How to Detox Skin and Clothes
So far in this Detoxification Series we have looked at the toxins in our environment, in the water we drink and in the air we breathe. We have looked at how to reduce and remove these toxins as well as how we can enhance detoxification through sleep and exercise. In this blog we will look at what we wear on our bodies and the toxins that can sneak in through the skin care products we use and the clothes we wear. I also include links to laboratory tests that help give biofeedback on reducing the toxic load on our bodies.
Skin care products
Did you know the skin is the largest organ in your body? Because the skin is a barrier to the external environment, its integrity is vital for protection and health. The good news is that skin cells are continuously being replaced and positive changes in our diet and lifestyle can positivity affect skin health.
We all know how diet and lifestyle affect the skin health. Dehydration can be seen in dry, flaky skin. Autoimmune conditions can be seen skin conditions such as psoriasis. Dysfunction of the gut-brain-skin axis can be seen in acne vulgaris and acne rosacea.
Did you know that many of the chemicals in skincare products can also affect skin health and have a massive impact on overall health? Many chemicals and compounds have been found to be carcinogenic and hormone disruptors have been known to change estrogen and testosterone levels in the body, reduce fertility and contribute to thyroid issues. Toxins from skincare products and other products such as perfumes and deodorants can build up in fatty tissue to become toxic and creates allergic reactions.
The most dangerous chemicals to ban from your skincare products include:
- Parabens
- Triclosan
- Phthalates
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
- Artificial fragrance
- Synthetic colour
- Formaldehyde
- Toluene (benzene, phenylmethane, methylbenzene)
Replace toxic products
First Step: Read the labels and list of ingredients on your favourite skin care products and throw away any with known toxins (see Top Tip below).
End Goal: Replace your skincare products with healthier alternatives. You can use Manuka Honey as a face cleanser and natural oils as face moisturizer. Or you can buy products form Neals Yard or Organic Pharmacy and REN.
Top tip: You can download apps that can help you identify toxic skin care products and find a cleaner alternative. The ‘Yuka’ App helps you identify endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, allergens or irritants in popular skin care products. The ‘Think Dirty’ app also allows you to scan skincare and household products to see how toxic they are and to find healthier alternatives.
Re-think your sunscreen!
First Step: Read the list of ingredients on your sunscreen and try to reduce the amount you use each day.
End Goal: Expose your skin to more sunlight – remember sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D! Allow you skin to adjust to sunlight and when the sun is at its hottest stay in the shade or wear a hat.
Improve skin health
First Step: Take care of your gut to improve your skin heath! Try to eat more fermented foods such a yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi or kefir. Be aware though that fermented foods are also high in histamine so this may not be not good for people with hives or rashes.
End Goal: Try an elimination diet to identify allergies or hypersensitivities that are causing skin problems. For example, dairy (e.g., yoghurt and kefir) can exasperate acne, particularly in teenagers. Consume healthy foods that are good for your skin such as nutrient-rich foods into your diet, particularly those containing omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, and glutathione.
Skin and detox
First step: Sweat more! Increase the times you sweat through exercise or sauna sessions to increase the removal of toxins from the body.
End Goal: Use transdermal applications of substances that support detoxification and health. Iodine is a trace element with antiseptic properties that promotes thyroid health and healthy skin and can be absorbed through the skin. Castor oil can also have beneficial effect on skin health and detoxification and can also be absorbed through the skin.
Clothes
Many people wear clothes contaminated by chemicals. New garments have chemical residues that are a by-product of industrial processes. These can be harmful to your health and can release chemicals that get absorbed by your skin.
Well-worn and loved items of clothing can also be contaminated by chemical-laden laundry products and fabric softeners. It is important to think about detoxing your clothes because long-term accumulation of harmful chemicals can weaken your immune response and contribute to chronic illnesses.
Detoxify New Clothing
First Step: Hang new clothes out in the sun to outgas synthetic chemicals. It is also a good habit to hang clothes that have been dry cleaned outside before wearing them.
End Goal: Soak and then wash new clothes in Bicarbonate of Soda or Sodium Sesquicarbonate before you wear them. Soak, wash and sun all clothes to remove synthetic chemicals and scents.
Eliminate Toxic Detergent
First Step: Read the label on your laundry detergent and try to find one with less harmful chemicals and completely remove any detergent with synthetic chemical fragrances from your home.
End Goal: Experiment with making your own laundry care products using pure soap flakes, a stain bar and brush, vinegar, sodium bicarbonate, wool dryer balls, rubbing alcohol and oxygen whitener
Wear Natural Materials
First Step: Remove any ‘fast-fashion’ clothing made of plastic from your wardrobe. These may include clothes made from polyester and nylon, but spandex, acrylic, and satin/polyester.
End Goal: Invest in clothing made of natural materials such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool.
Finally, there are a range of laboratory tests that help check levels of toxicity and give more insight into detoxification strategies. One of these is a hair mineral analysis which offers a simple way of checking your body tissue mineral and toxic metal levels. A report includes levels of nutrients minerals and toxic metals, indications of body chemistry, metabolic assessment, food allergy indicators, food recommendations and supplements to correct any deficiencies.
You can find out more about the lab tests on my website here. These include a range of medial laboratories including Regenerus, Invivo and Genova Diagnostics are used to analyse blood, saliva, urine or stool samples which you might like to discuss with me in your consultation.
With every blessing,
Emma
Emma Maitland-Carew – Registered Nutritional Therapist
Dip.ION, mBANT, CHNC Registered Practitioner, ILM Accredited Wellbeing Coach
Certified Live and Dried Blood Analysis, Metabolic Balance® Coach, HeartMath Coach, Accredited Wellbeing Coach
