If your face turns bright red after even one drink, you’re not just “sensitive to alcohol.” You’re seeing a biochemical chain reaction unfold inside your body — one rooted in genetics.
This is known as ALDH2 deficiency, the genetic cause of what’s often called Asian Flush or Alcohol Flush Reaction.

It’s far more than a surface-level redness. That flush is your body’s SOS signal — a sign that it’s struggling to clear a toxic compound called acetaldehyde, the true culprit behind Asian Glow.

The Genetics Behind ALDH2 Deficiency

Everyone breaks down alcohol in two key steps:

1. Ethanol → Acetaldehyde (via the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, or ADH)
2. Acetaldehyde → Acetate + Water (via aldehyde dehydrogenase-2, or ALDH2)

For people with ALDH2 deficiency, the ALDH2 gene carries a variant — most commonly the ALDH2*2 allele — that makes the enzyme sluggish or inactive.
This variant changes a single amino acid in the enzyme’s structure, reducing its efficiency by up to 90%.

The result? The first step (creating acetaldehyde) happens normally — but the second step (clearing it) slows to a crawl.
Acetaldehyde builds up rapidly in the blood, triggering an inflammatory chain reaction that causes:

• Facial and chest redness
• Heat and flushing
• Nausea or dizziness
• Racing heartbeat
• Headache or fatigue

This isn’t a “skin reaction” — it’s a metabolic bottleneck happening in your liver and mitochondria.

Why Acetaldehyde Is the Real Villain

Acetaldehyde is 40x more toxic than alcohol itself. It’s classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
When it lingers in the bloodstream, it binds to DNA and proteins, creating compounds that damage tissues and cause oxidative stress.

That’s why people with ALDH2 deficiency not only feel worse after drinking — they’re also at higher long-term risk for conditions such as:

• Esophageal and stomach cancers
• Cardiovascular inflammation
• Liver stress and fatigue

Every “flush” moment is your body showing it’s overwhelmed by acetaldehyde exposure.

How Common Is ALDH2 Deficiency?

This genetic variant is most common in East Asian populations — affecting:

• 30–50% of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean individuals
• Roughly 8% of the global population, including non-Asians

New research has also identified novel ALDH2 variants in people of European and South American descent, meaning Asian Glow isn’t exclusive to Asia.

Why Some People Flush More Severely Than Others

Severity depends on how much enzyme activity your ALDH2 retains.

• Mild Deficiency: You still metabolise acetaldehyde slowly — you’ll flush and feel warm but may recover faster.
• **Severe Deficiency (ALDH22/2): Enzyme activity drops to nearly zero, meaning acetaldehyde spikes after a single drink, causing immediate redness, dizziness, and nausea. Your diet, hydration, and liver health can influence how pronounced your symptoms feel — but the root cause remains genetic.

Can You “Cure” ALDH2 Deficiency?

Unfortunately, no. Genetics can’t be reversed.

There’s currently no medical cure for ALDH2 deficiency, though gene-activation therapies are being studied.

What you can do is support your body’s natural detox systems and reduce acetaldehyde buildup before symptoms spiral.

How to Manage Asian Glow Safely

1. Drink mindfully: Smaller amounts give your enzymes more time to catch up.
2. Hydrate and eat beforehand: Water and food help dilute and slow alcohol absorption.
3. Avoid antihistamine “flush hacks”: They mask redness but don’t clear acetaldehyde — increasing your long-term risk.
4. Support your metabolism: Antioxidants like glutathione, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and R-alpha lipoic acid help neutralise acetaldehyde and protect your cells.

That’s where iBlush comes in. Designed specifically for those with alcohol flush sensitivity.

The iBlush Approach: Supporting the Science

iBlush’s formulations were built around the metabolic science of ALDH2 deficiency.
Our Patches, Tablets, and Gels combine antioxidants and cofactors that:

• Support healthy enzyme function (NAC, R-ALA)
• Replenish glutathione, your body’s main acetaldehyde-neutralising antioxidant
• Reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and redness

While iBlush doesn’t “cure” ALDH2 deficiency, it helps your body cope with alcohol more comfortably and safely — turning a genetic disadvantage into a manageable condition.

Bottom Line

Asian Glow isn’t just about turning red. It’s your body’s built-in warning system.
Understanding the science behind ALDH2 deficiency empowers you to make smarter, safer choices when drinking.

And with the right support (hydration, moderation, and science-backed solutions like iBlush), you can drink with more comfort and confidence.

P.S. We did the research so you don't have to: 

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). Alcohol Flush Reaction – Does Drinking Alcohol Make Your Face Red? National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2. Brooks, P. J., Enoch, M. A., Goldman, D., Li, T. K., & Yokoyama, A. (2009). The Alcohol Flushing Response: An Unrecognized Risk Factor for Esophageal Cancer from Alcohol Consumption. PLOS Medicine, 6(3), e1000050.
3. Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore. (2023). Association Between Alcohol Flushing Syndrome and Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Annals Academy of Medicine Singapore
4. Eriksson, C. J. P. (1982). The Role of Acetaldehyde in the Actions of Alcohol (Update 1982). Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
5. Cedars-Sinai. (2023). Alcohol Intolerance: What You Need to Know. Cedars-Sinai Health Blog.
6. Seitz, H. K., & Stickel, F. (2001). Acetaldehyde as an Underestimated Risk Factor for Cancer Development: Role of Genetics, Nutrition, and Alcohol Consumption. Frontiers in Alcohol and Alcoholism Research.
7. Lindros, K. O. (1978). Metabolism of Acetaldehyde in the Liver: Interactions Between Alcohol and Acetaldehyde Oxidation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture.