Skin Detox: How to Detox Your Skin

There’s nothing like the holidays to absolutely wreak havoc on your skin. Between the stress, travel, food, alcohol, sugar and (for many of us) the start of winter, it’s basically a recipe for disaster. There’s really no better time than the start of a new year, post-holidays, to give yourself a skin detox. You’ll have smooth, radiant skin in no time, and having healthy looking skin is an instant mood booster.

Tips For How To Detox Your Skin

Hydrate

I know, I know, this one is obvious, but it’s crucial. Staying hydrated is so good for your skin and drinking plenty of water also helps your body get rid of nasty toxins. Try to drink eight-8 ounce glasses of water each day. Skip sugary drinks like soda and limit your caffeine and alcohol intake. If you can get into the habit, starting the morning with a glass of lemon water is a great way to aid digestion and improve your skin health. I love this green juice recipe too and it’s great for your skin.

exercise

Getting exercise every day (and sweating) helps rid your body of toxins, improve blood flow and increase your circulation all of which will aid in detoxing your skin from the inside out. Just a note, for certain skin conditions like eczema and rosacea overheating can make the situation worse so of course follow your doctor or dermatologist’s recommendations.

get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial for your overall health and well being, but it also directly affects your skin. A good night’s rest allows your body and brain to regenerate so you feel refreshed in the morning. Lack of sleep can also impact the moisture and pH levels in your skin and when they are not in balance it can lead to dryness, redness, breakouts, etc. A few tips for a better night sleep: avoid alcohol for at least two hours being going to bed, drink enough water during the day so you aren’t guzzling liquids right before bed, use a sleep mask to block out light (silk is best for the delicate skin around your eyes), instead of looking at a screen before bed, read a book or listen to a meditation.

eat nourishing foods

You are what you eat, and that’s especially true for your skin. Greasy, fatty, salty and sugary foods can all lead to inflammation and breakouts. Of course, everyone’s dietary needs are different but eating a diet with lots of fresh fruits and veggies, healthy fats, and limited processed foods can drastically improve your skin health. I gave up dairy and eggs over a year ago and it dramatically improved my skin. The few times I re-introduced either of them, my skin immediately breaks out (again everyone is different this is what worked for me).

use gentle non-toxic skincare products

Skin is the largest organ and what you put on it goes directly into your bloodstream. Your skincare routine is just as important as everything I’ve mentioned above when it comes to having healthy skin. I say this all the time but switching to clean, non-toxic beauty products was hands down the best thing I could’ve done for my skin. I still get the occasional blemish and early pregnancy hormones wreaked havoc, but for the most part, my skin has never been better.

facials

Getting monthly facials has been great for my overall skin health and is a really good way to detox your skin. I alternate between the Hydrafacial and a classic organic facial. Of course, this can be expensive and there’s plenty of ways to take great care of your skin at home, more on that below.

My Go-To Skin Detox Products

In addition to taking care of your body by eating right, getting enough sleep and drinking plenty of water, the products you use can have a major impact on your skin. Finding the right products for your skin type and using skincare that’s free of toxic ingredients will go a long way when it comes to skin health. These are some of my favorite clean beauty products for skin detox.

• 

• 

farmaesthetics VASSAR ROSE PERFECTING POLISH

Getting rid of dead skin cells is really important for detoxing your skin. That said you have to be so careful about the products you use to exfoliate, many can actually do more harm than good. One of my favorites is the Farmaesthetics Vassar Rose Perfecting Polish (currently 20% off). It’s a fine textured exfoliant that cleans pores and rebalances your skin without stripping it. When mixed with Farmaesthetics fine herbal cleanser (20% off) it creates a paste that you can apply to damp skin in circular motions. I leave it on for a few minutes as a mask and then rinse off. I use this 1-2x a week. **This exfoliant is made with certified organic powdered roses. Roses are one of the most heavily sprayed crops when it comes to pesticides, anytime you are using a product with rose, make sure it’s organic.

farmaesthetics SWEET MILK AND LAVENDER EXFOLIANT

Farmaesthetics sweet milk and lavender exfoliant (20% off) is another one of my favorite products for getting rid of dead skin cells and skin detox. It’s a non-chemical exfoliant that uses lactic acid to treat dull skin and reveal a brighter complexion. The consistency of this exfoliant is less abrasive than the one above. Mix it with the Farmaesthetics fine herbal cleanser and apply to your skin in gentle circular motions (it smells amazing). This can also be left on for a few minutes as a mask. I use it 1-2 times a week. This is a great travel set if you want to give several products a try before purchasing full sizes.

manuka honey cleansing balm

I’ll probably never do a skincare post without including the Naturopathica Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm (use code JESSANNKRBY15 for 15% off). It’s good for all skin types including sensitive skin. While exfoliating is great for detoxing your skin, keeping it balanced and hydrated is just as important. When cleansing your skin you don’t want to strip it or dry it out which just makes matters worse. Cleansing should leave your skin feeling balanced and hydrated. The Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm has antibacterial properties which helps clear up breakouts, reduces redness, and heals inflamed skin. This is my go-to cleanser every day.

caudalie instant detox mask

I got the Caudalie Instant Detox Mask recently in a package from the brand and I was a bit skeptical because I generally find clay masks to be too drying for my skin. This mask is amazing for detoxing the skin and clearing pores without stripping. I use it once every two weeks in my t-zone, leaving it on for a few minutes and then following with a moisturizer and face oil.

naturopathica sweet cherry enzyme peel

A peel that doesn’t burn and gives your skin the most beautiful glow, that’s the Naturopathica sweet cherry enzyme peel (15% off w/ code JESSANNKIRBY15). A combination of vitamins, AHAs and anti-inflammatory ingredients make this mask super effective at detoxifying and purifying skin but also really gentle. I apply this in the shower for a few minutes and my skin is always really glowy, clear and bright afterwards. I gave this to my Mom for Christmas as well and she loves it, great for all skin types.

Goop Dry Brush

I didn’t buy into dry brushing until I got the GOOP dry brush (I initially bought a cheap one from Whole Foods and it was awful). Dry brushing is great for detoxifying your skin because it increases blood circulation and promotes lymphatic drainage. It also exfoliates and unclogs pores. I dry brush before showering, starting at my feet using upward strokes (always brushing towards the center of the body). Use soft strokes, it shouldn’t hurt. I do everywhere except my face.

Body scrubs

I’ve talked a lot about the face, but the rest of your body needs attention too. Body scrubs are great at detoxifying and getting rid of dead skin cells. Craig gave me the Indie Lee coconut citrus body scrub (15% off w/ code JESSANNKIRBY15) for my birthday and I love it. The smell is lovely and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed, clean and hydrated. Apply in circular motions in the shower (a little goes a long way).

Another favorite is the Herbivore coco rose body polish (15% off w/ code JESSANNKIRBY15) which is a super gentle scrub with a nice subtle scent. It’s moisturizing and gentle and it comes in glass packaging so it’s easy to reuse or recycle. Last but not least, a really affordable option is The Seaweed Bath Co. exfoliating detox scrub. If you prefer a squeeze bottle to a jar this is a great option and it smells amazing.

Skin Detox Products