Alcohol, aldehydes and leather—not a good combination!
We’re fast approaching the holidays, which means you may soon be consuming more alcoholic beverages. You may also be inadvertently applying alcohol topically to your skin through your skin care products.
Whether you drink it or apply it, alcohol can damage your skin. In this article, we explore why this damage happens and give you some tips to keep your skin looking fresh and youthful this holiday season.
Alcohol, aldehydes and leather: What are we talking about?
Alcohol is an organic compound characterized by one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH) attached to a carbon atom. This is the chemical explanation, and in chemistry, alcohols exist in many forms. In everyday life, “alcohol” usually refers to “ethanol” – the type found in beverages such as 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 skin care products, “alcohol” can refer to several types, which we’ll cover below.
Aldehydes are organic compounds characterized by a carbonyl group attached to a hydrogen atom. In simpler terms, they are chemical compounds found naturally in the body, in food and in the environment. They come in various forms and can be both 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, such as hangovers, as well as the long-term damage alcohol can cause to the liver and other organs. It can also cause skin problems, from flushing to redness to long-term inflammation.
In skin care products, certain aldehydes – such as formaldehyde – are sometimes used as preservatives to prevent bacterial contamination. However, exposure to aldehydes can cause irritation and sensitivity and may cause the following symptoms:
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Irritation
- Reactions
- Rash
- Eczema, rosacea and psoriasis flare-ups
Photo by Nadin Sh via Pexels.
Alcohol, aldehydes and skin: How alcohol consumption affects the skin
Drinking alcohol is not good for your skin. It can cause quite a few negative benefits, as we mentioned here. While a drink here and there won’t do much harm, the more you drink, the worse the results.
Dehydration and dullness
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes your body to lose fluids. In the process, moisture is stripped away from your skin, leaving it looking dry, dull and lackluster.
Premature Aging
Long-term alcohol consumption can accelerate the aging process of the skin. It can also reduce vitamin A levels, leading to premature fine lines and wrinkles, as well as sagging skin.
Inflammation and Redness
You may have experienced the flush that can occur after drinking alcohol. It causes your blood vessels to dilate, which leads to visible redness and swelling in the skin. If you have rosacea, alcohol can make symptoms worse.
Skin conditions
Regular alcohol consumption can increase the risk of certain skin conditions, including psoriasis and dermatitis. The presence of acetaldehyde—a byproduct of alcohol metabolism—can trigger inflammatory responses, worsen acne, and worsen other skin conditions.
How much alcohol do you have to drink to see negative effects?
One person’s ability to tolerate alcohol is likely to be different from another. We do know, however, that even moderate alcohol consumption can affect skin health.
Moderate consumption
Moderate drinking is defined as one drink per day for women and two for men. (Women’s bodies metabolize alcohol differently.) This level of alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration and inflammation. If taken occasionally, it is unlikely to lead to long-term skin problems. But it can leave your skin looking dull and lifeless.
Heavy consumption
Heavy drinking is defined as drinking more than three drinks per day. It can lead to more visible signs of dehydration, inflammation and redness while accelerating skin aging and worsening skin conditions.
Alcohols, Aldehydes and Skin: What About Alcohols in Skin Care?
Not all alcohols in skin care products are harmful. Some types, however, can damage the skin’s outer barrier, leading to irritation, dryness and breakouts. Some of the more common drying alcohols found in skin care include the following.
Ethanol
Often used as a solvent or preservative in skin care—and a frequent ingredient in toners and hand sanitizers—it can be overly drying, leading to a damaged outer barrier and increased sensitivity.
Isopropyl alcohol
Also known as rubbing alcohol, this is also a harsh alcohol on the skin and can also be found in toners and hand sanitizers. It is sometimes used in products for oily and acne-prone skin, but prolonged use can strip the skin of its natural oils, causing increased oil production and potentially leading to more breakouts.
Denatured alcohol (Alcohol Denat.)
This 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, especially for sensitive or dry skin types.
It is best to try to avoid these types of alcohol when purchasing your skin care products.
Alcohol, Aldehydes and Skin: What Are the Beneficial Alcohols?
Some alcohols—known as fatty alcohols—don’t harm the skin and may even offer some benefits.
Cetearyl Alcohol
A combination of cetyl and stearyl alcohol, this type is often used in skin care products as an emollient and thickener. It helps create a smoother, more hydrating product. However, it is inferior to real moisturizers such as shea butter, natural oils and glycerin.
Cetyl alcohol
Often derived from coconut oil or palm oil, this is a gentle fatty alcohol that helps hydrate and protect the skin.
Stearyl alcohol
Another fatty alcohol, this helps retain moisture.
These alcohols won’t dry out or damage your skin, but they are cheap moisturizers. At CV Skinlabs, we create formulas rich with real moisturizers, natural oils, triglycerides and extracts that will best benefit your skin.
Alcohol, Aldehydes and Leather: How to protect yourself from wear and tear
The good news is that you have complete control over how much alcohol you consume or use on your skin. Here are some tips to limit the damage.
Limit your alcohol consumption
Having a cocktail or beer now and then isn’t going to hurt your skin, but the more you can limit your intake, the more youthful your skin will appear.
Read labels carefully
Watch out for harmful alcohols in your products. Choose ones that either use moisturizing alcohols, or better yet, that use real moisturizing ingredients like those in our CV Skinlabs products.
Keep hydrated
Drink plenty of water and use moisturizing 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 skin. You can avoid inflammation by eating more fruits and vegetables and moisturizing your skin regularly with the antioxidant-rich Soothing Hydration and Repair Body Lotion. Not only do they help keep the outer barrier intact to seal in moisture, but they also have ingredients that naturally reduce inflammation.
Use antioxidants
In both your diet and your skin care, antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and niacinamide help fight free radicals and reduce the effect of alcohol-related aldehydes on the skin.
Be kind to your skin
Choose alcohol-free cleansers and moisturizers, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin. Products labeled “alcohol-free” are usually the 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.
