Do you ever have a glass of wine or a beer, then the next day you notice that your skin looks a bit dry or dull--you are not alone! Even if you are not a big drinker, alcohol can have a fairly dramatic impact on your skin.
Whomp! Whomp!
Even if you are drinking a little bit, drinking alcohol can cause dry skin, dark circles, flushing and lowered elasticity. For those who drink more can suffer from a number of skin conditions.
So exactly what does alcohol do to the skin?
1. Dehydrates Skin
Radiant, glowing skin requires proper hydration. Drinking alcohol actually takes fluids out of the skin. When skin is dehydrated, you will see more fine lines and wrinkles, especially if there is prolonged use of alcohol.
2. Causes Inflammation
Drinking alcohol inflames the tissue and creates a histamine reaction. This can cause redness or flushing of the skin. (From Amy: My skin is red for at least a week after having a drink!) Histamine reactions can also cause sinus issues and congestion.
3. Impacted Sleep
While that glass of wine might make it easier for you to feel drowsy and fall asleep, sleep science clearly shows us that the sleep you have after drinking is not as high quality. Since alcohol is interfering with your body's restoration process, your body’s cellular rejuvenation cycle is compromised. So if you think your skin looks more dull or slightly grey after a night of drinking, you are probably right!
4. Impacts your Eyes
Puffy, dark eyes are caused by the dehydration, lack of quality sleep and inflammation. Dermatologists say the dehydration and lost firmness can send the fat deposits under your eyes to sink, which reveal more blood vessels under the eyes, making them look darker.
Lastly, alcohol can most certainly impact your gut health, which also impacts your skin and complexion. Stanford Neuroscientist, Andrew Huberman, discusses this in detail in this podcast.
While it is nice to enjoy a glass of wine, or a craft beer every once in a while, chronic use appears to have a fairly dramatic impact on your skin and overall complexion.