Is Alcohol Ruining Your Skin? 5 Tips to Reduce the Damage

A glass of whisky or wine might make for the perfect nightcap, but as with all types of alcohol, it can have an adverse effect on your skin.

Why? In short, alcohol of any causes dehydration, which will leave your skin looking dry and dull. It also acts as a vasodilator, which can over-dilate your blood vessels and cause your face to look flushed and puffy. The frequent tipple may also impair the body's ability to repair and regenerate skin cells, which, in turn, results in premature aging and wrinkles.

Most importantly, alcohol is a hepatotoxin, which means that it specifically damages the liver, the organ deeply connected to your skin's routine functioning. So if your liver is affected, its effects will show up on your skin.

"Alcohol doesn't just impact your liver; it's one of skin's biggest enemies. It dehydrates your cells, depletes vital nutrients, and triggers inflammation, leading to dullness, enlarged pores, and accelerated aging,” says Sonali Kohli, MD, a consultant dermatologist Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.

“Every glass of alcohol also reduces Vitamin A, a crucial nutrient for skin renewal and collagen production. The morning-after puffiness isn't just from lack of sleep: alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate, creating that telltale flush and bloated appearance,” Dr. Kohli continues.

In short, consuming whisky, vodka, rum, beer, wine and other spirits can take a toll on your skin health. Ahead, see six ways it can harm your skin, as well as some preventive measures you can take to prevent the risk of long-term damage.

How alcohol might be damaging your skin

1. It can cause wrinkles.

Alcohol like whisky, vodka and beer is diuretic, meaning it increases urination, thereby making you dehydrated. The more dehydrated you are, the more sullen and dry your skin appears, and even becomes prone to wrinkles and other fine lines. Additionally, excess drinking leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastin in the skin, proteins responsible for its elasticity and firmness. This can also be held responsible for the development of wrinkles and sagging.

2. It can cause dark circles.

Have you ever woken up raccoon-eyed after a night of binge-drinking? This is because purple bags, more commonly referred to as dark circles, are known to develop under your eyes as a result of dehydration and inflammation that is caused by excess consumption of alcohol. Heavy drinking can also affect the quality of sleep, featuring as another cause for the under-eye shadows.

3. It can contribute to flushing and puffiness.

Alcohol is a vasodilator, which causes blood vessels to expand, which can lead to a temporary flushing of the skin (especially on your face). Drinking excessively can cause over-dilation of these veins, and exacerbate conditions like rosacea, a skin disorder that is characterised by persistent redness.

4. It can cause breakouts.

The high levels of sugar in certain cocktails can cause spikes in insulin levels, which, in turn, can increase oil production in your body and lead to clogged pores, thereby furthering the risk of having breakouts like acne.

5. In can trigger flare-ups of certain skin disorders.

Alcohol poses a high skin risk to those with pre-existing conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. Drinking heavily can worsen the symptoms for each, causing flare-ups due to inflammation.

6. It can cause dullness.

As mentioned above by Dr Kohli, every glass of alcohol reduces Vitamin A, which is a crucial nutrient for skin renewal and collagen production. It can also interfere with the absorption of other essential nutrients like Vitamin C and E. Deficiency in these vitamins can lead to dull, uneven skin tone and slower skin regeneration.

How to prevent alcohol-induced skin damage

1. Follow the 1:1 rule.

"While the best way to prevent alcohol-related skin damage is moderation, you can protect your skin when drinking by following the 1:1 rule : one glass of water for every alcoholic drink,” says Dr. Kohli. It also helps to stay adequately hydrated throughout the day as is.

2. Take vitamins.

Another way to neutralize the adverse effects of alcohol consumption on your skin is by taking a B-complex vitamin before drinking, as alcohol depletes these essential nutrients, says Dr. Kohli.

3. Choose your spirit wisely.

According to Dr. Kohli, the choice of tipple also makes a difference when it comes to its impact on skin. “Choose clear liquors over wine or dark spirits to minimize inflammatory compounds,” she says. Think: vodka or tequila.

4. Maintain a comprehensive skin care routine.

A crucial step in preventing long-term skin damage, without giving up alcohol, is by carrying out a disciplined skin-care regimen. “Never skip your nighttime skincare routine, no matter how tired. Apply an extra-rich moisturizer before bed to combat dehydration, and consider using antioxidant-rich products the next morning to help repair your skin's barrier function.

5. Stop drinking.

Finally, there's the most obvious solution of all: Quitting drinking.