Your summer detox guide: skin fitness

06 Jan 2008 07:06 AM | Posted by Editor

Here's to making 2008 our most beautiful year yet! Throughout January, Bh will be asking the skin, body and soul gurus how to turn over a fresh and glowing new leaf for the new year. This week, your plan for supple and radiant skin fitness...

Feed your face

A forgiving sarong might help keep some party season sins under wraps, but your skin makes them plain for all to see. To put your best, brightest face forward for 2008, start skincare from the inside out.

"The skin is a reflection of the internal health of the body," highlights Emma Hobson from the International Dermal Institute. "Vitamins and minerals play an integral role in the maintenance of healthy skin as they are necessary for hormone production, many enzyme reactions and collagen formation," she explains. Poor nutrition not only leaves you looking lacklustre, it can also manifest in skin conditions like irritation, dehydration, breakouts and even lines.

"The essential building blocks for the skin are essential fatty acids, which keep the skin soft and supple and help to prevent dryness," says Hobson. "Vitamins A, C, E and panthenol [vitamin B] all help the skin perform at its optimum level, zinc assists wound healing, magnesium is good for healthy cell function, and proanthocyanidins are a form of flavonoid, a powerful antioxidant.

"Fresh fruits and vegetables, particularly red and purple ones, which are high in vitamin C and proanthocyanidins, are great for giving you a brighter outlook."

Topical top up

"Lifestyle factors such as stress plus processed foods, coffee and alcohol can lead to less vitamins and antioxidants than we need being consumed and absorbed by the body," says Hobson. "The skin is also often one of the last places [these nutrients] reach, so applying them in skincare products targets your skin for maximum results."

Get a direct antioxidant and vitamin hit:

Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Concentrate, $80.50 (all skin types)
Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Mask, $68 (all skin types)
Eminence Organic Skin Care Eight Greens Youth Serum, $59 (mature skin)
Herbalife NouriFusion Multivitamin Moisturizer SPF15, $18 (in formulas for normal/dry or normal/oily skin types)
Ultraceuticals C-10 Serum, $80 (all skin types except oily and acne-prone)
Learn your vitamin ABCs in the Bh glossary

Supplements:

Blackmores 10-Day Detox Program, $64.95
Nature's Own Rapid Cleanse 10 Day Detox Plan, $59.95
Purestuf Natural Skincare Organic Skin Tea, $10

Skin detox

While a balanced diet and nutrient-rich products help remove internal toxins and replenish neglected skin, regular masks draw impurities from the murkiest depths of your pores. "Clays, seaweeds and muds are great for purifying, detoxifying and re-mineralising the skin," says Hobson. "Essential oils are also fantastic, particularly ylang ylang, lemongrass and juniper," she adds.

Plumb your pores:

Natio Clay and Plant Face Mask, $12.95 (all skin types)
Alpha-H Purifying Clay Mask with Vitamin A, $33.95 (oily and acne-prone skin)
Decleor Paris Clay & Herbal Mask, $60 (all skin types)
Botanics of Australia Detoxifying Mask with Tasmanian Sea Kelp, $15.95 (all skin types)
 In Essence Deep Detox Mask, $49.95 (all skin types) This creamy mask remains soft and 'wet' to avoid dry, tight sensations.
Comfort Zone Monticelli Spa Mud, $70 (for the body)
 Springfields Juniper Pure Essential Oil, $28.50
Springfields Lemongrass Pure Essential Oil, $16.70
Springfields Ylang Ylang Pure Essential Oil, $25.20

Saturation point

Hydrated skin is healthy skin. An adequate water level is not only essential for flushing away toxins, it promotes healthy cell function and keeps skin plump, velvety and soft. Drinking up is paramount, but Hobson emphasises a daily moisturiser is also vital. "It protects the skin's natural barrier, which in turn protects the skin from invasion of bacteria and irritating substances.

"All skins benefit from a moisturiser, even oily ones," she says.

Hyaluronic acid is counted among skincare's most hydrating heroes. Commonly found in hospital burn units, it can hold 1000 times its own weight in moisture, binds water within the cellular structure and is perfect for all skin types.

Moisture magnets:

MD Formulations Moisture Defense Antioxidant Hydrating Gel, $110 (oily, spot-prone skin)
Pevonia Botanica Power Repair Hydrating Lotion, $59  (dry/ mature skin)
Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster, $94 (all skin types)
Cosmedicine Hydra Healer Max Strength Moisture Cream, $120 (dry skin)
A'Kin Unscented Replenishing Body Moist, $20 (for the body) 

Get moving

Regular exercise is as essential for healthy skin as it is for a fit body. Manually moving your muscles also whips your face into shape.

"Facial massage has so many benefits," explains Hobson. "It increases microcirculation, getting blood and all the nutrients we need to our skin cells, it assists the movement of lymph fluid, which is our secondary waste disposal system, and helps rid [the skin of] toxins.

"Facial massage also has a toning effect on the muscles and a fantastic revitalising effect on the skin," she details.

Learn expert massage moves now

 

– Tracey Withers

 

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