Published September 20 2019 Detoxes are very popular and is everywhere. People are detoxing their bodies by doing juice cleanses, sweating it out in a sauna, or drinking detox teas. Detoxes are great for getting rid of any toxins in your body and hitting the reset button. However, your body isn’t the only thing that needs the occasion detox. Your skin too can benefit from one, especially if it’s looking dull or breaking out. “The skin is the largest organ of the body,” says Dr. Kristine Blanche, CEO of the Integrative Healing Center. “We absorb toxins through the skin and most certainly can detox through the skin as well.” So if you’ve been eating too much junk food, not getting enough sleep, or not drinking enough water, your skin will definitely show it. Not to worry though, a skin detox will help you restore your glow. Keep reading to learn more about what a skin detox is, why it’s important, and some expert tips on how to do it. First off, what is a skin detox? “Just as you would think with a nutritional gut detox, a skincare detox is a fresh, clean start,” says Taylor Towne, a licenced esthetician for Re:Fresh at Mosaic Hair Studio. “This includes removing all dead skin cells, environmental pollutants, and impurities to reveal renewed, healthy skin.” Lisa Richards, nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet, adds that a skin detox is not just about removing the toxins you put on your skin topically but also about making changes in the things you put in your body as well. How do you know if your skin needs a detox? Richards says that if you’re a human living in this modern world full of pollution and sun exposure (which is basically all of us), your skin could benefit from a good skin detox. Some signs she says to look out for specifically include dry patches, uneven skin tone, a dull appearance, breakouts, large pores, fine lines, and excess oil. Skin rashes, acne, and eczema could also be symptoms, Dr. Blanche says. How do you detox your skin? There are many things you can do to detox your skin inside and out. Here are some expert recommendations. Sweat! Exercise! Hot Steam There’s no question that exercise is good for your health and your body, but many don’t know that it’s also great for your skin. “Exercise at high intensity that gets your sweat going helps to nourish those skin cells by increasing blood circulation,” Towne says. “Think of it this way, blood carries oxygen and nutrients from your proper diet to the cells working in your skin.” Sweating from exercise, hot team not only increase blood circulation, it will also cleanse and remove toxins from your skin. Drink Water. A lot! “Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your skin appearing young as well as flushing out toxins that will cause aging and poor health,” Richards says. This is something you definitely don’t want to skip. Some pro tips to help you get more H20 in is to carry a chic water bottle with you everywhere so you’ll stay motivated to drink up. Towne also recommends adding a pinch of pink Himalayan salt to your water to help your body better absorb it. Clean Up Your Diet Detoxing your skin is not just an outside job. You should also make some changes in your diet because what you put in your body internally makes just as much of an impact on your skin as what you put on it.First off, Towne recommends cutting out any processed and fried foods, starches, artificial or refined sugars, dairy, and gluten. This, of course, is going to be a bit of a challenge if you regularly consume those things, but Richards advises being gentle with yourself and giving your body the time it needs to adjust to the changes and begin to heal. In addition to cutting out the bad, you should also bring in more of the good. “Incorporate lots of leafy greens and healthy fats,” Dr. Blanche says. “Try to stay as organic as possible.” Richards also suggests incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re getting your dose of skin-detoxing phytochemicals. “Cabbage is a food rich in vitamins A, C, and E which are effective in reducing signs of aging and lowering cortisol levels that can cause skin damage,” she says. “Watercress can help improve blood flow to the skin which will help make the detox process more efficient along with reducing uneven skin tone.” Nourish Your Skin With Micronutrients Although getting in your nutrients internally will do wonders for your skin, Towne says using products infused with micronutrients such as grape seed extract, glutathione, and vitamin C will also provide tremendous benefits. “Many micronutrients act as antioxidants in the body which means they are effective at removing and reversing the damages of free radicals and toxins,” Richards says. “Free radicals increase the aging process our skin endures and by removing them through antioxidants you will begin to reduce signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.” Taut’s Premium Collagen Drink, for example, features both grape seed extract and vitamin C that work together with liquid collagen, hyaluronic acid to reverse signs of aging, plump up your skin, and restore it’s natural radiance, which is exactly how you want your skin to look and feel after a detox. Double Cleanse Cleansing your skin twice is a great habit to implement whether you’re on a skin detox or not. “This step is the most efficient way of removing impurities on the skin,” Towne says. She suggests using an oil or cream cleanser first and then following that with a gentle foaming cleanser. Do a Deep Cleansing Mask Towne recommends treating your skin to a deep cleansing mask that targets your specific skin condition. For example, kaolin clay, sulfur, or charcoal masks will help absorb oil and debris, while a salicylic mask will help fight blemishes. Use Natural Products Traditional skincare and beauty products are often filled with harmful chemicals and toxins that your body then absorbs through your skin. So if you really want to detox not just your skin but your body too, Richards recommends switching over to more natural products. That’s it! By following these expert-recommended lifestyle and skincare tweaks, `you’ll detox your skin in no time (and feel way healthier in the process!). Say goodbye to impurities and hello to smooth, glowing skin. You can also learn more about what Taut Premium Collagen Formula can do for your skin, or see results (before and after pictures) here.
