When you reach for that glass of wine or your favorite cocktail, it’s unlikely that you’re thinking about your skin. If you’ve been noticing changes in your face that you don’t like, alcohol might be at the root of your problem. Let’s look at what you need to know before you take another drink.
Alcohol has a negative effect on the skin for four main reasons.
First, it dehydrates the cells of the skin, affecting how well it’s moisturized. You’ll not only have dry skin but dark circles under your eyes.
Second, your blood vessels become more dilated, leading to redness.
Third, alcohol has been linked to inflammation and bloating. The bloating will be obvious in your skin but inflammation tends to show as rosacea or a flare-up in your psoriasis.
Finally, alcohol can disrupt your body’s digestion, making it hard for you to absorb vitamins that are essential to keeping your skin healthy, such as Vitamin C. Without these vitamins, your skin won’t produce as much collagen as it needs to maintain its elasticity. The result is wrinkly and sagging skin. You may also become more prone to bruising.
While the redness in your skin might be obvious after a few drinks, most of the damage won’t show up until the morning after. That’s why your face might be bloated, red, and dry in the morning. To make things worse, drinking alcohol can increase your risk of skin infections or allergic reactions.
According to the experts, dark-colored liquor is the one to watch out for. That’s because the ingredients that give them their color directly affect the skin. If you weren’t avoiding them already, tequila, dark rum, cognac, bourbon, and whiskey should be on your ‘don’t touch’ list. Red wine might have its benefits but it’s bad for your skin. Interestingly, the same goes for white wine though the cause is different. White wine has
a very high level of sugar.
The high sugar content of certain drinks leads to inflammation and bloating. That means you should watch out for cocktails that are made from juices that contain a lot of sugar. Margaritas are one such culprit.
It’s best to stick to clear liquors such as vodka and white rum. If you’re interested in mixed drinks, stick to the simple ones that won’t have a lot of sugar.
While salt isn’t included in most mixed drinks, it can be used as an adornment on the glass or some kind of accompaniment. Be wary of this because salt will lead to bloating as well.
While being more mindful of what and how often you drink will work wonders for your skin, it won’t replace a good skincare routine. It’s best to use products that cater to your skin’s needs. That includes moisturizers, exfoliants, and cleansers.
Of course, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays is just as important. Use sunscreen when you go out and wear hats or sunglasses.
Finally, pay attention to any changes in your skin that don’t go away because you’re taking care of it. You may need to see a dermatologist so you can determine what’s really going on.
There’s nothing wrong with having a drink every now and then but it shouldn’t be at the expense of your skin’s health. If you’re staying in, keep only the good stuff at home. For those times when you’re heading out, stick to the safe list and everything will be fine.
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