Cosmetic Dermatologist

Alcohol consumption in women is a topic that keeps cropping up in the press – especially since NICE approved the drug nalmefene for ‘mild alcoholics’ who failed to cut down on drinking 2 glasses a wine a night after a 2 week trial period. Sober October lends itself to a self-imposed trial of abstinence – but it may be worth considering the negative impact alcohol has on the skin in order to harness the extra motivation that beauty benefits deliver. There’s no doubt in my mind that smokers may often find that extra bit of will-power to say no when the ‘carrot’ is probable improvement in acne and wrinkles. So lets consider the possible fall-out from too much booze:

1) Flaming cheeks

Alcohol vasodilates, meaning that blood vessels on the surface of the skin widen, increasing our natural ‘blush’. In certain individuals, this can lead to a debilitating prolonged ‘flush’, causing embarrassment and self-conciousness. This is a sign of alcohol intolerance, as it represents low levels of an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase that breaks down one of the alcohol byproducts. Result? Major hangover the next day.

In terms of appearances, the situation is even worse for those with rosacea – alcohol is a known provocateur, with as little as one drink causing problems in as many as 2 out of 3 sufferers. Redness is a hard thing to conceal cosmetically, as many who have tried (and failed) with green-tinged camouflage make-up will attest.

2)Parched pillow face

Yes, alcohol is a diuretic and the accompanying dehydration and disturbance in sleep quality will take its toll on your complexion the morning after. Dry, dull skin is likely to be accompanied by puffiness, especially around the eyes (not a particularly attractive combination), as a consequence of the added salt in many alcoholic beverages like margaritas, beer and white wine.

And the symptoms of a hangover will be much worse if you drink dark spirits like rum and whisky – they contain congeners, chemicals produced during alcohol fermentation that give the drink its flavor.

3) Blemish booster

The sugar in many alcoholic drinks (take a mojito, for instance) causes insulin levels to spike – this creates a pro-inflammatory milieu that can trigger an acne flare.

4) Flaky follicles

Regular guzzling of alcoholic beverages can also drive a number of common dry skin disorders, namely psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis – one of the commonest manifestations of these 2 disorders is a scaly, dry scalp.  As if that wasn’t enough, increased alcohol intake makes you more likely to develop psoriasis in the first place.

So there you have it – beaucoup booze can make turn you into a spotty, ruddy, flaky, crispy-skinned person. So how to drink safe and preserve your looks at the same time? Aim for moderate drinking, ensure you have 2 nights off a week to give your body time to recover and choose your beverage with care. Skip sugary mixers + dark liquors, try to eat at the same time as drinking and alternate an alcoholic beverage with a glass of water – your skin will say thank-you.