The Effects of Alcohol On Skin (and How to Repair the Damage)

Ever wondered what the effects of alcohol are on your skin? Regardless of how health-conscious we are, it is likely that a few drinks will sneak into our lives from time-to-time. 

Luckily, there are ways you can fight a "skin hangover"! Here are five tips for keeping skin happy, hydrated, and healthy if you aren't quite ready to put that glass of champers down.

1.Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

You've heard it before, but hydration is the key to not only helping your skin pull up okay after a big night but your entire body! Try to keep the H2O flowing all night long, alternating between an alcoholic beverage and a glass of water. 

Also, up your game by pre-hydrating before having your first drink. A few glasses of water before-hand is a simple but effective game plan if you know that alcohol is going to be on the menu on any given evening.

Dehydration can shrink your water-based brain tissue, hence the classic headaches so many of us experience after a few too many drinks. As if that isn't enough, the increased trips to the bathroom strip your body of H2O and electrolytes. 

You're also going to want to pick a skincare product that hydrates and brightens your skin, to escape from the dull pallor alcohol can leave. Indagare's Illumino Youth Serum is excellent for this time of the year, even for those of you with the pickiest skin! The magical ingredient? The highest quality, purest and certified organic prickly pear seed oil, which we source through a fair-trade group of female artisans in rural Morocco. It is among some of the best quality prickly pear seed oil in the world, and it absorbs incredibly fast, which makes it perfect for a morning routine that will give you a glow before you even leave the house!  

Hint - pop a few drops of this illuminating serum in with your foundation - not only will you be using less product than usual, but you will find it a whole lot easier to meticulously blend it in for a natural look. And, if you are of an age where a foundation can emphasise lines, you should find this approach gives you a finish you are much happier with.

Although it has been one of the most sought after ingredients in organic beauty in recent years, prickly pear seed oil is far from the latest trend and has been traditionally used by Aztecs, Chinese, Native Americans, and of course Moroccans for all sorts of problems. From burns to diabetes, the skincare world has finally discovered the benefits from this (sustainable!) crop and its absolutely incredible hydrating and brightening powers. It is an absolute must for your party season skincare routine! Use it the morning after a few too many drinks, and the results are almost immediate! 

2. Exfoliate 

Exfoliation acts as a mini facial to remove dry skin. The skin has a natural process it undergoes daily, desquamation, where the older skin cells are pushed toward the outermost layers to be sloughed away, but this process slows down as we age. Add alcohol to the mix, and now your skin has to struggle with losing a lot of moisture, which slows this process even further and may leave it feeling drier.

To start, you’ll want to gently scrub away the skin cells that have been damaged by alcohol consumption to reveal the brighter, healthier skin beneath. You can wash away your “sins against your skin” with our Atonement Clay Mask, which uses white willow powder and natural AHAs from Pineapple to slough off dead skin cells, and bamboo powder to exfoliate.

The Atonement Clay Mask encourages your skin to detoxify and repair itself, with Rhassoul and French green clay bringing toxins to the surface and promoting healthy blood flow. The combination of salicylic acid and cranberry powder (containing powerhouse antioxidant resveratrol) will smooth, nourish and soothe your skin with its anti-inflammatory properties, giving you immediate effects and can see and feel.

The mask goes a gorgeous berry red colour when you activate it - this is the magical cranberry, bursting with goodness, coming to life. The acid in cranberries acts as an exfoliant and vitamins like A and C help boost collagen production. Cranberries also fight free radicals that may cause wrinkles while moisturising your skin. Everything skin needs after a few too many alcoholic beverages!

The final step with this stunning face mask which won Finalist at the 2019 Beauty Shortlist Awards (one of the most prestigious and competitive awards in the world with thousands of products entered) is the Bamboo Powder. Initially, the bamboo powder was added so you can exfoliate the mask off, ensuring it is ultimate multi-tasker. However, bamboo powder contains an amazing list of beneficial compounds that will benefit skin while the mask penetrates as it dries. 

The flavones in bamboo extract give it antioxidant properties, which help to defend against free radicals. It also helps stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin in the skin.

3. Massage your face with a cold rose quartz roller or gua sha to promote lymph drainage and reduce puffiness.

These little rollers may seem like a new beauty trend, but they've been around forever, in fact, the affluent women in ancient China were using Jade rollers centuries ago to keep their skin looking young and fresh. A rose quartz roller or gua sha encourages lymphatic drainage by stimulating the fluid flowing through lymph nodes in that area. 

Place your roller or gua sha in the refrigerator for a little extra refreshment. Be sure to reach the tiny crevices on your face (think around the nose), and help your skin absorb the oil you applied before massaging with your crystal toll. Just remember, always sweep in an upward and outward motion to encourage toxins into your lymph system.

4. Before Bed

Even if you feel like you could fall asleep right away, do yourself – and your pillowcase – a favour by washing your face. Falling asleep with pore-clogging makeup could mean a fresh breakout in the morning. You'll also want to do your best to plump and repair your skin while you sleep.

Indagare's Signature Night Recovery Oil is the more complex and potent side-kick to our best selling Illumino Youth Serum and penetrates deep into your skin to nourish and repair. Not only does this luxurious facial oil fight the dehydration that is trying to set in from a few drinks, but it is formulated to help reduce the signs ageing and environmental stressors as well!

5. Be Aware of the Long-Term Effects

We've heard it all before: alcohol has sugar, and sugar causes inflammation and breakouts. In the long run, too much sugar can even cause the breakdown of collagen in our skin. When indulging in some of your alcoholic treats, remember to keep in mind the effects the included toxins can have not only on your skin's appearance long-term but your body's functioning and overall health as well. 

Armed with these tips and tricks, you'll help your skin fight a potential 'skin-hangover' during those times where you may have had one too many alcoholic beverages.

Related Article: Discover the Amazing Benefits of Clay Masks