Effects of alcohol on the skin: what they are and how to fight them

Do you know that alcohol can also have harmful effects on the skin? Alcohol, in fact, does not only affect the liver, heart rhythm, gastrointestinal tract and mind, but it can also ruin our skin. Therefore, in addition to using creams and serums, let’s also pay attention to what we drink and in what quantities. But let's find out more.

Skin Care

Do you know that alcohol can also have harmful effects on the skin? In fact, excess alcohol does not only affect the liver, heart rhythm, gastrointestinal tract and mind, but it can also ruin our skin causing some disorders and accentuating others. Therefore, in addition to using creams and serums, let’s pay attention to what we drink and in what quantities. Let's find out then what are the effects of alcohol on the skin and what are the remedies to improve the appearance of your skin.

Dull and opaque skin

The excess of alcohol, that is the constant intake of three glasses a day, mainly affects the liver, an organ responsible for eliminating toxins from our body: alcohol, in fact, has a high degree of toxicity that affects also our skin. How? Our skin will be dull and opaque with a complexion that can go from yellowish to greyish. This is because the skin will not be cleaned from the inside and it will have an uncared and asphyxial appearance.

Redness and spots on the face

Alcoholic beverages, in particular spirits, have an almost immediate vasodilator effect: especially those suffering from blotches will experience an extemporaneous redness, but also the appearance of spots and a loss of elasticity of the skin is possible. Vasodilation also causes swelling of the eyes and dark circles, due to the redistribution of liquids it causes in our body. In severe cases, excess alcohol can also cause rosacea, a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that causes widespread redness and rashes on the cheeks, nose, chin and forehead.

Early aging with the appearance of wrinkles

Another effect of alcohol is dehydration which causes premature aging of the skin with consequent appearance of wrinkles and skin imperfections. This happens due to the lack of water, which involves a sudden dissolution of our vitamin A and vitamin C deposit: vitamins that act as powerful antioxidants, as they are able to counteract the harmful effects of free radicals.

Do you suffer from acne or psoriasis? The situation could get worse

The excessive intake of alcohol, therefore, causes an excessive dehydration of the skin which can accentuate skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis, which cause dry skin. The same is true for those who suffer from acne or rosacea, and this is caused by the vasodilator effect of alcohol, which can worsen the situation with consequent increase in redness, rashes and pimples.

What are the alcohol to avoid?

If we want to defend our skin, better stay away or limit spirits and, above all, cocktails. In the latter case, in fact, to be fatal for our skin, it is in a mix of alcohol and sugars which, raising the glycemic index, cause the appearance of skin problems such as dermatitis, acne and early wrinkles. In order not to accentuate these problems, attention must be paid above all to mojitos and margaritas, two cocktails rich in sugars and, in the case of margaritas, there is also salt which accentuates the swelling. Every now and then you can allow yourself a glass for a toast with friends: preferably a glass of wine or a tonic liqueur or a digestive liqueur once or twice a week.