We all know how our intestines, kidneys, and liver help to rid our bodies of toxins. These are the main organs we are mindful of when we think of a detox diet. But we forget that our skin also plays a huge role in detoxing our body.
Your skin, the largest organ you have, is made up of 3 layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and lastly the subcutaneous fat. These layers combined create a water-proof, barrier so that toxins may not enter your body. Being that the majority of toxins are water soluble, your skin blocks out toxins that may be in the water that you bathe in or swim in.
There are hundreds of types of bacteria on your skin right now, as you read this article. (And to think we are suppose to love the skin we’re in!) But not all of them are bad. Staphylococcus Epidermis is a “good bacteria” responsible for keeping all of the “bad bacteria” on our skin in check. Without good bacteria, our skin would be ruled by bad bacteria, which in turn would damage your skin and ultimately aid in toxins entering your body.
It’s very important to maintain healthy skin, especially during your detox diet. We all know to wear sun block when exposed to the sun for prolonged periods of time, and to wear gloves when dealing with toxic products. But like everything else, it’s not about what you know, it’s about what you don’t know. Swimming in a pool containing unbalanced chemicals and smoking cigarettes can also damage your skin. J. Greg Brady, a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology Associates, says that when you smoke, your skin gets less of the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. You definitely don’t want to make it harder on your body to do its job.
Your skin plays a huge role in your detox diet. Which is why it’s recommended to to be included in your detox diet plan. Skin is a one man army in sense that it can heal itself when hurt, while still doing its job of blocking toxins from entering your body. Be careful to avoid toxins and always keep your skin properly nourished with vitamin C, sulfur, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Fun Fact: Did you know that sweating is one of the most effective ways our body rids itself of toxins? Scientist estimate that sweating can remove about a third of the toxins our kidneys can!
