Have you ever wondered if drinking alcohol risks your skin’s health with acne?
Does it make your skin prone to acne breakouts? While consuming alcohol might not directly affect your skin, it can affect your body systems, eventually taking a toll on your skin’s health.
For the most part, the answer is no.
Does it dehydrate your body? Yes.
Does it produce sugar in the body? Yes.
Is too much of anything a good idea? No.
In moderation, alcohol is fine.
Alcohol can trigger acne, but it’s not the direct cause of acne. However, stress is a known cause of acne flare ups. So, if you are drinking heavily, not getting enough sleep, and neglecting your skincare regimen, you may find it harder to keep your acne under control.
As it turns out, bacteria, inflammation, excess oil production, and clogged pores are the true culprits behind all those blemishes. But alcohol can trigger many skin conditions. Which means, essentially, that if you are prone to acne already, slamming a flight of Jell-O shots might likely prompt some side effects.
Booze is also a diuretic, so it causes dehydration, which signals to your oil glands to produce more, more, more! Not to mention, high alcohol consumption also suppresses the immune system responses, which makes you more susceptible to a buildup of bacteria in the first place.
Mixed Drinks are the Worst Offenders
Sugary alcoholic drinks are going to be worse for your skin than anything else.
Acne thrives on foods with a high Glycemic Index (GI), which means they have an increased effect on your blood sugar, and cocktails and punches can get pretty sweet.
Mixed drinks (a beverage in which two or more ingredients are mixed) is especially hard on your skin for multiple reasons. They typically include hard alcohol, which causes dehydration and inflammation. They also usually involve some sort of sweet syrup or other mixers that are high in sugar. The base of your favorite cocktail may be a clear liquor like vodka or tequila, but that sugary margarita mix isn’t the best for your skin. Remember, a diet with too much sweet stuff can cause your blood sugar to spike, which leads to breakouts.
While people prone to rosacea should avoid red wine, which can worsen the condition, acne sufferers might want to stick to clear liquors “like tequila or vodka” and skip the sugary mixers. You could also try keeping a log of what you’re drinking and whether or not it causes breakouts to figure out if you have specific triggers to them.
Water is the Best Weapon
Our best advice for mitigating the negative effects of alcohol on skin and your acne is to hydrate aggressively before and after any event which you know will include alcohol intake.
We all know water is good for us, and it’s also good for our skin: When properly hydrated, it’s easier for our skin to flush toxins and dead skin cells and balance natural oils.
When you increase antioxidants like foods high in vitamin C – it works to counteract inflammatory triggers. If you want to make sure your skin is getting the nutrients it needs to thrive, up your intake of the kale, citrus, blueberry, broccoli, and strawberry recipes.
The Bottom Line
Remember, about 24 hours after your last drink, your body has metabolized alcohol, which means it’s no longer in your system. That said, everyone’s body is different! The time it takes your skin to improve can vary depending on your skin’s condition.
All that said, don’t beat yourself up if you enjoy a drink and don’t intend to give that up. If you have a question about alcohol and your skin, schedule a consultation with us and we can help you get started on your clear skin journey!
Cheers to clear!
Rene