More and more people are giving up alcohol (or at least reducing their consumption).
According to a 2023 survey, 62% of adults under the age of 35 report drinking alcohol regularly, which is 10% less than in 2003.
On the one hand, the decline in the popularity of alcohol is due to the trend towards a healthy lifestyle. Brands have embraced this, so in the last few years there have been a lot of brands offering nutritional products, including a large number of alternatives to alcoholic beverages. On the other hand, the most non-obvious reason for the rejection is the negative effect of alcohol on the condition of our skin. So how exactly does it manifest itself? Let’s talk to experts.
How does alcohol affect skin condition?
Whether alcohol is a frequent guest in your life or just a passerby, it will definitely leave a negative mark on both your appearance and health. Why? Elena Stepanova, a cosmetologist and beautician at the Vostochny Express SPA clinic, has three answers to this question.
Elena Stepanova
“First of allAll alcoholic beverages contain ethanol. This chemical slows down metabolism and the functioning of internal organs, reduces the concentration of vitamins C and E, which act as antioxidants, as well as vitamin A, which is responsible for the production of collagen (also known as the youth protein). Simply put, all of this together causes premature aging of the skin, loss of firmness and elasticity, the appearance of deep wrinkles and dullness of the skin.
secondlyAlcohol is known to cause dehydration. That is, fluid leaves the cells and collects in the intercellular space, causing facial swelling in the morning. If a glass of wine or champagne is not a one-time event but a repeated application, then the skin is likely to become increasingly dry, sensitive and irritated.
ThirdStrong drinks first dilate blood vessels, accelerating blood flow, but after half an hour the opposite process begins. This can eventually lead to redness on the skin and even spider veins. By the way, alcohol is also on the blacklist of rosacea patients for this reason. Even a harmless glass can significantly worsen the skin condition, increase redness and the area of its manifestations.
Are there any alcoholic drinks that are good for facial skin?
They say that dry white wine will help cleanse the body of toxins. Red is suitable for preventing hypertension. Are there any drinks that will be good for your facial skin?
“There is no clear answer to this question. But vodka, so to speak, is considered less harmful than complex cocktails, since it is purer in composition. It does not contain added salt and sugar, it quickly intoxicates and leaves the body just as quickly. But if you already have rashes or are prone to them, then champagne and white wine are definitely not what you should drink. The fact is that these drinks contain a lot of sugar and sulfites, which damage skin cells, causing redness and acne,” Elena Stepanova answers.
What to do after drinking alcohol to avoid unpleasant consequences?
Let’s imagine a situation: the party has already taken place and all the alcohol has been drunk. Kristina Kozhina, dermatovenerologist and cosmetologist at the Novita clinic, will tell you how to reduce its negative impact on the skin and quickly put your face in order.
Kristina Kozhina
“We’ll divide our practical tips into those that will come in handy before bed and those that will save you from bloating the morning after a party.
Before going to bed
Make sure to cleanse your face thoroughly. To do this, use a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, dirt, and excess sebum. This will help prevent clogged pores and inflammation.
Apply a moisturizer, preferably one that contains hyaluronic acid and antioxidants. This will help restore moisture levels in the skin that have decreased due to dehydration caused by alcohol.
Use a serum or mask that contains repairing ingredients like vitamin C or niacinamide. They will reduce inflammation and maintain healthy skin.
The next morning
Drink plenty of water to replenish fluid levels in your body. You can add lemon to the water for an additional detoxifying effect.
Cleanse your skin again in the morning and use a toner to refresh your face and tighten pores. Choose toners that contain moisturizing and soothing ingredients like aloe vera or rose water.
When choosing cosmetic products, give preference to products containing peptides and growth factors, they have the maximum effect on the skin.
Emergency help
If there is severe swelling, apply cooled eye patches to your face. This will help reduce swelling and rejuvenate the skin. If possible, visit a beautician. Lymphatic drainage facial massage, like injections of lymphatic drainage drugs (e.g. MesoEye C71 and Mesosculpt C71), helps to remove excess fluid and reduce swelling. The latter will help you deal with swelling on your face and around your eyes faster, leaving almost no injection marks.
Has the relationship between alcohol consumption and skin aging been proven?
The question with an asterisk is for the most curious. Scientists around the world still can’t agree on the effects of alcohol on premature skin aging. Elena Stepanova tells about the researchers’ recent conclusions.
“Scientists around the world still can’t come to a consensus on this issue. For example, in early 2024, the online journal Cosmetic Dermatology published conflicting results from a study on “How coffee, tea, sweets and alcohol affect the skin.” The part about hard drinks says that it looked at people who drink regularly. As a result: on the one hand, the skin wrinkles, loses volume and firmness along with elasticity, and on the other hand, age-related changes are almost invisible. Scientists attribute these differences to the fact that everyone has a different genetic predisposition, and also honestly say that they don’t keep track of the amount of alcohol they drink, so some may drink a lot, while others may not.
But recently, Japanese scientists from Kobe University School of Medicine published a study in the scientific journal Journal of Psychiatric Research, proving that alcoholism accelerates biological aging. But the good news is that if you stop it and treat it early, the aging process can be slowed down or even reversed.
Now there is a clear trend towards a healthy lifestyle and giving up alcohol. More and more people are starting to exercise and pay attention to their diet, and on store shelves and restaurant menus there are more and more soft drinks and alternatives to wine and champagne. That’s why we decided to offer our analogues to alcoholic beverages. Sergey Leonov, founder of the online academy of healthy nutrition “ZOZhigay”, chef and author of master classes on anti-aging cooking, will tell about them.
Sergei Leonov
“Personally, I gave up alcohol completely a few years ago, but I pretty much found something to fill my glass during the holidays and beyond. And fermentation helped me with that. Fermented drinks are a great alternative to alcohol. The same bubbles, sourness, sweetness, but without the harm to health.
— Water kefir can be used instead of sparkling wine: an effervescent drink that does not tire the liver, does not cause bloating in the morning, and on the contrary, helps rejuvenate the skin and strengthens hair and nails.
– Aperol Spritz – Kombucha: A refreshing cocktail with bubbles that does not cause dehydration, eliminates hangovers and helps improve the digestion of food.
“Bloody Mary is a drink based on kimchi: this spicy cocktail with spicy sourness does not slow down brain activity, does not cause premature aging of the skin and contributes to weight loss.”
Source: People Talk
I’m Roger Gritton, and I’ve been writing for the The Fashion Vibes for over 5 years now. My specialty is beauty news; I’m passionate about covering the latest trends, products, and innovations in the industry. In my time there, I’ve become known as an authority on all things beauty-related.
I love discovering new experts to interview, researching up-and-coming ingredients and techniques that are making their way onto our beauty shelves and highlighting people who are making a difference in the world of cosmetics. My work has appeared not only on The Fashion Vibes, but also several other publications including the New York Times Magazine, Allure Magazine and Refinery29.
