The holiday season is in full swing, and between the annual office party, visits to friends’ and relatives’ houses, and cozy nights spent wrapping presents with a deep, rich Merlot within easy reach, you’re probably drinking a fair amount of alcohol.
You want your skin to look its best in all of your Instagram and Snapchat pics. However, it might be wise to skip most, if not all, of those cocktails. Alcohol and skin that is radiant and youthful simply don’t mix–they’re like oil and water.
Put down that prosecco or chocolate stout and educate yourself about the deleterious effects of drinking on your complexion. Don’t worry–we’re also going to let you know how to combat them!
Drinks Lead to Dehydration
You are no doubt already aware of alcohol’s dehydrating effect. That’s what causes you to wake up the morning after a big party wanting to guzzle a gallon of water. Being dehydrated can also be extremely damaging to your skin. There are a couple of reasons why.
First, your skin may be your body’s largest organ, but it is also the last to receive the benefits of anything you eat or drink. Your body will allocate water to your internal organs and muscles first, and then, if there’s any left, it goes toward keeping your skin soft and supple.
Secondly, dehydrated skin can actually become more oily than usual. That’s because dehydration signals the skin to produce more oil to compensate for the lack of moisture.
Poor Sleep Takes a Toll on Skin
Did you know that some 20% of Americans use alcohol as a sleep aid? Despite the fact that a nightcap can make you drowsy, alcohol is detrimental to good sleep.
It blocks REM sleep, which is the most restorative type of sleep. Booze also interrupts your circadian rhythm–ever woken up in the middle of the night after a night of partying and been unable to drop back to sleep?
When your body doesn’t get the sleep it needs, it responds by slowing the pace of cellular turnover. This leads to skin that looks dull and dry–among other issues.
An Enemy Called Acetaldehyde
When your liver metabolizes alcohol, it produces a byproduct called acetaldehyde. Think that sounds like a dangerous substance from chemistry class? You’re not entirely wrong.
Acetaldehyde is toxic to your body’s tissues, and over the long term, can lead to further dehydration as well as red, inflamed skin.
Alcohol and Skin Damage Can Be Avoided
Have we convinced you to become a teetotaler in the name of your complexion? Relax–there’s good news. You can minimize the damage those drinks will do.
It’s important to eat a full meal before you start downing shots. When alcohol is metabolized alongside food, its effects are lessened. The time-honored tip of alternating each alcoholic drink with a big glass of water works to benefit your skin, as well.
Of course, the best way to avoid skin damage from drinking is to drink less or to stop altogether. Remember that quitting drinking doesn’t have to be a permanent decision, either. Try participating in a Dryuary challenge. Your body–including your skin–will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the relationship between alcohol and skin appearance may help motivate you to limit your drinking this holiday season and beyond. And that’s well-worth a toast!
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