Written by Vera Coetsee, Health and Nutrition Coach
15 July 2024
During the summer months, our skin is bombarded with environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, sweat, and chlorine from pools. These can all lead to a buildup of toxins, clogged pores, and an uneven, dull complexion. A thorough skin detox after summer is essential for restoring radiance, unclogging pores, and preparing the skin for the changing seasons ahead. By implementing a targeted detoxification regimen, you can slough off dead skin cells, purge impurities, and revitalise your complexion, leaving it healthy, glowing, and ready to face the elements of the coming months.
The Importance of Detoxing your Skin
Investing time in a thorough skin detox after summer is an essential step in maintaining a clear, radiant, resilient complexion all year round. But how can detoxing your skin help?
- Removing Environmental Buildup – Throughout the summer, our skin is exposed to a barrage of environmental stressors like UV rays, pollution, sweat, and chlorine. This can lead to a buildup of toxins, free radicals, and impurities that can clog pores, dull the complexion, and accelerate signs of ageing.
- Unclogging Pores – All of those environmental toxins, along with excess oil and dead skin cells, can become trapped in the pores, causing them to become enlarged and leading to breakouts. A deep cleansing detox helps to purge the pores and restore clarity.
- Boosting Cell Turnover – Detoxification stimulates cell renewal and improves skin cell function. This helps to slough off dull, dehydrated surface cells and reveal the fresher, healthier skin underneath.
- Restoring Radiance – By ridding the skin of impurities and boosting cellular regeneration, a detox can dramatically improve skin brightness, evenness, and an overall healthy glow.
Ways to Detox your Skin
- Treat your skin to hydrating facials – Many hydrating facials begin with a deep cleansing ritual to purge the pores of built-up impurities, excess oil, and environmental pollutants. This helps to create a clean, refreshed canvas for the rest of the treatment. Contact us to learn more about our hydrating facials available at Restore.
- Take probiotic supplements to support your skin microbiome – Taking an oral probiotic can support the skin’s microbiome and boost its ability to defend against environmental toxins.
- Limit the use of irritants on your skin – Avoid products with harsh chemicals, fragrances, and alcohol, which can further stress and dehydrate the skin.
- Sweat it out with exercise – Regular exercise that gets your heart pumping can help flush out toxins through perspiration.
- Try an infrared sauna session – Using an infrared sauna can be an excellent way to help detox and rejuvenate the skin after the stresses of summer. The heat from an infrared sauna gently raises the body’s core temperature, causing blood vessels to dilate. This increased circulation brings more oxygenated blood to the skin’s surface, delivering nutrients and flushing out toxins.
- Book a Lymphatic Massage – The gentle, rhythmic motions of lymphatic massage help stimulate the flow of lymph fluid, which carries metabolic waste, toxins, and excess fluid out of the body. This helps to decongest the skin and reduce puffiness. Contact us to book your lymphatic massage here.
Incorporating a few of these detoxifying methods into your post-summer skincare routine can transform the health and radiance of your complexion. If you need support with your skin after your summer break, make an appointment at our clinic here.
Sources:
McLoughlin IJ, Wright EM, Tagg JR, Jain R, Hale JDF. Skin Microbiome-The Next Frontier for Probiotic Intervention. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2022 Aug;14(4):630-647. doi: 10.1007/s12602-021-09824-1. Epub 2021 Aug 12. PMID: 34383234. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12602-021-09824-1