Ask the experts

Why It’s So Important To Detox Your Skin

Thought that a ‘detox’ was just for your body? Think again. Now is the perfect time to take your skin to rehab – as told to us by skin care expert (and brand founder) {Goldfaden MD}…

“Your skin needs TLC after a month of parties, sugar, alcohol and little sleep. However, with these expert tips you can ensure that your skin looks glowing and vibrant all year long.”

Every day our skin is exposed to countless external stressors – smoke, fumes and UVA/UVB rays. In fact, air particle pollution is now being linked to visible signs of skin damage (what the industry describe as {polluaging}), so it is practically impossible to avoid encountering toxins on a daily basis.

“Our body responds to an accumulation of toxins by eliciting feelings of pain or disease,” says Dr. Goldfaden. “As skin is the largest organ of the body, toxicity can often manifest itself as recurring conditions such as eczema, redness or breakouts.”

That said, the right topical treatment can certainly help. Opt for an antioxidant-rich serum (such as de Mamiel’s {Atmosphériques Intense Antioxidant Elixir}) and day cream, or one of the new crop of anti-pollution finishing mists (we rate {WEI Beauty’s}), to fight free radical damage and serve as a shield between face and the elements. By preventing the toxins from reaching the skin’s lower layers, you actively protect against the breakdown of essential elastin and collagen – which means skin stays ‘younger’ for longer.

Another toxic culprit (albeit one which is more readily limited), alcohol wreaks havoc with cell health. “Alcohol seems almost unavoidable, especially during the holiday season. Small amounts in moderation are okay (if possible, stick to red wine which is brimming with skin-beneficial resveratrol), but try to avoid overdoing it. As well as being high in sugar (which causes glycation – read more on that {here}), alcohol is toxic to your body’s own ‘detoxifying’ cells – inhibiting your system’s own ability to ‘cleanse’.”

“It’s also important to reduce your sugar intake. Attempt (wherever feasible) to sweeten things with honey or cacao, as they are great alternatives to white sugar – and provide magnesium, alongside other essential minerals including calcium, sulphur, zinc, iron, copper, potassium, flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamins – all essential to overall health and wellness!”

“Drinking enough water (minimum 6 – 8 glasses per day) or coconut water (high in potassium/electrolytes) daily is important for your overall health because it aids in circulation, digestion, absorption, and excretion, and promotes a healthier, hydrated, younger-looking, and radiant complexion.”

Dr. Goldfaden also advises to sleep with your head slightly elevated. “Fluid retention occurs while we sleep because we are lying flat (which compromises circulation).”

And finally, treat your complexion to regular detoxifying ‘facials’. Use a purifying mask – such as Goldfaden MD’s {Facial Detox Pore Clarifying Mask} – a natural solution to common breakouts and blemishes, that’s high-performance without any potential irritants.”

Starring zinc oxide, sulphur and camphor to correct and purify broken or blemished complexions, this gentle mask’s ingredients go beyond the treatment of existing problem areas – healing the skin while preventing breakouts in the future.

See below for our edit of ‘skin detox’ essentials.

SHOP GOLDFADEN MD >>



Verity Douglas

Verity Douglas

Content Editor

Cult Beauty’s Content Editor and a Cult Beauty OG, Verity loves nothing more than the marriage of language and lip balm. A quintessential Libran, she’s a self-professed magpie for luxury ‘must-haves' and always pursuing the new and the niche — from the boujee-est skin care to cutting-edge tech. Balancing an urge to stop the clock with her desire to embrace the ageing process (and set a positive example for her daughter), Verity's a retinol obsessive and will gladly share her thoughts about the time-defying gadgets, masks and treatments worth the splurge...