For a long time it was thrown away or distilled without a second thought. Today, grape marc has found its place in the most refined cosmetics. How did this pressing residue become a beauty ally?
Behind this modest name lies one of the vine's true treasures. Grape marc perfectly embodies the spirit of vinotherapy: wasting nothing from the grape and revealing the value of each of its parts.
What is grape marc?
Marc refers to what remains after the grapes are pressed: the skins, the seeds and sometimes the stems. For centuries it was used mainly to produce brandies or to feed the soil. People long overlooked the fact that it concentrated some of the fruit's most interesting compounds.
Because it is precisely in the skin and the seeds that the grape's polyphenols and resveratrol are found. Marc is therefore a remarkable source of them, as our article on polyphenols and resveratrol explains in detail.
Its benefits for the skin
Rich in antioxidants, grape marc helps protect the skin from oxidative stress, one of the main drivers of skin aging. Its grainy texture also makes it a natural exfoliant: the finely ground seeds gently remove dead cells and restore radiance to the complexion. Finally, the oil extracted from the seeds nourishes and softens the skin.
It is this versatility that appeals to cosmetics makers. Scrubs, masks, oils and serums now harness marc to create complete anti-aging treatments that are gentle on the skin.
A virtuous approach
Making use of marc also means giving a second life to a by-product of the vine rather than throwing it away. This circular logic resonates with a generation keen to consume more responsibly. The grape nourishes, quenches, heals and leaves almost no waste: it would be hard to be more complete.
Enjoying marc as a treatment
You can make a homemade scrub, as we explain in our article on at-home vinotherapy, or treat yourself to a genuine professional treatment. In a wine spa, marc and vine extracts are worked with an expertise that can't be matched at home. To find a spa near you, head to our wine spa directory.
