The skin is our body’s largest organ; its natural glow usually reflects our well-being and health. Various lifestyle choices may affect your skin, and alcohol is one of the biggest culprits. Its impact on your skin depends on the amount consumed, consumption frequency, skin type, and overall health.
If you want to know the effects of alcohol on your skin and how to maintain healthy skin, this article is for you.
We’ll explore seven of the most common impacts alcohol can have on your skin and what anyone who wants to avoid suffering discomfort from these skin conditions should consider doing.
Alcohol consumption dehydrates the skin
It seems counterintuitive that some liquids cause you to dehydrate, but that’s precisely what alcohol does. It is a diuretic that causes people to urinate more frequently, leading to dehydration.
If your body is dehydrated, this dehydration usually manifests on your skin as it loses moisture. That’s why your skin may appear dull, dry, and less elastic after a night of heavy drinking.
Rosacea
Rosacea is a skin condition that makes your face flush, especially around your nose, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Both genetic and environmental factors may trigger rosacea.
Alcohol is among the non-environmental factors that can cause a rosacea flare. Some research even suggests that alcohol may increase your chances of getting rosacea if you don’t have it already.
Besides rosacea, alcohol may exacerbate rosy cheeks and acne. Rosy cheeks are a genetic issue that mainly afflicts people of Asian origin.
Broken capillaries and skin conditions
Some people may not be bothered by occasionally having rosy cheeks, but with long-term alcohol consumption, this may become permanent. It may dilate your blood vessels, causing them to become more visible. With excessive drinking, you may start seeing “spider veins” or broken capillaries, especially on your face.
Another effect of overconsumption of alcohol is that it increases your vulnerability to skin disorders like psoriasis, eczema, hives, and cellulitis. Worse still, there is strong evidence linking alcohol use with a higher risk of getting the most common types of skin cancer.
Accelerated aging
Long-term use of alcohol may lead to premature aging of your skin. As your skin experiences more irreversible damage, you may look older than you are. This is often evident through loss of skin elasticity, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Impaired healing and nutrient depletion
Chronic alcohol consumption may hinder your body’s ability to repair itself. This may slow recovery from skin wounds, injuries, or other skin-related issues.
Your skin may also lose a healthy glow because of a lack of nutrients like vitamins and minerals. As your body focuses on alcohol breakdown, you may miss essential nutrients nourishing your skin.
Puffy eyes
You can always tell someone is hungover from their puffy or “raccoon eyes.” After a night of drinking, people get puffy eyes because of a lack of proper rest, inflammation, and dehydration. The fat deposits under your eyes sink, and the skin around your eyes becomes more translucent. This makes the blood vessels more visible, hence the dark circles.
Reduced cellular turnover
Some people drink alcohol because it “helps” them sleep. However, sleep disruption is one of the most significant effects of taking alcohol. You may fall asleep faster when drunk, but it interferes with your sleep cycle and rhythm.
Your body rejuvenates itself when you are asleep, and if you disrupt your sleep, you affect the cellular rejuvenation cycle. So your skin may appear “rougher” and more dull if you drink frequently.
How to maintain a healthier skin
Healthy skin is always fashionable, and as humans, we must admit that we naturally desire glowing skin. As we seek radiant skin, we must acknowledge the impact of alcohol on our skin. From dehydration and inflammation to long-term consequences like premature aging, it can manifest in several ways on your skin.
Experts advise adopting a holistic skincare routine, hydrating, and proper nutrition to promote healthy skin and overall well-being. If you must drink, eat first, drink moderately, and ensure you take a glass of water for every serving of alcohol.
That way, you can promote a vibrant and healthy complexion.
