During the last few months, your skin might have gone through some changes. Most of us have had our daily routines and habits turned upside down with the 'stay-at-home' situation. Also wearing a mask on a daily basis can cause skin irritations. For some, it's been an opportunity to take better care of oneself, and for others, it might be time to give you skin a reset. A skin detox might be in order.
What is a skin detox?
We normally hear about detoxing the body, and this is usually an inside job - eating and drinking certain foods to eliminate toxins from the body. It’s a paradigm shift from the days of “dieting” simply to lose weight. The focus is on wellness rather than appearance, but of course, the two go hand-in-hand.
There’s also a growing interest in detoxing the skin, for good reason. Research studies show that some toxic air pollutants can get into the body through the skin more than through breathing. And yes, what we eat does matter and affects our skin. Everyone’s body chemistry is unique, but it’s safe to say, a diet heavy on processed foods, artificial sweeteners, additives, and preservatives, doesn’t do your skin any favors. In fact, it can cause serious issues such as rosacea, acne, and eczema, to name just a few. When we add skin products laden with chemicals and synthetics to the mix, we are in fact adding more pollutants to the skin.
Our skin is constantly bombarded by the environment, what we eat and drink, and the products we put on it. “Detoxing” your skin is a great way to reboot your skin; it’ll get you back to looking and feeling your best.
Here are 6 simple ways to detox your skin:
1. Deep Clean Your Skin
Time to spring-clean your facial skin. Regardless of your skin type, the goal is to completely eliminate dirt, make-up, and toxins from the pores. Prep your skin by showering, or if you prefer- take a bath to allow steam to gently open pores. Lightly pat dry, allowing skin to stay moist. Now that your skin is prepped, it’s time to cleanse. If you need to remove eye make-up first, the Honey Girl Organics’ Facial Cleanser and Make-up Remover is your best bet. There’s nothing better at taking away the sticky, thick eye mascara and eye liner. Apply over face and eye area and gently remove with damp washcloth, rinse. If you have dry skin, stick with a gentle oil-based cleanser; it’ll lift and remove oil, dirt and impurities from your skin. If your skin is oily, a cleanser with natural ingredients such as witch hazel, citrus and honey will help remove toxins from pores. Use washcloth and work in circular pattern to ensure all dirt and make up are removed. Rinse thoroughly. Next, gently apply a facial scrub to remove dead skin cells that hold impurities as well as signal the body to start the skin cell regeneration process. Always finish cleansing with a facial toner to purify and condition skin. The Honey Girl Organics Facial Toner with rose, propolis and neroli is great for all skin types.
Now, you’re ready to get on with your work out!
2. Sweat
If you’re lucky enough to have your own sauna, put it to good use! That said, aerobic exercise is even better. Sure, you can work up a sweat in a sauna, but the blood circulation caused by your heart rate pumping will benefit your skin by bringing oxygen and nutrients to facial skin tissues. Since you’re already clean, there’s nothing to block the release of residual toxins as you perspire. The more you sweat, the better chance your body has to let go of built-up pollutants.
3. Hydrate
As you perspire, you eliminate toxins— but you also release vital minerals and electrolytes. You can replenish a lot of them with water. Drink up! It's best to hydrate during your workouts (not just afterwards) to provide your muscles the resources they need to keep going and last longer. If you don't drink enough water to compensate for a good sweat, dehydration could stress the kidneys and keep them from doing their job. Add lemon to your water to further aid your body’s ability to flush waste. The phytonutrients in lemons, specifically, have antioxidant and antibiotic properties. Drinking water is vital for your body’s ability to reach it’s optimal level of detoxification. Water helps release toxins by stimulating more perspiration and urination.
4. Cleanse & Rinse
After working out, your skin will be sticky with perspiration. You’ve succeeded in purging toxins from within the pores, but to remove them from surface skin, you need to cleanse and rinse. There’s a great selection of body washes at your local Whole Foods store. Make sure to check labels as many “natural” products are chock-full of synthetics. Remember, choosing the right facial cleanser for your skin type is key. After you cleanse, apply Facial Toner to tighten and condition facial tissues.
5. Apply Detox Mask
A detox facial mask will super-charge your skin’s ability to remove pollutants, and a honey-based mask is by far one of the very best at detoxifying your skin. This is because of the anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties honey contains. Honey Girl Organics’ all natural Rejuvenating Mask is made with raw Pupukea honey, French green clay and Hawaiian blue green algae. These key ingredients are extremely effective at drawing out impurities at the deepest level. Diatomaceous earth mildly exfoliates allowing the nourishing trace minerals in this mask to help fight free radicals, further detoxifying your skin. Honey is also gentle on freshly cleansed skin and will replenish tissues with needed nutrients including collagen building enzymes. This mask is great for all skin types, including acne prone skin. After mask treatment, apply your favorite Honey Girl Organics’ cream or serum to protect and moisturize your detoxified skin.
6. Value Added - Skin Detox Supplements & Homemade Concoctions!
The most effective skin cleanses are comprehensive; detoxifying the skin from above and below the skin’s surface is ideal. As mentioned, hydration is vital, drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water throughout the day will lubricate your body’s excretory system and help promote the building of healthy new cells. If you want to take your detox to the next level— there are both over-the-counter skin detox supplements as well as home-made tinctures and cleansing broths that will give your body the boost it needs to eliminate toxins from the inside out. Start your morning with a cup of hot water, lemon, honey, & apple cider vinegar. Add a pinch of cinnamon and ginger and you’ll rev up your system to peak performance. Fresh squeezed raw veggies and fruits will energize you throughout the day while providing your body with the nutrients and fiber needed to further eliminate toxins. Wind down your day with a gentle cleansing tea of ginger, turmeric and honey, and if you like it creamy— add some almond milk or coconut milk. Not only will it help with digestion, it will ease you into a restful night’s sleep. Always a good thing!
Repeat!
Repeat this pattern once a day for 2 weeks and you will be amazed at your fresh new skin! Work these steps into daily lifestyle habits, and you’ll continue to release pollutants from your skin and body, giving you vitality, clarity and renewed health.