Whether it’s a digital detox, Dry January, and Meatless Mondays, detoxes feel like they’re everywhere lately. But what about skin detoxification? Maybe you’ve been overdoing it lately and you’re ready for a fresh start when it comes to your skincare routine. Whether you’re dealing with dullness, uneven skin tone, blemishes, dry skin or all of the above, here are our recommendations for a complete skin detox.
What is a skin detox?
While it may sound like you’re cutting products out of your ritual, a skin detox actually simplifies the focus of your routine. Instead of working on multiple concerns, skin detoxification is simply the process of cleansing your pores and nourishing your skin both externally and internally to reveal a smooth and healthy complexion. During this process, impurities, pollutants and dead skin cells are removed as much as possible in order to rejuvenate your skin and return it to normal. As part of the skin renewal process, the deeper layers of the skin will eventually move to the surface. This takes four to six weeks to appear, which means skin detoxification is not a quick fix.
Why should I detox my skin?
To find out why you should detox your skin, we went straight to our experts. Our product support agents explain that “the benefit of skin detox is that it allows the skin a fresh start. Detoxification stimulates a healthier environment for the skin and can encourage increased production of collagen and elastin. These changes can help increase cell turnover and improve the skin barrier overall.” If you’ve been snacking on sugary treats or relaxing with drinking water, you may find that you experience glycosylation (a process that slows collagen and elasticity production) and see skin inflammation. A skin detox will target these issues and help balance the skin.
The benefit of skin detoxification is that it allows the skin a fresh start. Detoxification stimulates a healthier environment for the skin and can encourage increased production of collagen and elastin.
Start with a spa facial
To start detoxing your skin, book a treatment at your nearest location Eminence Organics Spa Partner. A professional treatment will ensure deep cleansing and prepare the skin for optimal results from your home care products. If you suffer from breakouts and/or pore congestion, such as blackheads, whiteheads and milia, the Product Support Team recommends asking your esthetician to perform extractions to unclog the pores. If you suffer from sensitized, dry or dehydrated skin, let your esthetician know as well. Detox treatments are not the same as “drying out the skin” and, as the Product Support Team explains, “spas will generally have detox treatments on their face and body menu that they can tailor to your needs.”
Boost your skincare routine at home
In addition to professional treatments, a daily skin care routine and weekly home treatments are essential to detoxify your skin. Look for products that remove impurities while hydrating the skin. During this process, don’t panic if you experience breakouts. This reaction indicates that the skin is being cleansed of pore-clogging debris and is a normal part of the detoxification process.
Our recommended home care products feature some winners from our Microgreens Detox and Eight Greens collection. While you don’t have to follow this exact routine, the following products are recommended for their ability to minimize the appearance of pores and improve the appearance of skin texture.
Double Cleansing
If you’re not already double cleansing, a skin detox is the perfect time to add it to your routine. Double cleansing is the perfect addition as removes dirt and helps to clean pores. It contains our potential Microgreens Detox Complex, our Stone Crop Cleansing Oil is a fantastic choice for a first cleanse. This silky oil removes impurities both on the surface of the skin and clogged deep within the pores, but is gentle enough to remove makeup from the delicate eye area. For the second cleanse, the Charcoal Exfoliating Gel Cleanser removes dirt and other impurities to encourage the appearance of smoother skin.
Exfoliate up to three times a week
Us Stone Crop Oxygenating Fizzofoliant contains microgreens and works well for all skin types. Those with normal to oily skin types can use this exfoliator up to three times a week, while those with dry or sensitive skin should aim for once or twice a week. Our Product Support Team explains: “This is a powder-to-foam exfoliator that gently exfoliates the skin to unclog and rejuvenate pores with oxygen and stone. For skin types prone to breakouts and congestion, this exfoliator is ideal for soothing pore-clogging debris.”
Tone Twice A Day
Stimulation is a key step in any skin care routine as it hydrates while balancing the skin’s pH level. In addition to preparing the skin for better absorption of further care products, a toner also provides a dose of ingredients to leave the skin glowing. For normal to dry skin types, the Stone Crop Hydrating Mist is an excellent revitalizing toner, containing stone juice to naturally brighten the appearance of skin.
Use special treatments
Special home remedies and face masks will have a huge impact on your detoxification process. Our Lead Skin Care Trainer Natalie Pergar recommends Kombucha Microbiome Leave-On Mask, a creamy mask that brings comfort to all skin types with a blend of pre-, pro- and metabiotics to support your skin’s moisture balance. Spread over the skin and leave the mask for 5-10 minutes to be fully absorbed. Remove any excess tissue, no rinsing required.
When it comes to mask, ours Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot can’t hurt. With skin-boosting paprika, this spicy face mask promotes healthy-looking skin. Fighting the appearance of breakouts, signs of aging, texture and large pores, this green wonder is essential for skin cleansing.
As Natalie mentions, charcoal is like a magnet for drawing out debris and unclogging pores, and a great ingredient for detoxifying skin care. In an interview with American Spa MagazineInternational Trainer of Eminence Organics Brian Goodwin is discussing the many benefits of charcoal for skin detoxification, noting that charcoal is “particularly effective at removing pollutants, allergens, dust and more from the skin and stopping the inflammation and free radical damage they can cause.”
Using any of these remedies will do wonders for your skin. Although it can be tempting to overdo it, limit your use of face masks to one to three times a week. Especially when it comes to charcoal face masks, daily use is likely to dry out your skin and strip your skin of its natural oil production.
Take care!
In addition to external care, the best results from skin detoxification also come with internal care. Alkaline-rich foods are fantastic for helping skin glow. Choose products rich in calcium, magnesium and potassium to keep skin strong. Some tasty options are:
- Pears
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Bananas
Healthy fats ((like omega-3s) will also keep your skin supple, so add things like avocados and walnuts to your snack roster. In addition to eating more fresh produce, make sure you protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, drink enough water and sleep well. This will help regulate your skin’s oil production and cell turnover rate. Finally, make time for wellness practices (like yoga, for example) that encourage blood flow and reduce stress, both of which are reflected in your skin.
Drink more water
While the delicious alcoholic drinks are satisfying as they go down, the aftermath is not so pleasant. Not only is alcohol dehydrating, it’s often loaded with sugar and other inflammatory additives. To counteract the negative effects of alcohol, there is a simple solution: drink more water. Take a break from cocktails and replace them with plenty of water (lemon water for best results). The water hydrates your skin from the inside out while the lemon juice helps with detoxification. This simple combination also helps alkalize your body and boosts digestion. For water that’s just as fancy as your favorite cocktail (try fruit-infused water recipes).
Sweat it out and rest
Irregular or insufficient sleep can profoundly alter circadian rhythms and compromise or block these important detoxification pathways in the liver. Exercise and sleep. These are two simple things you can do to restore and detoxify your body. Exercise increases blood flow and allows you to naturally sweat out toxins, while a good night’s sleep is critical to maintaining your body’s metabolic balance. Put in a solid sweat several times a week and at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night to keep your body’s natural detoxification systems at full strength.
From the skin care products you use to the foods you eat, all of these small changes work together to restore your skin and rejuvenate your complexion. Have you completed a skin detox before? Any advice on completing the process? We would love to hear from you. Share with us in the comments below or on social media.
