Alcohol’s effects are often perceived as a mostly internal affair, but that’s not true. Alcoholic drinks can affect your skin in alarmingly varied ways, either as a direct causative factor or as part of a more general alcohol-related health problem. Like most things in life, moderation is key to enjoying alcohol without experiencing its skin-harming effects.
Acne
Your body’s hormone levels may play a significant role in the hormonal disorder known as acne, which is signified by the development and recurrence of blackheads, whiteheads or cysts in the skin. Dozens of medical studies have demonstrated alcohol’s significant role in creating hormonal imbalances and fluctuations in both men and women, which may contribute to the acne skin disorder. This includes a May 2009 study of men published in the “Journal of the International Bone and Mineral Society” and a similar study for women published in the “American Journal on Addictions.”
Cirrhosis
Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to a liver condition known as cirrhosis. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, this may negatively affect your skin, as well as general bodily functions like digestion. If you have cirrhosis, your skin may turn yellow and become marked with thin blood vessels visible on the surface.
Alchol Poisoning
Acute alcohol poisoning may lead to your skin turning blue as blood flow to the surface decreases, warns the University of California, Davis. The skin may also become moist to the touch and feel cold. If you notice this in a friend, especially if it’s accompanied by constant vomiting or an inability to wake them up, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
Skin Aging
Alcohol can make your skin look prematurely old, reports the University of Maryland Center for Substance Abuse and Research. Common signs include wrinkles and skin discoloration. This may be because alcohol consumption lowers your consumption of healthy substances that could otherwise help repair and maintain the skin’s appearance, and it may also release free radicals that damage the skin cells.
Bloating
Drinking alcohol three hours or less before going to bed can make your facial skin look bloated and sag, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This is because alcohol boosts the risk of your blood capillaries leaking. Over time, the university warns that his can lead to wrinkles and poor facial skin tone.
