Does alcohol cause acne?

It’s the ultimate skin care question and we’re all praying it’s a ‘no’.

There are so many myths around alcohol and acne that it’s difficult to know what to believe.

So, we’ve looked into the science behind it to find out the truth about whether alcohol causes acne.

First, let’s start with the good news- there has not been a proven direct link between drinking alcohol and getting acne.

But, before you start topping up your wine glass in celebration, there’s a catch.

There are lots of things that alcohol does to your body, which can affect your skin and cause breakouts.

We’re going to show you exactly how alcohol can affect your skin, and give you some great solutions to help you counteract these.

The best thing you can do for your skin is to go sober, but if that’s not an option for you, we have some great tips for the next best thing.

So, what actually does alcohol do to your skin?

ALCOHOL MESSES WITH YOUR HORMONES

We all know that hormones can play a big part in breakouts. You might be prone to flare ups around your period or find certain contraceptive pills give you spots. The link is pretty strong (hence teenage acne) and alcohol can have a wide range of effect on hormone levels.

Alcohol is high in sugar, causing a spike of insulin in your body, which can increase your testosterone levels. This can make acne worse as it causes your skin to produce excess oil, which can mix with bacteria and create spots.

What’s the solution?

-Avoid sugary mixers, wine and ciders as they are higher in sugar. Instead opt for clear spirits, such as a gin and slimline tonic.

IT AFFECTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Alcohol can affect the way oxygen and other nutrients pass through your skin.

It can reduce and even destroy some protective cells, meaning you’re more likely to get infections and acne.

If you suffer from cystic acne, you may be particularly prone to breakouts after drinking alcohol.

What’s the solution?

-Eating foods that are high in antioxidants after and before drinking can help reduce the affect of alcohol, such as spinach, kale and raspberries. Also, opt for a healthy, balanced meal, whenever you’re drinking, to help your body fight off infections.

IT INCREASES INFLAMMATION

Higher hormone and sugar levels after drinking alcohol, can increase inflammation, making some forms of acne worse.

This includes papules (under the skin spots), pustules (white heads) and cysts.

What's the solution?

-Drink in moderation. Limit yourself to no more than 2 drinks in one day and have as many alcohol free days as you can.

ALCOHOL IS DEHYDRATING

As you probably already know, alcohol is a diuretic, which means it flushes out excess water from your body (which is why you’re always running to the toilet after a few drinks).

This means that you and therefore your skin can be left very dehydrated after a night of drinking.

When your skin is dehydrated, it produces excess oil to make up for it, which can lead to breakouts.

What’s the solution?

-Drink a glass of water in between each alcoholic drink. Make sure you’re hydrated before you begin drinking and finish off your night with a large glass of water.

Although it’s not proven that alcohol actually causes acne, it’s definitely possible it’s making your acne worse.

If you find that nothing seems to be working for your skin, try cutting out alcohol for a while, and see if it makes a difference.

Even if alcohol isn’t affecting your acne, drinking too much can have so many detrimental effects on your health and how your body functions, so it’s definitely best to keep it to a minimum, as best you can!