What are the effects of alcohol on the skin?

As we know, skin health and quality are intimately linked to a healthy lifestyle. For this reason, in addition to cosmetic products, health professionals recommend opting for a balanced and varied diet, practicing sport and sleeping around eight hours a night. To put the odds on your side, they also recommend protecting yourself from the sun and avoiding the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, responsible for many damages to the body. But what are the effects of happy hour on the brightness of the complexion? We explain.

The effects of alcohol on the skin

The two consequences of regular (and/or excessive) alcohol consumption are: dehydration and theinflammation, which manifest themselves in different ways on the skin of the face, in particular with the appearance of pimples, redness, swelling and, in the long term, with the acceleration of skin aging. Yes, all of that!

Alcohol gives you pimples

Due to their high sugar content, alcoholic beverages can promote the appearance of skin blemishes. Indeed, to keep blood sugar levels normal after consuming cocktails or several glasses of white wine, the body will produce insulin, a hormone whose production will stimulate other hormones such as IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor One), which has an impact on the production of sebum.

According to a study by the National Institute of Public Health in Finland, alcohol consumption also leads to increased testosterone levels in women, which could also explain post-happy hour acne. Recall that testosterone is a steroid hormone of the androgen group that participates in the overproduction of sebum and therefore in the development of comedones and inflammatory lesions.

Alcohol makes the skin dehydrated and dull

Alcohol is a diuretic which increases the volume of urine, with the consequence of reducing the volume of body water. This loss of water will manifest itself in several ways (headache, dry tongue and lips, less abundant saliva, desire to drink, etc.), and the skin is not left out! Dehydrated due to the leakage of water to the kidneys, it loses its shine and its texture appears rougher, with more visible pores. Wrinkles and dark circles can also appear deeper.

Alcohol makes skin age faster

Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages increases the risk of damaging cells and accelerating skin aging. Dehydration is the first cause of these long-term effects of alcohol: by weakening the skin barrier, it makes it more permeable to external aggressions which, over time, can cause irreversible damage.

Sugar is the second factor of premature aging to report: alcohol and very sweet cocktails, in fact, participate in a phenomenon called “glycation”. Basically, sugar molecules bind to collagen and elastin proteins and caramelize them. Then follows a loss of elasticity of the fibers, which become so rigid and fragile that visible signs end up appearing (dull complexion, loss of tone, wrinkles, etc.). But that is not all! In excess, glucose also increases the production of free radicals, considered one of the causes of tissue aging.

Alcohol makes rosacea worse

Rosacea is a dermatological disease that affects the microcirculation of the face. It is characterized by redness, more or less evident vessels and exacerbated sensitivity. Because of its vasodilatory effects, alcohol further weakens already feverish capillaries and can aggravate symptoms of the condition such as flushing and vasomotor flushing (also called “hot flashes”).

Do all alcoholic beverages have the same effects on the skin?

All alcohols don’t have the same effects on skin, but all do damage at their level (and should be consumed in moderation). Cocktails, which mix a dose of alcohol with soft drinks, fruit juices or very sweet syrups, are the most harmful to the skin, but this does not mean that pure distillates and wine are harmless. . Whiskey, cognac, red wine, and white wine also impact skin cells, as do beer, champagne, and clear spirits including vodka, gin, white rum, and tequila.

What are the skin benefits of not drinking alcohol anymore?

The health benefits of abandoning alcohol are numerous and even the epidermis benefits! Over time, the skin barrier regains strength, the skin is better hydrated and acquires firmness and luminosity, redness is less visible, imperfections are rarer (purging is possible, but not systematic), the appearance is more fresh and fine lines are more discreet. The first effects are visible seven days after drinking the last glass of martini or gin and tonic.

How to take care of your skin after an alcoholic evening?

Before thinking about pampering your skin after happy hour with a specific beauty routine, it is essential to minimize body dehydration by drinking enough water. The best known trick is to alternate a glass of alcohol and a glass of Château-la-Pompe: in addition to protecting the freshness of the complexion, this technique helps prevent headaches the following day but also limits alcohol consumption, the absorption of water space in the stomach.

Since alcoholic beverages can disrupt sleep cycles (and we know how important good sleep is for cell renewal), it’s also recommended that you leave three to four hours between your last drink and bedtime, and drink water before going to bed to get the best night’s sleep possible.

In the bathroom, even if taking care of your skin is the last thing you want to do after a drunken night out, you shouldn’t skip the step of removing makeup and hydrating. Treatments containing antioxidants and soothing and humectant ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol are ideal for revitalizing cells. The next day, a detoxifying mask can also restore the color, and if it is followed by a decongestant facial massage and cornflower water pack for the eyes, even better.

Front page image photo credit: Karolina Grabowska on Pexels