Give your skin a summer detox

This is the perfect time to switch up your skin care regime and restore your skin to a more vibrant state

It’s the beginning of summer. Heat, environmental pollution, hectic lifestyle, unhealthy dietary habits and contaminated water makes the skin lifeless, tired and extra dull. Pollutants and dirt from the environment clog your pores, and toxins from your diet can make your complexion turn darker. What is the solution?

If your skin isn’t looking or feeling as good as you would like, a summer skin detox is a great way to help restore your skin to a more vibrant and healthy state.

Glowing, radiant skin starts from within — which is why you should consider forgoing some trigger foods like dairy, sugar, alcohol, processed food and coffee during your skin detox.

Bring about changes in your diet. Foods rich in fibre and antioxidants like dark leafy greens, cabbage, beets, apples, garlic and onions are known for their skin-cleansing properties. Include raw, natural foods and fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Not only do they detoxify the system by promoting the elimination of wastes, but also bring about a sense of well-being.

Include fresh fruits and lightly-cooked vegetables, unprocessed cereals, sprouted grains, nuts, seeds, yoghurt in your diet. Fresh juices of fruits and vegetables are the richest sources of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Stay off “congesting” foods like animal fats, dairy products, white bread, fast foods, and sugar.
Drinking water/coconut water, which is high in potassium and electrolytes, is the best detox for your skin. For a detoxing boost, sip plain hot water every 10-15 minutes through the day for the week.

For external skin detox, deep cleansing and exfoliation with scrubs help to cleanse the skin of dead cells. Look for cleansers containing sandalwood, eucalyptus, mint, neem, tulsi, aloe vera, lemon etc. Their anti-toxic and tonic properties help to clear skin congestion and eruptions.

Mix raw honey with brown sugar. Apply the mixture on your face, neck and uncovered areas around the face. Let it settle on your skin for 30 minutes, then wash the mask off with lukewarm water.

Skin “brushing” helps the elimination of toxins. It is used in the treatment of cellulite, which is caused by deposits of water, fat and other wastes collecting in pockets beneath the skin. The entire surface is brushed, using a rough cloth, or a natural bristle brush. Begin from the feet and go upwards. Then brush from lower to upper arms. Go across the shoulders and back. Brush gently on the chest and abdomen. Remember to exfoliate gently and not to overdo it to avoid a red, raw look.

Clay mask helps clean your skin of toxins. Skin fasting will help detoxify your skin from the inside out. Let your skin breathe naturally and throw the toxins out by avoiding the dependency on the skin care aides. You can do this every other weekend.

Activated charcoal can be used in face masks. Mix activated charcoal with aloe vera gel and rose water. Apply a thin layer on the face, avoiding the lips and area around the eyes. Wash off the mask after 20 minutes.

Take up yoga. Exercising is an integral part of skin detoxification. When you exercise, your skin perspires and heart races. It helps flush out unwanted waste, toxins, and impurities.