Say Goodbye to Alcohol—And Hello to Glowing Skin

Here’s what happens to your skin when you stop drinking alcohol…

This is all good news… If you’re heading to Sober October after a summer of drinking mojitos and negronis, we’ve come to the right place.

Like Sober January, Sober October is a campaign that encourages people to give up alcohol this month while raising money for charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support.

But what are the benefits of abstaining from alcohol for 31 days or more? Especially when it comes to your skin? WH spoke to experts to find out how drinking alcohol directly affects your healthy appearance and what happens when

you drink.

But first… What does alcohol do to your skin? First things first: Drinking everywhere won’t harm your body. But the sad truth is that alcohol is a hepatotoxin, which means it specifically damages the liver, an organ closely

related to the function of the skin.

If your liver is damaged, it will show up on your skin. Ultimately, drinking alcohol can lead to dry skin, dark circles, loss of elasticity, and redness of the skin.

“Alcohol deprives the skin of vitamins by blocking their absorption and speeding up the breakdown of existing stores,” says Dr. David Jack, beautician in Harley Street. See you soon, skin cell renewal.

A lack of vasopressin also reduces the ability of blood vessels to contract. “This can cause broken capillaries and telangiectasia, which can lead to red lines on the skin,” says top esthetician Kate Kerr.

What does alcohol do to your body? We know the feeling: When you’re done with Friyay, it feels like a cold Picpoul beer. Moderate drinking is OK (no more than one drink per day for women). But it’s worth knowing what alcohol

does to your body.

Although small amounts of alcohol can relax you, relieve tension, and reduce inhibitions, they can cause slower reactions, poorer coordination, and slower brain activity.

Because alcohol is absorbed into your bloodstream, it essentially weakens the parts of your brain that control body functions, affecting your mood and your ability to make decisions and stay in control. This may cause anxiety

for several days after treatment (called an “anxiety attack”).

Over time, overuse can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, and cancer. Does alcohol dehydrate you? This is a resounding yes.

Congeners are chemicals produced during the fermentation process that contribute to the taste and smell of alcohol—and they’re a major cause of hangovers. They also remove moisture from the skin, much like the sun removes

moisture from sand.

“In the kidneys, alcohol increases water loss by suppressing the hormone vasopressin, which helps you reabsorb water,” adds Dr. Jack added. The result is drying of skin cells, making wrinkles more visible.

“Excessive amounts of alcohol cause hot flashes in most people, have a diuretic effect, and lead to dehydration,” says Dr. Justine Hextall, one of London’s top dermatologists.

Does alcohol cause inflammation? Do you think these mojitos and caipirinhas taste so good that they’re… well, good? That’s because they are. “Too many carbs and sugar can lead to inflammation,” explains Dr. Hextal, “And salt

[hello, tequila] can cause bloating.”

Hence, bags and dark circles under your eyes after a long night. Does alcohol cause acne? The high salt and sugar content in alcoholic beverages triggers the release of the hormone IGF-1, which causes excess oil production in

the skin.

Add to that increased insulin levels, which cause inflammation, and you have a recipe for acne. “When skin follicles become clogged with skin cells and oil, the oil begins to accumulate behind the clog, causing spots to form

later,” says Dr. Hextall.

Does alcohol cause premature aging? This is an age-old question. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of cell damage and accelerated skin aging. “Dehydration weakens the skin barrier, allowing environmental factors to cause

damage,” explains Dr. Hextall.

One of the reasons cocktails taste great is their high sugar content, which doesn’t do your face any favors. “It causes glycation, where sugar molecules in the blood combine with proteins to form advanced glycation end products

(AGEs),” says Dr. Mongolian.

“Studies show that AGEs hinder the production of collagen and elastin, leading to reduced cell turnover and repair.” So for the skin, this means discolored, dull complexion. “Additionally, glucose not only causes abnormalities

in the cells of the skin, it also produces free radicals.

This gives you a double advantage when it comes to signs of aging.” Does alcohol cause discoloration? Alcohol has vasodilatory effects, which means it opens blood vessels. If your blood vessels dilate too much

they can rupture, leaving small peripheral veins that can become permanently enlarged (you may notice ruptured red veins around your nose and on your cheeks). Additionally, when your liver stops functioning properly, it can

cause your skin to look dull and lead to pigmentation around your eyes.

Will drinking alcohol affect sleep? It disrupts your circadian rhythm, also known as your internal body clock. When you stay up all night, you don’t go through as many sleep cycles, so the growth hormone hormone doesn’t rise as

high as it should. “This growth and support hormone is released during the quietest phase of sleep, known as the REM phase. Missing this phase will result in reduced cell turnover and reduced collagen stimulation.” Kevin Mun,

Scientific Director and Venn Skincare Co-founder. Low growth hormone levels also reduce the moisture content of skin cells, causing the pH of your skin tone to become unbalanced and lower than it should be (5.5).

This can lead to dehydrated, dull skin. What happens to your skin when you stop drinking alcohol? Okay, now the good news. “Over time, giving up alcohol can have a positive impact on your skin,” reveals Lucy Xu, beautician and

founder of London’s top laser clinic. Xu said skin can improve at different intervals after quitting drinking. 1 week after stopping drinking: “After a week of abstaining from alcohol, you may notice some improvements in the

appearance and health of your skin.” Moisturize: “Alcohol can cause dehydration, and abstaining from alcohol can help your skin regain moisture. Hydrated skin looks plumper, smoother, and healthier.”

Reduce redness: “Many people experience facial flushing and flushing when drinking alcohol. After a week of abstaining from alcohol, these redness may subside and your skin tone may become more even.” 1 month after stopping

drinking: “After a month of sobriety, your skin will see further improvements. As your skin becomes more hydrated and circulation improves, your overall complexion will be brighter and more radiant.” Reduce puffiness: “Alcohol

can cause puffiness and puffiness, especially around the eyes.” Avoiding alcohol can reduce puffiness and keep your face looking younger and fresher. 3 months after stopping drinking: “About six months after you quit drinking,

you may experience more noticeable changes in your skin.”

Reduces acne and breakouts: “Alcohol can cause skin problems like acne and breakouts.” Over time, avoiding alcohol can reduce these problems, resulting in clearer skin. Wrinkle improvement: “After six months of not drinking

alcohol, you may notice a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles and improved skin elasticity.” An overall healthier appearance: “Your skin may look healthier, more energetic, and less tired.” Improved hydration and overall skin

health contribute to a youthful glow. ” “It’s important to note that individual experiences may vary, and the degree of improvement may depend on factors such as genetics, overall health, and skin care habits and routines.”

“However, quitting alcohol can have a negative impact on the appearance of your skin and your daily habits.

Positive impact. Healthy, helps create a fresher, younger look,” Xu added. How to deal with body and skin damage when drinking alcohol Once you’re past your sober October, you may want to take it slow if you start drinking

again. To prevent painful hangovers while combating their harmful effects, there are some simple things you can try:

1. Drink water This is the oldest trick in the book, and probably the most effective. With each drink, start with a large glass of water and then the next glass. Coconut water is also a good choice due to its high electrolyte

content.

2. Prepare in advance If you know you’ll have more than one margarita on the agenda, it might come in handy to do a little advance preparation for the next day. Before drinking, take some Biocol Labs Something For a Mini

Hangover capsules (a clever blend of choline, safflower, and artichoke) to help break down tequila-induced toxins in your body.

3. Stop drinking before bed According to an article published by the Sleep Foundation, drinking alcohol before bed can disrupt various stages of the sleep cycle, leading to poorer quality sleep (and worse hangovers).

Unfortunately, we advise against having that last nightcap.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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