Alcohol doesn't cause rosacea. That's a myth . But for many people, the cultural association between alcohol and rosacea was cemented by 20th-century American actor and comedian W.C. Fields. Fields was famous for playing characters who drank heavily. He also had rosacea and "rhinophyma"—a red, bulbous nose. Fields' fame reinforces a stereotype that people with rosacea still face today: that rosacea is caused by heavy drinking.
Alcohol doesn't cause rosacea – but it does trigger it
The exact cause of rosacea is still unknown, but researchers believe that genetics, skin mites, and an imbalanced skin microbiome may all contribute to the development of the skin condition.
The main triggers of rosacea are heat, sunlight and environmental stress.
Alcohol is also a common trigger. A study by the National Rosacea Society found that one alcoholic drink can trigger rosacea symptoms in two-thirds of people with this skin condition. Because alcohol dilates your blood vessels, drinking can contribute to the flushing associated with rosacea.
A 2017 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology indicated that drinking may increase women's risk of developing rosacea, but also noted that there isn't enough research to say alcohol causes the skin condition.
Best Ways to Drink Alcohol with Rosacea
While cutting out alcohol can help improve symptoms, rosacea doesn't mean you have to give up your favorite alcoholic beverages completely. Quitting alcohol for good can help improve symptoms. If you enjoy the occasional cocktail, help keep flare-ups at bay by:
Drink chilled water between drinks
Drinking water before, during, and after alcoholic beverages helps you stay hydrated. Alcohol is dehydrating and can also make your body more acidic, which can increase inflammation. Consider drinking chilled water to stay cool and prevent your body from overheating, which can trigger flare-ups.
Choose your alcoholic drink wisely
Not all alcohol affects your skin the same way. A study by the National Rosacea Society found that 76% of people with facial redness experience flare-ups from red wine, 56% from white wine, 41% from beer, 33% from champagne, 33% from vodka, 28% from tequila, 24% from bourbon, gin, and rum, and 21% from whiskey.
Keeping this information in mind can help you choose a more skin-friendly alcoholic beverage. Everyone reacts differently to potential triggers, so find what works best for you! There's no standard alcohol for rosacea-prone skin.
Drink your drink slowly
By drinking slowly, you not only consume less alcohol, but you also become more aware of when you've reached your "trigger threshold." Mindful drinking prevents you from overdrinking. It can be helpful to keep track of how many drinks you've had, the type of alcohol, and the severity of your symptoms so you can determine your limits.
Order Alcohol on the Rocks
Just as drinking chilled water can help cool your body and minimize hot flashes, ordering alcohol with ice can help minimize your symptoms. Chilled drinks cause less dilation of blood vessels, even compared to room temperature drinks.
For people with facial redness, moderation is key
You can't get rosacea from drinking alcohol; but changing your drinking habits can help prevent flare-ups and outbreaks. According to the National Rosacea Society , nearly nine out of ten people with rosacea say they limit their alcohol consumption because of the skin condition. Ninety percent of these people say that limiting their alcohol consumption has reduced their flare-ups.
