It’s easy to see the morning after a big night in the mirror. The longer-term question is whether regular drinking changes how your skin looks. A couple of large studies suggest it can, especially at higher amounts.
Written by Vita Globe Editorial Team | Reviewed against peer-reviewed research and American Academy of Dermatology guidance
Does alcohol affect your skin?
Heavier drinking is linked to some visible signs of facial aging. In a survey of more than 3,000 women, heavy drinkers showed more severe signs like under-eye puffiness and midface volume loss than non-drinkers[1]. In a study of more than 80,000 women, higher alcohol intake was linked to a higher risk of developing rosacea[2].
Caveat: Both studies were observational, so they show associations, not proof that alcohol caused the changes[1][2].
Sources: Goodman 2019 · Li 2017 · AAD (drinking) · Verified 2026-09-28
In this article
Does alcohol make your face look older?
A large multinational survey of women looked at how smoking and drinking related to signs of facial aging, graded from photographs. Compared with non-drinkers, women who drank heavily (eight or more drinks a week) had more severe upper facial lines, under-eye puffiness, lines at the corners of the mouth, midface volume loss and visible blood vessels. Moderate drinkers (up to seven drinks a week) also showed more under-eye puffiness and midface volume loss than non-drinkers[1].
Because it was a cross-sectional survey, other factors that go along with heavy drinking, like sun exposure, sleep and diet, may be part of the picture. Still, the findings fit with what many people notice over time.
Can alcohol trigger rosacea or redness?
A long-running study of more than 80,000 U.S. women found that higher alcohol intake was associated with a higher risk of developing rosacea. White wine and liquor showed the clearest links[2].
The American Academy of Dermatology says research suggests drinking may raise the risk of getting rosacea, though more studies are needed to know for certain whether it causes it[3]. For people who already have rosacea, the AAD lists alcohol, especially red wine, among common flare-up triggers[4]. If your face flushes when you drink, that’s worth noting.
Is alcohol affecting your skin through your sleep?
Alcohol can make you sleepy at first but tends to make sleep lighter and more broken later in the night. Poor sleep is itself linked to more signs of skin aging and slower skin barrier recovery[5]. Read more in is beauty sleep real? and our post on how stress affects sleep. If you take melatonin, don’t combine it with alcohol; see our post on melatonin and alcohol.
What are practical ways to protect your skin if you drink?
Drinking less is the most direct step. Some simple approaches:
- Set drink-free days each week.
- Alternate each drink with water or a sparkling non-alcoholic option.
- Notice your triggers. If a particular drink makes you flush, it may be one to skip[4].
- Protect your sleep by stopping earlier in the evening.
- Keep the basics steady: sunscreen, moisturizer and a produce-rich diet. See foods for glowing skin.
If you’re concerned about how much you drink, talk to your doctor. Your skin is one small reason among many.
The honest summary
- Heavy drinking is linked to some signs of facial aging in women[1].
- Higher alcohol intake is linked to a higher risk of rosacea, and alcohol is a common flare trigger[2][4].
- Poor sleep may be part of the link[5].
- These are associations; cutting back is still a reasonable step for skin and overall health.
Can supplements offset the effects of drinking?
No. There’s no evidence that any vitamin cancels out the effects of alcohol on your skin. A supplement can support an overall healthy routine, but drinking less, sleeping well and protecting your skin from the sun matter far more.
Our option
Vita Globe Beauty Gummy Vitamins Bundle
No supplement undoes a night out. If you’re building healthier habits overall and want a daily nutrition step, our Beauty Bundle is one option. It pairs two full-size 60ct bottles, a 30-day supply of each: Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies with Collagen (5,000mcg of biotin per two-gummy serving, plus vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B12, folate, zinc, iodine and 20mg of collagen from fish) and Superfood Gummies with vitamins A, C and E, zinc, and açaí, acerola and gooseberry fruit extracts. Suggested use is two gummies from each bottle daily. Both are non-GMO and gluten-free; the Hair, Skin & Nails gummies contain fish (tilapia), so the bundle isn’t vegetarian.
Frequently asked questions
Does alcohol cause wrinkles?
Heavy drinking has been linked to some signs of facial aging, but the research is observational and doesn’t prove alcohol directly causes wrinkles[1].
Why does my face get red when I drink?
Alcohol can cause flushing, and for people with rosacea it’s a common flare trigger[4]. Persistent redness is worth checking with a dermatologist.
Which alcohol is worst for your skin?
In the rosacea study, white wine and liquor showed the clearest links to new rosacea[2]. For people who already have rosacea, the AAD singles out red wine as a common flare trigger[4].
Will my skin improve if I stop drinking?
Many people report looking more rested, likely helped by better sleep. There’s limited research directly measuring skin changes after quitting.
Sources
- Goodman GD, Kaufman J, Day D, et al. Impact of Smoking and Alcohol Use on Facial Aging in Women: Results of a Large Multinational, Multiracial, Cross-sectional Survey. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;12(8):28-39. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31531169/
- Li S, Cho E, Drucker AM, Qureshi AA, Li WQ. Alcohol intake and risk of rosacea in US women. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2017;76(6):1061-1067. https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(17)30292-X/fulltext
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Does drinking cause rosacea? https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rosacea/insider/drinking
- American Academy of Dermatology Association. Triggers could be causing your rosacea flare-ups. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne-and-rosacea/rosacea/triggers-could-be-causing-your-rosacea-flare-ups
- Oyetakin-White P, Suggs A, Koo B, et al. Does poor sleep quality affect skin ageing? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2015;40(1):17-22. doi:10.1111/ced.12455
About the Vita Globe Editorial Team
The Vita Globe Editorial Team researches and writes our wellness content, working from peer-reviewed research, systematic reviews and guidance from bodies such as the NIH and the FDA. We cite our sources inline and update articles when the evidence changes.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or caring for a child.
