Tag Archives: detoxifying

3 Ways to Exfoliate your Skin Naturally

3 Ways to Exfoliate Your Skin Naturally

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To exfoliate is to remove the surface dry skin cells, the outermost layers of the stratum corneum. This helps to increase cell turnover, improve skin texture and improves skin tone leaving you with a lovely glow.

Exfoliation, derived from the Latin exfoliatus (to strip of leaves), is a term that describes any process meant to remove dead skin flakes from the body.

Why is it important to exfoliate?

Well, by exfoliating you improve your skin function and any skin issues like blocked pores which lead to further problems like acne, dull skin, pigmentation and fine lines.  The skin is a major organ in your body and we need it to work well. It protects us from pathogens in the environment and helps with the process of phagocytosis. It enables the production of vitamin D together with sunshine and cholesterol on our skin . So we want our skin to have the right acid mantle levels and we want it looking radiant aswell.

What do I use to exfoliate?

You can use chemical or physical exfoliants or you can take a gentle salt bath.

What is a Chemical Exfoliant?

Chemical Exfoliant

These exfoliants include ingredients such as AHAs and BHA, and enzymes such as Pumpkin, Papaya, and Pineapple. These ingredients will dissolve dead skin cells and usually have a deeper exfoliating effect. It penetrates further into the pores meaning it helps with blackheads and acne. Using this type can make the skin sensitive to sunlight so it is best to do this at night. Be sure to use chemical exfoliators that are based in natural ingredients, like fruits, milks, or sugars.

Physical Exfoliant

These products are facial, hand and body scrubs. These usually include ingredients like fine sea salt, apricot kernel or pumice stone powder. For the facial, I use bamboo powder. It is so gentle and effective for facial skin. You can also use a dry skin brush which can also help to improve your circulation. Using gentle but firm pressure, start at the ankles and rub in circular motions working up towards the heart. If you are taking a shower, use a loofah sponge.

Exfoliate with Leah Body Scrub exfoliate with Leah body scrub

Detox Baths

If you wanted a more gentle approach with less physical work, you can take a hot bath using sea salts. Sea salt has a cleansing effect on the skin, gently softens and dissolves away surface dead skin cells. All you need is about 1 cupful. You can add your favourite essential oils to the salt before adding to the water. My favourite is lavender and roman chamomile. It completely relaxes me and really helps with sleeping. Great for anyone with difficulties getting to sleep at night, stress and anxiety.  Read my article about various different types of detox baths.

What is your favourite exfoliant? I love to use sea salt with almond oil for it’s rich emollient properties and essential oils of lime and grapefruit for it’s bursting citrusy aroma and detoxifying benefits. Let me know, and if you have any questions, please comment below.

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Epsom salt bath

How to Take an Epsom Salt Bath

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Benefits of Epsom Salts

Magnesium sulfate is the chemical compound that makes up Epsom salt. It can help with your skincare routine and also detoxify your body. Magnesium helps keep your bodily functions running smoothly, including some of the pathways that lead toxins right out of your body. Sulfate helps to strengthen the walls of your digestive tract so that it’s easier to release toxins. As a compound, magnesium sulfate also raises the amount of digestive enzymes in the pancreas. The compound also helps in purifying and detoxifying your body of heavy metals. Epsom salt baths may be used to allay psoriasis symptoms, soften and exfoliate skin or even to restore the body’s internal levels of magnesium and sulfate. It can help relieve muscle cramps, pain and inflammation due to the magnesium. Helps reduce pain and swelling for people with arthritis or sports injuries.

How much to use

If you’re ready for an Epsom salt bath, consider your tub size and water depth before you begin pouring in the salt. More salt isn’t necessarily better. A common formula is to add a cup or two of Epsom salt to warm water in a standard-size bathtub. If you’re a lover of hot, steaming bath water, know that it’s not doing your skin any favours. The water you use in a bath should be warm, not hot. Warm or tepid water is best for your skin because it doesn’t strip away as much protective oil, and it helps to dissolve the Epsom salt. Before you climb into the bath, make sure that all of the salt has dissolved so that it can be more easily absorbed into your skin. Any salt that hasn’t dissolved in the water may dry on your skin as an opaque white powder. If you see this residue on your skin after the bath, don’t worry; excess salt should be harmless and is easily rinsed off. It’s generally recommended to soak in an Epsom salt bath for about 15 minutes for the greatest therapeutic benefits. Do not apply moisturising cream for about two hours after an Epsom bath as the body will still be detoxifying.

 

Cautions

Despite the benefits, Epsom salt baths aren’t for everyone. They generally aren’t recommended for people who have conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure or diabetes. Epsom salt is not recommended for children under 6. While the salt solution is not necessarily harmful in and of itself, accidental ingestion may cause sudden diarrhea or more serious side effects. If you aren’t sure whether an Epsom salt bath is safe for you, consult your doctor first. Epsom salt has been a cure-all for generations: It has been used to soothe aches and pains, and more recently for softening skin, preventing wrinkles and detoxifying your body.