Alcohol, aldehydes, and skin—not a good combination!
We’re moving quickly into the holidays, which means you may soon be consuming more alcoholic drinks. You may also be unwittingly applying alcohol topically to your skin via your skincare products.
Whether you ingest it or apply it, alcohol can be damaging to your skin. In this article, we explore why that damage occurs and give you some tips for keeping your complexion looking fresh and youthful this holiday season.
Alcohol, Aldehydes, and Skin: What Are We Talking About?
Alcohol is an organic compound characterized by one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom. That’s the chemical explanation, and in chemistry, alcohols come in many forms. In everyday life, “alcohol” usually refers to “ethanol”—the type found in beverages like beer, wine, and spirits.
Ethanol is a central nervous system depressant and has psychoactive effects, which is how it can alter mood and behavior.
In skincare products, “alcohol” can refer to various types, which we’ll cover below.
Aldehydes are organic compounds characterized by a carbonyl group bonded to a hydrogen atom. In simpler terms, they’re chemical compounds found naturally in the body, in food, and in the environment. They come in various forms and can be beneficial and harmful to the skin.
When you consume alcoholic beverages, the liver breaks it down into a type of aldehyde called acetaldehyde. This is a toxic compound that is partly responsible for the unpleasant effects of excess alcohol, like hangovers, as well as the long-term damage alcohol can cause to the liver and other organs. It can also cause skin issues, from flushing to redness to long-term inflammation.
In skincare products, certain aldehydes—like formaldehyde—are sometimes used as preservatives to prevent bacterial contamination. Exposure to aldehydes can cause irritation and sensitivity, though, and may result in the following symptoms:
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Irritation
- Reactions
- Rashes
- Eczema, rosacea, and psoriasis flare-ups
Photo by Nadin Sh via Pexels.
Alcohol, Aldehydes, and Skin: How Drinking Alcohol Affects the Skin
Drinking alcohol isn’t good for your skin. It can cause several negative benefits, as we’ve listed here. While a drink here and there won’t do a lot of harm, the more you drink, the worse the effects.
Dehydration and Dullness
Alcohol is a diuretic, which means that causes your body to lose fluids. In the process, moisture is drawn away from your skin, causing it to look dry, dull, and lackluster.
Premature Aging
Long-term consumption of alcohol can accelerate the skin’s aging process. It can also decrease vitamin A levels, leading to premature fine lines and wrinkles, as well as sagging skin.
Inflammation and Redness
You may have experienced the flushing that can occur after drinking alcohol. It causes your blood vessels to dilate, which leads to visible redness and puffiness in the skin. If you have rosacea, alcohol can exacerbate the symptoms.
Skin Conditions
Regular alcohol consumption can increase your risk of developing certain skin conditions, including psoriasis and dermatitis. The presence of acetaldehyde—a byproduct of alcohol metabolism—can provoke inflammatory responses, worsen acne, and aggravate other skin conditions.
How Much Alcohol Do You Need to Drink to See Negative Effects?
One person’s ability to tolerate alcohol is likely to be different than another’s. We do know, however, that even moderate drinking can affect skin health.
Moderate Drinking
Moderate drinking is defined as having one drink per day for women and two for men. (Women’s bodies metabolize alcohol differently.) This level of drinking can lead to dehydration and inflammation. If intake is occasional, it’s not likely to lead to long-term skin issues. But it may leave your skin looking dull and lifeless.
Heavy Drinking
Heavy drinking is defined as having more than three drinks per day. It can lead to more noticeable signs of dehydration, inflammation, and redness while accelerating skin aging and worsening skin conditions.
Alcohol, Aldehydes, and Skin: What About Alcohols in Skincare?
Not all alcohols in skincare products are harmful. Certain types, however, can damage the outer skin barrier, leading to irritation, dryness, and breakouts. Some of the most common drying alcohols found in skincare include the following.
Ethanol
Often used as a solvent or preservative in skincare—and a frequent ingredient in toners and hand sanitizers—it can be excessively drying, leading to a damaged outer barrier and increased sensitivity.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Also known as rubbing alcohol, this is also a harsh alcohol on skin, and may also be found in toners and hand sanitizers. It’s sometimes used in products for oily and acne-prone skin, but prolonged use can strip the skin of its natural oils, triggering increased oil production and potentially leading to more breakouts.
Denatured Alcohol (Alcohol Denat.)
This one is often included to help products feel lighter on the skin or to act as an astringent. It can cause dryness, irritation, and long-term damage to the skin barrier, particularly for sensitive or dry skin types.
It’s best to try to avoid these types of alcohol when purchasing your skincare products.
Alcohol, Aldehydes, and Skin: What are the Beneficial Alcohols?
Some alcohols—known as fatty alcohols—won’t harm skin and may even provide some benefits.
Cetearyl Alcohol
A combination of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, this type is often used in skincare products as an emollient and thickener. It helps create a smoother, more moisturizing product. It’s inferior to real moisturizers, though, like shea butter, natural oils, and glycerin.
Cetyl Alcohol
Often derived from coconut or palm oil, this is a gentle fatty alcohol that helps to hydrate and protect the skin.
Stearyl Alcohol
Another fatty alcohol, this one helps retain moisturizer.
These alcohols won’t dry out or harm your skin, but they are cheaply made moisturizers. At CV Skinlabs, we create formulas rich with true moisturizers, natural oils, triglycerides, and extracts that will better benefit your skin.
Alcohol, Aldehydes, and Skin: How to Protect from Damage
The good news is that you have complete control over how much alcohol you consume or use on your skin. Here are some tips for limiting the damage.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Having a cocktail or beer now and then isn’t going to harm your skin, but the more you can limit your intake, the more youthful your skin will appear.
Read Labels Carefully
Look out for harmful alcohols in your products. Choose those that either use moisturizing alcohols, or better yet, that use real moisturizing ingredients, such as those in our CV Skinlabs products.
Maintain Hydration
Drink plenty of water and use hydrating skincare products that contain glycerin, ceramides, and natural oils —like those in CV Skinlabs products—to support the skin’s moisture barrier.
Reduce Inflammation
Alcohol increases inflammation in the body and the skin. You can keep a lid on inflammation by eating more fruits and vegetables and regularly moisturizing your skin with our antioxidant-rich Calming Moisture and Body Repair Lotion. They not only help keep the outer barrier intact to seal in moisture, but they also have ingredients that naturally reduce inflammation.
Use Antioxidants
Both in your diet and your skincare, antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide help fight free radicals and reduce the impact of alcohol-related aldehydes on the skin.
Be Gentle with Your Skin
Choose alcohol-free cleansers and moisturizers, particularly if you have dry or sensitive skin. Products labeled “alcohol-free” are usually best for maintaining the skin’s outer barrier.
Do you avoid alcohol for the sake of your skin?
Featured image by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.
