Whether you enjoy a glass of wine (or two) every night or you’re the occasional cocktail sipper, the truth about what alcohol does to your skin might surprise you.
Because even occasional drinking can have short-term and long-term effects on your skin.
But before diving into the good, the bad and the ugly about alcohol versus your skin, take a look at these shocking facts:
The Truth about Alcohol and Your Skin
Think a little wine here and there doesn’t make a difference? Think again! Alcohol is everywhere. From fancy cocktails to that glass of champagne at celebrations. But did you know that the alcohol industry in the U.S. is over $250 billion a year? That’s a lot of drinks!
More than 60% of adults enjoy alcohol regularly.
But here’s the catch: women feel its effects faster and more intensely than men. Why? Because women’s bodies process alcohol differently. Hormones and body composition make it harder for women to break down alcohol, meaning it sticks around longer and impacts the skin more. So while men might bounce back quickly, for women, the damage lasts longer and runs deeper.
Now, let’s dive into exactly how alcohol affects your skin and what you can do about it.
Why Women are Affected More
Women usually have less of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which helps break down alcohol in the body. With less of this enzyme, alcohol stays in the system longer. This leads to more toxins staying in the body, which dries out your skin and speeds up the loss of collagen. Over time, this can make your skin look saggy and more tired.
Women's bodies typically have more fat and less water than men’s, so alcohol isn't spread out as much in a woman’s body, making its effects stronger. This results in more inflammation, which can cause puffiness, redness, and even acne. And because alcohol stays in a woman's system longer, its negative effects on the skin last longer too.
How Alcohol Damages Your Skin
Alcohol doesn’t just leave you feeling sluggish the next day — it takes a serious toll on your skin, both in the short and long run. Here’s what’s happening beneath the surface:
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Dehydration (Short-Term & Long-Term)
Alcohol is a diuretic. This causes your body to lose water and important nutrients. As a result, your skin can become dull and dry. Fine lines and wrinkles become more pronounced when skin is dehydrated. This is especially true for the delicate neck and eye area.
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Collagen Breakdown (Long-Term)
Collagen is the structural protein that keeps skin firm and youthful. Alcohol increases oxidative stress, leading to premature collagen breakdown. This means sagging skin, fine lines, and deeper wrinkles over time.
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Inflammation (Short-Term & Long-Term)
Alcohol triggers chronic inflammation, which disrupts your skin’s natural healing process. This can make your face appear red, swollen, or puffy the next morning. Over time, repeated inflammation can break down skin structure. This leads to weaker skin, increased sensitivity, and persistent redness.
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Rosacea (Short-Term & Long-Term)
For those prone to rosacea, alcohol can be a major trigger. It dilates blood vessels, causing flushing, irritation, and flare-ups that worsen over time. And frequent drinking increases the risk of developing persistent redness, visible broken capillaries, and an uneven skin tone.
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Nutrient Deficiency (Short-Term & Long-Term)
Alcohol blocks the absorption of key nutrients your skin needs to stay healthy. It can even block important nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, and E, as well as essential minerals like zinc and magnesium. Without these, your skin loses its natural defense against environmental stressors. This can lead to dullness, slower cell turnover, and increased vulnerability to damage. Over time, nutrient depletion can weaken the skin barrier. Leaving it more prone to irritation, breakouts, and premature aging.
6 Tips to Protect Your Skin
Whether you’re enjoying a glass of wine by the fireplace… or you’re heading out for a fun night on the town… here are 6 simple tips to help fight-back against the skin-damaging effects of alcohol:
1. Hydrate Smartly
Don’t just drink water. Add electrolytes, like coconut water or electrolyte tablets, to replace lost minerals. Incorporate an anti-inflammatory skincare routine to help reduce puffiness and under-eye bags.
2. Snack Smart
Eating healthy fats, like avocados, salmon, or nuts, slows alcohol absorption. This also helps reduce dehydration effects. But don’t forget to feed your skin. Rehydrate your neck and décolletage with a deeply hydrating moisturizer like Fièra’s Neck + Décolletage Cream. Packed with hyaluronic acid, it locks in moisture and restores plumpness after a night out.
3. Boost Your Antioxidants
Alcohol raises free radical damage that causes the skin to age faster. Berries, dark leafy greens, green tea and even dark chocolate are loaded with powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants help combat free radical damage. You can also use an anti-inflammatory skincare product like Fièra’s Vitamin C Serum. It brightens skin and fights oxidative stress from alcohol.
4. Skip Sugary Mixers
Sugar worsens inflammation and glycation, accelerating wrinkles. Spirits and wines are always good options to avoid sugar. But avoiding the bad isn’t enough — your skin needs a recharge. A fresh green shake with a scoop of Fiera’s Daily Greens. This superfoods mix is the perfect hangover fix to not only improve your gut health and digestion. It’s full of healthy greens, vitamins, and minerals. These help treat sugar wrinkles better.
5. Detox with Milk Thistle
This powerful herb supports liver function. Research from Cleveland Clinic shows it helps your liver process alcohol and flush out toxins faster. It strengthens liver cells, reduces inflammation, and boosts bile flow to break down fats. Over time, it can improve how your body handles toxins and support overall skin health. The best time to take milk thistle is about 15 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And you can opt to take in tablets, capsules, tinctures, and even tea.
6. Invest in Overnight Recovery
A bakuchiol night treatment can help reverse skin stress from alcohol. Try Fièra’s Bakuchiol Facial Treatment for overnight rejuvenation. Bakuchiol helps rebuild collagen lost due to alcohol. Plus, bakuchiol acts as a powerful antioxidant to combat oxidative stress and support skin recovery.
Last Drop: Can You Enjoy a Drink Without Wrecking Your Skin?
Moderation is key. One or two drinks won’t instantly ruin your skin, but chronic consumption will take its toll.
The good news? The next time you raise a glass, be smart about it. Hydrate well, and follow a skincare routine designed for mature skin.
A radiant, youthful glow is worth the effort!