I am often asked for my beauty secret at Nikolaihof. I am naturally flattered, as this question implies that I look fit and vital for my age – after all, I am already over 70. While my love for nature, work in the vineyard, and active life have left their marks on my skin, these experiences are part of me. What sometimes bothers me, however, are pigment spots – commonly known as age spots – which have become visible in recent years. An uneven skin tone can make skin look several years older than it actually is, and seemingly there's no remedy for it.
But let's start from the beginning: I have been blessed with healthy skin without major problems my entire life. This is certainly one reason why I actually had very little experience with cosmetics. It was only when my son Martin started to explore cosmetics and their ingredients that I became aware of the valuable raw materials in our vineyards. This timing worked out well, as remedies against the signs of aging became more interesting to me, and I was therefore an ideal guinea pig to test their tolerance and effectiveness.
Admittedly, it wasn't difficult to get enthusiastic about natural and delicately scented facial care. It brings me joy and enhances my well-being when I give attention to myself and my body morning and evening and take time for myself. Although I first had to establish my skincare routine consisting of cleansing, intensive serum, and moisturizer, my skin felt plump and supple after the first applications and looked healthy and vital. It's probably like with any wooden table and any pot: what is cared for remains well preserved. But one question still remained for me: Can stubborn problems like age spots also be corrected?
Pigmentation changes can be caused by hormonal fluctuations, such as during pregnancy or menopause, as well as by external influences like sun exposure. As a result, they often appear on unprotected areas such as the face, décolleté, or hands and are usually very stubborn. Honestly, I was never a diligent user of sunscreen, and they say the skin remembers everything. To counteract the skin damage that has occurred, without artificial brighteners or even lasers, I use the Grape Seed Intensive Serum.
Actually, it should be no surprise that grape seed oil is effective anti-aging, after all, grape seeds are full of antioxidants. And indeed, my pigment spots or age spots have visibly lightened over the months. While the spots haven't completely disappeared, their intensity has significantly decreased, and it's easier to cover up the uneven areas.
My Anti-Pigment Spot Program
So the Grape Seed Intensive Serum became my daily companion.
On hot summer days, I use it during the day and only apply a light fluid over it. In the evening, I then use the serum and my richer favorite cream for dry skin.
In winter, or when my skin needs a little more care, I also use my favorite cream with the serum during the day. But twice a day, the serum is a must for me – because at the latest after the next sunbath, the unpopular spots can darken again.
What's left of the serum in my palms, by the way, I spread on the back of my hands – because they also appreciate the extra care.
Christine Saahs
Senior Manager at Nikolaihof Wachau, Cookbook Author & Demeter Pioneer
