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The festive season is here – a tornado of celebrations and cheering with a glass of
bubbly. It’s the time of the year when we indulge a little or a lot more, and unfortunately
push our skin to its limits.
As a cosmetologist with two decades of experience in treating impaired skin barriers,
I have seen signs of: dry, irritated skin, flare-ups of eczema and rosacea. And while
alcohol is certainly not the entire culprit, it plays a big role in compromising our skin
during this season of festivities.
Let me take you on a little journey – not just into the visible effects of alcohol on your
skin but down to the cellular level, where the real damage happens.
What Alcohol Does to Your Skin
We all know that alcohol dehydrates the body, but its effect on the skin goes much
deeper.
Cellular dehydration and Barrier Breakdown
Think of your skin cells as tiny little balloons. Alcohol acts like a slow leak in the balloon,
tapping water out until it’s deflated and dry. This dehydration compromises the skin
barrier – the protective shield that keeps moisture in and irritants out. Once that shield
is down, it’s like leaving the gate open during a storm: irritants flood in, causing redness,
dryness, and sensitivity.
Over time, chronic dehydration disrupts the lipid matrix in the outermost layer of the
skin, much like the mortar between bricks crumbling away. Without that mortar
between bricks crumbling away. Without that mortar the skin becomes brittle.
Inflammation and Blood Vessel Damage
Alcohol is like throwing a matchstick into the body’s inflammation fire pit – it raises
flames. It triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemical messengers that
create redness, puFiness, and irritation.
For those with rosacea, it’s like stepping on a landmine. Alcohol dilates blood vessels,
causing flushing and redness that can linger long after the party ends. Chronic drinking
damages those vessels over time, leaving behind a roadmap of visible capillaries mostly
on the nose and cheeks.
Glycation and Collagen Damage
Imagine sugar as a sticky glue, and your collagen and elastin as flexible rubber band.
Sugar in alcohol binds to these proteins, making them stiF and brittle in a process
called glycation.
At a cellular level, glycation produces advanced glycation end products (AGE’s) – just
like a rusty chains of skin support system leading to skin sagging, fine lines, and that
tired looking skin.
Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage
Think of Free Radicals as vandals, and antioxidants as a police force trying to keep them
in check. Alcohol floods the body with reactive oxygen species (ROS) – those pesky
vandals – while depleting your antioxidants “police force.”
Those ROS attack the lipids in your cell membranes, breaking them down just as acid
corrodes metal. Even worst, when it can damage the mitochondria – the powerhouse of
the cell- leaving your cell running on fumes and unable to repair properly.
Sluggish lymphatic system
Your lymphatic system is like the city’s garbage disposal service, clearing out toxins and
waste. Alcohol slows it down, allowing garbage to pile up. The result? Puffiness,
dullness and congestion. It’s just as if your skin has a hangover of its own.
My eczema story
Years ago, I discovered firsthand just how damaging alcohol can be. At the time, I was a
red wine enthusiast. But the love came with a cost. Slowly but surely, my eczema rose
out of control.
My hands – so essential to my work – as a skincare therapist – became red, raw, and
unbearably painful. It got so bad that I had to step away from my clinic for months,
unable to do the work I loved. I relied on steroid creams to manage my symptoms. Don’t
get me wrong, steroids have its place and can be very helpful, but I knew they weren’t a
long-term solution.
Then, I found HYPO21 Skin Spray, and it changed everything. Its hypochlorous acid
purest formulation was gentle but powerful. It didn’t just put out the fire-it helped
rebuild the barrier I had lost. HYPO21 allowed my skin to heal naturally, and to this day
it’s a hero product in my skincare routine.
These days I have swapped red wine for gin and tonic – less of a trigger and much easier
on my hands (wink and a smile!)
How to protect your skin this festive season
The good news is you can enjoy the festivities without leaving your skin in a state of
damage. Here is how I recommend protecting your skin barrier during party season:
Pre-party skin prep: Before heading out sprits HYPO21 Skin Spray onto your
face and hands. Think of it as putting raincoat before stepping out into rain of
irritants. It creates a soothing barrier to keep inflammation at bay.
Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Alcohol is like a thirsty sponge – it soaks up your
bodies water reserves. For every glass you drink match it with a glass of water to
maintain balance. Pair this with nourishing skincare routine like ceramides, or
linoleic acid to keep skin hydrated from the inside out.
Choose Your drinks wisely: Red wine is a notorious troublemaker for reactive
skin - it’s like pouring fuel on a fire. Opt for lighter, less sugary drinks which are
gentle on your system.
Post-party recovery: After the fun, treat your skin like a delicate flower. Skip
harsh cleansers, exfoliators. Instead reach out for soothing products comforting
your skin barrier after a rough night.
Prioritise rest: Alcohol disrupts your sleep cycle, and poor sleep leaves your skin
like a building site with no crew. Prioritise rest even during busy season.
A final thought
Alcohol is like that friend who’s fun at the party but leaves you to clean up the mess the
next day. While festive season is time for joy, balance is key. Whit the right products and
mindful approach you can navigate the party season without sacrificing your skin.
So, go on, raise the glass and celebrate – but don’t forget to raise your skincare game
too. Trust me, your barrier will thank you.
Aggie Singh
Cosmetologist
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