’s a platform the Pepperdine University alumnus has been preparing to have since she graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism, with a concentration in political science.
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She’s not just a podcaster, though. When she’s not behind the mic, taking acting classes or making her New York Fashion Week debut, Kayla Nicole is also busy elevating her wellness brand Tribe Therepē, where she shares her workouts and the workout equipment that helps her look chic while staying fit. She says the brand will add apparel to its line up in early 2026.
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Tap into the full It Girl 100 Class of 2025 and meet all the women changing game this year and beyond. See the full list here.
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My main motive? Mostly, I hope that it will serve as a solid reminder to embrace all of the things that you adore about this time of year, so long as you do it in moderation and you weigh the costs.
Especially as far as drinking alcohol is concerned.
PRO: Manages Blood Sugar Levels
GiphyHere’s something that you may have never seen coming. Were you aware of the fact that alcohol can actually help to stabilize your blood sugar? Yep, according to the American Diabetes Association, so long as you leave it to no more than 1-2 cocktails a day, alcohol may be able to lower your A1C levels. Pretty cool, right?
CON: It’s a Carcinogen
GiphyAlcohol is a carcinogen. The reason why this should somewhat alarm you is because carcinogens are things (like tobacco, UV rays, processed meats, etc.) that can increase your chances of being diagnosed with cancer (especially mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach and breast cancer). There are various ways this happens including the fact that alcohol, specifically, can hinder your body from breaking down certain nutrients, it can cause your estrogen levels to spike and alcohol can also cause certain toxins to damage your DNA and certain bodily proteins over time.
PRO: Cultivates Euphoric Feelings
GiphyIf you find yourself feeling more euphoric while you’re enjoying a drink, it’s not all up in your head. Although, for the more part, alcohol is considered to be a depressant, when consumed in small amounts, it can provide a stimulant effect. This happens due to the fact that when you first start to consume alcohol, it causes the production of the feel-good hormone known as dopamine to increase — and since dopamine makes us all feel more relaxed and confident while heightening our senses of pleasure too…well, there you have it.
CON: May Increase Anxiety/Depression
GiphyAs they say, “what goes up, most come down” at some point — and that is what you have to be careful of when it comes to alcohol consumption. For instance, when you drink alcohol, although it tends to initially cause your dopamine levels to uptick, because it is a temporary bodily response, sometimes the dips are lower than the rises…and that is when anxiety starts to kick in. A similar point is made with depression because oftentimes, people with depression-related symptoms, will use alcohol as a way to deflect from what’s really going on with them — and that can make them feel even worse than ever once the buzz of alcohol starts to wear off.
PRO: Has Some Heart-Related Benefits
GiphyWhen it comes to your heart, there are interesting findings surrounding its relationship to alcohol. For instance, some research states that, so long as the consumption is moderate, alcohol can actually help to increase the good cholesterol in your system while also breaking down proteins that can potentially lead to blood clots; both of these factors alone can reduce your chances of dying from heart disease.
CON: Packs on Pounds
GiphyIt’s no secret that alcohol tends to contain quite a few calories. That’s why, it’s not uncommon for people who’ve lost weight to mention “I’ve stopped drinking” as one of the causes for the shed pounds. That’s not to say that there aren’t some alcoholic beverages that have less calories than others including vodka (133 calories per serving), white wine (148 calories per serving) and tequila (99 calories per shot). Just keep in mind that the more you drink, the more calories get into your system and the more weight you stand to gain.
PRO: Lowers Inhibitions
GiphyAlthough you really should only be uninhibited around people who you absolutely trust, if that person is your partner and you’re looking to have a pretty — eh hem — active evening, alcohol can certainly help to make that happen. The science of it all is the prefrontal cortex of your brain is what regulates your inhibitions and levels of self-control. Meanwhile, alcohol suppresses your inhibitions which can cause you to be more spontaneous and open to trying things that you might not immediately do if you were sober. And with the right individual, that can be sexually beneficial (emphasis on “right person”).
CON: Makes It Harder to Orgasm
GiphyOn the other hand, as odd as it may seem (in light of what I just said), if you have too much alcohol in your system, it could make climaxing difficult. That’s because orgasms happen, in part, due to your nervous system being stimulated — and since alcohol is technically a depressant…well, it could reduce nerve sensitivity (especially as far as your clitoris goes) for you while making it challenging for your partner to remain erect or have consistent stamina. And yeah, that sucks.
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‘Tis the season. And with that, if some wassails or hot buttered rums are in your immediate future — hey, don’t let me stop you — not even a lil’ bit.
All I’m saying is now that you know what alcoholic drinks have to offer (both ways), you can know exactly how to incorporate them into your holiday plans. Enjoy!
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