YOUR SKIN WILL IMPROVE –
Jan. 1, 2026 – We’ve all heard about Sober October or Dry January, a finite period of time when people voluntarily stop drinking alcohol as a way to give their body a “break” or “reset.”
Abstaining from alcohol doesn’t need to be a trend reserved only for a specific month. If you are looking to take a break from drinking at any point, there are numerous mental and physical benefits in doing so.
Some changes associated with temporary alcohol abstinence can be harmful if not done under adequate supervision, particularly if you have an alcohol use disorder. But if you’re someone who has a more casual relationship with drinking, there are perks to simply cutting it out for an extended period of time.
We spoke to a few health experts to better understand what temporary alcohol abstinence does for the mind and body, and what to know before starting:
Perhaps one of the immediate changes you will see after coming off alcohol is clearer skin. Alcohol causes the body and skin to lose fluid and dehydrate, creating a dullish, gray appearance. It can also cause acne because it changes hormonal levels.
