The Ultimate Beauty Detox

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It seems odd that we have to schedule detoxing into our lives. Our body is a natural detox machine so it should be completely fine to go about our lives and let it do its thing, right?

On further consideration, this internal detoxing system was created long before the industrial revolution, urban farming, and personal hygiene products existed. With the rise of these changes, the new environments we live in and the daily activities we engage in it is feasible that our centuries-old body system has become like an old software system – slow and sluggish to process everything.

It is increasingly difficult for our body to effectively purify the level of toxins we are exposed to. In addition to that, we are regularly and actively choosing to consume toxins – happy hour cocktails anyone?

With this, having a firm grasp on diverse ways to detox our systems is vital to maintaining our health and making sure our body is working at its optimum state.

How does the body detox?

The liver removes toxins and metabolic waste from the body by converting them to water-soluble compounds. Once water-soluble they can be eliminated from the body through urine.

SO WHERE DO THE TOXINS GO?

Some waste products are not water-soluble and are transformed by the liver and excreted in the bile. The bile is then transported to the intestines where it exits the body through our bowels.

Toxins not eliminated or completely removed by either of these processes may be eliminated through our skin via our sweat. Detoxing can be done in a variety of ways to affect these systems and should be done regularly.

READ ON TO DISCOVER:

4 ways to Incorporate Beauty Detoxing into Everyday Life
3 Steps to Purifying Your Skin Care

Stimulate your lymphatic system

Your lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The below beauty detox routines are my favorite ways to stimulate the lymph and support skin detoxing.

These are my favorite because it doesn’t feel like another thing I have to do but instead is a part of my life as regular as brushing my teeth and getting a haircut. All of them are easy, leave you feeling amazing and are enjoyable!

4 ways to incorporate beauty detox into your everyday life

Try these rituals to boost your bodies ability to clear itself out.

1. DRY BRUSHING

This ancient Ayurvedic ritual is one of my favorite ways to get the lymph moving. You can use a traditional natural bristle brush or you can use jute mitts.

How to dry brush?

To perform this use movements with a light brushing over your skin in upward strokes, consistently moving in the direction toward the heart. This seems like a simple action but it is truly amazing how much increased energy and alertness I feel after dry brushing.

Once you get the hang of this it is only a 1-2 minute addition to your routine that is 100% worth it. I like to dry brush first thing in the morning right before getting in the shower. I don’t have a daily ritual of dry brushing, but when I need extra energy for the day or a pick me up, this is the first detox addition I reach for.

2. REBOUNDING

This fun activity has a multitude of benefits. The rebounder, also known as a mini trampoline, has been studied and proven to effectively stimulate your lymphatic system and circulation as well as significantly improve fitness, even when following a relatively light workout schedule.

Workout less and get effective results? Count me in!

An easy fix

A quick 15-minute jump gets your entire system pumping and many can reach the recommended benefits of a 30min workout in half the time. I have read study after study on the benefits and recently purchased a rebounder after a long debate.

I debated due to size issues in my apartment, cost of the brand that I wanted and hesitation if I would actually use it. But, I can happily report that it has now become my preferred form of exercise and I look and feel my best on the days I unfold it and hop on.

3. BATH TIME

This luxurious and enjoyable ritual is taken to the detox level when you add Epsom salts or other another detox mineral soak to your bath. Soaking in a tub filled with these minerals causes the toxins to literally seep out of your pores.

Epsom salts, also known as magnesium sulfate, draws out toxins through the skin. In addition, soaking in a hot bath further releases toxins when you sweat.

4. FACIAL + BODY MASSAGE

Massage can trigger the natural detoxification process of the body. During and after a massage you experience an increase in blood circulation which stimulates the body’s self-cleaning mode and your system begins to work to flush out toxins.

This can be experienced if you get a massage from another person as well as if you perform self-massage. If getting a massage regularly is not in the cards for you, there are other ways to get this ritual as a daily boost.

DIY Massage

When cleansing my skin and applying products I make sure to apply these items using massage movements and on days where I have a bit more time or energy, I perform a 5-minute DIY Facial Massage for the best at home skin boosting results.

Detoxing and The Skin

The best ways to protect yourself from toxicity is to avoid taking toxins into your body in the first place and choosing habits that keep your systems in good working order.

For example, you can best protect the kidneys by drinking enough pure water and avoiding dietary stressors such as coffee and alcohol. Protecting your skin begins first and foremost by being conscious of the products you put on it.

3 steps to purifying your skin care:

Follow these three easy steps to start detoxing your bathroom cabinets and beyond!

1. DETERMINE YOUR SKIN CARE “DIET” STYLE AND FIND A BALANCE

We all have a preferred diet. Vegan? Carnivore? Herbivore? Mostly Paleo? The options are endless and we all decide at the end of the day what works best for us. I encourage you to think of skin care in a similar way.

Just like you choose a diet that feels best to you, that works with your lifestyle, and that helps you meet your goals without compromising your values – skin care is the same. I acknowledge that I like to have a cocktail and indulge in rich foods sometimes so I put that much more effort into my skin care to counterbalance my diet choices.

Make Conscious Choices

Maybe you love a specific perfume (which is full of toxins) and it brings you joy. First, acknowledge that you are choosing something that it is harmful to your body. Then, ask yourself if you would like to seek alternatives.

Yes? Wonderful, there are many pure options for every vice these days – explore, play and discover an amazing new favorite. Do you have to have the toxic choice? Well then, make a conscious and consistent effort to actively reduce toxins in other areas of your life.

2. REDUCE TOXIN ABSORPTION IN EVERY CATEGORY POSSIBLE.

The average US woman uses 12 personal care products and/or cosmetics a day, containing 168 different chemicals, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in a 2004 study. This data is over 14 years old. We can easily jump to the conclusion that on average we use significantly more products now.

Looking at Labels (Beyond skincare!)

In addition to skincare, you should consider your shower products, dental, body, makeup, hair care, and even your house cleaning products. All of these items interact with your skin and can result in toxin absorption.

The body’s ability to eliminate toxins simply cannot compete with the levels we are exposing ourselves to, so it is imperative that we select as many items as possible from pure and trusted sources.

Little by little

I have been on a personal mission to detox my products for years. Skin care was first, 10 years ago. Every year since, I have taken a new category and set out to read the labels, reduce my toxic exposure and replace as many toxic items in my life as possible. It’s been a long amazing journey.

I can feel the difference and I am certain I am healthier for all the changes made. I empower you to do this through self-learning or reach out to get support greening the routines in your life from an experienced professional.

3. START WITH SKIN CARE

Of the categories, skin care is the one which we use the most items per day. Therefore, by percentage, when we purify our skin care, we are getting the greatest improvement results of any category so I definitely encourage you to start there. And, skin care currently has the most options on the market, making it an enjoyable journey as we seek alternatives!

The Detoxing Journey

Most of all, remember to stay positive with each beauty detox change you explore. There is a lot of overwhelming and scary education about toxic ingredients available. Don’t get stuck in fear.

Instead, make one category improvement at a time, celebrate each success along the way, breath in the amazing aromas of your new healthy skin care and enjoy the detoxing journey – it is lifelong after all.

Which products are you having a hard time finding a healthy alternative for? Let me know in the comments below!