5 beauty reasons to stop drinking alcohol

young woman peering out of sweater

Whether you’re in college or you’ve been out of school for quite some time, social drinking might be how you enjoy capping off a long week of hard work. While it may be a fun way to start the weekend, have you ever noticed how tired and dull your skin looks the next day? Or the fact that your body feels like it was hit by truck? Going out and having those drinks on Friday night might be a good time in the moment, but don’t expect your body to love you when you wake up on Saturday morning.

Consider these beauty reasons to cut back on the alcohol:

1. It speeds up the skin aging cycle
You might know that the headache you wake up with the morning after drinking is caused by dehydration, but your head isn’t the only thing that is parched – your skin needs to be rehydrated, too. According to Total Beauty, alcohol forces your kidneys to work harder than usual, which removes excess water from the rest of your system. This is what leaves your organs parched – and your skin is the largest one.

“When skin dries from the inside out, it wrinkles much quicker.”

When skin dries from the inside out, it wrinkles much quicker. It can also take on a pale tone, which is caused by a condition that occurs when alcohol depletes the vitamin A in your body. This antioxidant is critical for both cell renewal and turnover – something that is necessary for healthy, hydrated skin.

2. It can rob your skin of its elasticity
After a night of drinking, have you ever woken up to big bags under your eyes or loose skin around your chin and neck? According to Beauty and Tips, this is because heavily drinking alcohol can cause your skin to lose its elasticity, which often results in the unfortunate case of sagging facial features. Even if you thought you had a good night’s sleep, your eye lids could appear droopy in the morning if you drank too much the night before.

3. It can disrupt your sleeping patterns
Although alcohol might make you fall asleep quicker, it could still disturb your resting patterns, according to Women’s Health magazine. If you stop drinking alcohol, you’ll notice that you get a better night’s sleep, which can contribute to increased energy levels and improved concentration during everyday activities. Beauty sleep is 100 percent real, and everyone deserves it – so help rejuvenate your body overnight by saying no to that glass of wine.

4. It can make you gain unnecessary weight
Did you know that one bottle of wine amounts to about 700 calories? According to Mind Body Green, that’s more than the Big Mac you’ve been avoiding to stay in shape. Giving up alcohol increases your chances of getting rid of the weight you’ve been trying to lose, which can ultimately improve your overall health. Don’t let the hard work you’ve been putting into eating well go to waste – giving up the alcohol will keep you on track to a healthier lifestyle and can better prepare you for weight loss treatment.

By cutting back on alcohol, you can stay on track to lose those extra pounds you've been wanting to get rid of.By cutting back on alcohol, you can stay on track to losing those extra pounds you’ve been wanting to get rid of.

5. It causes unwanted bloating
What comes to mind when you pair the words alcohol and bloating together? Total Beauty reported you probably starting thinking about a beer belly, but that’s not the only place you could start to see a little puffiness develop from drinking. Because alcohol is robbing your body of fluid and electrolytes, all of the water you ingest is stored instead throughout your tissues, which often results in swelling, mostly in the face – which will make you resemble a chipmunk. Once you cut back on the alcohol consumption, you’ll notice a decline in how often your body bloats.

Cut back and follow these tips
If you don’t want to eliminate alcohol from your diet entirely, don’t worry – simply cutting back on your consumption will work wonders. Don’t go out as often, or if you do, just opt for a glass of water instead of an alcoholic drink – your complexion and waistline will thank you later. If you must have a cocktail while you’re out with your friends, just remember these tips:

  • Drink plenty of water – Keep your body hydrated by drinking one glass of water for every drink you have. This will help reduce your chances of bloating or feeling terrible the next day.
  • Eat a well-balanced meal – Drinking on an empty stomach is never a good idea. Eating a well-balanced meal before going out will build up your tolerance and keep you from feeling awful in the morning.