Comments on: Alcohol and acne

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:03:25 +0000

I would say that dehydration can affect the skin. Also, alcohol supposedly reduces the quality of sleep and we all know that insufficient sleep can worsen acne.
A couple more possibilities…
Some people with acne-like conditions such as rosacea may find that alcohol (especially red wine & beer) may trigger a flare up, leading to increased irritation and breakouts. Excessive alcohol can cause flushing even for those without rosacea as well and anything like that can aggravate the skin. Some people sweat more when they drink a lot too.
Also, some people’s skin reacts negatively to increased yeast and theoretically beer (and some wine) may not be ideal for this condition.

I also agree with Dan’s observation that you might not take as good care of your skin when drinking. I know if I get good ‘n drunk I’m more liable to get lazy with my routine. Might be a little more aggressive with washing/application, etc or too impatient to wait between steps or may even fall asleep without bothering at all. And/or if not feeling well in the morning, may not feel like properly following the usual morning routine.

You may be more apt to consume crappy food, like a greasy late night or morning meal. Or if drinking mixed drinks you may consume a large amount of caffeinated sugary soda, etc. along with your alcohol. You might even be more likely to eat greasy or salty snacks with your hands then touch your face without thinking about it.

And pickers can be more likely to absent-mindedly pick when inhibitions are down. Being a picker myself, I know this can happen.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:39:28 +0000

i have noticed that the morning after a night of drinking, i have a few more pimples on my face. could just be a normal breakout, but i have a feeling beer increases acne for me personally

By: Michelle

Michelle — Tue, 25 May 2010 07:46:09 +0000

Hi guys, I always that I would have a terrible breakout after a night of partying, maybe because of the alcohol that dehydrates my body and also because of the junk food I usually eat the next day to get back to life again.

By: Garrett

Garrett — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:26:23 +0000

My graduation is in 6 days and at 7:30 PM. I am concerned with looking good for grad pictures and everything and was wondering if by getting drunk the night before(which I was planning on even before reading this blog), would the acne look less inflammed still at 7:30 PM? Anything I could do this weekend to make my face look a bit better for grad?

By: Dmitri

Dmitri — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 02:10:40 +0000

Alchohol could cause acne if you drink to much of it with mix drinks which could contain high amounts of sugar and carbs which are a BIG no no for acne.
It can almost contribute to acne by causing dehydration if not consuming a enough water which will then cause water retention in the skin because your face will fill the need to store more of the H2O in order to keep your skin hydrated. But if your skin stores to much water this can pinche off tallow canals, which can cause acne if your skin produces much sebum.

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:14:28 +0000

Yes alchohol is very dangerous for skin even if disinfect the skin . (this is not Dan the Admin of Acne.org)

By: graham

graham — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:01:18 +0000

good guesses man, but alchohol is a dehydrant, meaning drinking it will make you lose water rather than keep it. Keeping yourself hydrates is key in keeping cear skin.

By: Kay

Kay — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:05:30 +0000

I agree with Kristen. I don’t know if alcohol is like dairy, where you consume it and you can tell immediately whether it breaks you out. Alcohol in my opnion is more long term. My father grew up with flawless skin, just perfect! My mom hated him for it, lol. I got my mild acne from my mom, her acne was bad, my dad’s skin was flawless, I’m left in between. But my dad is an alcoholic, and now his skin couldn’t be worse. It is horrible! I’m telling you guys, seriously, just think about it. When I look at pics of my dad when he was 35, it doesn’t even look like the same person as he is now, 58. His skin was perfection. Now, he’s at the derm every other week treating his cysts, his rosacea, his face is all scarred, he’s constantly using topicals and antibiotics, it’s bascially too late for him & I feel so bad.

By: Leon

Leon — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:50:46 +0000

Beer is to good.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:13:13 +0000

Not suggesting that this is healthy, but I noticed that consistently my acne inflammation was significantly reduced the morning after a night of heavy drinking. Keep in mind that the acute effects of alcohol consumption and chronic consumption or very very different. I figure it has to do with the acute effects of alcohol on inflammatory responses. Dehydration and immune system inhibition might account for this but the effects would only be temporary. I wouldn’t recommend anyone getting really drunk to fight their acne but it’d be interesting to see how it effects other people.

By: ross

ross — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:58:21 +0000

Adam, i’ve noticed exactly this without realising it ha, i always wake up fearing the worst then i look in the mirror and i’m lik shit maybe thats it gone then BOOM next morning or later that day it gets so much worse, usually after a shave

By: Claire

Claire — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:13:05 +0000

After a drinking binge, the body is extremely dehydrated. This might affect the health of the skin.

Also, for women, alcohol throws the hormones out of balance (one reason that alcohol consumption increases the risk of breast cancer among women.) My gynecologist told me that… She said women are recommended to drink no more than a 5-ounce glass of wine. Try measuring that out, it’s a very small glass!

She also suggested drinking no more than twice a week.

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:23:58 +0000

Btw for people that are unaware increased testosterone activity is known to cause increase sweat gland activity and increased sebum release (oiliness to you and me!). This can then get trapped in pores, not only congesting the skin but also providing a food source for bacteria (mainly P. acnes – hence the name acne!).

By: Adam

Adam — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:15:11 +0000

Hey, I read a paper (I think it was in nature) a few months ago and which looked into the effects of alcohol on testosterone levels. Alcohol is thought to cause an increased breakdown of testosterone which in the short term is good as this reduces hormonal effects on sebum secretion. However, the reduction in testosterone then triggers a negative feedback loop which causes a sudden surge in testosterone and so a hormonal imbalance. I don’t know if anyone has noticed but in the morning after a night of drinking your skin looks like its getting better, then it takes a sudden turn for the worst and then your left with loadsa pimples and pustules! xxx PS testosterone levels effects females as well as males. The effects of testosterone changes are far worse in women due to the fine hormonal balance. Vice versa oestrogen levels in males.

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:35:38 +0000

“To Zim: I’d have to say your post makes absolutely no sense. Loss of man-points to you for being a tool bag.”

Agreed. Double loss of “man-points.”