What does alcohol really do to your skin?

Whether it’s a celebratory glass of champagne, an end-of-week wine, or a perfectly mixed negroni, alcohol can play a social and cultural role in many people’s lives. But if you’ve ever looked in the mirror the next morning and noticed your skin looking… not quite itself, you’re not alone.

Here, we take a gentle, science-informed look at how alcohol can affect your skin – without judgement – and share tips to help your complexion bounce back.

Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it encourages your body to lose fluids. When you become dehydrated, your skin can too – resulting in a lack of glow, tightness, or a dry, rough texture.

Rehydration is key – both inside and out. Drinking plenty of water before and after a night out is a smart first step. On the outside, reach for a moisturiser rich in humectants to help draw in water and reinforce your skin barrier.

Try Baptise Hyaluronic H₂O Ultra-Hydrating Water Gel – a light, water rich gel with plant-based hyaluronic acid and mānukahoney to restore comfort and bounce.

Alcohol can interfere with deep, restorative sleep – the phase when your skin does its overnight repair work. Less quality sleep can lead to puffiness, dullness, or even more prominent fine lines the next day.

Support your skin’s natural overnight rhythm with antioxidant-rich skincare that helps fight oxidative stress – a key factor in premature ageing.

Try: Avocado Pear Collagen-Boosting Night Cream – packed with antioxidants from New Zealand grape seeds (double the antioxidants of grapes grown elsewhere in the world) to help boost collagen production and protect against free radical damage.

Sweet mixers and sugary cocktails can spike insulin levels, potentially increasing inflammation – which may show up as blemishes for some skin types. This won’t affect everyone, but if you’re breakout-prone, it’s something to be mindful of.

Always remove your makeup after a night out! Cleanse gently but thoroughly to remove excess oils and build-up, and use a brightening toner or lightweight serum to help keep pores clear.

Try: Gospel Vitamin C Skin-Glow Gel Cleanser to remove makeup and impurities. Then, soak a cotton pad with Glory Vitamin C Triple-Action Glow Toner and swipe across your face and neck to remove any traces of makeup and cleanser.

Some people experience increased redness after drinking, particularly in the cheeks and nose area. That’s because alcohol can dilate blood vessels close to the surface of the skin, temporarily increasing blood flow. Over time, repeated dilation may lead to visible broken capillaries – especially in sensitive or rosacea-prone skin.

Use skincare with calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients like chamomile, green tea, or oat extract to soothe redness and support skin resilience. You might like to try Jasmine Flower Menopause Facial Cream – regardless of your age or gender, this silky, cooling cream is a saviour for flushed and sensitive skin.

It’s not about one night out – but over time, frequent or heavy alcohol use can affect your skin. You might see more visible lines, slower healing, or sagging due to reduced collagen production. But again, every skin is different, and the occasional drink isn’t something to fear.

What can help?

Reducing your overall alcohol intake or claiming more alcohol-free days each week can make a huge difference to your health – it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Studies show* that even modest reductions in alcohol consumption can lead to improvements in:

• Liver function
• Blood pressure
• Sleep quality
• Mental health
• Immune system response

In terms of skincare, prioritise skin barrier health, hydration, and antioxidant defence to give your skin the best possible foundation – whatever your lifestyle looks like.

* World Health Organization, NHS UK guidelines.