The skin is the largest organ in our body. It covers an area of about
20 square feet. Detox diets are important to purify the body and
remove toxins caused by pollution, chemicals and the food we eat.
Water is very important for healthy skin, without it our skin would be
dehydrated and shrivelled up like a prune. It is vital to drink more
water in the warm weather and when you are exercising so that you
won’t dehydrate. Fruits and vegetables are very beneficial for the
skin, especially carrots, tomatoes, oranges, squash and dark green
leafy vegetables. They are an excellent source of vitamins and
minerals. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) help the body to absorb
vitamins A,D,E and K, which help to maintain healthy skin. Fish, nuts
and seeds are a healthy source of EFA.
Udo’s oil is particularly nutritious for the skin because it contains
a balanced 2:1:1 ratio of the essential fatty acids (EFAs) omega 3 and
6, and the beneficial fatty acid omega 9. It is a unique blend of
certified organic flax, sunflower, coconut and sesame oils, with
unrefined oils from the germs of rice and oats, evening primrose oil
and non GM lecithin. Every cell in our body needs these essential
fatty acids to function at their best and this includes our skin, hair
and nails. Without them skin can become dry and flaky, hair lifeless
and nails brittle. It is not suitable for cooking as heat destroys the
quality of the oil. Trans fats should be avoided as they can heart
problems, obesity and other health conditions.
Sugar is bad for the skin because it causes inflammation. It is very
acidic and can cause blood sugar levels to swing high and low, which
results in inflammation of the skin. This can cause skin breakouts,
acne, eczema, psoriasis etc. Alcohol dehydrates the skin, and this
happens every time you drink it. Alcohol can remove vital vitamins
and minerals from the body which will result in poor health. Drinking
alcohol can cause a skin condition called Rosacea, which causes the
person to blush easily. Caffeine is also harmful to the skin. It is a
diuretic, so drinking tea, cola or coffee in large quantities can
cause dry skin.
Herbal teas are also helpful for maintaining healthy skin and you
don’t necessarily have to drink them to reap the benefits. Applying
green tea and rice flour as a face mask can reduce sebum reduction
which prevents blackheads to form. It also gives your skin a healthy
glow. Brew a pot of green tea. Mix 3 tablespoons of cool tea with 3 or
4 tablespoons of rice flour. Wash your face with your regular
cleanser. Dry your face gently with a clean towel. Apply the mask to
your face. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with lots of
water, rubbing the mask to exfoliate your skin. Ordinary black tea can
also rejuvenate the skin. Brew the tea, let it cool down and then
apply it to your face. Drinking Oolong tea can help to prevent
wrinkles. Its antioxidants help to remove toxins from the skin.
Matcha tea is high in chlorophyll which is one of the best
antioxidants for detoxifying the skin. You can also add it to your
face if you prefer not to drink it. After brewing the tea, let it
cool and when it is adequately cool, splash it onto your face. If you
do this regularly, it will help to prevent skin breakouts. Nettle tea
is a blood purifier and is rich in vitamins and minerals. It cleanses
the skin and removes toxins from the cells. Drinking dandelion tea is
excellent for curing acne. It also helps to detoxify the liver and
kidneys.
Apple Cider Vinegar is rich in alpha hydroxyl which is an acid that
removes dead skin cells and creates a younger, healthier appearance.
Apply a small undiluted amount of Apple Cider Vinegar onto the age
spots with cotton wool and leave it for 30 minutes before rinsing your
face. It is also effective for unblocking pores and alleviating acne.
It helps to balance the PH levels of the skin, which means that the
skin doesn’t become too oily or too dry.
While diet is imperative for maintaining healthy skin, it is also
important to wash your face daily and use facial washes, and the
correct moisturizer for your skin type. Remember to remove your make
up with a good quality cleanser, because leaving make up on overnight
can cause it to become dry or may cause spots to form. Use sun screen
when you are spending a lot of time in the sun to avoid wrinkles and
sunburn. Try not to touch your face with your hands because your
hands contain a lot of germs, which can result in skin breakouts.
