What are the short- and long-term effects of alcohol on the skin?

Drinking guidelines 

If a person chooses to drink alcohol, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following drinking guidelines:

• Females: Up to 1 drink per day.
• Males: Up to 2 drinks per day.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines heavy drinking as follows:

• Females: More than 3 drinks per day or more than 7 drinks per week.
• Males: More than 4 drinks per day or more than 14 drinks per week.

Heavy drinking can increase a person’s risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD).

AUD is also known as alcohol misuse or alcohol addiction. A person with AUD may be unable to manage their drinking habits and may drink excessively. It can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Many of the long-term effects of alcohol on a person’s skin happen as a result of AUD.

Short-term effects

These effects are temporary, and a person may notice them the day after a night of drinking, whether or not they have AUD.

Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes the body to make and release more urine. This causes the body to lose more water and salt than usual.

Because of this, drinking alcohol can cause dehydration, which may affect a person’s skin.

Effects of dehydration on the skin can include:

• dry skin
• sunken eyes
• decreased skin elasticity
• dry, cracked lips

Having a glass of water between each alcoholic drink may decrease the risk of dehydration.

Flushing

Flushing is a potential side effect of drinking alcohol. According to a 2024 article, it may affect around 540 million people worldwide.

Alcohol may stimulate the release of histamines, which can cause the blood vessels under the skin to dilate. This can make a person’s complexion look flushed or inflamed.

People of East Asian descent are more likely to be affected by facial flushing relating to alcohol. This is because of an inactive genetic variant that is involved in processing alcohol.

Sleep disruption

Although drinking alcohol can cause a person to fall asleep faster, it may cause them to wake up more often during the night.

If a person spends an evening drinking, they may also stay up late or not sleep at all.

One to two nights of disrupted sleep can cause temporary changes to a person’s skin, including:

• darker circles under the eyes
• paler skin
• duller complexion
• more wrinkles or fine lines

Long-term effects 

Changes to the skin may be more serious and last longer if a person regularly consumes alcohol.

If a person drinks alcohol regularly, the short-term effects, such as dry skin and flushing, are more likely to become a persistent problem.

Some of the long-term effects of heavy drinking on a person’s skin include:

• Skin infections: Alcohol weakens the immune system and can decrease the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. This may increase the risk of skin infections in people who drink more alcohol.
• Skin cancer: A 2022 European study also found a positive, linear association between alcohol intake and skin cancer risk.
• Liver damage: AUD can also cause skin changes, such as yellowing skin. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), this results from liver damage due to alcoholic-related liver disease.

Skin changes due to alcoholic liver disease

The NHS also indicate that prolonged alcohol use can cause liver problems, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. These conditions can cause multiple changes in the skin, including:

• jaundice, or yellowing of the skin
• darker skin around the eyes
• telangiectasia, or visible blood vessels on the face, neck, and chest
• itchy skin

How does drinking alcohol affect skin conditions?

Regular alcohol consumption may cause or worsen several different skin conditions, including:

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that can cause flushing, irritation, and pimples on a person’s face.

Researchers do not know the exact cause of rosacea and believe many factors may influence the condition. However, according to a 2021 systematic review, drinking alcohol can increase the risk of rosacea.

Some research also suggests that alcohol may aggravate rosacea due to changes in the gut microbiome, inflammation, and alcohol-induced flushing.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune inflammatory condition that causes patches of thick, scaly plaques on the skin.

According to a 2023 review, alcohol can increase the risk of developing psoriasis. This may be due to the ways alcohol adversely affects the immune system and increases the risk of infections.

A 2019 article suggests that alcohol can worsen psoriasis. The researchers also highlight an association between alcohol consumption and worse adherence to psoriasis treatment.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Seborrheic dermatitis is a common skin condition associated with inflamed, greasy patches with white flakes.

Some research suggests an association between seborrheic dermatitis and higher alcohol consumption.

Porphyria cutanea tarda

Alcohol consumption is a risk factor for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). This condition causes painful, blistering lesions on the skin after sun exposure.

Discoid eczema

According to the National Eczema Society, AUD is associated with discoid eczema, also known as nummular dermatitis.

Can a person prevent the effects of alcohol on the skin? 

To combat the short-term effects of alcohol on the skin, people can drink water to stay hydrated while consuming alcohol.

According to a 2019 study involving 20 people of East Asian descent, applying topical brimonidine (Mirvaso) to the skin before drinking alcohol may reduce the appearance of flushing. Brimonidine is prescription-only, and doctors may prescribe it to people with rosacea.

However, for skin conditions related to AUD, liver disease, or excessive alcohol consumption, the best preventive measure is to stop drinking alcohol.

A person can speak with a doctor, therapist, or local support group to help find ways to give up or reduce alcohol consumption.

Treatment 

Treating skin issues related to AUD may involve two processes. One is treating the AUD, and the other is treating any underlying conditions that may remain after a person stops consuming alcohol.

There are several different treatments available to a person with AUD. They include:

• medications
• cognitive behavioral therapy
• detox
• inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation
• peer support groups

While treating AUD and quitting alcohol may help certain skin conditions clear, people may need to continue treating other underlying conditions, such as liver disease. Treatments will vary based on the condition, so a person should speak with a doctor about the best options.

People with underlying skin conditions such as psoriasis and rosacea may need to continue treatment to prevent flare-ups. They should speak with a doctor or dermatologist to find the most suitable treatment for them.

If someone wishes to continue using alcohol frequently, basic treatments such as over-the-counter moisturizing creams may help relieve some of the symptoms of skin conditions, such as dry skin.

Support 

For people with AUD or anyone worried about their intake of alcohol, help and support are available.

Talking with a doctor may be the first step. A person can also reach out to trusted friends or family members. They may be able to provide emotional support or help find solutions.

For others, reaching out to community support groups or online groups might help.

Summary

In the short term, drinking alcohol may cause dry skin, flushing, dark circles, and decreased elasticity. Prolonged alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorder can lead to or aggravate a variety of skin conditions.

Eliminating alcohol from a person’s diet and lifestyle should help the skin to clear up. However, some people, such as those with psoriasis and rosacea, will need to continue treatment even after they have stopped drinking alcohol.

Anyone worried about the amount of alcohol they consume or who has difficulty managing their alcohol intake can contact a doctor or local support group to help with treatment.