There is something about the warming weather that makes me feel like a serious detoxification is in order. I’m not sure whether it’s due to spending an increased amount of time outside and feeling like my skin is picking up more dirt in general, whether it’s thanks to sweating more under the hot spring sun, or whether it can be attributed to one too many mimosa-fueled days by the pool, but come June I’m feeling like a it’s time for a major reset.
Traditional cleanses are not an option for me due to the fact I have zero willpower and can literally not function without food, therefore I am always looking for easy ways to detox and incorporate small healthy practices into my life. I’m sharing my top tips and tricks for detoxing in a gentle, easy way because we can all use a reboot now and again. From a cleansing morning drink to a relaxing soak in the tub to THE BEST clay mask I’ve ever tried, if you’re in search of a way to coax your body back into check you have come to the right place.
1. Treat yourself to a clay mask – There is no beauty treatment I love more than a quality face mask. Clay masks have greatly help heal and improve my skin tone over the last few months and one in particular stands out as the best of the best. Valentina Skin’s Detoxifying Clay Mask is in a league of it’s own thanks to the combination of Kaolin Clay, hibiscus and cranberry fibers and spirulina. The versatile clay detoxifies, tightens pores and smooths skin while the hibiscus and cranberry fibers firm and reinforce. The inclusion of nutrient-rich spirulina enhances the mask by adding a level of hydration that is unprecedented in a clay mask.
It is no secret that I adore Valentina Skin’s products and use them whenever I can. This mask is my favorite offering of theirs yet and I now incorporate it into my nightly beauty routine several times a week. The fresh scent of the mask combined with results I can only describe as miraculous…soothed my skin, decreased hyperpigmentation and an infusion of moisture…has ensured this mask a permanent place in my life. You can literally feel this luxurious mask pulling impurities out of your skin, yet it does so without a hint of drying. Upon removal the exfoliating beads gently wipe away dry skin, leaving your skin plump and toned. Suffice it to say I will never be without this mask again.
2. Incorporate warm lemon water into your mornings – The benefits of drinking a warm glass of water with a lemon squeezed into it first thing in the morning are greatly exaggerated, but that isn’t to say that the practice isn’t a positive one to start your day off with, especially if you have detoxification on the mind. While your trusty little lemon won’t work miracles, it will help set your body up for the day ahead. The warm water alone will immediately help flush your system after a night of sleep, thus improving digestion throughout the day. The addition of lemon juice gives you an extra boost of vitamin C and potassium. The vitamin C found in lemons helps aid your skin in collagen production, thereby helping keep wrinkles at bay. Both your internal and external systems will thank you!
3. Soak in a detoxifying bath – When my body was struggling to recover from months of illnesses and infections my doctor recommended Epson salt baths. To briefly touch on her reasoning: when Epson salt breaks down in water it releases magnesium and sulfate, both of which are absorbed through our skin. The majority of us are not getting enough magnesium in our diets resulting in an increase of free radical production which leads to a decrease of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that acts as an immune system booster and works to keep toxins at bay.
By increasing your magnesium levels you help repair the damage done to your body from every day chemicals and toxins resulting in a loss of glutathione. Since our bodies generally only absorb 20-25% of ingested magnesium, we are often left in a deficient state that can be partially remedied by a nice relaxing Epson salt bath. While you are soaking away you are also helping your body’s greatest immune system ally repair so it can better keep you toxin-free going forward. Simply add a cup or two of Epson salts to your next bath along with some essential oils for a truly serene experience.
Those are my current top three ways to detox but I’m always looking for new ones! What are your favorite ways to reset and detoxify your bodies?
+ This post was in collaboration with Valentina Skin