Alcohol And The Skin

‘Tis the season of indulgence… with the phrase ‘Oh go on, it’s Christmas!’ being the answer to most questions posed to us! But how much does increased alcohol consumption really impact on our skin and overall health? We asked our team of experts for the lowdown.

Can drinking alcohol – especially increased amounts over Christmas, damage skin?

We don’t want to put a dampener on your Christmas spirit… but in short. Yes. Dr Elif Benar, Aesthetic Doctor & Dermatologist at the Dr Elif Clinic told Belle About Town: “Alcohol inflames the tissue of the skin and increases the blood flow to your skin cells. Dullness, discolouration, enlarged pores, dehydration, blotches, redness and puffiness are common side effects of alcohol on the skin.”

Dean Gardner – Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner (& NHS Liver Disease Specialist Nurse) at Skin & Sanctuary agrees: “Does alcohol damage the skin? Yes, absolutely!”

Alcohol is metabolised by the liver and in small infrequent quantities most won’t experience any problems. However, in too frequent and/or large amounts (particularly binge drinking), alcohol can damage the liver leading to increased liver fibrosis and potentially cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.

The liver is responsible for hundreds of functions including processing vitamins, minerals and platelet function – all of which have a link to the largest organ of the body; your skin! Not only does damaging the liver affect these functions but high levels of alcohol itself can lead to inflammatory cascades resulting in hormone changes, oxidative stress, gylcation, telomere shortening and DNA mutations in the skin increasing the risk of premature skin ageing or problematic skin.

Moderation is key.

Celebrity plastic surgeon Dr Paul Nassif – star of Botched and owner of NassifMD Medical Spa™ UK, has the following warning for us – for over the festive season and beyond – when it comes to the potential implications excessive alcohol consumption can have on our appearance & overall health.

Dr Nassif says: “Alcohol is one of the worst things you can do for your skin. A big night out can contribute to poorer liver function, reduced immunity, hormone disruption, cell damage and insulin issues all impacting on the quality, appearance and ageing of your skin.

Alcohol is also a diuretic: it dehydrates you. You cannot absorb nutrients as well and you will crave salt. In women it changes their hormones, creating higher levels of testosterone, leading to things such as spots, weight gain around the stomach and waist area, bloated face, and hair loss… it can take skin up to a month to get over a single hangover!”

And what about hangovers… what impact do they have on our skin, health & appearance?

Dean says: “Hangovers are the symptom of too much alcohol and dehydration. Too much alcohol will damage the liver and the skin. So if you’re experiencing a hangover, your skin is unlikely to be thanking you or looking it’s best.”

Dr Elif adds: “Consuming a high amount of alcohol causes damage to the skin and this makes your skin open to free radical damage that leads to premature ageing.”

What can we do to prevent / lessen skin issues that occur as a result of alcohol consumption?

Dr Elif believes hydration is key. She says: “The most important thing you can do to help your skin after consuming alcohol is to drink water. Drinking alcohol dehydrates your skin as your kidneys go into overdrive trying to flush out the excess liquids. Refuelling your skin with plenty of water builds your hydration levels back up.”

Reiterating the message that moderation is key, Dean says: “In short, drink responsibly. There are no tricks, lotions or potions to prevent or remedy drinking too much alcohol. There are some products on the market which claim to help with hangovers but these have very limited research. Skincare containing antioxidants and Proxylane® can help reduce oxidative stress and glycation respectively. But remember, the liver still needs to process every unit of alcohol you consume no matter how you try to support it.”
Dr Paul Nassif explains further: “If you wish to indulge during the festive season then give your skin a helping hand by removing your make up before you go to sleep and incorporate retinols (vitamin A) in your skincare. Alcohol also reduces your vitamin A levels, which is a powerful antioxidant and also has a key role in the production of collagen. As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, which causes the face to ‘sag’ and so alcohol is speeding up the ageing process of the skin. 

“Intensify hydration in the morning by applying a moisturising sheet mask. If used straight from the fridge, it will have the added benefit of reducing redness.”

Try to drink at least two litres of water a day with lemon to kick start the liver’s detoxification process. It takes approximately 28 days for your skin to renew itself. This process varies from person to person and is age dependent, so to see a difference in the condition of your skin you would need to give up drinking for at least a month to see an improvement. After this time, your skin should feel more hydrated, and plumper – and it’s also likely that you will have more of a ‘glow’ and healthier complexion.

Top party season skin & health hacks from the experts

To reduce hangover symptoms and protect your skin Dr Paul Nassif recommends:

“Alternate each alcoholic drink with a glass water, it sounds simple but it really will make a difference to not only your skin but to  help avoid hangovers too.

Choose your alcoholic drinks wisely. Drinks containing lots of sugar, such as sweet cocktails, give you a ‘sugar hangover’, in addition to the negative effects associated with alcohol intake. Drinks made with salt, contribute to bloating puffiness and dehydration, while dark spirits such as whisky worsen your hangover. 

Clear spirits will be safest bet for skin. Such as vodka soda. It’s also fairly hydrating, meaning you don’t have to compromise on any fun, and you shouldn’t wake up with any unpleasant skin surprises!”

Skin & Sanctuary’s Dean concludes: “You can maintain you best skin and enjoy alcohol in the festive season if you drink responsibly.

Current UK guidelines on responsible drinking include limiting alcohol consumption to a maximum of 14 units spread over a minimum of three days a week with at least one day between drinking days. Adhering to this as a minimum is the safest way to protect your liver and your skin from alcohol.

Drinking water between alcoholic drinks can help prevent dehydration and slow own your consumption of alcohol. Eating before or with drinking can also slow down your absorption of alcohol.

• Further information on safer drinking can be found on the NHS and Drinkaware websites.