“Spring Clean” Your Skin: Detoxing Inside and Out

Spring is just over a week away, and that "fresh start" feeling is definitely here! You might even be ready to do a "spring cleaning" of your mind, body, and environment. After months of shorter days, less sunlight, and possibly a more sedentary routine, our internal systems can feel sluggish. Digestion might be slow, energy inconsistent, and our natural detox processes needing a boost.

And it's not just our insides; our skin, our largest organ, often reflects this slowdown, appearing dull and congested. That's why spring is the ideal time for a holistic spring refresh – a comprehensive approach to revitalize both inside and out.

Internal Detoxification & Nontoxic Living

I will always push that a healthy skin barrier and a clear, bright complexion begins from within. So many factors play into our internal health, which our skin then reflects - including a healthy environment. Decluttering our living spaces is great for the mind, but detoxing our living spaces can be transformative for your body. 

Many conventional household products contain endocrine disruptors, which can exacerbate acne, trigger inflammation, and contribute to premature aging. Transitioning to non-toxic cleaning products can feel overwhelming, but it's a worthwhile investment in your health. Start by reading labels, looking for products with clearly listed ingredients and avoiding vague terms. Beware of "greenwashing" and research brands to ensure they meet your standards. Start small by replacing frequently used products first, and little by little you’ll have built your go-to lineup. 

Some of my favorite nontoxic brands:

• Branch Basics (All-Purpose Cleaners): Branch Basics uses a simple concentrate cleaning solution - just one product diluted for various purposes (all-purpose, non-streak, bathroom, hand wash, etc.). They prioritize plant-based ingredients, eliminating harsh chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and preservatives.

• Truly Free (Laundry Detergent): Truly Free laundry detergent is a great option for those with sensitive skin and those who get headaches easily from intense scents. Their detergent is free of harsh chemicals, dyes, and fragrances, relying on natural cleaning agents and essential oils for amazing smelling clothes. 

• Blueland (Dishwasher Pods): Blueland's dishwasher pods are a great non-toxic choice. They eliminate harsh chemicals, dyes, and plastic wrapping, minimizing your exposure to toxins on everyday dishware (think about the fact that you eat straight off of this dishware!)

• Dime Beauty & Henry Rose (Perfumes): Conventional perfumes often contain synthetic fragrances and endocrine disruptors. Dime Beauty and Henry Rose offer cleaner, every-day alternatives with transparent ingredient lists, focusing on natural or nature-identical ingredients.

  • Personal favs from Dime Beauty:

    • 7 Summers

    • Dans le Bois

  • Personal favs from Henry Rose:

    • Queens and Monsters

    • Windows Down 

• Lennox Quincy Essentials (Local Stamford Candles) & Hemlock Park: Many standard candles contain paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances, which can release harmful toxins into the air. Lennox Quincy Essentials, local to Stamford, and Hemlock Park candles use soy or beeswax and essential oils, providing a cleaner and more natural fragrance.

  • Pro tip! Cleaner candles can often be more expensive so I like to use my candle warmer throughout the day, instead of burning the wick for hours, to make them last longer 

By detoxing the environment around you, it makes detoxing your body that much more effective. Naturopaths are the experts in guiding you through a personalized detoxification program, a process far removed from the "detox programs" or "cleanses" marketed solely for weight loss. Unlike those superficial approaches, a true detox program aims to eliminate toxins by focusing on supporting and nourishing your body’s natural elimination pathways, ensuring they function optimally and preventing toxin overload. A buildup of toxins in your body can result in a range of health issues, including fatigue, digestive problems, skin irritations, and hormonal imbalances.

When my clients are looking for this guidance, I always recommend Dr. Rayna Katz, a fantastic naturopath, who I also work with myself. Through testing, she develops personalized plans that include lifestyle and dietary adjustments, along with herbal or supplemental support to enhance organ function.

But detoxification doesn’t just stop at the inside. After all, our skin is one of our largest elimination pathways! So, to truly maximize this spring refresh, we need to consider how to support our skin's natural detoxification pathways as well.

Exfoliation: An External Detox 

While internal detoxification and a nontoxic home can help to significantly reduce the toxin load on your body, our estheticians at MNA can provide targeted external exfoliation to further enhance the detoxification process, build a healthy skin barrier, and reveal a smoother, brighter complexion. 

Regular exfoliation is essential for preventing clogged pores, reducing the appearance of fine lines, and improving product absorption. But it's more than just removing dead skin cells - exfoliation also helps to eliminate accumulated environmental pollutants, excess sebum, and the byproducts of cellular metabolism trapped within those dead cells. Underneath, you'll find fresh, new skin cells ready to function optimally, free from the buildup that can lead to dullness and congestion.

MNA’s professional in-clinic treatments, like DMK Enzyme Therapy, goes beyond surface exfoliation. DMK Enzyme Therapy utilizes transfer messenger enzymes, which are naturally occurring proteins that act as biological catalysts. These enzymes stimulate the skin's natural processes, promoting detoxification by enhancing lymphatic drainage and improving circulation. 

• Did you know…lymphatic drainage works by stimulating the flow of lymph fluid, which helps to carry away cellular debris, toxins, and excess fluids. This process supports the body's natural detoxification and immune functions.

The enzymes also strengthen and rebuild the skin's structure by encouraging collagen and elastin production. This process not only removes cellular debris but also delivers vital nutrients and oxygen to the skin, resulting in a clearer, more youthful complexion. 

At MNA, we can assess your skin type and recommend the best treatment to achieve your desired results. These professional treatments provide a deeper level of exfoliation in addition to a home care regimen, addressing stubborn congestion, promoting cellular turnover, and effectively supporting the skin's natural detoxification pathways, offering a true "spring renewal" for your skin.

Maximize Your Detox: Essential Home Care Products

To maintain and enhance these glowing results between professional treatments, or to achieve similar results with a home care focused routine, incorporating the right products into your daily routine is essential. 

• GlyMed's Oxygen Deep Pore Masque X Hydrating Masque with Enzymes: The Perfect Detoxifying Duo

  This masque duo offers a complementary approach to detoxifying and revitalizing your skin. The Oxygen Deep Pore Masque, the first step in this regimen, utilizes stabilized hydrogen peroxide to release oxygen deep into the pores. This oxygenation process effectively lifts away dirt, oil, and impurities, stimulating cellular activity and promoting a brighter complexion. Its gentle formula makes it suitable for daily use, even for sensitive skin types. Following the Oxygen Deep Pore Masque, the Hydrating Masque with Enzymes delivers a gentle yet effective exfoliation. Papaya and pineapple enzymes (Papain, Bromelain, Papaya, Pineapple) work together to break down the keratin protein that binds dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, more even skin tone without harsh scrubbing. Simultaneously, hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant, draws and retains moisture, holding up to 1000 times its weight in water, leaving the skin plump and hydrated. This unique combination of oxygenation, enzymatic exfoliation, and intense hydration makes this duo ideal for all skin types, particularly those experiencing congestion, dullness, or dryness, offering a complete at-home detoxifying treatment.

• Tri-Active Exfoliating Masque by iS Clinical

  For a more intensive exfoliation, this masque is a game-changer. It combines physical and biochemical exfoliation to address stubborn congestion and improve skin texture. Botanical enzymes, including papain and bromelain, gently digest dead skin cells, while salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that is oil-soluble, helps to unclog pores and dissolve sebum and debris, making it particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin. The microparticles provide gentle physical exfoliation, break down surface debris and reveal a brighter complexion. Brazilian blood orange extract, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, protects the skin from free radical damage and promotes a brighter, more even skin tone (and it smells amazing).

Home care isn't just an afterthought; it's an essential part of any effective detox and exfoliation plan, whether you're incorporating it alongside professional treatments or creating a stand-alone routine for radiant skin. By incorporating these powerful products into your routine, you can enhance and prolong your results and keep your skin glowing. 

Begin Your Spring Cleaning, Inside and Out

This spring, embrace a holistic approach to renewal, recognizing the deep connection between our skin, internal health, and home environment. By nourishing your body from the inside out – through mindful nutrition and targeted detoxification – and creating a supportive environment free of toxins, you'll achieve a truly healthy glow that reflects your overall well-being. 

Best,

Maria