Skin Detoxing

Your Skin and Harmful Toxins

The skin, also known as the epidermis, is the biggest organ of the human body. With approximately 16-20 square feet of coverage in an adult body, this organ acts as a barrier between the internal organs and the often harmful outer environment. Actually the skin is responsible for a quarter of the body’s detoxifying each day. And being such an important elimination tool it is vital to ensure its optimal efficiency.

The physical beauty and condition of the skin, such as its luster, moisture level and softness, are all good indications of a healthy epidermis. Conversely the appearance of acne, pimples, black heads and dry, flaky skin, all suggest the presence of harmful toxins.

But how do these toxins get there? Well, the skin is permeable, meaning that it can directly absorb toxins both from inside the body and out. Once a chemical has penetrated the outer layer of skin, it works its way through the various levels of the epidermis and eventually finds itself in the blood stream, accessible to any part of the body.

Toxins that are most commonly absorbed through the skin are the chemicals used in cosmetic and skin products, and household cleaners (such as bleach, laundry detergent, furniture polish and even including most air fresheners),

Detoxing Your Skin

Unlike the other organs that remain hidden inside the body, the skin is very visible, and as such is under constant scrutiny. The importance we place on having clear, soft skin has thus led to us unknowingly incorporating skin detoxing into our daily regimes.

The use of cleansers, exfoliates and facial masks are all ways of ridding our skin of harmful toxins. Most people use one of these detoxing products at the very least. These products penetrate the skin, opening up the pores and flushing them of toxic build up and dead or damaged skin cells.

The skin also detoxes through sweat. The multitude of sweat glands on the skin’s surface provides a great avenue for the expulsion of toxins. Regular use of a sauna or steam room, or simply through vigorous exercise that promotes sweating, can quickly discharge the body of toxins. As explained by Drs. Bennett and Barrie in their book 7-Day Detox Miracle, “The body stores many toxins in fatty tissue. Sweating therapy reduces fat stores quickly, releasing these poisons for excretion through the stimulation of receptors in the fat… (Thus) facilitating fat loss.”

Other important skin detoxing tips to keep in mind are drinking lots of water and getting the proper amount of sun exposure. Actually everyone should be drinking at least 6-8 glasses of filtered water every day. Hydrating your skin allows it to more effectively flush out toxins and to complete its daily functions more efficiently.

And in terms of sunlight, well it’s all in moderation. Medical studies have shown that humans need the sunlight as it is the best source of vitamin D and a great mood enhancer. So get out there in the sun for your daily does of vitamin D, but be smart about it. First of all, always wear a sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays and limit your sun exposure when possible to an hour a day, or just cover up. Your skin will thank you!

Skin Brushing for Detox

No it’s not a typo. You read right. Skin brushing. This is a relatively new phenomenon in the health world that has taken to the brushing of the skin to stimulate the removal of toxins through this surface organ. Similar in theory to an exfoliate or the use of a loofah, skin brushing stimulates the blood located under its surface drawing the toxins out of blood and clearing them from the skin’s surface with the removal of the dead skin cells.

How to Brush Your Skin

To ensure optimum results from your skin brushing regime, there is a simple technique that you should implement. How it works: Simply take your skin brush to your dry skin (preferably before you shower or take a bath) and begin brushing in strokes that start on the feet and gradually move upward, always brushing in strokes towards your groin. This stimulates blood flow to and from your heart and body core.
Skin brushes can be purchased in your local drugstore and should have a long handle to allow you to effectively brush hard to reach areas such as your back. Brushing your whole body should take between 3-5 minutes and you should notice a smoother, rosier complexion in just several brushing sessions.

Benefits of Skin Brushing

• Tightens Skin
• Helps Digestion
• Stimulates Circulation
• Increases Cell Renewal
• Cleans Lymphatic System
• Removes Dead Skin Layers
• Strengthens Immune System
• Stimulates the Glands