Drinking alcohol can be fun or used as an escape from reality. It is fun when you have friends coming over, and you use it in moderation.
However, drinking alcohol can also be dangerous, as many of us already know. There have been both many scientific articles and also personal anecdotes on the adverse effects of alcohol on our body and organs, such as the liver.
There are also concerns about alcohol poisoning.
However, a less severe and more common complaint is that many experience acne breakouts right after holidays, a time when alcohol sales and consumption are especially high.
So, does alcohol cause acne? This article will dig into that to provide you with an answer and more information on this topic.
Does Alcohol Cause Acne?
Not exactly. Alcohol consumption does not directly cause acne. However, some connections link acne and alcohol.
There is no concrete evidence to suggest that consuming alcohol can lead to the development of acne. It also does not directly impact the condition, nor does it worsen it directly.
However, alcohol can harm many organs of the body, including the skin. It can disrupt bodily systems, such as your endocrine functions or hormones, which are known to influence acne formation.
Dehydration and Acne
Maintaining proper hydration is essential for maintaining a healthy body. When you’re properly hydrated, your body can easily eliminate dead skin cells and other hazardous waste from your system.
Your body can also maintain a healthy balance of natural oils and avoid over-or under-production of other essential nutrients that contribute to the maintenance of good skin.
Among other things, dehydration can create various problems, including acne breakouts. In addition, dehydration can cause the skin to appear sunken or droopy, which is undesirable.
Alcohol is a diuretic which causes the body to produce more urine than usual, flushing away more salt and water than normal. In effect, alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration.
According to some research, dehydration may cause the sebaceous glands in the skin to produce excessive amounts of oil. It is possible that having oily skin will cause outbreaks or make existing acne more severe.
Alcohol’s Effect on the Immune System
Consuming alcohol can reduce the number of immune cells in the body and potentially cause them to be destroyed. That may increase your body’s susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Consider the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), which causes acne. Cysts and pustules have been linked to the presence of these microorganisms. P. acnes can infect your skin at any time of the year. However, you may be more susceptible to infection if your immune system has been inhibited.
Researchers have not proven a direct link between alcohol and the acne-causing bacteria P. acnes. The association between your immune system, microorganisms, and alcohol, on the other hand, is worth exploring more.
Alcohol’s Effects on Hormones
Alcohol, on the other hand, has the potential to alter hormone levels. For example, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, every alcoholic drink ingested by a healthy female increased estradiol, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone.
Menopause-related hormonal shifts, such as those that occur throughout menopause, might result in acne.
Alcohol, on the other hand, has the potential to alter hormone levels. For example, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, every alcoholic drink ingested by a healthy female increased estradiol, testosterone, and luteinizing hormone.
To conclude, alcohol does not directly cause acne. But its effects on the body can contribute to acne breakouts.
To learn more skin tips, read our article on Acne Treatments That Really Work.
