Detoxing has got to be one of the most used and searched for terms of the 20th century. Anywhere you look, on Instagram, TikTok, or Reddit, there are legions of “health experts” swearing by the effectiveness of detoxifying your body with various cleansing juices or diets. And it’s only natural to wonder if your skin may need a detox, too.
What does it mean to “detox” your skin?
In medical terms, actually nothing. Detoxifying means removing toxins from your body, but the reality is, your body is more than capable of getting rid of harmful substances by itself! Yes, it’s your liver’s, kidney’s, and lung’s job to remove toxins, and harmful environmental stressors like air pollution or other substances that are a byproduct of your lifestyle choices (think smoking or high sugar consumption).
So, is it actually possible to “detox” your skin?
The answer to this question is very simple: no. There is this common misconception that your skin needs to be purged or cleansed from harmful substances in order to achieve that flawless, glowing complexion. But many detox believers miss one, very important factor that makes their claims fake: toxins cannot exit our bodies through the skin.
Sure, as the largest organ of our bodies, the skin does pick up dirt, air pollution, or UV rays, leading to damage in the form of premature aging like visible fine lines and wrinkles, or acne breakouts through high sugar consumption that leads to inflammation. Heck, even lack of sleep and a stressful lifestyle can have a significant impact on how your skin looks and feels. However, a cleansing juice is not the answer if you’re looking to improve the condition of your skin, because the only thing you’ll purge is your bank account…
Here’s a better way for glowing and healthy-looking skin
Don’t fall victim to fake health guru’s claims about skin detox, and instead, focus on protecting your skin from toxins with a proper skincare routine. Your skin will look and feel a lot healthier after regular, thorough cleansing (once or twice a day), gentle, regular exfoliation, and proper hydration, than after a week of drinking detox juices.
If you want to take your skincare game to the next level, pay attention to your lifestyle choices, too. It might be tiring to hear over and over again, but a healthy diet, exercise, managing your stress levels, and getting enough beauty sleep go a long way toward glowing complexion and flawless skin.
