February 4, 2026

how alcohol affects your skin

Venus Viva™ is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada, and has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin. The DiamondPolar™ applicator is cleared by the FDA, licensed by Health Canada and has CE Mark for the treatment of moderate to severe wrinkles and rhytides in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. This might be a simple one, but skipping alcohol for caffeinated or sugar-laden drinks isn’t the best option either. Instead, offset the alcoholic drinks by favoring water (fizzy water at most if you’re craving something bubbly) and consume more foods that help to rehydrate—this usually means more vegetables and less salt.

Are there any skincare products that can counteract alcohol’s effects?

  • To repair alcohol-damaged skin, focus on hydration and restoring the skin barrier.
  • Just because you’re not drinking booze, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fancy cocktail.
  • This will help to counteract the dehydrating effects of alcohol and keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
  • If someone wishes to continue using alcohol frequently, basic treatments such as over-the-counter moisturizing creams may help relieve some of the symptoms of skin conditions, such as dry skin.
  • The refreshing oil-free formula is perfect for using before your moisturiser to give your skin a super-hydrated and plumped appearance.

’” Here, Rodriguez breaks down the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/alcohol-and-aging-does-alcohol-make-you-look-older/ exact effects of alcohol on the skin, as well as the benefits of giving up alcohol or imbibing more tactfully. Heavy drinking can make you more likely to get cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that usually affects your lower legs. One is treating the AUD, and the other is treating any underlying conditions that may remain after a person stops consuming alcohol. A person with AUD may be unable to manage their drinking habits and may drink excessively. By following these tips, you can help minimise the damage that alcohol does to your skin and achieve a healthy, youthful complexion. Transient flushing is also a common side effect of alcohol, particularly in heavy drinkers.

how alcohol affects your skin

Are You Drinking Too Much?

If your skin is already sensitive or dry, it’s best to avoid alcohol-heavy products and choose gentle, hydrating ingredients instead. Benzyl alcohol is found naturally in fruits and teas, but it doesn’t provide much benefit in skincare. It can be a potential irritant, causing sensitivity or reactions in some people. While it’s sometimes used as a preservative, the risks often outweigh the rewards. Methyl alcohol, also known as methanol, is toxic and should be avoided at all costs.

Increased Risk of Skin Cancer

Additionally, prolonged exposure to these effects may lead to conditions like spider veins or broken capillaries—particularly concerning for those prone to redness or sensitivity. Because dehydration from drinking can cause dry mouth, bad breath the day after drinking can also occur (2). Because alcohol affects your sleep, you may also notice under-eye circles the day after drinking (10). The same study found a correlation between drinking wine and the visibility of blood vessels in the cheeks.

About the Author: Dr. Jessica Krant

Drinking a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed can help mitigate these effects. Chronic misuse can lead to conditions such as rosacea, psoriasis and acne, and more serious health concerns such as skin cancer. It’s rare, but the palms of your hands — and maybe the soles of your feet — might turn red for no reason. It can be genetic, but it could also result from medication, liver disease, or heavy alcohol use. To ease symptoms, cut back on your drinking or treat the underlying disease.

how alcohol affects your skin

However, according to a 2021 systematic review, drinking alcohol can increase the risk of rosacea. If a person Drug rehabilitation drinks alcohol regularly, the short-term effects, such as dry skin and flushing, are more likely to become a persistent problem. However, prolonged alcohol use can cause other complications that affect the skin, such as liver disease.

The Connection Between Alcohol and Skin Health

how alcohol affects your skin

Department of Agriculture suggest consumption should be no more than one alcoholic drink per day for women and two for men. Consuming more will, in the long term, have a negative effect on skin. For many people of East Asian descent, alcoholic beverages cause prominent flushing on the face, neck, shoulders and sometimes the entire body. This effect is due to a genetic condition that interferes with the metabolization of alcohol.

  • While the wellbeing benefits of sobriety is well-documented, from improved mental health and better responses to stress to encouraging sleep quality and energy levels.
  • Additionally, alcohol weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off acne-causing bacteria.
  • “It removes the fluid in the skin which can increase the appearance of wrinkles, dryness and sagging skin, and dehydrated skin can look unhealthy both in its colour and texture.”
  • Increased hormone levels can stimulate our oil glands, causing them to secrete more sebum (oil), which can clog our pores and result in a breakout.
  • Prolonged alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder can lead to or aggravate a variety of skin conditions.

Consider incorporating a hydrating serum or moisturizer into your skincare routine, especially on days when you’ve consumed alcohol. This can help restore moisture and improve the overall health and appearance of your skin. It’s also important to be mindful of the type of alcoholic beverages you consume. Certain drinks, such as sugary cocktails, can have a more significant impact on your skin due to their high sugar content.

  • In fact, photos of people’s skin before and after quitting alcohol demonstrate that with time, you can reverse much of the damage caused by drinking.
  • For men, heavy drinking is defined as four drinks a day or more than 14 drinks a week.
  • Alcohol can disrupt hormone levels in the body, particularly testosterone.
  • The amount of alcoholic beverages you enjoy really doesn’t matter if you’re intolerant to alcohol, so that glass of wine could be enough to cause your face to flush.
  • As well as keeping your body in shape and taking care of your general health, exercise improves the blood flow throughout the skin, helping to keep it looking healthy, juicy and plump.

And the calories in an alcoholic drink don’t just come from the alcohol – many have additional calories from carbohydrates as well, like sugar or starch. This can make a drink very calorific –  for example, a pint of lager can contain the same amount of calories as a slice of pizza, or a how alcohol affects your skin large glass of wine the same an ice cream sundae. Drinking disrupts sleep patterns and causes water retention, leading to puffy eyes and dark circles. Lack of rest reduces blood circulation, making the under-eye area appear dull and tired. This inflammatory response can exacerbate existing skin issues and lead to increased irritation. Maintaining liver health through moderation or abstaining from excessive drinking will benefit both internal organs and external appearance alike.