As always, detoxing is a big topic everywhere in January. I've already written a detailed newsletter about it - and given the current occasion (hello New Year), I thought I'd summarize it all again.
From the beginning: "Detox" (short for detoxification) means as much as detoxification. In alternative medicine, the term is used for activities that are supposed to remove alleged toxins or harmful metabolic products or 'slags' from the body. Now, the existence of slags in the body is not scientifically proven. So I could just stop writing here. Buuut. What do we mean when we talk about detoxing at the beginning of the year? Well, in December, we tend to let discipline regarding food, alcohol, and exercise slide a bit. We gobble down cookies, participate in various multi-course festive meals, have less time for exercise due to all the organizational stuff, and so on. This leads to us feeling unhealthy in January. That's why all the topics around 'detoxing' are justified in a way: we turn back to a healthier life. With more vegetables, less alcohol, and more exercise. Totally legitimate, and I'm 100% sure our bodies are damn happy about it!
Now, our body is pretty cool: liver, kidneys, intestines, and (attention!) the skin are excretory organs that constantly ensure that harmful substances are flushed out of the system. And we can support and strengthen these excretory organs in different ways.
For example, dry brushing massages provide support. Awesome. Basically and always. Before showering. Then under the water, then massage in an oil. Wonderful. Preferably every day. The Body Brush from Karmameju is my absolute favorite. Start at the right ankle. In circular motions up to the hip. Then the other side. On the arms, start at the right wrist and stop at the chest area. Left. Gently the stomach. Done. Replaces body scrub in the shower, stimulates blood circulation, removes dead skin cells. And, yes, last but not least, it also helps against those famous dimples on the thighs. If you don't have time for that, you should jump straight into the shower and use a finely scented body scrub. Depending on my scent preference, I either use the fresh-tart scrub from DIMGO, or the richer scrub from Lilfox. Moisturizing afterwards is only optional, as there are so many nourishing ingredients in the scrub that the skin is nourished while scrubbing. Don't forget alternating showers! Always a hit for circulation and immune system.
After brushing and showering, all that's missing is the oil. The Detoxing Body Oil from Pharmos Natur is ideal now - it is supposed to stimulate skin metabolism and lymphatic flow (and yes: lymph exists!!). Gently massage in from the feet upwards. With high-quality vegetable proteins, sulfur-containing amino acids and intensely active antioxidants, it strengthens the skin, improves elasticity, and makes the skin smoother and firmer.
While we are peeling and/or brushing the body, one or more masks can perfectly work wonders on the face. When we talk about detoxing, we usually talk about "clarifying" the face - for normal and dry skin, the Antioxidant Mask from Kahina is my favorite. With clay, argan oil, pomegranate, and acai berry. Fights impurities, but at the same time stimulates collagen production and introduces nourishing active ingredients into the skin. If you like something a bit more stimulating (usually everyone with combination skin), I recommend the Jade Mask from Nazan Schnapp. The gel-like texture feels simply great! Willow bark fights redness and inflammation, papaya, pomegranate, and pineapple enzymes provide deep pore cleansing. Green clay is incorporated in such a way that the mask dries slightly but does not dry out. Jade soothes, watermelon provides natural vitamin C, chlorella firms. The Bioactive Mask from LESSE is also wonderfully clarifying for irritated and redness-prone skin. It contains super soothing aloe vera as a base (for moisture and against redness), as well as flame tree extract (with a high proportion of flavonoids and vitamin C - ideal for pigmentation disorders and sun damage), maca root (rich in vitamins B, C and E, zinc and calcium - stimulates collagen synthesis, reduces inflammation and helps tissue regeneration). With regular use, redness, impurities and hyperpigmentation are reduced, and the skin barrier is strengthened.
Once we've taken care of our skin, we should also take care of our other, internal organs. Liver and kidneys can certainly use our support now. For example, with a little Liver Vitality cure with the fantastic powder from Anima Mundi. It not only supports the function of the liver but also the stomach and gallbladder. Very nutritious and packed with minerals that can bind heavy metals and support excretory organs. It contains vitamins, antioxidants, chlorophyll, phytonutrients, and essential amino acids - also wonderful if you are currently on a fast. Good for digestion are the Belly Beauty capsules from Ylumi. These contain 15 clinically tested probiotic bacterial strains and prebiotics, as well as vitamin B2, selenium, and zinc, herbs and vital mushrooms like organic Hericium Erinaceus, Triphala and Brahmi, and inulin from chicory. Your intestinal flora is strengthened, and with it your immune system.
What else helps are basically the basics for a healthy life: drinking lots of water, regular exercise, vegetable-rich food, sufficient sleep, little stress, no alcohol, little caffeine. It's almost mantra-like, and we read it regularly in all sorts of magazines and on Instagram. Tip: don't let all of it overwhelm you, but rather integrate small changes into your daily life. If you want to reduce your coffee consumption: instead of two cups, maybe just drink one first, instead of none at all. Instead of getting a croissant from the bakery every morning, maybe only every other day. Not: "I'm going for a run every morning now," but "I'll incorporate exercise 3 times a week." Smaller goals are easier to achieve and ensure that motivation doesn't just vanish by the end of the month. I speak from experience :-))