Skin detox tips to follow post Diwali

Shahnaz Husain *

The festive season is getting over and it is time to hit the life back, isn’t it?

Due to the festive preparations, we tend to ignore our bodies which takes a toll on our skin and hair and they start to lose their glow and shine. The night of Diwali is usually reserved for night-long parties and for loading yourself with sugary stuff. But, in the midst of this all, one thing that goes on for a toss is your body.

Festival treats till the wee hours of the morning, eating oily foods and sweets, cleaning, post-Diwali pollution, skipping out on skincare routines, and the ensuing pollution can affect skin health.

Crackers burst during Diwali contains highly toxic heavy metals such as lead, copper, zinc, manganese, sodium, potassium, etc. which causes various skin issues . After the Diwali festivities that involve heavy makeup and exposure to pollutants,it's high time we give our skin the love and care it deserves.

However, with the festive season over, now is a great time to detox your skin and take a break from everything Give your skin the love it needs post-Diwali by following these simple skincare tips for healthy skin!

1--Try intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting involves periods of entirely or partially abstaining from eating. There are several different ways to do intermittent fasting, but they are all based on choosing regular time periods to eat and fast.

Fasting completely for 1 or 2 days a week, known as the Eat-Stop-Eat diet, involves eating no food for 24 hours at a time while they can take water, tea, and other calorie-free drinks during the fasting period. Fastly generally begins from morning up to the second day's morning breakfast time.

One way is to drink only water with lemon until 2 pm the next day, and have only one light meal with lots of fluid for a cleanse. You can opt for day time ---restriction fasting where one can eat normally but only within an eight-hour window each day. For example, skip breakfast but eat lunch around noon and dinner by 9 pm

Some studies have concluded that intermittent fasting may be more beneficial than other diets for reducing inflammation and improving conditions associated with inflammation, It is important to drink lots of water and calorie-free drinks, such as herbal teas, throughout the day. This can help ensure you get enough electrolytes, sodium, and potassium chloride.

After breakfast take food that is high in fibre, vitamins, and minerals, to keep blood sugar levels steady and prevent nutrient deficiencies. A balanced diet will also contribute to overall health.

2----Add antioxidants to your diet-------

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. Plant-based foods are the best source of antioxidants. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, and even cocoa. Several vitamins, such as vitamins E and C, are effective antioxidants. Plants have naturally occurring antioxidants such as carotenoids, flavonoids, isothiocyanates, and phenolic acids.

Berries, green tea, coffee, and dark chocolate are renowned for being good sources of antioxidants. Antioxidant vitamins C and E have skin benefits. Antioxidants make skin softer, reduce moisture loss and protect skin cells from sun damage.

However high doses of some antioxidant supplements can be harmful. For example, they can result in the effects of some medicines. If you are on any medicines, make sure you ask your doctor about taking antioxidant supplements.

Antioxidants help skin repair itself. Inflammation impedes the skin’s renewal process. By reducing inflammation, antioxidants allow the skin to repair itself and correct visible damage. Some antioxidants, like vitamin C, can also stimulate collagen production, which is vital for youthful skin

3--Watch out for Food consumption-------

Eating healthy is one of the best and essential ways to rejuvenate. The festive season is all about sweets and snacks. Oily and extra-sweet foods affect the skin leading to breakouts and clogged pores.

Now you need to shift to healthier food such as choosing whole grains over refined grains and eating more protein. Include more fruits, especially citrus fruits, salad, and sprouts in your diet. It's recommended that you eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced.

Include a banana over your breakfast cereal, or swap your usual mid-morning snack for a piece of fresh fruit. For a healthier choice, use a small amount of vegetable or olive oil, or reduced-fat spread instead of butter, lard or ghee

A good way to ensure you eat your salad as a starter. By doing so, you’ll finish all of your greens while you’re at your hungriest. It may lead you to eat fewer calories overall, which could result in improved health. Plus, eating vegetables before a carb-rich meal has been shown to benefit blood sugar levels.

Most people consume too much sodium through salt while consuming an average of 9–12 g of salt per day is recommended. Avoid intake of excessive salt. About three-quarters of the salt you eat is already in the food when you buy it, such as breakfast cereals, soups, breads and sauces. More than 1.5g of salt per 100g means the food is high in salt.

Try to start with a healthy breakfast which is high in fibre and low in fat, sugar and salt. It an help you get the nutrients you need for good health. The pace at which you eat influences how much you eat, as well as how likely you are to gain weight. Your appetite, how much you eat, and how full you get are all controlled by hormones. Hormones signal to your brain whether you’re hungry or full.

However, it takes about 20 minutes for your brain to receive these messages. That’s why eating more slowly may give your brain the time it needs to perceive that you’re full. But if you eat too little or eat too much, your health and quality of life could be affected. This can result in negative feelings toward food.

Focusing on how and why you eat is just as important as what you eat, By being mindful of your habits and relationship with food, you can empower yourself and reveal the way to eat that is truly nourishing to your body and mind.

4--Keep yourself hydrated

Consuming junk foods and having aerated drinks and sodas for liquid can leave your body dehydrated. The skin gets dry and flaky because of the hot temperature and the pollution caused due to the crackers. Therefore, in the post-Diwali days, you should concentrate on replenishing the water content of your body.

Hydration is the secret sauce for healthy skin, and post-Diwali skin hydration is our golden ticket to restoring that dewy glow. Make sure to drink 10 glasses of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated. You can also enjoy herbal teas or flavoured water to add a festive touch. This will help control your appetite and reduce the chances of overindulging in unhealthy snacks and sweets.

Water consumption at regular intervals throughout the day is essential for keeping our metabolism active and flushing out toxins.

Inculcate the habit of drinking a glass of warm lemon water early in the morning to flush out toxins in your body. A teaspoon of honey can also be added to the drink. Both lemon and honey have medicinal properties.

Additionally, including hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables in your meals can also contribute to your overall hydration. This straightforward practice can have a remarkable impact on how you feel throughout the festive season.