Most everyone can probably guess that alcohol isn't that great for your skin, but do you ever stop to think about exactly how much alcohol effects your skin? You may love going out with your friends for Margarita Mondays, but drinking more than the recommended amount can do some damage to your skin, and you might not even realize it's the alcohol doing it. We've explored how drinking negatively impacts your skin, and how you can reduce these negative side effects, and the results may surprise you.
Dehydration
One of the negative effects that alcohol has on your skin is dehydration. Because alcohol is a diuretic, it will significantly lower your body's water level, causing dehydration. Dehydration of the skin can cause a loss of elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin. Dehydration can also lead to dryness, dullness, and enlarged pores. To reduce this negative side effect, it is important that you stay hydrated, exercise, and keep up with your night time skin routine. Dehydrated skin needs to be treated from within, and drinking enough water and exercising are both great ways to do just that. Exercise can also help keep your skin looking healthy, as it improves the blood flow throughout the skin. It is also important to keep up with your skin care routine. If you've had a rough night and really don't feel like doing your complete night time routine (because let's be honest, we've all been there), you should at least apply a rich moisturizer after cleansing. This will help keep moisture in your skin and hopefully keep your skin from getting too dehydrated.
Inflammation
Another negative side effect of alcohol is inflammation of the skin. Alcoholic drinks can be extremely high in sugar, which can trigger a certain hormone in your body that causes an overproduction of oil in your skin, which increases your chance of acne or breakouts. Inflammation of the skin can also lead to increased redness or flushing of the skin, acne, blotchiness, and puffiness. One solution to this is sleeping with two pillows. This may seem like an odd solution, but laying on the two pillows slightly propped up in bed is actually a good way to reduce puffiness in the eyes and face. Also, when your head is laying flat on the bed, fluids tend to pool in the under eye area, causing dark circles or "bags" under the eyes.
Benefits of Quitting Alcohol
Reducing your alcohol intake or even quitting alcohol all together can leave your skin looking healthier than ever! It can lead to plumper skin, fewer wrinkles, smaller pores and brighter skin. If you have excessive redness, stopping your alcohol intake can reduce that, and your skin will become more even. You will also notice puffiness of the face subside and your acne may even improve. All in all, having a drink once in a blue moon probably won't hurt your skin too much, but the benefits of reducing your alcohol intake seem to be worth it in the long run. There are plenty of activities you and your friends can participate in that don't involve drinking that are still just as much fun!