Acne and Alcohol

Red Wine glass and BottleA lot has been said about the relationship between acne and alcohol. Several research studies have shown a link between alcohol and acne through the effects of alcohol on the hormonal levels in the body. Hormones play a major role in the occurrence of acne breakouts, hence this is worth consideration.

Several studies of both male and female drinkers have shown that the consumption of alcohol causes testosterone and estrogen levels to go higher than the control group on non-drinkers.  However, a separate study revealed that the testosterone level of drinkers actually went down after alcohol consumption.

Despite the several research studies carried out on people who are acute and regular drinkers, there have been no significant results to claim that alcohol and acne have some connection, therefore requiring more research. However, some of the common reasons why alcohol may have an influence on acne breakouts are as follows:

Increased Stress: The overuse of any drug whether it is alcohol or cigarettes, can cause an increased level of stress and in turn weakens the immune system. We already know that stress and acne are directly interrelated, so this is something that you must consider. A weaker immune system makes it harder for your body to fight off invading bacteria.

Daily regimen: Acne treatment requires you to follow a daily regimen. This includes proper cleansing, toning of the skin, and moisturizing. This is necessary to keep the skin clean and the pores unclogged. If not followed carefully, then acne may come back within the next few weeks. Too much consumption of alcohol can make you forget and miss your acne treatment regimen. This can lead to acne breakouts or make the existing acne treatment ineffective.

Avoid irritation: One of the most important steps for acne treatment is to avoid any possible irritation to the skin. Alcohol dehydrates the skin as well as other vital organs inside the body. When your skin is dehydrated, it has a chance to become more irritated, and your skin also has less resistance to bacteria. Also, your skin is a bodily organ that eliminates waste. Toxins present in many alcohols will be excreted through your skin during and after drinking.  These toxins can irritate your skin and clog your pores.

Although the exact relationship between alcohol and acne has not been established, it is believed that the consumption of alcohol can create hurdles in your acne treatment system in several ways. Therefore, it is recommended that if your skin is prone to acne breakouts, then you should cut down on your alcohol consumption.