Bathing in red wine is a beauty trend, but health experts caution against it

Internet users are bathing in red wine in the hope of improving their skin. Photo: AFP

On TikTok, a video posted last month has got people talking. And with good reason, since it shows a woman filling her bath with red wine, orange and cinnamon, not to make her own mulled wine, but to bathe in.

But this practice, which is supposed to be relaxing and enhance skin beauty, is far from being all that beneficial, experts say.

In a video posted by the user (@jettsetfarmhouse), a web user pours red wine, orange segments, cinnamon sticks and sweet cranberries into her bathwater... ready for her to get it. The mixture is said to help you relax and unwind.

Read more: To keep your skin looking soft and beautiful, just use steam from cooking rice

The problem is that the video was then reposted by Dr Kiarra King, an obstetrician-gynecologist with a huge following on TikTok.

The expert warns of the potential risks of immersing oneself in this kind of bath. In particular, she points out the risk of catching infections where you really don't want them.

“Christmas Candidiasis is on the way with this concoction,” reads the post accompanying the video.

“Trying this at home may bring you 12 days of vulvar symptoms including itching, burning, swelling, abnormal discharge, painful urination.”

But this isn't the only video advocating this type of bath. Plenty of other videos show internet users pouring red wine into their bathtubs.

These wine baths, which are inspired by vinotherapy, are said to be beneficial to health, and particularly to the skin's radiance and elasticity, according to devotees of this ritual.

"I love this idea because red wine is so good for your body in other ways," says dermatologist Papri Sarkar, speaking to Allure magazine.

"But bathing in it isn't so helpful," she continues. "The antioxidant properties of red wine are usually obtained by drinking or cooking with it. Bathing in it doesn't allow enough absorption for it to make a real difference."

Read more: Rid your hair of frizz with the help of an everyday item – a makeup brush

This is supported by Dr Gabriella Baki, assistant professor of pharmacy at the University of Toledo in Spain, and director of the school's cosmetic science and formula design programme.

As she explained in 2020 to the Winespectator website, "red wine has many ingredients in much larger amounts than resveratrol, which can actually dry out the skin", including alcohol and tannins.

In her opinion, it's a better idea to choose beauty products containing ingredients derived from grapes. – AFP Relaxnews