At this time of year, everyone is talking about #Detoxing. But what does Detoxing actually mean? People describe it as cleansing their bodies from the inside out and flushing toxins from their bodies.
The good news is you don’t have to go overboard to detox your body – your liver actually does most of the work for you! So, the best way to Detox this January is to do what you can to help your liver along on the inside; and focus on cleansing your skin on the outside.
Drink Water
Drinking water is at the top of every healthcare and beauty tip list ever – and it’s not going anywhere in 2018! Water is a miracle “product” which helps your skin, your concentration, your energy and helps keeps your body functioning properly.
Your liver and kidneys will especially benefit from you staying well hydrated! You don’t just have to drink plain water; add a splash of squash if you want a bit of extra flavour.
And make sure to eat regularly throughout the day; your body needs to have a balance of sodium to remain hydrated – drinking lots of water without eating properly can actually make you feel less hydrated!
Cut Down on the Wine
We all like a drink – but after a month of parties and dinners in December, we could probably all use a break! A small amount of red wine can be good for our brains and our bodies, but excessive drinking can dehydrate the skin and accelerate the signs of ageing – and it can also cause damage to your liver, hindering it from doing its job cleansing your body.
You don’t have to quit drinking altogether; after work cocktails with the girls from the office is a time-honoured tradition after all – but when you’re at home try swapping a glass of wine in front of the TV for a soft drink or cup of green tea. Cutting down on alcohol will help your skin glow and look more radiant, and will also give your liver a break so it can focus on cleansing toxins from your body.
Pick up a new skin care routine
Taking care of your insides is important, but if you really want to feel detoxed inside and out, it’s time to take care of your skin.
Your skin will benefit from regular facials; unblocking pores and reducing the appearance of fine lines, uneven skin, dark circles and even superficial scarring. A fresh and glowing face greeting you in the mirror will really help you feel cleansed.
Another way you can take care of your skin is by exfoliating; a full body salt scrub will remove dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling soft and looking radiant from top to toe. For an extra silky feeling, include a skin wrap and let the moisturising lotion really sink in.
And don’t forget to take care of your skin at home too! Pick up an Elemis kit for your skin type, and make sure to cleanse, tone and moisturise every evening – no matter what age you are, it’s never too late (or too early!) to begin a skin routine, and you really will see a difference in how refreshed and cleansed your skin looks.
Eat Healthy
There’s no need to start a crazy diet or blend up 100 different plants in your morning smoothie in order to detox – you don’t need to flush anything out, as your liver will do that for you – but you can give it a break, so it can catch up with the backlog!
You don’t have to transform your diet overnight, but try swapping out your milk chocolate for a dark chocolate with less sugar and more cocoa, or trade your coffee for tea. It’s also a great time of year to experiment in the kitchen – give yourself exciting new challenges to motivate yourself to cook more fresh food. Try having a vegan day, or a gluten free day, or choose an ingredient you’ve never used before (like Tofu or Quinoa) to base a meal around. Another top tip is to prep and cook your food for the week and heat it up when you need it – you’ll be less tempted to eat out or order in if you have a delicious sweet potato curry in the freezer ready to go!
The less sugar, caffeine and alcohol you consume, the better your liver can do its job – and you’ll notice a huge change in how much energy you have as your body rids itself of toxins more efficiently.
Get Glowing!
One of the best ways to look and feel detoxed is to turn up the heat and open up your pores.
One of the best ways to do this is to exercise of course; because not only do you break a sweat, but exercising also releases endorphins which make you feel energized and boost your mood. The great thing about exercising is that everyone can do it at their own level; if you’re already fit, mix up your routine by doing an activity you don’t usually do. If you’re a swimmer, go for a cycle; if you’re a cyclist, go for a run! And if you have a lower fitness level that’s okay too – try a gentle walk, or for a low-impact workout try a swim or a pool based fitness class.
Of course, there are other ways to get glowing – a regular steam or sauna is also a great and relaxing way to open your pores and release impurities from the skin. For an extra deep cleanse, try an Infra-Red sauna – which gently penetrates the skin at a deeper level, and can even burn up to 800 calories in a half hour session!
At PURE we believe January is a great time to start building new healthcare and beauty habits. Take care of your liver and skin and you’ll start seeing visible changes straight way. You don’t have to drastically change your lifestyle overnight – there are plenty of small changes you can make which will give you a lifetime of better skin and higher energy!
To help you get started on your detox journey, we’ve put together an exclusive package which will not only help cleanse your skin, but will also help you relax in one of our luxury Spas. Try an Infra-Red Sauna, PURE Foot Ritual, Full Body Scrub and Express Hot Stone or Express Indian Head Massage for only £50 on an e-Gift Card lasting for three months, redeemable in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow.
Happy Detox from PURE Spa & Beauty!