How to protect your skin from the effects of alcohol during the holidays

By Morayo Ogunbayo, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

You might notice an uptick in your drinking habits, now that the holiday season is in gear. The gatherings and celebrations that are filling your schedule often include alcohol as a part of the festivities.

For those who typically keep their drinking low throughout the year, this change in consumption can have adverse effects — particularly noticeable in regards to skin.

All alcohol leads to dehydration, which can make skin look duller and drier. According to Live Free Recovery, alcohol also affects the blood vessels, which can temporarily make the face swollen and red.

Most notably, alcohol can increase wrinkles and other signs of aging. A 2022 Oxford University study found that alcohol can accelerate biological aging, because it leads to excess damage to the cells and tissues in the body.

There are ways to mitigate alcohol’s effects on the body’s largest organ, however.

Take vitamins

Alcohol depletes many of your body’s natural nutrients, so getting them back is one way to reverse its effects.

According to Glamour, vitamin B-complex is best to take before drinking, giving your body essential nutrients before they are depleted by alcohol.

Choose spirits wisely

Not all drinks were created equally, and choosing your alcohol wisely can make a huge difference for your skin.

According to British GQ, clear drinks like gin, vodka and tequila are better, because they leave your system quickly and have fewer of the harmful chemical compounds of darker beverages.

Follow the 1-to-1 rule

The “1-to-1″ rule posits you should have one glass of water after every alcoholic beverage you consume.

According to Glamour, the 1-to-1 rule will keep you adequately hydrated throughout a night.

Supplement with a comprehensive skincare routine

If it’s important for you to maintain your healthy skin while still drinking, you may have to add more skincare to your daily routine.

According to Glamour, an extra rich face moisturizer will help to combat the dehydration, while any antioxidant-rich face moisturizer will help to repair your skin’s barrier.

Pause your drinking

There are many ways to decrease the effects of alcohol, but none more effective than cutting out drinking altogether. It is not the easiest choice, but if your goal is to enter 2025 with your best ever skin, drinking will only be a hindrance to getting you there.

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