Beauty is only skin deep. Is that true? Your skin, in fact, says much more about you than just how beautiful you are. Clear, radiant skin can be a sign of healthiness and a toxin-free body. Blemished, sallow skin, on the other hand, can signify harmful toxins being ingested but not properly detoxed from the body.
I have read a great deal about skin treatments and how to achieve clear, radiant skin. Some beauty theories are pretty simple; some are far beyond complicated, and some can cost us a fortune. Unfortunately, I’m not Kobe Bryant’s wife and can’t pamper myself like a queen. I work in a cubicle from 8 to 5, five days a week. Plus, I have my freelance writing gigs to do at night and on weekends. So I came up with 7 easy and not too costly skin-detox tips for busy people like myself. It is not a one-time thing, but instead we should adopt these tips as part of our habits. I noticed an improvement in my skin, especially my face, just a week after changing my old habits.
There is not one magical product that can help your skin bloom like a miracle. Genuinely healthy skin is a result of a healthy routine and lifestyle.
Flush Out the Toxins
Water is the key to detoxifying. It not only delivers nutrients to our cells and keeps our kidneys functioning well, but also aids in eliminating wastes and toxins. Alex Jamieson, a holistic health counselor, mentions in her book, The Great American Detox Diet, that water is “the toxic avenger.” Without enough water to help the body flush out the wastes, the body is basically like a pool of poisons, resulting in many kinds of health issues including skin problems. To have glowing and healthy skin, you have to drink at least 6 – 8 glasses of water everyday. And I really mean water! Clean, tasteless water. Not diet soda. Not juices. Not energy drinks. A lot of people believe that by drinking soda or any kinds of liquid, they keep themselves hydrated. That is just not true. Your body needs water. And this is the most fundamental thing of all detox programs. If you don’t drink enough water on a daily basis, other tips in this article are not going to help you.
Start Your Day with an Antioxidant Berry Drink
Antioxidants are highly beneficial to the skin, as they help protect the skin from environmental damage and prevent premature aging. Have a glass of antioxidant berry drink every morning or at lunch time if you prefer. Just make sure that your berry drink contains a variety of berries or antioxidant-rich fruits, and has no added sugar or preservatives. Some of the antioxidant-rich fruits are blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, pears, cherries, pomegranates and plums.
Sweat it out
Exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday. Any kind of exercise will do. Anything you enjoy. Jogging. Strolling. Dancing. Gardening. Biking. Playing Wii sports. Anything at all. The main idea is to increase your blood circulation, relax your muscles and most importantly, get rid of excess toxins through sweating. Like I said, I have a pretty busy lifestyle, so my solution is to have a stationary bike at home. But seriously, even if you can’t afford a treadmill or stationary bike, you still should be able to find some kind of work out or activity you will enjoy doing.
Dry Skin Brushing
The skin is the body's largest organ for eliminating toxins and wastes, though sometimes your pores can be clogged. Why? There are a number of reasons for it. For example, your own dry skin cells have accumulated on the outer layers of your skin without being scrubbed off. Using mineral-oil based moisturizers or wearing tight-fitting clothes can also cause your pores to clog. And as a result, your skin will look rather lifeless, dull and rough.
The purpose of skin dry brushing is to slough off the outer layers of the skin, allowing the pores to breathe and detoxify more effectively. It's a great daily ritual to do in the morning, though some people may prefer to do it at the end of the day instead. It doesn't really matter.
Flush Out the Toxins
Water is the key to detoxifying. It not only delivers nutrients to our cells and keeps our kidneys functioning well, but also aids in eliminating wastes and toxins. Alex Jamieson, a holistic health counselor, mentions in her book, The Great American Detox Diet, that water is “the toxic avenger.” Without enough water to help the body flush out the wastes, the body is basically like a pool of poisons, resulting in many kinds of health issues including skin problems. To have glowing and healthy skin, you have to drink at least 6 – 8 glasses of water everyday. And I really mean water! Clean, tasteless water. Not diet soda. Not juices. Not energy drinks. A lot of people believe that by drinking soda or any kinds of liquid, they keep themselves hydrated. That is just not true. Your body needs water. And this is the most fundamental thing of all detox programs. If you don’t drink enough water on a daily basis, other tips in this article are not going to help you.
Start Your Day with an Antioxidant Berry Drink
Antioxidants are highly beneficial to the skin, as they help protect the skin from environmental damage and prevent premature aging. Have a glass of antioxidant berry drink every morning or at lunch time if you prefer. Just make sure that your berry drink contains a variety of berries or antioxidant-rich fruits, and has no added sugar or preservatives. Some of the antioxidant-rich fruits are blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, pears, cherries, pomegranates and plums.
Sweat it out
Exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday. Any kind of exercise will do. Anything you enjoy. Jogging. Strolling. Dancing. Gardening. Biking. Playing Wii sports. Anything at all. The main idea is to increase your blood circulation, relax your muscles and most importantly, get rid of excess toxins through sweating. Like I said, I have a pretty busy lifestyle, so my solution is to have a stationary bike at home. But seriously, even if you can’t afford a treadmill or stationary bike, you still should be able to find some kind of work out or activity you will enjoy doing.
Dry Skin Brushing
The skin is the body's largest organ for eliminating toxins and wastes, though sometimes your pores can be clogged. Why? There are a number of reasons for it. For example, your own dry skin cells have accumulated on the outer layers of your skin without being scrubbed off. Using mineral-oil based moisturizers or wearing tight-fitting clothes can also cause your pores to clog. And as a result, your skin will look rather lifeless, dull and rough.
The purpose of skin dry brushing is to slough off the outer layers of the skin, allowing the pores to breathe and detoxify more effectively. It's a great daily ritual to do in the morning, though some people may prefer to do it at the end of the day instead. It doesn't really matter.
Use a vegetable-fiber bristled brush, preferably with a long handle to help you reach hard-to-reach areas on your back. Brush all over your body (except your chest and face) for about 10 minutes in a circular motion when your skin is completely dry. Don't scrub too hard until you look all red. Use just enough pressure to make your skin feel clean and glowing. Then jump into a warm shower or bath. Try to avoid having a hot shower and bath because hot water tends to dehydrate the skin especially in cold weather.
Detoxifying Bath
Have a detox bath once a week to eliminate toxins and pamper your skin. Just add the following to warm bath water: 1 cup baking soda (to help neutralize the acids in the toxins), 1 cup Epsom salts (to draw more fluids and toxins out of the skin), 5 drops lavender essential oil (gentle antiseptic), 5 drops chamomile essential oil (anti-inflammatory and antifungal) and 5 drops lemongrass essential oil (skin revitalizer). Don't use lemongrass essential oil, however, if you have sensitive skin.
Skin Tea
This skin tea recipe belongs to Shatoiya de la Tour of Dry Creek Herb Farm and Learning Center. She said it is a beneficial tea for many types of skin problems from acne and rosacea to eczema and psoriasis. It is also recommended for burn victims. This special skin tea consists of 1 1/2 parts dried nettle, 1 part dried calendula flowers, 1 part dried red clover flowers, 1/2 part dried symphytum leaf and 1/2 part dried lavender buds. (You should be able to find these dried flowers and leaves at health food stores.)
To make it, boil 1 quart of water. Remove from heat and add 4 - 5 teaspoons of tea mixture. Steep for about half an hour and then strain. I usually have this tea at night after a bath. It is very comforting and somehow helps me sleep better (or maybe it's just me; no one said this tea is supposed to aid in a deeper sleep).
Sauna
As I mentioned earlier, sweating is a way to get rid of excess toxins from the body. So go to a sauna once a week if you can. It not only helps eliminate toxins, but also increases flexibility in your muscles and blood vessels. Besides, sitting in a sauna is quite relaxing; your stress and anxiety tends to go away during a nice steam bath. Before you go to a sauna, however, consult your doctor if you are pregnant or have heart problems. Also remember to drink a lot of water before you get into a sauna. And if you feel ill or find it difficult to breathe, just leave the sauna right away.
Detoxifying Bath
Have a detox bath once a week to eliminate toxins and pamper your skin. Just add the following to warm bath water: 1 cup baking soda (to help neutralize the acids in the toxins), 1 cup Epsom salts (to draw more fluids and toxins out of the skin), 5 drops lavender essential oil (gentle antiseptic), 5 drops chamomile essential oil (anti-inflammatory and antifungal) and 5 drops lemongrass essential oil (skin revitalizer). Don't use lemongrass essential oil, however, if you have sensitive skin.
Skin Tea
This skin tea recipe belongs to Shatoiya de la Tour of Dry Creek Herb Farm and Learning Center. She said it is a beneficial tea for many types of skin problems from acne and rosacea to eczema and psoriasis. It is also recommended for burn victims. This special skin tea consists of 1 1/2 parts dried nettle, 1 part dried calendula flowers, 1 part dried red clover flowers, 1/2 part dried symphytum leaf and 1/2 part dried lavender buds. (You should be able to find these dried flowers and leaves at health food stores.)
To make it, boil 1 quart of water. Remove from heat and add 4 - 5 teaspoons of tea mixture. Steep for about half an hour and then strain. I usually have this tea at night after a bath. It is very comforting and somehow helps me sleep better (or maybe it's just me; no one said this tea is supposed to aid in a deeper sleep).
Sauna
As I mentioned earlier, sweating is a way to get rid of excess toxins from the body. So go to a sauna once a week if you can. It not only helps eliminate toxins, but also increases flexibility in your muscles and blood vessels. Besides, sitting in a sauna is quite relaxing; your stress and anxiety tends to go away during a nice steam bath. Before you go to a sauna, however, consult your doctor if you are pregnant or have heart problems. Also remember to drink a lot of water before you get into a sauna. And if you feel ill or find it difficult to breathe, just leave the sauna right away.
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