4 smart moves to home detox your skin

4 smart moves to home detox your skin

1. Pass on the sugar

Got a sweet tooth? It may be causing you more than just cavities.

“Sugar can make our skin age by changing the structure of collagen (your skin’s building blocks),” says Nancy Appleton, PhD, author of Sweet Suicide. This causes wrinkles on your face.

Do This: To have your sweet fix, eat fresh fruits instead of candy and confectionery.

“Processed carbs tend to make the body want something sweet, keeping it hungry as well,” says cravings coach Diana Walker (thecravingscoach.com).

Enhance With This: Dr Andrew Weil for Origins Skin Illuminating Serum ($108, www.origins.com.sg), which helps to reduce the dullness of the skin.

2. Sleep Well

Snooze has a profound effect on your skin.

“Progressive loss of cellular water is one of the main reasons sleepless nights affect our skin more visibly as we age,” says dermatologist Dr Howard Murad.

Do This: The most important thing you can do for your skin may be getting a great night’s sleep.

The ideal amount of snooze ranges from six to eight uninterrupted hours. Can’t fall asleep easily? Try tart cherry juice half an hour before bed. It’ll boost your body’s production of melatonin, a sleep hormone.

Enhance With This: Lab Series Max LS Overnight Renewal Serum ($89.90, www. labseries.com.sg), which releases nutrients to repair your skin while you snooze.

3. Eat Like Bugs Bunny

“Beta-carotene is an internal sun protector,” says scientist Regina Goralczyk, PhD. The vitamin plants itself in your skin, where its imperceptible orange and yellow pigments help deflect sunlight.

Do This: There’s no magic here. Just load up on carrots, which are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, to prevent the overproduction of cells in your skin’s outer layer.

This means fewer dead cells to combine with sebum and clog pores.

Enhance With This: Skinc Sun Shield Hydrator ($68 for 30ml, #B3-66 Ion Orchard, Tel: 6222-7428), a light-textured SPF 30 moisturiser.

4. Stop Missing Your Workouts

Exercise promotes good circulation, which keeps your skin healthy, says dermatologist Dr Ellen Marmur.

“Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to – and removes wastes products from – every cell in your body, including your skin cells.”

It also counters stress, which causes the skin to secrete excess oil.

Do This: Get moving in the morning or evening.

Studies show that exercising at sunrise gives your skin a radiance that will last throughout the day, while sunset workouts lower stress levels and improve your body’s ability to detox itself.

Enhance With This: Kyoku for Men Oil Control Lotion ($60, www. whathewants.com.sg) to absorb excess oil and keep skin hydrated.

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