Pretty much everyone knows how bad alcohol can be for you if you drink it too much or too regularly. But many don’t know it can wreak havoc on your skin. Too much drinking can lead to dry skin, which can result in serious problems with your appearance. Let’s take a look at exactly how alcohol affects your skin and makes it dry now.
WHY IS ALCOHOL BAD FOR YOUR SKIN?
You know how alcohol dehydrates you? Well it dehydrates your skin too. Water serves as a moisturizer for your skin, and without it, you’ll develop some unsightly signs of dehydration. When your skin is dry, you are more likely to develop wrinkles, which can make you look years older than you actually are.
This dehydration also leads to your skin not being able to get the nutrients it needs to be healthy. These nutrients are essential to helping your skin repair and take care of itself. As a result, you might see that your skin color looks dull after heavy drinking. You may also notice that your skin looks puffy and bloated in the morning. That’s because it wasn’t able to get the nutrients it needs, so it stores water whenever it can get it.
If you have rosacea, alcohol can also trigger your symptoms, causing facial flushing. It also increases blood flow in your face. The blood vessels can dilate and even burst, so that you are left with red spots and broken capillaries. In order to get these taken care of, you may have to receive treatment from a skin care professional.
HOW TO REDUCE ALCOHOL’S AFFECT ON YOUR SKIN
Now, you don’t have to stop drinking booze for good to ensure that your skin is as healthy and moisturized as can be. You just need to make sure you’re drinking in moderation. Drinking in moderation is having up to one drink per day for women, and two drinks per day for men, according to Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
While you’re drinking, make sure to have at least one glass of water per alcoholic drink. This way, you’ll be able to stay somewhat hydrated while you drink and keep your skin from getting dry. Though it may be the last thing you want to do, try to moisturize your face before you go to bed after a night of drinking. Finally, avoid greasy foods the next day. Instead, eat nutrient-rich food that’s great for your skin.