Why alcohol ages your skin – the hormonal & scientific truth
Many women notice it immediately after turning 35:
After a glass of wine, the skin appears:
dull
drier
swollen
more restless
more finely furrowed
less plump
The glow is missing—sometimes as early as the next morning.
And yes:
It is NOT because of "getting older."
It's because of how alcohol affects your hormones, your skin barrier, and your metabolism.
During perimenopause in particular, alcohol has twice the effect on the skin—and accelerates the aging process.
1. Alcohol dehydrates your skin – immediately.
Alcohol is a strong diuretic → your body loses water and electrolytes.
The skin loses its elasticity.
Result:
✓ dry patches
✓ fine lines appear deeper
✓ reduced elasticity
✓ dull complexion
For women over 35, who produce less collagen anyway, this makes a visible difference.
2. Alcohol destroys collagen and elastin—the building blocks of youthful skin.
Alcohol promotes inflammation and causes the formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end products).
These damage:
Collagen fibers → Skin appears saggy
Elastin → Skin loses firmness
Skin texture → appears older and more tired
The more alcohol → the more collagen breakdown.
Particularly visible around the mouth, eyes, and cheeks.
3. Alcohol increases cortisol—and makes you "puffy"
Alcohol affects your nervous system like stress.
This means:
Cortisol rises → water retention increases.
• Eye bags
• Puffy face
• Uneven facial contours
• Swollen fingers/legs
Women over 35 are extremely sensitive to cortisol.
That's why even small amounts are immediately visible on the face.
4. Alcohol worsens your sleep—and thus your skin overnight
Poor sleep = poor skin.
It's that simple.
Alcohol reduces:
deep sleep
melatonin
regeneration
skin renewal
lymph flow
cell repair
Result:
✓ dull complexion
✓ sagging contours
✓ dark circles under the eyes
✓ more wrinkles
Your face shows exactly how you slept.
5. Alcohol disrupts your hormones—especially after age 35, when progesterone levels drop.
Alcohol affects:
estrogen
progesterone
cortisol
insulin
serotonin
thyroid gland
When progesterone is low (typical during perimenopause), alcohol intensifies:
× PMS
× Mood swings
× Sleep problems
× Water retention
× Skin blemishes
× Accelerated aging
That's why you react more strongly today than you did at 25.
6. Alcohol triggers inflammation in the intestines and skin – inflammation becomes more visible
Alcohol damages the intestinal barrier → "leaky gut" effects.
What you see immediately:
pimple
redness
inflamed areas
perioral dermatitis
drought
eczema
Your gut is the source of your glow.
Alcohol is pure stress for it.
7. Alcohol acts like sugar—and makes you look bloated.
A glass of Prosecco has the same effect as a dessert:
→ Insulin rises
→ Blood sugar fluctuates
→ Inflammation increases
→ Water retention increases
Many women think they have gained weight—
. In reality, it is stress + inflammation + water.
8. Conclusion: Alcohol makes your skin look older—but you are in control
Alcohol makes you look older because it:
✨ Dehydration
✨ Collagen destruction
✨ Cortisol increase
✨ Sleep deterioration
✨ Inflammation promotion
✨ Hormone disruption
✨ Intestinal strain
BUT:
You don't have to give it up completely.
Even small adjustments make a huge difference:
drink consciously instead of regularly
Drink water + electrolytes afterwards.
eat protein-rich foods beforehand
choose dry options (less sugar)
drink early in the evening
Do not drink during your luteal phase.
How to maintain your glow – even after 35.