Spring is coming soon, and it’s time to say bye bye to dull skin! Following some simple steps can help you detoxify your skin and bring back its radiant look. But what is a skin detox?
The truth is that anytime we talk about “skin detox”, we are using this term metaphorically to refer to deep cleansing and skin pampering. Our body has the ability to remove anything harmful, so when we detox our skin, we don’t actually flush out toxins; we properly care for our skin and keep it healthy. Now, let’s get started!
STEP 1: Double cleanse
Cleansing is essential for the health of your skin and you must do it twice a day: once in the morning to remove residue built up overnight and again before going to bed to remove dirt, pollutants, make up and traces of your sunscreen. Especially in the evening, you must double cleanse. First remove your make up and then use your cleanser. Opt for a cleanser suitable for your skin type and your age. If you are young, your skin probably tends to be oily and prone to acne. The right cleanser is a natural face soap or a gel. As you get older, your skin gets drier. Opt for milky and creamy cleansers or a cleansing oil that will hydrate your skin.
STEP 2: Exfoliate 1-2 times a week
Exfoliation removes dead cells, excess sebum and pollutants. Use a mild face scrub to prevent irritations and avoid products with harsh ingredients that may dehydrate your skin. Face exfoliation should be done 1-2 times a week and it is preferable to use face scrubs at night since they can cause temporary redness. If you enjoy making homemade cosmetics, follow our recipe for a homemade detox face scrub:
Ingredients:
3 tbsp. coconut oil
2 tbsp. baking soda
Procedure:
- Mix the ingredients together until a paste is formed.
- Apply on skin and gently massage
- Rinse off with lukewarm water and apply a moisturizer
STEP 3: Try face steaming
Face steaming is a very old, yet still very effective technique to cleanse your face, detox your skin and remove black heads. Blackheads are formed when excess sebum and dead cells gather in your skin and clog your pores. Face scrubs exfoliate and deeply cleanse your skin, but are not effective in removing black heads, so it is a good idea to try this technique. Face steam softens your skin and makes it easier for you to remove blackheads using an extractor tool. If you want to learn more about this procedure, read this article:
STEP 4: Use a detox beauty mask
Face masks are a great way to detox your skin and make it glow. It is not a basic step in a skin care routine, but it is recommended to use one whenever your skin needs some extra pampering. Beauty masks contain a lot of active ingredients that benefit the skin in many ways: moisturize and nourish, even the skin tone, improve skin’s texture and make the skin glow. Use a detox face mask 1-2 times a week and leave it on for 10-15 minutes until its ingredients are delivered into the skin.
Our favorite detox beauty mask:
Kalliope's - Anti-pollution Detox Beauty Mask
If you like making homemade beauty masks, read this article to get some ideas:
Homemade Face Beauty Masks: 5 Easy DIY Recipes
STEP 5: Use an antioxidant moisturizer
Using a moisturizer every day ensures that you keep your skin moisturized and healthy. If you opt for a moisturizer rich in antioxidants, you get even more benefits. You detox your skin, remove dullness and reduce premature aging signs. But what are antioxidants? Antioxidants are natural or artificial substances, like amino acids and vitamins that offer many benefits to the skin. The most common antioxidants found in skin care products are vitamin C, vitamin E and Coenzyme Q-10. Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage the skin and lead to signs of aging. Using products with antioxidants, is the best way to prevent the signs of aging and help your skin remain smooth and firm.
STEP 6: Massage your face with a jade roller or a gua sha
If detoxing your skin, is what you are looking for, then using a massage tool is a must. Opt for a Jade Roller, which is a very simple tool and can be used by anyone, or a gua sha if you know how to use it and are interested in a more sculpted look. Use your beauty tool on clean and dry skin and roll/scrape outwards, not in. Note that you better use your roller/Gua sha tool after you have applied your moisturizer to improve product absorption. Repeat every move 5 times. For better results place your beauty tool in the fridge or in ice water for 10 minutes before use. Massage tools have many benefits for the skin: they stimulate blood circulation, improving blood flow and promoting collagen production, they help with lymphatic drainage and detoxify the skin, and they also reduce puffiness and water retention. If you want to learn more about those tools, read this article:
General tips for glowing skin
- Get enough sleep to keep your skin healthy and help it repair and rejuvenate itself.
- Stay hydrated and help your skin remain radiant and glowing.
- Avoid junk food, heavy drinking and smoking. Follow a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Use skincare products suitable for your skin type and age. Read this article, to learn more:
- Don’t touch your face all the time to avoid contaminating your skin with microbes.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water and avoid hot showers. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils and causes irritations and redness.
