Detox Your Skin Routine!

Skin Detox - 5 Ingredients to Give Your Skin a Deep Cleanse

After all the indulgences of the festive season: eating, drinking and late nights to name a few, our skin can be left feeling and looking rather lacklustre. Winter conditions can also contribute to stressed out skin. Skin at this time of year can look dull, or worse still you might suffer from dryness, redness, rawness, and chaffing.

We are using far more beauty products than ever before on our bodies, and if we use too many products in combination, products containing harsh ingredients, or even just the wrong products for our skin type, our skin might suffer as a result.

If any of the above sounds like you, your skin might thank you for a detox. Using natural and organic products is a good start, as long as you are using the right products! To help you on your way to good skin karma, we have put together this helpful guide to the top 5 ingredients for helping detoxify the skin.

Volcanic Clay

Volcanic, or bentonite, clay has long been known to possess detoxifying properties, both when taken internally and applied topically. It is mineral-rich, featuring iron, potassium, silica, sodium and calcium, helps bring oxygen to the skin’s surface, and also binds to any toxins on the surface of the skin thus removing them when you wash them away. Its texture means that volcanic clay also provides a gentle but effective exfoliating action that is not too rough on the skin. Volcanic clay can also help reduce pore size (by declogging and removing oil and dirt trapped inside that makes pores appear larger) and balance oil in the skin.

You might like: Alba Botanica Fast Fix Anti-Pollution Volcanic Clay Detoxifying Sheet Mask

Activated Charcoal

Like volcanic clay, activated charcoal has incredible detoxifying properties. It can adsorb (bind on to its surface) up to 1000 times its own mass of hydrophobic impurities and toxins[1]. Activated charcoal is considered an effective anti-acne ingredient, and also possesses anti-inflammatory properties to help calm existing skin conditions.

You might like: Giovanni d:tox Purifying Body Bar

Kale

Kale is rich in vitamins A, C and K as well as the protein lutein and various antioxidants. According to dermatologist Dr David Bank: “The vitamin K in kale helps to reduce the dark circles under your eyes and ‘tightens’ your skin, thereby reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Lutein, a carotenoid, also promotes collagen production, which is essential for your skin’s strength and ‘full’ appearance. Kale beauty products are also known to be beneficial for detoxification. These products help to keep your skin hydrated while cleaning out your pores and providing your skin with a healthier look.”[2]

Kale is also rich in minerals including iron, magnesium, calcium and copper, all of which play an important role in healthy skin function.

You might like: Pacifica Kale Water Micellar

Apricot

Apricots have been used in Chinese Herbal Medicine for over 5000 years, and in recent years apricot kernels have been highlighted in the press as possessing anti-tumour properties.

There are two parts of the apricot used specifically in skincare to help detoxify. Firstly the oil from apricot kernels, which possesses strong antioxidant properties. When applied to the skin, the oil helps to remove harmful bacteria and free radicals which makes apricot kernel oil an effective ally against acne. Its ability to penetrate the skin means that skin is replenished, and helps to keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Bonus!

The apricot kernels themselves are a common exfoliant used in skincare. They are slightly more abrasive than the aforementioned volcanic clay and activated charcoal, so if you suffer from sensitivity or acne, be sure to carry out a patch test first.

You might like: JASON Apricot Scrubble

Cucumber

Did you know cucumbers are 96% water? We all know how important water is for detoxing our bodies, but what is in the other 4% also counts when it comes to skin health. Cucumber also contains skin loving vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B1 and C, potassium, biotin, silica and magnesium. According to dermatologist and psychiatrist Amy Wechsler, cucumber has skincare benefits including vitamin C and caffeic acid, which both fight to reduce inflamed or irritated skin, and hydration thanks to its high water content. Cucumber peel contains silica, which firms up sagging skin.[3]