Summer Detox: skin edition

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Summer Detox: hair edition

**This post is the second in a series where I focus on “detoxing” our hair, skin (face and body), wardrobe, and home as a final step in closing out summertime. In each post, I shared some of my favorite tools, products or advice on whichever subject is the focus that day. Check out all the posts in my series and share any helpful tips or suggestions in the comments for others to benefit from as well!**

I love trying new skincare products, but sometimes my skin doesn’t like when I change things up too much.

By the end of July my skin was angry. I was breaking out more than ever and experiencing serious dryness around my nose. I stopped using everything I had been using up until that point, and tried an Arbonne skin care routine since their makeup and primer agrees with my skin so well. That helped, and then I slowly introduced my existing favorite products into the mix again.

Inadvertently, I had a facial scheduled for mid-August which was perfectly timed. My skin had just calmed back down, but I was looking forward to discussing my problems with an esthetician. Having gone to beauty school, I felt like I should really figure out how to care for my skin by myself, but I had been struggling.

Not only did she give me some advice and gave me a few sample products as well, but she also gave me a facial that cleaned the “summer” out of my face. Just like I mentioned yesterday, there was no shortage of chlorine and sunblock and sweat sitting on my skin this summer, and I cannot tell you how great it felt to get it all off!

I would highly recommend scheduling a facial ASAP as this is a perfect time to do it. If you can’t do that, let’s talk about some exfoliators and detoxifying face masks that you can do at home to reset your skin for the next season.

For exfoliation, I love a good scrub. I know many people prefer a more gentle chemical exfoliation, but the grit in a scrub works pretty well for my skin. It’s been years since I’ve used an exfoliator that I felt like I could really recommend, but I’m happy to say I recently found one! The Ole Henriksen Facial Sauna Scrub is fantastic. It warms up a bit in your hand when you rub it between your fingers, and then feels warm on the face when you exfoliate. It has a fair amount of grit in it, so you’ll really feel this scrub working. I exfoliate a few times a week and my skin always feels great afterwards.

Another scrub that is slightly more gentle is fresh Sugar Face Polish. It has some grit but is a bit softer than the Facial Sauna Scrub. Growing up I used St. Ives Apricot Scrub. This had SERIOUSLY intense grit. I’ve heard mixed reviews on whether it’s too harsh for your skin, so I would do your own research about it, but I do know that St. Ives recently launched a few different scrubs that may be more gentle than the Apricot scrub. I’d be curious to try the St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub.

Finally, Dermaologica makes an exfoliating powder that you mix with water. With this product, you can choose how loose or thick the product is depending on your skin’s needs.

When you are exfoliating, work in small circles around your face. Avoid your eye area and don’t use water that is too hot!

As far as body exfoliation goes, I’ve been loving the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush body scrub. It smells like lime and summertime, so it’s a fun way to hang onto summer smells a bit. In the past, I’ve used Laura Mercier Fresh Fig Body Scrub but it seems to be out of stock everywhere I look online. A body scrub can also very easily be made at home with a few pantry ingredients most people keep on hand. Find the recipe at the bottom of this post!

Follow up a good exfoliation with either a hydrating product (like this serum, or this body lotion) or a face mask!

Let’s chat a bit about detoxing face masks.

I love a face mask. It calms me down and makes me feel like I’m at a spa, even when I’m running around putting the kids to bed with it on. (In that case I usually only apply my clear face masks instead of my black ones so I don’t scare the kids!)

If your skin isn’t too dry, the Origins Charcoal mask will cleanse your skin of all the gunk that may be stuck in it. Your face may feel a bit tight after use, but it will also feel clean and fresh. I always expected to feel tightness after a clay mask, but the Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Skin clay mask proved me wrong. I felt like it cleaned out my skin without sucking out moisture. I was so pleased! So it you have dry skin like me, this may be the clay mask for you!

L’Oreal makes a few different kinds of clay masks that have gotten great reviews. The exfoliate & refine clay mask would be perfect for an end of summer detox!

When applying a face mask, remember that you don’t need to apply the same product to your entire face. If your skin needs detoxing on your chin and forehead, apply a detoxing mask there. If it needs hydration on your cheeks or around your mouth, apply a moisturizing mask there! I’m a proponent of multi-masking as it allows you to control how you care for different parts of your face! (More on multi-masking here!)

If you don’t have an exfoliator on hand, ground up some old fashioned oats and mix a 1/8-1/4 teaspoon into your favorite cleanser. Less is more! This will provide a bit of “grit” to help you slough off any dead skin.

Make your own body exfoliator by mixing sugar (brown or white granulated), olive oil or coconut oil, and your favorite scent of essential oil. Rub all over your body to reveal smoother, softer skin!

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comments

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Catie says · 08.29.17

Loving this series, Kate!

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Rebekah says · 08.29.17

My very favorite facial scrub is actually just baking soda mixed with a little water to make a paste. I use it every morning in the shower and I love how it refreshes my skin without drying it out better than any of the other scrubs I have tried. Not to mention it’s probably the least expensive😉

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Christen says · 08.29.17

I use the Aveda liquid exfoliator every night (in the summer) and every other night in the winter and it’s like magic! I don’t have dry skin, but its been working wonders on lightening up acne scars and hyperpigmentation!

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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says · 08.29.17

I’ve been using my current exfoliator for a while now. It’s by a Japanese brand called CURE but I don’t think it’s great, and I’ve been on a lookout for a new one. Thanks for the recommendations, will test them out.

Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com

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Corie says · 08.29.17

I’m really enjoying this series, Kate! Thanks for putting all this info together

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Lynn says · 08.29.17

I love a good scrub, body & face! I like to exfoliate 3 times a week, it just such a great feeling. I also like to use a dry brush before showering, it feels fantastic!

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Bethany from CuteCapsuleLife says · 08.29.17

Great tips – getting older changes the way we have to take of our skin.

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Michele says · 08.29.17

Glad that there’s another teenaged devotee to St. Ives Apricot Scrub! My mo bought it for me when I was, like 14 and I used it until my makeup trial for my wedding, when the makeup artist suggested Philosophy Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash since the apricot was seriously sloughing off skin. Since then (and since I’m no longer a teenager and can afford the splurge in better skincare) I’ve used philosophy. It was a good 15 year run with St. Ives, though!

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Casey says · 08.29.17

Love this series! I love the idea of “multi masking” but what about different products on your face in different areas, regularly? I’m 28 with 2 kids and my skin is having a midlife crisis. The beginnings of forehead wrinkles and crows feet but also I still get blackheads on my nose and occasional breakouts. Looking for products to use for both issues!

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Diana says · 08.29.17

The St. Ives scrub is too harsh for me…. not in terms of my skin is angry or red afterwards, but more in terms of it hurts when I use it. I’ve now switched to chemical peels and I love it, although sometimes I do both a chemical and a physical in the same night (but use caution!)

https://thedianaedition.com

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Ellen says · 08.29.17

I had my first microderbrasion done today and it was amazing! Felt like just what i needed. My skin feels and looks great now! Totally recommend it!

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Angela says · 08.29.17

I also used that apricot scrub for years before turning to something gentler. Love the picks in this post, especially that Ole Henriksen scrub.

Blush & Pearls by Angela

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Kate says · 08.29.17

The Olay pro-x exfoliating scrub is great! Gentle and not too abrasive like the st Ives one (yikes)

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Elegantlea says · 08.29.17

The St. Ives Blackhead Clearing Green Tea Scrub is amazing. It’s very gentle compared to the Apricot scrub and has a wonderful scent. I use it more often than my Origins or Fresh scrubs which I also love. Sometimes I leave it on for just a bit in the shower while I shampoo just for extra benefit – almost like a mini mask. I can’t use it right now because I’m pregnant and man I miss it.

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Daria says · 08.29.17 Reply
Kim Coppola says · 08.29.17

I love Rapid renew skin perfecting polish by the company that makes rapid lash.
My daughter is a makeup artist and gave me a sample. Now I’m on auto refill. This product has fine grit, it heats up abut and my skin glows after using it. I’m hard to satisfy with skin products and this is well worth trying.

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deb s says · 08.30.17

Great tips! Thanks so much…enjoying this detoxing series.

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Carrie says · 08.30.17

Great post! I’m not sure if you’ve heard of Rodan + Fields, but they have a great microdermabrasion paste. The paste can be used a few times a week and leaves a smooth and refreshed face.

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Elizabeth Kay Pinder says · 08.30.17

I also recommend Trader Joe’s Lavender Oil Salt Scrub. It’s great for legs and arms, and I occasionally use it (VERY GENTLY) on my face. I LOVE the fragrance of lavender oil:) And it is inexpensive, too!

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Jacquie | Artistry by Jacquie says · 08.30.17

Yes, I looove a good exfoliator! I’m not going to lie I’ve also NEVER gotten a professional facial… I know.
When I finish my Tatcha exfoliator I think I’m actually just going to use the beautiful container for baking soda, the best glow-inducing product I’ve ever used!
xxx

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Momzi says · 08.30.17

The St Ives Green tea blackhead scrub is not new. I’ve been using it at least 2 years. Do not hesitate to try it. It is amazing for face and body. It seems no matter how hard you scrub, you can’t over do it, but it is effective.

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Katie says · 08.31.17

Have you ever checked out Paula’s Choice skin care products? You must!!! I swear by them – and I don’t sell them or make any money by recommending them. Paula Begoun is the creator, and back before the internet, she wrote a humongous book called “Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me.” She teaches people about skin care ingredients so they actually understand the products they are buying and why they may or may not work. Now she has a massive online review encyclopedia called “Beautypedia.” But seriously her skincare is amazing.

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Alisha says · 08.31.17

I use to use the the st Ives apricot scrub all them time all the time until recently!

Alisha xx | http://www.alishaxali.blogspot.com

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Leticia Justus says · 09.01.17

The st.ives green tea scrub is my all time favorite facial cleaner. It feels like micro sand box sand being moved around in your face and neck, in a good way. The apricot cleanser will scratch the skin because it’s chilled up apricot pits, where as the green tea just buffs. I use it on the shower and rinse1 to 2 times a week. My skin feels like baby smooth the next day. Not harsh or dried to a crisp. And at a price point of about $4 it’s worth a try. I’ve also used it on legs before a spray tan or on dry elbows.

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Sarah says · 09.08.17

Which Arbonne products did you use to calm your skin?

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Stephanie says · 09.16.17

Just wondering what Arbonne products did you use to calm your skin?

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Kate says · 09.17.17

the “Calm” line!

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Amy E says · 09.23.21

Can you share where you got your facial? I recently moved to the Raleigh area (Holly Springs) and am looking for an esthetician.

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