ALCOHOL AND THE SKIN: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF CUTANEOUS MANIFESTATIONS AND UNDERLYING MECHANISMS

Alcohol consumption, a longstanding component of human social and cultural practices, is associated with a wide range of systemic health effects. While its deleterious consequences on hepatic, neurological, and oncological outcomes are well established, its impact on dermatological health remains comparatively underexplored. Increasing clinical and epidemiological evidence indicates that both acute and chronic alcohol intake may influence the onset, exacerbation, and clinical course of various dermatological conditions. This review critically examines the relationship between alcohol consumption and several cutaneous disorders, including acne vulgaris, rosacea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Special attention is given to the pathophysiological mechanisms by which alcohol contributes to skin disease, includingimmunedysregulation, increased oxidative stress, impaired skin barrierfunction, and carcinogenic pathways. By synthesizing current research, this article aims to elucidate the dermatological implications of alcohol use and underscore the necessity for further targeted investigations in this under recognized area of clinical relevance.