Why You're Breaking Out After Drinking More Than Usual

Work has been overwhelming lately. You're exhausted, stressed, and struggling to relax in the evenings. Lately, you've been drinking more alcohol to unwind, and now you're noticing more pimples appearing. What's happening? Is it the stress, the alcohol, or something else? Let's explore the link between alcohol and acne.

Understanding Acne

Most of us know acne all too well—those stubborn whiteheads, blackheads, and pimples. While lifestyle habits can make you more prone to breakouts, genetics play a much bigger role. Many experts view acne as an inflammatory skin condition that develops when your skin is naturally susceptible.

Some types of acne, like cystic acne, are tied to hormones. Other factors—like how you care for your skin—don't cause acne but can make it harder to control. For example, washing your face too much or too little can lead to pimples.

Research shows that stress, diet, and drinks like alcohol can worsen acne, but they don't cause it. Acne forms when three things happen:

• Your skin produces too much oil (sebum)
• Hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells
• Bacteria multiply in the clogged pores

Can Alcohol Cause Acne?

Alcohol doesn't directly cause acne or make it worse. However, it affects your body in ways that can lead to breakouts. Here’s how:

Weakened Immune System

Alcohol can suppress your immune system, reducing protective cells and making you more vulnerable to infections. For example, the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes can cause inflamed pimples and cysts. A weaker immune response from drinking may increase your risk of infection and worsen acne.

Hormonal Imbalances

Alcohol affects hormone levels, raising estrogen and cortisol (a stress hormone). Higher cortisol can lead to weight gain, poor sleep, and a weaker immune system. Increased hormones can also stimulate oil glands, producing more sebum that clogs pores and causes breakouts.

Increased Inflammation

Alcohol promotes inflammation, especially since your body processes it like sugar. Sugary mixers in drinks can double the inflammation risk. Inflammatory acne—like papules, pustules, and cysts—may flare up as a result. Studies show that low-sugar diets can help improve acne over time.

Excess Toxins

Your liver removes toxins like alcohol from your body. Frequent drinking can overload the liver, causing toxins to build up and exit through your skin, leading to breakouts. Alcohol also causes liver inflammation and depletes antioxidants, increasing oxidative stress that worsens acne.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, making you lose more fluids and salt. Dehydration affects your skin’s ability to balance oils and shed dead cells. Research suggests that dehydration may trigger oil glands to produce extra oil, leading to more severe breakouts.

How Different Drinks Affect Your Skin

While no alcohol directly causes acne, some types impact your skin more than others:

• Dark liquors (whiskey, scotch, brandy): High in congeners, which increase dehydration, blood sugar, and inflammation.
• Clear liquors (gin, vodka): Lower in congeners, but heavy drinking still causes dehydration and inflammation.
• Mixed drinks: Often contain sugary syrups or juices that spike blood sugar and dehydrate skin.
• Beer: Contains furfural, a congener that promotes inflammation and dehydration.
• Wine: Red and white wines contain tannins that can dehydrate skin and increase inflammation.

The Bottom Line

There's no direct link between alcohol and acne, but alcohol's effects on your immune system, hormones, inflammation, toxins, and hydration can indirectly cause or worsen breakouts. If you're prone to acne, cutting back on alcohol can benefit your skin and overall health. Let Quitemate show you how!