However, very few people know or think about the way that drinking alcohol impacts skin health. Dermatology Partners in Lakewood and Denver, Colorado, “I see many patients who have noticed dark circles, redness, inflammation, and accelerated skin aging. I always ask about alcohol consumption, and I hope my patients are straightforward with me about https://ecosoberhouse.com/ how much they drink. In addition to taking care of your skin after drinking, it’s important to rehydrate quickly. Drink plenty of water in the days after alcohol consumption, and make sure to apply moisturizer and eye cream in the morning and evening. If you notice dullness or dryness, you may want to use a heavier moisturizer even during the day.

• Alcohol can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function, which helps to keep moisture in and harmful substances out.
• Stress can have a negative impact on your skin health and contribute to various skin conditions.
• This is why your skin can feel rough and desert-dry the morning after a binge.

But if you do choose to drink occasionally, you can mitigate the damage with certain lifestyle choices—how much you imbibe, how and what you drink, and how you care for your skin during and after drinking. Ahead, a team of pros offer advice on how to enjoy a cocktail or two without sacrificing the integrity of your complexion. Prolonged heavy drinking can also increase a person’s risk of more serious conditions, such as skin cancer.

It can influence stress and anxiety.

This may come as no surprise, especially if you’ve ever woken up to a dehydrated complexion following a night of heavy-handed champagne pours. We realize though that this unfortunate reality could be a hard pill to swallow for others. 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?

These effects are temporary, and a person can notice them the day after a night of drinking, whether or not they have AUD. A person with AUD may be unable to manage their drinking habits and may drink heavily. Heavy drinking can increase a person’s risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). ‘It’s important to note that individual experiences may vary, and the extent of improvement can depend on factors like genetics, overall health, and skincare habits and routines. However, quitting alcohol can have a positive impact on your skin’s appearance and health, contributing to a fresher and more youthful look,’ adds Xu. ‘In the kidneys, alcohol increases water loss by suppressing the hormone vasopressin, which helps you to reabsorb water,’ adds Dr Jack.

Understanding Skin Conditions Related to Alcohol Consumption

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle. Alcohol can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function, which helps how alcohol affects your skin to keep moisture in and harmful substances out. This can make the skin more vulnerable to environmental damage and infection. Listening to addiction recovery podcasts can provide inspiration, motivation, and a sense of community during your recovery journey. Alcohol can disrupt hormone levels in the body, particularly testosterone.

This is because of a mutation in acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), the enzyme that converts acetaldehyde to acetate. Heavy drinking can make you more likely to get cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that usually affects your lower legs. When it isn’t working right, the toxins stay in your cells, which leads to warmth and flushing. It’s a genetic issue that’s more likely to affect people from Asian backgrounds. Whether you decide to cut down on drinking or completely stop, avoiding alcohol is inevitably going to be great for your skin.

How does alcohol cause dehydration?

This could feel like party regret, haste to get your affairs in order, or stress surrounding your physical state (headache, stomach discomfort, etc.). Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people. For this reason, we can infer that alcohol may have a greater impact on the skin of people who are older rather than on younger skin,” Zeichner said.