Alcohol & Your Skin: How Alcohol Affects Your Skin

During summer months, and the sun is out, for many of us, that means lounging in the garden, warm afternoon rays on our skin, and a drink in hand. There’s the possibility of a barbecue to add to the moment… and a probability of that drink containing alcohol.

Unfortunately, even if you ignore the damage the sun does to your skin (which should be zero, if you’re sticking to our SPF rules), there’s more than enough damage going on from that shiny glass (or bottle) in your hand.

Delicious as a summer cocktail may be, we’re all well aware that alcoholic drinks are far from good for us. Some of us will notice this simply as a little redness in the face. But you might not be aware that alcohol has a number of other unpleasant effects. And yes, that’s entirely aside from a hangover the next day.

 

What Are the Side Effects of Alcohol For Your Skin?

If you have ever woken up with a pounding headache and an unsettled stomach after drinking, it should come as no surprise that alcohol also takes a toll on your skin. Alcohol is a toxin that dehydrates the body, and this loss of hydration can leave skin looking dry, dull, and tired. Dehydration also contributes to enlarged pores and reduced elasticity, both of which can accelerate the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

From whisky to cocktails, alcohol deprives the skin of essential nutrients and moisture. These are two of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy complexion. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, much like caffeine, meaning it encourages the body to lose water. This explains the frequent trips to the bathroom during a night out and the dehydrated skin that often follows.

Inflammation is another key concern. Even small amounts of alcohol can cause the skin to flush, appear red, and become more sensitive. For those who are prone to conditions such as acne or rosacea, alcohol can significantly worsen flare-ups. However, even normal skin types may experience increased redness, puffiness, and an uneven complexion.

Alcoholic drinks are also often high in sugar, either from mixers or from the fermentation process itself. Excess sugar can contribute to a dull, lacklustre appearance and may weaken the skin’s structure over time, leaving it looking less plump and less radiant.

 

How does drinking alcohol affect skin conditions like rosacea?

Alcohol is a well-known trigger for rosacea flare-ups and can significantly worsen its symptoms. When you drink alcohol, your blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow to the skin. This causes facial flushing and redness, two hallmark signs of rosacea, to become more pronounced and longer-lasting.

Alcohol also acts as an inflammatory agent. It can weaken the skin barrier, increase sensitivity, and promote inflammation, all of which make rosacea-prone skin more reactive. Over time, frequent alcohol consumption may contribute to persistent redness, visible broken capillaries, and more frequent flare-ups.

For individuals with rosacea, reducing alcohol intake or avoiding known trigger drinks can help minimise flare-ups and support calmer, more balanced skin. Staying well hydrated and following a gentle, barrier-supporting skincare routine can also help reduce alcohol-related skin reactions.

 

Which alcoholic drinks are the worst for your skin?

It makes sense that some drinks are worse than others. Particularly if you go as far as to consider the source materials used for the production of certain types of alcohol. So which ones are the best (so to speak) and which ones should you be avoiding?

 

1. Dark Spirits

Typically, also the culprits for the worst hangovers, rum, whisky and bourbon are up there as the biggest bad boozes. Whisky is made of barley and grains, as is bourbon. And rum is basically sugar; there are no two ways about it.

So, it’s no surprise that these three are going to make your skin suffer.

No matter whether it’s a JD and Coke, on the rocks or blended into a fruity cocktail, all of them contain congeners, which are known to make hangovers worse. In fact, bourbon has 37 times the amount of congeners that vodka does in the same amount of alcohol. That’s a hangover that’s twice as likely to happen, and definitely going to be worse.

 

2. Clear Spirits

The paler it is, the better – but that doesn’t mean it’s all that good for you.

Gin, vodka and tequila all contain considerably fewer additives than dark spirits, and our bodies can process them much quicker. Luckily for us, that means they’ll have less of an effect on our skin, but minimal damage is still damage.

Light spirits don’t contain congeners, but alcohol is still going to dehydrate you. You’re still going to be craving a fry up in the morning. (And let’s face it, that’s not likely to help with your skin either…)

 

3. Red Wine

There are rumblings all the time about red wine being the healthier choice when it comes to alcohol. Yes, it contains antioxidants. But this is one of the rare times that antioxidants don’t equate to a good thing.

Red wine isn’t filtered in the way that some drinks are. This means it’s harder for your liver and kidneys to process it and expel it from the body. While it’s in your system, that means redness, flushing and a delightful blush across… well, your whole face. So if you’ve got rosacea, red wine is a big no-no.

 

4. White Wine

Similar to dark spirits, most white wines tend to have high sugar content. For your skin, that means inflammation and bloating, which isn’t a good look on anyone.

 

5. Cocktails

Ah, cocktails. No matter what anyone says, we’re certain that there’s not an alcohol drinker in the world who doesn’t appreciate the flair of a garnish and a tiny umbrella… unfortunately, they’re not as fun for your skin.

Most cocktails tend to be made with spirits, so their alcohol content can vary depending on your order (and bartender). However, the mixers in alcohol are often fruity, sweet and terrible for our skin. Clear complexions and cocktails simply don’t mix.

That sugar content can quickly lead to inflammation and cell damage, which contributes to acne, dull skin and a sallow appearance. And if you’re a fan of a margarita, remember that sugar and salt combined are doing your skin no favours.

 

So do I have to give up alcohol to protect my skin?

No, not necessarily. However, cutting back on alcohol can make a noticeable difference to your skin. Giving it up completely can be even more beneficial, but for many people, that is not always realistic or sustainable.

If you do drink, staying well hydrated is one of the best ways to reduce alcohol’s impact on your skin. Drinking plenty of water is important at all times, but it becomes especially crucial when alcohol is involved.

Alcohol dehydrates the skin because your kidneys work harder to process and eliminate it from your body. This increased workload leads to greater fluid loss, which can quickly show up as dryness, dullness, and fatigue in the skin.

Supporting your kidneys by ensuring you drink enough water helps your body function more efficiently, and the benefits are often reflected in a clearer looking complexion.

 

What else can I do?

Exercise, sticking to your skincare routine and switching to mocktails can all help your skin to recuperate.

 

Work Out

Exercise helps to improve our blood flow, which keeps skin looking plump and youthful. Throwing in the odd supplement won’t hurt either, particularly vitamin A, which helps our skin cells to regenerate.

 

Stick To Your Skincare

Making sure you remove any make-up and properly cleanse your skin before bed will make a world of difference, too.

Yes, we know when you’ve had a few, the last thing you want to do is start your twenty-minute routine. But consistency is a big part of keeping your skin healthy. And if you’re already damaging it through drinking, it’s only fair to give it the chance to recover.

If the whole thing feels like too much, then promise us you’ll at least cleanse and moisturise.

 

The Magic of Mocktails

Most mocktails are made with similar high-sugar ingredients to regular cocktails. Of course, this means that in some ways, you’re still causing skin damage. But you’re at least halving it (and enjoying a little treat).

If that doesn’t sound appealing, there are plenty of non-alcoholic beers, wines and mixers available in most bars and supermarkets.

 

Try an Extra Pillow

This one might sound a little mad, but sleeping on an extra pillow and propping up your head as you sleep can do a lot to reduce puffiness in the face and eyes. As we sleep, bodily fluids tend to pool in our faces, so an extra pillow helps gravity to do the work.

 

 

Author Bio

Dr. Nathan Holt (MBBS, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP) is the Founder and Medical Director of Cambridge Laser Clinic. A renowned Medical Laser Specialist with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Holt has personally performed over 150,000 successful procedures. He is a full member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) and the British Medical Laser Association (BMLA), specialising in advanced laser skin resurfacing, tattoo removal, and vascular treatments.