How to detoxify skin and treat acne?

Our skin speaks to us. If your skin is dull, tired, has impurities, irregularities, it is because it is in great need of cleansing from the inside. The skin is our greatest emunctory and, if the others are saturated and functioning in slow motion (intestines, kidneys, liver, lungs), the skin will try to take over to rid the body of its acidity and toxins: the impurities will take the form of acne, redness, cysts or others.

Ad CAELIA offers you today an introductory guide, to help you detoxify your skin (and treat your acne) from the inside, and from the outside – because yes, both approaches are important if you want to obtain beautiful, long-lasting results.

3 Ways to Detox from the Inside Out:

1. Hydrate: Drink enough water to flush out toxins.

Essential for cleansing your body in the morning, improving good circulation and promoting better digestion for the day (all of this is essential for having clear, glowing skin).

Water is used to transport nutrients and to remove waste from the body through urine or perspiration (a major purifying element). The water contained in the layers of the skin helps maintain the various components (collagen, cells, elastin) and ensures its firm appearance. A lack of water, even a slight one, will disrupt this natural organization of the elements and the sagging of the skin will result in the appearance of wrinkles. When you feel thirsty, it is because you are already dehydrated, and your organs are suffering. This is why it is recommended to drink at least 1.5L of water per day, but if you sweat profusely and/or play sports, aim for 2L instead.

Always start the morning with a large glass of warm/hot water – possibly with a few drops of lemon and/or turmeric and/or ginger, to drink, slowly. It's up to you to see what works for you.

2. Limit your consumption of stimulants

Overstimulating the adrenals with coffee and caffeine will prevent the skin from achieving its full radiance.

In addition to cortisol and adrenaline, the adrenals are also responsible for the hormone aldosterone, a hormone that helps maintain the proper balance of minerals in the body as well as the water balance of tissues. When the adrenals are flat, and when cortisol is secreted in too great a quantity (chronic stress state) aldosterone is also secreted and there is thus an excessive loss of minerals via the urine. It is worth mentioning that this hormone is also responsible for the acid-base balance. When this regulation is not optimal and the body becomes too acidic, general inflammation increases.

This will promote:

– The appearance of acne and small impurities because the secretion of cortisol (stress hormone) is stimulated. Cortisol = stress = weakened skin.

– Reduce the production of collagen – an essential element for the elasticity and youthfulness of the skin, collagen is a fibrous “anti-wrinkle” protein.

– Dehydration of cells, and we know that hydration is the basis for beautiful, supple and plump skin.

So, consume coffee (and black/green tea) in moderation and always choose a very good quality. It will make all the difference for your health and beauty. Ideally not to exceed 1 / day and not after 2 p.m.

3. Choose your food wisely

Stock up on micronutrients (vitamins and minerals etc.). Eat mostly vegetables and a little fruit – every day! Think about mixed salads, soups, fruit salads, smoothies, juices and superfoods. Vary your foods: this is very important to maximize your nutrient intake and nourish your skin. And don't forget to follow the seasons.

Finally, consume quality fatty acids. The skin needs them to be in good shape, to stay smooth, plump and elastic. Drizzle your salads with a drizzle of rapeseed/olive/camelina oil and/or other, but always of virgin quality and first cold pressing.

And of course, the most effective action is to avoid the most pro-inflammatory foods (at least consume them in moderation): Alcohol, overly processed industrial foods, food additives, gluten, dairy products (all of them, even if cow's milk is the most inflammatory), red meat, sugar (especially refined), corn and, with caution, soy and eggs. And of course tobacco...

3 Ways to Detox from the Outside:

1. Clean your skin properly

Do a gentle cleansing, and forget about classic acne treatments, which are actually far too aggressive for our skin. This may just make the problem worse, because to defend itself, the skin will produce more sebum. On the other hand, gently cleanse your skin, twice a day. And contrary to what we often read and hear, Claire, the founder of Ad CAELIA, recommends cleansing your face in the morning as well.

However, to avoid disturbing the balance and the natural hydrolipidic film of your skin, choose a gel, milk or cold saponified soap that is respectful of the skin. Wash your face once in the morning and 2-3 times in the evening depending on the accumulation of products/makeup/SPF. Use mineral, organic cosmetics without perfume, silicones and other irritating additives, and limit the accumulation of products.

Regularly perform gentle exfoliations to eliminate dead skin and excess sebum (so the skin can breathe better and benefit more from the products applied) 1-2 times a week is sufficient in most cases.

2. Protect your skin

Moisturizing should be done daily, because you should not dry out acne-prone skin. The ideal hydration will be light and balancing. Use a light and natural/organic cream.

Black seed vegetable oil can be great for its purifying properties, hazelnut oil, or calophyllum oil, for its anti-inflammatory healing properties, but do not use the oils if the acne is too developed and inflamed.

Apply a moisturizing mask several times a week (after applying a detox mask).

Manuka honey mask (or organic/artisanal and pure thyme honey): rich in robust antioxidants and anti-bacterial, this mask is an effective treatment against acne and will soothe and rehydrate the skin. It also has healing, purifying, and softening properties.

Apply 2 tsp of honey to a clean face and leave for 10-20 minutes.

3. Use the right acids: AHA and BHA

For your beautiful skin routine, you won't be able to do without these few active ingredients if you really want to transform and optimize your radiance and skin texture...

• AHAs are water soluble and work on the top layers of the skin to promote cell turnover and remove dead skin cells to remove that dull top layer of skin. These acids are especially helpful for those with oily skin, but can be used by almost all skin types except the most sensitive skin.
• BHAs are oil-soluble, meaning these acids can penetrate pores that clog oil and dirt and can work both on the top layer of the skin and at a deeper level. BHA is especially good for acne-prone skin or those concerned about blackheads.

Gradually integrate acids into your routine: first 1 night out of 3, then every other night, after about 3 weeks depending on the skin and the product/concentration used, use it every night. Avoid using it in the morning.

*A little reminder: while you are doing a detox, it is normal for your skin to manifest this process with detoxification symptoms (e.g. more sensitized skin and even more impurities). Even if this is not pleasant, it is normal, and even positive in reality. It means that you are freeing yourself from toxins. So do not stop what you are doing halfway: do not panic, be patient and in a week or two, this will disappear and your skin will be even more radiant.