It’s common knowledge that alcohol isn’t exactly good for the skin, and, if you like to hit happy hour after work, you’ve probably experienced this first-hand! Most of us have had an occasional morning-after with a puffy, dry face, along with other symptoms of the dreaded hangover. But if tipsy nights out have become a regular part of your routine, here’s what you should know about drinking and how alcohol affects the skin
We all know that drinking isn’t necessarily good for us. But what does alcohol do to your skin? To unpack this question, we’ll need to consider how alcohol impacts the body as a whole.
Alcohol Causes Inflammation
To start with, too much alcohol can lead to inflammation. This is bad news when it comes to skin health, since chronic inflammation has been linked to conditions such as acne and advanced skin aging.
Inflammation also impacts your arteries and organs overall, which can have a domino effect on your skin health.
Drinking Dehydrates The Body
Alcohol is classified as a diuretic, which means that every time you drink, your body is flushing out extra water.
Unfortunately, this can cause your skin to appear lifeless, dull and zapped of its moisture over time and while excessive dehydration might not seem like a big deal in the short term, the skin will become much more visibly aged and damaged over 10 - 20 years, compared with healthy and hydrated skin.
Oxidative Stress From Alcohol
A not-so-obvious way that alcohol affects the skin is through oxidative stress, which happens when there are too many free radicals in the body, as oxidative stress damages every type of cell, including your dermis.
We are exposed to free radicals every day through foods, pollution, smoke, sunlight, and yes, alcohol. Which, according to research, not only floods free radicals into the body, but it also impairs your antioxidant defence at the same time.
What Drinks Are Most Harmful?
Cocktails - especially the sweetened ones
Because cocktails often contain a mixture of syrupy drinks and alcohol, they can be loaded with sugar - and all that extra sugar could mean inflammation, accelerated aging, and acne.
Additionally, glucose and fructose can damage collagen in the dermis in a way that is difficult for your body to repair.
So if you’re worried about irritation, avoid cocktails as much as you can, as steering clear of sugary concoctions can help reduce some of the negative side effects that drinking has on your skin.
White Wines - yes, that includes Champagne
If you enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner each night, you may wonder: does it age your skin?
Like any type of alcohol, white wine is best enjoyed in moderation - especially if you want to keep your skin in tip-top shape and although your favourite fizz may seem light, it likely contains a significant amount of sugar.
Beyond this, white wines can cause facial flushing and have even been linked to incident rosacea. Combined with the dehydrating and inflammatory effects of alcohol, this can lead to deeepr wrinkles and other skin problems over time.
How Can I Protect My Skin?
If, like us, you enjoy a drink sometimes, learning about the effects of alcohol on your skin may feel disheartening. But there many are steps you can take to protect your dermis both at-home and here in clinic …
1. Stay Hydrated
In general, moderation is the golden rule. Staying hydrated is also key to shielding your skin from the damage caused by alcohol. As discussed above, alcohol is a diuretic and can dry you out, so here are some tips for combatting dehydration:
- Drink a small glass of water in between your alcoholic beverages
- Consume electrolytes such as Skinade - which we stock in clinic
- Avoid mixing alcohol with caffeine, as it is also a strong diuretic
2. Choose Wisely
The least damaging types of alcohol for skin are lighter drinks with no additives - such as gin, vodka, or tequila.
It’s important to note that you can’t completely avoid the impact that alcohol has on your skin, but if you choose to drink, reducing your intake, picking the right type of liquor, and drinking plenty of water are the best places to start, followed by regular visits to your chosen skincare clinic.
3. See An Expert
We offer a range of rejuvenating skin treatments and can scan deep beneath the surface of the dermis to assess any underlying conditions. If you are concerned about your skin health, contact us in clinic or book a skincare consultation.
