The Impact of Drinking Alcohol: There are 6 Negative Effects on Your Skin

Drinking alcohol is still popular and is often part of social events or cultural rituals worldwide. Although drinking alcohol is a pleasurable experience for many, the importance of understanding the potential consequences for our skin is frequently underestimated. In this blog, we highlight the impact of alcohol consumption on skin condition and provide insights that are interesting to know. We provide various insights on how alcohol can affect the skin, ranging from dehydration to accelerating the aging process, and offer useful tips to counteract these effects and keep your skin healthy.

Alcohol

Alcohol is an organic compound that plays a central role in the world of beverages, ranging from refreshing beers to refined wines and strong spirits. The presence of alcohol in these drinks is the result of a fascinating natural process called fermentation, where sugars are converted into ethanol, the type of alcohol that is safe for consumption.

The origin of the alcohol in beverages lies with natural sources of sugar. These can be grapes in wine, barley in beer, or other sugar- or starch-rich ingredients such as potatoes for vodka or corn for bourbon. The type of ingredient not only determines the taste but also the unique character of each alcoholic beverage.

The production process begins with the preparation of these natural ingredients, which are harvested and then processed to release the sugars. In beer, for example, barley is malted, which means that the grain is soaked, germinated, and dried to activate the enzymes needed to convert the starch into sugars. In the case of wine, grapes are fermented with their natural sugars.

The next step is fermentation, where yeast plays a crucial role. Yeast is a microorganism that consumes sugars and converts them into ethanol and carbon dioxide. This transformation takes place in sealed vats to keep out oxygen and create ideal conditions for the yeast. The time, temperature, and type of yeast all influence the final product, including the alcohol content and flavor profile.

After fermentation, the drink can be further refined, such as aging in barrels, distillation (for spirits), or filtering to achieve the desired clarity and purity. Distillation is a process where the liquid is heated to separate the alcohol from the rest of the liquid, resulting in a drink with a higher alcohol percentage.

The impact of drinking alcohol on the body

When alcohol is consumed, the body initiates a complex chain of biochemical reactions. These processes generate different substances that have both short-term and long-term effects on our health and well-being, with a particularly noticeable impact on the skin.

Alcohol is absorbed directly into the digestive system after consumption, primarily through the stomach and small intestine. Here, the breakdown of alcohol begins by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which is particularly active in the stomach in men, causing a portion of the alcohol to be metabolized before it even reaches the bloodstream. Once transported into the bloodstream, alcohol is carried to the liver, where it is further broken down. The liver transforms ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic substance, which is subsequently converted into acetic acid, a substance the body can use for energy.

This metabolization process increases the blood alcohol concentration (BAC), which influences various mental and physical functions, ranging from mild relaxation to severe impairments, depending on the amount of alcohol consumed.

At the cellular level, alcohol causes oxidative stress, resulting in the production of free radicals that can damage cells and cause inflammation. This situation is particularly harmful to the skin, which can lead to premature aging, dehydration, and a dull appearance, as alcohol affects the hydration and barrier function of the skin.

Alcohol also affects the hormonal balance, including disruption of sleep by influencing melatonin production and increasing stress hormones such as cortisol, which contributes to skin conditions like acne.

More about how hormones affect your skin

Chronic alcohol use can result in long-term health problems, including liver disorders, heart diseases, and neurological disorders, as well as permanent skin damage such as persistent redness, dilated blood vessels, and increased susceptibility to skin infections due to a weakened immune system.

Effects of Drinking Alcohol and Your Skin

Dehydration:

One of the most direct effects of alcohol on your skin is moisture loss, also known as dehydration. Alcohol acts as a diuretic, which means it causes your body to produce more urine. This results in you losing more fluid than normal, which can lead to your skin becoming dehydrated. This can manifest itself in dry, flaky and dull skin, especially after excessive alcohol consumption.

2. Inflammatory Reactions:

Alcohol can cause inflammatory responses in the skin by stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to inflammation that dilates blood vessels. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are proteins produced by the immune system in response to infections or injuries, but also by influences such as alcohol use. They send signals to warn the body that something is wrong, which triggers an inflammatory response. This process is intended to help with healing, but if it is too intense or prolonged, it can cause tissue damage, including in the skin, which can lead to redness.

In addition, alcohol stimulates inflammatory processes in the skin, which can result in symptoms such as swelling and an uneven complexion. These inflammations can disrupt the skin’s natural recovery, damage the skin barrier, and contribute to accelerated ageing and deterioration of skin condition.

3. More Wrinkles:

Alcohol can disrupt the production of collagen, an important protein that keeps the skin firm and youthful. This happens because alcohol consumption can lead to inflammation in the body, which negatively affects the cells that produce collagen, the fibroblasts.

Moreover, alcohol, through its metabolite acetaldehyde, can affect the quality of collagen and accelerate its breakdown. This results in a loss of skin elasticity and firmness, making the skin look looser and older. Understanding this mechanism underscores the importance of moderation in alcohol consumption for maintaining healthy skin.

The study by Goodman et al. emphasizes that heavy alcohol consumption, defined as 8 or more drinks per week, is associated with visible signs of skin aging, such as increased lines in the upper part of the face, bags under the eyes, loss of volume in the mid-face, and visible blood vessels.

With moderate alcohol use, less than 8 drinks per week, only bags under the eyes and volume loss in the mid-face were significantly associated with aging. In general, heavier drinkers exhibited a larger increase in aging features than moderate drinkers.

4. Acne and Rosacea:

Alcohol consumption appears to be a risk factor for acne, with various studies showing different results. Research among European and Asian populations suggests that people who consume alcohol have a higher risk of acne than those who do not drink alcohol. However, the results vary, especially among adolescents and adults, with some studies showing a correlation, and others not. Mechanisms such as the influence of alcohol on skin microorganisms and the conversion of alcohol into acetaldehyde could play a role in acne formation.

In a study published in 2017 by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology they investigated the connection between alcohol consumption and the risk of rosacea in American women. Their research indicated that regularly drinking alcohol can increase the risk of developing rosacea. Rosacea is a skin condition that can cause redness and visible blood vessels in the face. These findings suggest that women who regularly drink alcohol may have a higher chance of developing rosacea, demonstrating that alcohol can cause not only internal health problems, but also affect the health and appearance of the skin.

5. Reduced wound healing:

Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact the wound healing process. Normally, when you have a wound, various cells work together to repair the damage. However, alcohol can disrupt the function of white blood cells, which are essential for the initial response to wound healing. It also reduces the production of collagen, a crucial protein for skin repair, and can limit the blood flow to the affected area, making it difficult for essential nutrients and oxygen to effectively reach the wound area. All of this significantly slows down the healing process.

6. Increased Risk of Skin Cancer:

Prolonged alcohol use can increase the risk of various types of skin cancer. Alcohol can weaken the immune system and reduce the skin’s natural defense against harmful UV rays. This is especially risky for people who are often exposed to the sun. The metabolites of alcohol, such as acetaldehyde, can also cause cellular damage that contributes to the development of cancer.

An extensive study investigated the relationship between alcohol use and the risk of skin cancer. The study found that prolonged alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. This association is heightened in people who are frequently exposed to sunlight, suggesting that alcohol use should be carefully moderated to minimize the risk of skin cancer. Awareness of these risks and moderation of alcohol consumption are crucial for maintaining healthy skin.

Now that you’re here

Now that it’s 2024, this presents an excellent opportunity to take a critical look at your skincare routine. As a dermatologist, I’d like to point out the importance of effective skincare. However, some routines or habits that you developed last year might be better left behind. Let’s explore together which five skincare habits from 2023 you might consider saying goodbye to. If you want to know more, click here