Post-Holiday Beauty Detox Tips

Face it, after the holidays everyone can use a little detoxifying. Even if you didn’t go overboard, chances are you ate a little more (and a little worse), drank a little more, and slept a little less.  The new year often brings under-eye circles, broken out skin, and a serious decrease in energy. Read below for ways to recharge.

Dry Skin Brushing

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to detox, dry skin brushing packs a variety of benefits. The skin – only our largest organ! – is so important in the process of eliminating toxins, it is often referred to as a third kidney. The skin’s ability to detoxify becomes severely compromised when pores are clogged from toxins in the air, in our cosmetics, and in the food we eat.  By spending a few minutes each day dry brushing your skin, you can renew its ability to eliminate unwanted toxins from your body.

Aside from the health benefits, dry brushing exfoliates the skin and removes the outer layer of dull, dry skin. The result is skin that’s noticeably softer and brighter. Dry skin brushing keeps toxins from polluting the skin, which promotes a clear, supple complexion. Reduced cellulite and better muscle tone are often noticed after a few rounds.

All that’s needed is a brush made with soft, natural hair; a long-handled brush may be helpful for hard-to-reach areas.  A good time to brush is right before your daily shower, not only because it will be easy to remember, but because the shower will help accelerate the cleansing process afterwards.

Acupuncture

In addition to the natural diuretic effect of acupuncture, the 5,000 year-old treatment can temporarily reducing appetite and/or cravings. Devotees swear that once you regain your appetite, you do not feel much of a desire for foods normally associated with sources of toxins, like leftover Christmas cookies, cheese, and wine. When you eat toxic foods, you immediately get a feeling of heaviness in the body, as the energy flow is disrupted. Also, you can end up with what’s called “carb face”, a soft, doughy facial appearance associated with diets high in glycemic carbohydrates.

When you consume proper foods, you look and feel energized, which is a welcome change after Christmas and New Year’s.

Nude Detox Supplements

With a cult following that includes beauties like Christy Turlington, Nude Skincare makes a supplement that helps jump-start your tired, post-holiday skin. Nude Skincare Detox Supplement is a 10-day purifying treatment highly recommended for anyone who is sleep deprived, flies a lot, and/or has breakouts, particularly around the chin area. According to the company, “The treatment delivers a targeted probiotic detox with complete nutritional support. Liquorice and ginger support digestive function to reduce water retention and increase energy. Chlorella, holy basil and turmeric defend against free radicals and support the liver for clear, radiant skin.”

Ayurvedic Facial

Different from a standard facial, ayurvedic facials incorporate freshly blended herbs to cleanse and exfoliate, as well as custom-blended oils to moisturize and renew. Gentle extractions and nourishing earth masks are often added, making it the perfect treatment for stressed and broken out skin. Ayurvedic facials are intended to clarify, nourish and heal congested skin and acne conditions. Using organic ingredients, skin is left detoxified, balanced and refreshed.

Charcoal

For hundreds of years, because of its ability to absorb a range of gases and toxins, the Japanese have used white charcoal to soak up substances, from poison to indigestion, to bad breath.  The ancient technique is coming to the states thanks to Sort of Coal, a line that incorporates the porous charcoal, produced from sustainably harvested forests in Japan and Korea. Products include edible charcoal powder (it attracts and absorbs intestinal toxins), soap, and water purifiers, which replace chlorine with minerals. It may be a little unconventional, but it’s touted for its ability to remove daily environmental impurities from air and water.  


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