DRY JANUARY GLOW UP: 5 SKIN CHANGES WHEN YOU DITCH ALCOHOL FOR 1 MONTH

A poll suggests that over 15 million UK adults were planning to go alcohol-free last January – that’s around 30% of the population. That sounds huge to me and definitely wasn’t representative of my circle of acquaintances. In reality, the number of people who would’ve completely 31 days of abstinence will be much lower. Regardless, it shows increasing interest in going teetotal during the most depressing month of the year. Although there are long term advantages to removing, or even reducing alcohol consumption, some health benefits will not be instantly visible. But what if you could rely on quick wins in terms of skin health? Your skin is often a good indicator of your internal health, from hormonal imbalances to dehydration, so why not head over to My Soho Times to find out how quickly you notice these 5 improvements – or continue reading here.

Why alcohol shows on your face

Alcohol is a diuretic, so it makes you lose more fluid and electrolytes, which dehydrates skin and leaves it looking dull, lined and tired. It also dilates blood vessels and drives inflammation, which is why habitual drinking is linked with redness, puffiness and flare‑ups of conditions like rosacea or acne.

1. Reduced puffiness

Alcohol-triggered dehydration pushes the body to cling on to water, which can show up as swollen under‑eyes and a puffy face the morning after drinking. When you cut alcohol for a few weeks, fluid balance normalises and facial swelling softens, so contours look more defined and under‑eye bags often appear less pronounced.

For fast tracked results:

  • Neal’s Yard Remedies Crystal Sculpt Gua Sha: glide it along your jawline to promote lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness. Consistent use is key but well worth the effort: I’ve been using this one most evenings for 20 minutes while watching the latest K-dramas.  
  • Byoma De-Puff + Brighten Eye Gel: a lightweight gel with cooling cucumber, calming chamomile and hydrating green algae extract to depuff under eyes by reducing swelling and improving circulation.

2. Calmer redness

Alcohol widens blood vessels and can make them more fragile over time, contributing to persistent flushing, broken capillaries and “alcoholic face” redness. A month off reduces that constant vasodilation and inflammatory load, which can mean fewer hot flushes, less blotchiness and calmer skin if you are prone to rosacea‑type redness.

For fast tracked results:

  • Pai Century Flower Barrier Defence Mist: clinically proven to strengthen the skin barrier and therefore reducing the chances of flare ups, this 100% alcohol-free (yes teetotal right down to your skincare) soothing mist contains calming lotus root and balancing prebiotic inulin.
  • Aveeno calm & Restore Triple Oat Serum: combining barrier-repairing with anti-inflammatory ingredients, in a fragrance-free formula that suits even sensitive skin. Having suffered all my life with eczema, Aveeno and Neal’s Yard Remedies are the only skincare brands I trust when I have a flare up.

3. Better sleep, better repair

Drinking might help you fall asleep, but it disrupts deep, restorative sleep stages that skin relies on for collagen production, antioxidant repair and barrier rebuilding. During Dry January, sleep quality typically improves after the first week, which gives your skin more uninterrupted time overnight to repair damage, soften fine lines and restore a healthier glow.

For fast tracked results:

4. Improved hydration

As a diuretic, alcohol suppresses the hormone that regulates water balance and leaves the skin surface dry, tight and more lined. When you remove alcohol, overall hydration levels rebound, so the complexion looks plumper, fine dehydration lines are less visible, and radiance returns—especially if you pair it with a hydrating routine.

For fast tracked results:

  • Laneige Bouncy & Firm Serum: delivers a dose of hydration in a pink, watery, non-sticky texture, enriched in vitamin C and E as well as algae oil to nourish and revitalise.   
  • Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask: Moisture Surge remains one of my go to collections for intense hydration. This creamy pale pink fragrance-free mask with aloe vera deeply hydrates and nourishes skin overnight, for dewy morning skin.

5. Stronger barrier function

The outer barrier of the skin is rich in lipids like ceramides, but as alcohol increases water loss and irritation, it weakens that barrier. A month-long break allows that barrier to recover, helping it hold on to moisture and keep irritants out, which means less flaking, fewer sensitivity flare‑ups and smoother, more resilient skin overall.

For fast tracked results:

Features gifted products.

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