There are those times of the year when certain phrases crop up again and again, right? Just about now, the word “detox” is never far from anyone’s lips. It’s one of those things we say without really thinking about it. It just feels like a wholesome and healthful thing to do.
But have you ever really thought about a skin detox? Do you know what it involves, and the benefits you would get from one?
What is a skin detox?
There is a lot of noise around skin detoxing and the ways to do it. There are so many skin detox products and regimes out there, so where do you start?
Perhaps science will help us work this one out, because there’s more to the phrase “skin detox” than meets the eye. The idea behind a detox of any kind is to remove toxins from the body. It’s worth noting that toxins don’t exit the body via our skin or pores, so we’re not aiming to remove toxins from the skin.
What we can do is use products that can do jobs like draw out excess oil and help with skin conditions like acne. Another big factor to consider is that when it comes to our skin, we always have to be mindful of the sorts of stresses we place it under and we can do something about that.
UV rays and free radicals from air pollution are a couple of obvious examples. Some antioxidant ingredients can effectively remove the free radicals from our skin that cause damage.
How do skin detox products work?
Look at your skin detox as a double-whammy if you like. The right combination of products can help you safeguard against stressors while keeping your complexion fresh.
There are positive changes and powerful ingredients that you can work into your skincare regime to improve its effectiveness. One great example of this is green tea extract, which is an antioxidant which can fight against harmful free radicals.
Certain skincare products like this can offer real benefits when worked into your routine at certain points in your week to give your skin a boost.
What are the best detox remedies for clear skin?
If we’re getting into specifics, there are some things you can do to get more from your skincare routine and keep your skin looking and feeling healthy.
From a science perspective, ingredients like antioxidants and retinoids can give you good results when applied topically. For starters, antioxidants can also boost your sunscreen’s effectiveness. And yes, sunscreen is a big must for healthy skin.
Retinoids on the other hand can help soften wrinkles and increase collagen among other reported benefits to give you a youthful-looking complexion. The trick is finding the right products for your skin type. So, make sure to get some advice and find the best products for your skin to protect and care for it.
Another consideration is exfoliation. One of the biggest benefits of exfoliation is that it sloughs away dead skin cells which enables your products to penetrate the skin more easily, and it gives you a glowing complexion. Winner!
Perfecting your skincare routine with the right steps and products, as well as staying hydrated and eating well will work together to make you look and feel better outside and in.
How to detox your skin
If we’re talking about a skin detox is a reassessment of your skincare routine, start with a step-by-step approach.
Look at the products you’re currently using and consider how your skin is feeling. Just a few tweaks to your at-home regime can help you hit refresh. Of course, everyone is different, and what works for your skin may not for someone else, but here are a few steps to consider:
- Cleanse your skin every morning and evening.
- Consider using a face mask, like our Green Tea Face Mask MK2 to draw out excess oil and impurities.
- Exfoliate! There are lots of options depending on your skin type and lifestyle, including natural exfoliators and gentle buffing acids. Check out what would work best for you, and how often you need to do it to pep up your skincare routine.
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Add a serum, which will give your skin a burst of actives in an easily absorbed form.
- Moisturise to help keep your skin hydrated.
- Add an SPF in the day to protect your skin from UV rays.
And if you want to add steps in, that’s ok too! As long as you’re working with your skin type and using the right products. Just remember, it’s not all about removing toxins, it’s about protecting your skin and giving it the care it needs.
References
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/are-you-planning-a-cleanse-or-detox-read-this-first/
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/skin-detox#where-skin-comes-in
https://www.healthline.com/health/clay-mask-benefits#treating-acne
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/266850972_Air_Pollution_and_the_skin
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/skin-detox#sweating-it-out
https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/ingredients-that-work-well-together#sun-protection-combo
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jocd.12193
