Wine not? Discover the therapeutic bliss of unconventional boozy baths

IOL News

9 hours ago

Soaking in wine isn't merely a modern novelty—it's an ancient beauty regimen purportedly favoured by historical icons like Cleopatra and Mary, Queen of Scots
You know the drill: antioxidants like resveratrol, which some studies say can protect your heart, boost your 'good' HDL cholesterol, and possibly even reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes if consumed in moderation.
Okay, so we've all heard about the supposed benefits of a glass of red wine with dinner.
Moderation is the key word here because too much and you're back to increased risks of liver damage, cancer, and bad decisions you can't walk back.
But what if you didn't drink the wine ... what if you bathed in it?
Yep, welcome to Yunessun Spa Resort in Hakone, Japan, arguably the only place in the world where you can soak your stress (and maybe your wrinkles) in a steamy tub of real red wine, instead of sipping it from a glass. It's weird, a little wonderful, and it might just be the most Instagrammable spa on the planet.
What is this magical place?
Yunessun isn't your average spa; it's more like a theme park for grown-ups, minus the terrifying roller coasters and a heavy pour of cabernet sauvignon. Think coffee baths, sake soaks, green tea tubs, and even a ramen bath (no, you don't come out smelling like broth, allegedly).
Located in Hakone, about two hours from Tokyo, this quirky resort offers a full lineup of themed baths designed to pay tribute to the liquids they contain.
The wine bath, for example, is surrounded by giant wine bottles and periodically topped up with fresh pours by a (very enthusiastic) attendant. Don't worry, there's chlorinated water too, so your skin doesn't end up marinated.
According to "Travel", the spa created these themed experiences to make wellness fun and memorable,' says a spokesperson for Hakone Kowakien Yunessun Spa.
But there is real tradition behind it, too; bathing in wine, tea or sake has been part of beauty rituals for centuries.
Red wine baths: Cleopatra was doing it before it was cool
Wine bathing isn't a TikTok trend gone rogue. It's rumoured that historical beauty icons like Cleopatra and Mary, Queen of Scots, were reportedly fans of soaking in wine as a skincare ritual. Today, the practice even has a fancy name: vinotherapy.
Vinotherapy is the idea that polyphenols in red wine, plant-based compounds that fight free radicals, can help improve skin elasticity, promote cell renewal, and leave you glowing like you just got back from a holiday (without the sunburn).
While most research around polyphenols focuses on drinking wine or applying grape-derived skincare products, some believe the skin can absorb the good stuff through soaking.