If your face turns red, your heart races, or you feel nauseous after even one drink, you’re not imagining it — your body is struggling to clear acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism.

At iBlush, we’ve spent years studying how to help the body process alcohol more efficiently. Our formulas combine the most effective vitamins, antioxidants, and bioactives to neutralise acetaldehyde and reduce alcohol flush — without relying on antihistamines or quick fixes.

Here’s a breakdown of the science behind iBlush’s key ingredients and how each supports your body’s natural detox systems.

The Root Cause: ALDH2 Deficiency and Acetaldehyde Buildup

When you drink, your body first converts alcohol (ethanol) into acetaldehyde — a compound up to 30x more toxic than alcohol itself.
A healthy liver then uses the enzyme ALDH2 to break acetaldehyde into harmless acetate.

But for up to 40% of East Asians, this enzyme doesn’t work efficiently due to a genetic variation.
That means acetaldehyde builds up, triggering:

• Facial flushing and warmth
• Nausea and dizziness
• Headaches and rapid heartbeat

Over time, chronic acetaldehyde exposure can also increase the risk of certain cancers and inflammation-related fatigue — which is why supporting its breakdown is so important.

The iBlush Formula: Ingredients That Work Smarter

Rather than masking redness like antihistamines (e.g. Pepcid or Zyrtec), iBlush supports your body’s own metabolism to process alcohol more safely and comfortably.

Each ingredient plays a key role in one of three areas:

1. Detoxification
2. Antioxidant Defence
3. Absorption & Efficiency.

1. Detoxification: Breaking Down Acetaldehyde Faster

N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)

A precursor to glutathione, NAC helps your liver produce more of this vital antioxidant. It binds directly to acetaldehyde, helping neutralise it before it causes symptoms.

Research-backed: NAC supplementation improves acetaldehyde clearance and reduces alcohol-induced oxidative stress. (Antioxidants, 2023)

Glutathione

Often called the body’s master antioxidant, glutathione is essential for clearing alcohol toxins and supporting liver function.

Alcohol depletes glutathione quickly, replenishing it helps your body recover faster and reduces facial flushing.

Supported by: Nutrients Journal (2024): Increased glutathione levels reduce acetaldehyde and hangover symptoms.

2. Antioxidant Defence: Protecting Cells from Alcohol Damage

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid (R-ALA)

R-ALA works with glutathione to regenerate antioxidants and protect cells from free radical damage during alcohol metabolism.
It helps maintain mitochondrial (cellular energy) health and supports liver detox pathways.

Supported by: Nutrients (2021), Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology (2023): R-ALA protects against alcohol-induced oxidative stress through ALDH2-linked pathways.

Quercetin + Bromelain

Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid with natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce visible redness and puffiness by calming inflammation caused by histamine release.

Bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple, improves quercetin absorption — making the duo more effective at reducing flush reactions and post-drinking inflammation.

Supported by: Oxidative Medicine & Cellular Longevity (2017): Quercetin reduces oxidative and inflammatory markers from alcohol exposure.

Vitamin C

Alcohol depletes Vitamin C stores quickly. Replenishing it strengthens antioxidant defences, supports glutathione recycling, and reduces fatigue.

Supported by: Antioxidants (2022): Vitamin C supplementation protects against alcohol-induced oxidative damage.

Vitamin B Complex

B vitamins are critical for energy metabolism and liver enzyme function. Alcohol consumption drains them rapidly, leading to fatigue and slower detox.

Replenishing B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12 supports cellular recovery and smoother alcohol metabolism.

Supported by: Clinical Nutrition Review (2020): B vitamins improve alcohol detoxification efficiency.

Green Tea Extract (Catechins)

Green tea catechins enhance liver health and reduce oxidative stress caused by alcohol. They also support immune and gut health for better long-term resilience.

Supported by: Heliyon (2023): Green tea catechins protect against alcohol-induced liver stress.

3. Absorption & Efficiency: Making Every Ingredient Work Harder

Piperine

Sourced from black pepper, piperine enhances nutrient bioavailability, especially for antioxidants like NAC, R-ALA, and quercetin.

This ensures iBlush’s ingredients are absorbed efficiently and stay active longer, giving your body maximum support when you need it most.

Why iBlush Outperforms Basic Supplements

There are countless “flush supplements” that contain one or two helpful ingredients — but none combine all eight in clinically relevant doses.

Here’s what makes iBlush different:

1. Comprehensive formula — supports both detoxification and antioxidant protection
2. High-potency ingredients — in forms your body can actually use (bioavailable, active compounds)
3. Three delivery formats (Patches, Tablets, and Gels) so you can find the right fit for your body and drinking habits
4. Trusted by 70,000+ users worldwide

While no supplement can cure ALDH2 deficiency, iBlush helps your body metabolise alcohol the way it’s meant to, reducing redness, nausea, and fatigue before they start.

How to Support Your Results

Even with the right supplements, small changes make a big difference:

• Eat before you drink — slows absorption.
• Alternate alcohol with water or electrolytes.
• Avoid antihistamines that mask redness and increase long-term risk.
• Choose lighter, low-congener drinks (vodka > red wine).

The Bottom Line

Acetaldehyde is the real villain behind alcohol flush, and managing it means supporting your body’s natural detox systems. 

iBlush delivers the complete stack of clinically supported antioxidants and cofactors to help you metabolise alcohol more effectively, reduce visible redness, and enjoy your nights out with confidence.

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

1. Nutrients Journal. (2024). Glutathione Found to Significantly Reduce Acetaldehyde Levels and Help Relieve Hangovers. Nutrients
2. Kwon, H. J., et al. (2023). N-Acetylcysteine Mitigates Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Hepatotoxicity via Glutathione Restoration. Antioxidants
3. Mao, Y., et al. (2021). R-Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplementation and Its Impact on Oxidative Stress, Lipid Metabolism, and Inflammation. Nutrients
4. Zhou, L., et al. (2023). Alpha-Lipoic Acid Protects Against Chronic Alcohol Consumption-Induced Cardiac Damage via the ALDH2-Associated PINK1/Parkin Pathway. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
5. Calderón-Olvera, R. M., et al. (2017). Quercetin as a Modulator of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation: Mechanisms and Clinical Applications. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity
6. Kumar, R., et al. (2022). Vitamin C and Antioxidant Defense: Protective Role Against Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants
7. Halodoc Health Editorial. (2023). Vitamin C for Hangovers: Does It Really Help? Halodoc Health Articles.
8. Wang, Y., et al. (2023). Protective Effects of Green Tea Catechins Against Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress and Hepatotoxicity. Heliyon.