Is Drinking Alcohol Bad For Your Skin?

The desire to have clean, clear, smooth, and supple skin is common across the globe and has existed for many centuries. According to Elase, the practice of skincare and makeup started around 3,000 BC in ancient Egypt and was later adopted by the Greeks and Romans. At that time, people used to apply different oils, honey, and even sand on their faces and bodies for beautification and protection from the sun.

Over time, advancements in medical science led to the introduction of a plethora of skincare products and cosmetic procedures, allowing people to attain perfect-looking and healthy skin. But no matter how many skin care products a person uses or undergoes cosmetic procedures, certain lifestyles and habits can wreak havoc on the skin and make it age quickly. These include a poor diet, inadequate sleep, constant sun exposure, smoking, and the consumption of alcohol, via Ingredient Secret.

Speaking of alcohol intake and its effects on the skin, there is a general misconception that consuming alcoholic drinks in moderation is harmless. But as explained by Drinkaware, research shows otherwise. 

Around the world, alcohol consumption is associated with celebrating and having fun. As The Washington Post points out, a glass of alcoholic beverage works as an instant happiness booster. Therefore, most people consume alcoholic drinks without thinking too much about their effects on the health or the skin for that matter. However, every time you drink, you dehydrate your body which ultimately affects your skin, via Drinkaware. According to the website, "when you drink, the dehydrating (or 'diuretic') effect of alcohol means your skin loses fluid and nutrients that are vital for healthy-looking skin."

The website further adds that once the cells in your skin start losing fluids, your skin starts becoming wrinkly and bloated. Alcohol consumption over a prolonged period could also make your skin break out more easily or make it look dull and lifeless.

Regular drinking can worsen the condition of your skin, and as New York-based dermatologist Brendan Camp MD, explains, it can "accentuate your fine lines," thus making you look older than you are, via Byrdie. 

If you are conscious about your overall health and want your skin to appear clean and healthy, then it goes without saying that eliminating alcohol from your life altogether is your best bet. However, if you want to indulge once in a while, then adopting certain methods can mitigate the effects of alcohol on your body.

According to New York-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Amy Spizuoco, if you consume a glass of alcohol, then consider drinking a glass of water right afterwards so that you can replenish your dehydrated cells. "This can minimize harmful effects of alcohol on the skin by hydrating the tissues and skin," she told GQ, adding that another way to lessen the harmful effects of alcohol on your body is to either eat something before drinking or munch alongside drinking.

Akin to that, maintaining a skincare regimen is also important after you have had a drink. For example, using moisturizers, serums with hyaluronic acid, and good-quality sunscreen can help reduce the damaging effects of alcohol on your skin, via Byrdie.