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5 min readMY IRISH HERITAGE has afforded me much in life—thick eyebrows, an affinity for the color green, and pale, easily burned skin. But beyond endless investments in sunscreen, these genetics have given me a, er, deep appreciation for alcohol, especially of the brown variety. There’s a reason why my people’s holiday exclusively revolves around binge drinking. As it turns out, all that Jameson may have more to do with the pasty skin than I originally thought.
Consider how much skincare is designed to hydrate. Because alcohol is diuretic, it’s not a great recipe for supporting that process, which dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, confirms. She adds that alcohol pulls fluid from the body and leaves the skin lacking moisture. In turn, it can appear dull, dry, and less radiant, with more noticeable fine lines. That’s on top of alcohol’s ability to disrupt sleep, and the impact inadequate Z’s has on your skin.
None of this is to say you should ditch the Guinness for good this year—as a true-blue (or green?) Irishman, I’m probably incapable—but you can be better prepared for the effects drinking will have on your skin.
How Alcohol Affects the Skin
Within the first 24 to 48 hours after drinking alcohol, the skin barrier may weaken while inflammation in the body increases, according to dermatologist Dr. Chelsea Hoffman, MD. Alcohol also affects your blood vessels, she says. The tiny vessels in your skin can become more permeable, allowing fluid to leak into surrounding tissue while also dilating—one reason your face may look flushed or red after drinking. We’re not just talking about excessive drinking either. As little as one drink is enough to affect the skin, though these issues are exacerbated the more you consume.
Plus, alcohol triggers inflammatory responses and can disrupt sleep quality, which interferes with the skin’s overnight repair process, Dr. Hoffman says. The result is that dreaded morning-after look: puffiness (especially around the eyes), dullness, dryness, and an overall lack of radiance. For people prone to skin conditions, like acne or rosacea, this temporary spike in inflammation can lead to flare-ups over the following few days.
In fact, alcohol is strongly linked to several skin conditions, Dr. Hoffman says. Drinking can trigger rosacea flare-ups in the short-term by causing blood vessels to dilate and may increase the risk of more severe skin changes over time, while also making conditions like psoriasis harder to manage. Heavy alcohol use can also contribute to issues like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis by weakening the skin barrier and disrupting normal immune function, she says.
That’s just in the short-term. Regular alcohol consumption can have an even more severe impact, starting with accelerated signs of aging. The resulting chronic dehydration, increased oxidative stress, and reduced collagen production can contribute to fine lines, wrinkles, and a loss of firmness over time, says dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad, MD. Alcohol can also interfere with sleep quality, which disrupts the skin’s overnight repair process and slows regeneration.
With continued drinking, skin may develop persistent redness, visible blood vessels, and uneven pigmentation from repeated blood vessel dilation. Over time, chronic dehydration can weaken the skin barrier, leaving the complexion dull, less elastic, and more prone to irritation, he says.
Again, this isn’t me imploring you to go completely sober. There’s nothing wrong with having a whisky or six from time to time. But you should be prepared that the consequences extend beyond a hangover and dealing with the fallout from your 2 a.m. texts. At least with combating alcohol’s effect on your skin, the solution is fairly simple—you just need to apply the right products.
The morning after drinking, the priority should be restoring hydration and strengthening the skin barrier, Dr. Garshick says. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides that help draw moisture into the skin while supporting barrier repair. Start with a gentle cleanser, as skin will be more sensitive than usual, thanks to the dehydrating influence of alcohol. For me—as someone with sensitive, redness-prone skin before the whisky shots—no cleanser is less irritating than Tower 28 SOS Gel Facial Cleanser. You won’t find a more lightweight face wash.
The formula, which includes aloe vera to help retain moisture and oat extract to soothe irritation, is ideal for allowing your skin to recover from a night of drinking. For boosting hydration, Dr. Garshick recommends following it up with the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum. Then finish with a reliable moisturizer like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream or La Roche Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer.
For puffy, irritated, or flushed skin, ingredients like niacinamide and green tea extract can help calm irritated skin after drinking, Dr. Ostad says. Niacinamide helps reduce redness while strengthening the skin barrier, while green tea provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. When it comes to niacinamide serums, the Ordinary’s 10% option is both the best value ($5!) and most effective you’ll find. For a green tea moisturizer, I always grab my Versed Dew Point Gel Moisturizer. The silky gel absorbs into the skin in seconds, and the addition of aloe leaf juice further helps reduce inflammation.
Of course, nothing snitches on a night of drinking like puffy, tired-looking eyes, but this is easy to remedy. Dr. Garshick says to look for caffeine-infused products, as this temporarily reduces puffiness by constricting blood vessels. She points to The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream as a great option. I’ll also turn to Papatui Awakening Eye Gel, as it adds hydrating hyaluronic acid to its caffeine formula. It’s unscented, safe for sensitive skin, and features a steel, rolling applicator that feels especially soothing after a night of drinking.
However, one of the best things you can do for your skin is also the best way to avoid a hangover. Stay hydrated and nourished to minimize alcohol’s effects on your skin, Dr. Hoffman says. She recommends alternating drinks with water, eating beforehand, and hydrating well before bed and the next morning. Additionally, before heading to the bar, use a gentle cleanser and antioxidant-rich moisturizer to support and restore your skin barrier.
The Best Products for Hungover Skin
Tower 28 SOS Gel Cleanser
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Moisturizer
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum
Versed Dew Point Gel Moisturizer
The Inkey List Caffeine Eye Cream
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist with RoyceDerm.
- Dr. Ariel Ostad, MD, board-certified dermatologist and facial cosmetic surgeon based in New York City.
- Dr. Chelsea Hoffman, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Hudson Dermatology & Laser Surgery.
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Sean Zucker is the Grooming and Reviews Editor at Men's Health. He brings over half a decade of experience covering health, wellness, and lifestyle. When Sean's not writing about hair products, you can find him running for exercise, or toward the nearest food truck.
Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men's Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.
