Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract

Palmitoyl Grapevine Shoot Extract is an antioxidant made by attaching a palmitic acid group to extract from young grapevine (Vitis vinifera) shoots. The palmitoyl part makes it more oil-soluble, which helps it absorb into skin.

It's a proprietary ingredient used almost exclusively by Caudalie, where it's the active behind their "Viniférine" technology and the brightening claims in the Vinoperfect line. Grapevine shoots are naturally rich in resveratrol and related compounds like ε-viniferin, so the antioxidant credentials are plausible. Studies on similar grapevine-shoot extracts show real free-radical scavenging and a boost to the skin's own antioxidant enzymes like SOD and GPx.

The catch: most of the evidence for the brightening and anti-aging claims comes from the brand itself rather than independent research.

Fun fact: grapevine shoots are the pruned branches left over after harvest - a vineyard byproduct that got a second life in skincare.