Better skin and more money? A derm and recovery addiction specialist on the benefits of sobriety for ‘Dry January’ and beyond

“Mild drinkers may notice positive changes like higher energy levels, clearer skin, better sleep and weight loss,” says Ashley Loeb Blassingame, co-founder of Lionrock telehealth substance abuse counseling and certified alcohol/drug counselor. But she cautions, “It’s important to note that alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even life threatening,” so individuals should be aware of the symptoms of withdrawal and reach out for professional help immediately.

Symptoms include anything from mild anxiety, tremors and gastrointestinal issues that can arise within eight hours of your last drink to the more severe like high body temperature, hallucination and seizures. 

Sobering up has never been more socially supported. The zero–proof lifestyle movement is booming, from apps and podcasts to beverage brands that are stepping up with alcohol-free libations. While sobriety specialists don’t see eye-to-eye on zero-proof spirits, for some, it can help ease the challenges of going cold turkey, especially if alcohol is part of a nightly wind-down ritual.  

Socializing is a major hurdle during sobriety, but Blassingame says we can navigate that obstacle by seeing “if a friend wants to jump into Dry January to hold each other accountable.” At social outings, “Merely saying, ‘I’m the designated driver’ or ‘I’m doing Dry January’ can be enough to help squelch social pressures.” And maybe even inspire your friends to do the same.

True, a drink or two on a special occasion may have only a brief impact on your skin (hello, flushed cheeks after a couple of stems of red). But what alcohol does to your face over time may be reason enough to take a short- or long-term break from the bottle.

Board-certified dermatologist and integrated wellness expert Dr. Jen Haley says, “Alcohol can dehydrate your skin, cause red-hued skin and broken blood vessels, and can worsen pre-existing conditions like psoriasis and rosacea.” Easing up on alcohol equals more radiant skin because then skin can stay better hydrated. “Some people may find that their skin conditions actually improve if they stop drinking for a month.”

This occurs because alcohol acts as a diuretic—it forces the body to lose liquid at a far faster rate than normal. Because of this, dehydration may also lead to:

• Reduced firmness and suppleness
• Dry, cracked lips
• Sunken eyes, dark circles and puffiness

Alcohol’s effect on skin can also trigger a loss of essential nutrients, like vitamin A (the same vitamin from which skin savers like retinol are derived). When vitamin A reserves are taxed, you may notice more pronounced fine lines and wrinkles.

Easing up on alcohol equals more radiant, smoother skin because then skin can stay better hydrated and retain vital nutrients. “Some people may find that their skin conditions actually improve if they stop drinking for a month,” Haley says.

Another perk of sobriety is better control over self-care practices, like eating right and sticking to a nightly skincare routine. “When we drink alcohol, we sometimes make bad eating choices, which can affect our skin. If you’ve had a late night out and a few too many martinis, you’re more likely to reach for the ice cream and neglect your nightly skincare regimen—both of which can have adverse effects on your skin like dullness, irritation, congestion and breakouts,” Haley says.

Booze can be a real wallet-buster, whether you’re hosting a get-together or heading out. “More money is definitely a positive side effect of not drinking,” Blassingame says. “Most people don’t realize how much they’re spending on alcohol until they stop.” 

Time spent drinking (and recovering) adds up, but sobriety can give you that time back. However, this blessing can be hard to navigate, especially on weekends. “If you simply stop drinking and don’t find something else to do, you can quickly find yourself obsessing over the fact that you are not drinking,” Blassingame notes.

Perhaps try finding a new hobby or reigniting an old passion project, downloading a sobriety app to stay accountable, starting an outdoor walking group, creating a list of things you’ve been putting off, or journaling through the process. All these things equal time well-spent and reinforce the physical and emotional benefits.