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Your skin is incredibly sensitive, and not only is it affected by the products you use, but it will also reflect your eating habits. When you nourish your body with a well balanced diet, you can actually help to clear up your skin and enhance your glowing complexion. However, there are some foods which can drag down your skin, causing breakouts and premature aging. In order to best preserve your appearance and fight against sagging skin and irritation, this is the one food that dermatologists warn against consuming regularly.
Although a nice glass of wine may take the edge off of a long week, alcohol is one of the biggest contributors to premature aging and other irritation that will wreak havoc on both your skin and your body. Dr. Howard Sobel, founder of Sobel Skin and Attending Dermatologist and Dermatologic Surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York explains, “Alcohol dehydrates the body and depletes it of water and vitamins. If you are noticing puffy, red skin the day after heavy drinking, alcohol is definitely the cause. Long term heavy drinking can also lead to loss of collagen and increase in wrinkles.”
Even if you don’t drink frequently, one glass may have a negative effect on your skin, working against your ideal complexion. “Since alcohol also dehydrates your body, it can take the moisture out of your skin leading to dry, red and itchy patches, acne, and rosacea,” says Dr. Sobel. This irritation may appear immediately during or after drinking and will leave you looking dull and deflated.
Drinking can also cause your hormones to fluctuate which may have a direct impact on the appearance of your skin. According to Healthline, alcohol can increase the production of estrogen and progesterone in women which plays an important role in oil production. “Increased hormone levels can stimulate your oil glands. Increased oil, or sebum, production can clog your pores and result in a breakout.” Additionally, as alcohol dehydrates you, your body will produce more oil in an attempt to bridge the gap which can also cause breakouts.
Although alcohol can still be enjoyed in moderation, it’s important to be aware of the impact even a glass or two may have on your skin. From breakouts to redness, irritation and premature aging, alcohol can wreak havoc on both the inside and outside of your body. In order to enjoy a clear complexion without worrying about causing further damage to your skin, it may be worth limiting your alcohol consumption and making sure to stay hydrated whilst you drink.
