Diet

5 Sneaky Ways Alcohol Affects Your Health and Beauty (and How to Prevent Them)

We're conditioned to think it's glamorous, but when it comes to your health and looks, drinking's insidious side effects are anything but

by Audrey Fine

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How to undo the "ugly" Tip 1: Eat breakfast. If you've really overdone it, chowing down may be the last thing you feel capable of, but it's important to get some nutrients back into your body. Be sure to eschew the greasy breakfast burrito-type fare in favor of whole grain toast and fruit (bananas are an excellent source of potassium, which will help replenish depleted electrolyte levels). Hash browns with cheese can also help. They're carbs and protein and provide vitamin C and iron, which aid in the absorption of the remaining alcohol.

Tip 2: Avoid coffee. The stereotypical drunk guy gets cups of coffee poured down his gullet to sober him up so it must work, right? Nope. The caffeine in coffee is a diuretic and will only serve to further dry out your tissues. Ditto the proverbial "hair of the dog." Stay away from Starbuck's and the Bloody Mary and drink orange juice (the sugar and vitamin C will help), seltzer water or chicken broth (the sodium will help boost your electrolyte levels).

Tip 3: Fake a well-rested, un-queasy look. Deflate eye puff with chilled tea bags (the caffeine works like a champ) or try a product containing peptides or Arctic Root like Kiehl's Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer, $19.

Then, even out your skin tone by first applying a primer that will seal in moisture and smooth out your complexion (try Murad Skin Perfecting Primer -- Dewy Finish, $35) and follow with a tinted moisturizer (like Clarins Hydra-Care Tinted Moisturizer SPF6, $42) to impart subtle color and coverage without the thickness of a foundation. Bring your face back to life by applying a pop of color on your cheeks (Tarte Amazonian Clay Long-Wear Blush, $32 comes in eight to-die-for-shades) and keep lips looking moist with a creamy lipstick or glossy balm (try CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm, $5.99).

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products mentioned

Kiehl's Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer

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Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush

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CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm

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Older comments

Nice info.

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 02:12AM Report as inappropriate

Interesting

by kc99012 Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 05:33AM Report as inappropriate

Didn't realize how bad alcohol was for your body...even if it is just a drink every now and then.

by MizzPink Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 12:06PM Report as inappropriate

I'm glad I drink alcohol rarely. I have never been drunk before! :D

by MandyBoo Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 11:15AM Report as inappropriate

Just another reason to stop drinking.....

by Hcaddy15 Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 09:32AM Report as inappropriate

interesting article.

by lazorc Sunday, March 18, 2012 at 07:16PM Report as inappropriate

This was a great article. I'm so glad that I choose not to drink.

by taryn.romero Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 08:17AM Report as inappropriate

This article is really a wake-up call for me. I'm in college and surrounded by so much alcohol, but this article will definitely make me think twice about what and how much I'm drinking on the weekends. I definitely do not want to age earlier than necessary!

by vfalkow Friday, September 2, 2011 at 02:11PM Report as inappropriate

I love that this article shows the dangers of alcohol! In many of my biology and psychology classes we learn a ton about drugs, especially caffeine and alcohol, and so its nice to see people getting serious about alcohol like everyone already is with smoking and other drugs. Thank you for the article!

by Steph53 Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 09:48AM Report as inappropriate

Complete, nothing more, nothing less. Alcohol is toxic. So, if we're so concerned with the nature pollution, why should we take the pollution inside? If we consider also the fact that alcohol is directly linked with the breast cancer...

by kariro Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 05:55AM Report as inappropriate