How does alcohol affect your skin? Long and short-term effects

“When you drink alcohol, it makes you a little bit more talkative. But as you drink more — and you don’t need to drink that much more — eventually, the enzymes that break down the alcohol get saturated. how alcohol affects your skin So, the alcohol builds up quite quickly,” explains addiction psychiatrist Akhil Anand, MD. To understand how much alcohol is too much, it may be helpful to know the definitions of excessive drinking.

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“Alcohol can trigger the release of histamine from mast cells which can increase the chance of hives or exacerbate hives,” Garshick says. In fact, stress can lead to an increase in sebum production2, thus raising the risk of post-party breakouts. Get the latest updates on news, specials and skin care information.

The Effects of Alcohol on Your Skin

  • And for those who aren’t interested in giving up drinking entirely, a few simple steps can help protect your complexion.
  • “If you’re going to indulge, reach for a glass of red wine,” Engelman says.
  • This occurs when your body breaks down alcohol and creates acetaldehyde.
  • Despite red wine being hailed as the ‘healthiest’ choice of alcohol because it contains antioxidants, it is actually one of the most damaging alcohols for your skin.
  • While alcohol doesn’t directly cause acne, many of its effects increase your risk of developing it.
  • You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with our licensed Reframe coaches for more personalized guidance.

But let’s step back and examine what’s at stake when we imbibe too often. “Right off the bat, alcohol is a diuretic, which explains why you’re constantly running to the toilet when you’re drinking,” says board-certified dermatologist, and Skincare.com expert, Dr. Dendy Engelman. “This means that alcohol can dehydrate the skin, making it appear less plump and fresh.” Cruddy skin? The best thing you can do for your skin and health is to reduce your alcohol consumption. If you choose to drink, be sure to stay hydrated, practice moderation, follow a skincare routine, choose alcohol-free skincare products, eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and prioritize quality sleep.

Up your vitamin intake

how alcohol affects your skin

Hydroxyzine can reduce itching and redness due to allergy skin tests for up to 4 days. Hydroxyzine is used to relieve anxiety, itching due to allergies, and as a premedication prior to surgery. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform tasks requiring alertness if this medicine makes you drowsy. Especially in low humidity conditions, the nearest source of water is the lower levels of your skin.

how alcohol affects your skin

Alcohol can cause your face to become temporarily red and flushed (3). This occurs when your body breaks down alcohol and creates acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde makes your body release histamine, which enlarges your blood vessels (known as vasodilation). Overall, reducing the consumption of alcohol will result in better skin. This is evidenced by a recent case study from the UK site Daily Mail, which involved a mother of two who normally drank five large glasses of wine weekly. She cut out alcohol completely for one month, which resulted in great improvement to her complexion.

According to facialist and Time Bomb skin expert Michaella Bolder:

But depending on your situation, you may choose to drink less than this. Dark liquors contain compounds called congeners, which are theorized to cause worse hangovers than other types of alcohol. And these killer hangovers can amplify the parched, red, and puffy skin that you’re used to seeing after a night out. 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.

Additionally, when someone regularly drinks large quantities of alcohol, spider veins (or what some think is a rash from drinking too much) can appear on the surface of their skin. While alcohol can directly cause an alcoholic rash, if you have liver damage because of drinking, this can also contribute to the appearance of extra veins. As your veins are more prone to damage with alcohol abuse, they become leaky, which can also cause your face and other areas of your skin to look swollen. It might seem illogical that some liquids actually dehydrate the body, but that’s what alcohol does.

This can lead to anxiety (known as ‘hangxiety’) in the days after your sesh. Having a glass of water in between each alcoholic drink may decrease the risk of dehydration. Many of the long-term effects of alcohol on a person’s skin happen as a result of AUD. Other drugs may interact with hydroxyzine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. If after applying a product with glycerin to your skin, you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, like itchiness or redness, stop using the product immediately and talk with a healthcare professional.

how alcohol affects your skin

Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox. Alcohol can change the appearance of your mouth and the skin on your face. Plus, we’re always introducing new features to optimize your in-app experience. We recently launched our in-app chatbot, Melody, powered by the world’s most powerful AI technology.