Dr. Gary Goldfaden, the creator of GOLDFADEN MD skin care products, is here with tips and product recommendations to help detox your skin this summer.

Fact: the average person's face contains roughly 20,000 pores, each of which acts as a 'pocket' for dead skin, oil, dirt and makeup. Throughout the course of a day, these impurities will gradually make their way into the pores, promoting the formation of acne blemishes, irritation and inflammation. Since our skin is the largest organ of our body, it’s equally important to cleanse and nourish our external and internal system so that we can provide our entire body with a detox cleanse and keep skin looking flawless and youthful. Here are a few tips for detoxing the skin, as well as three steps to get you started on a detox routine.

1. Ditch alcohol and processed sugar.

Alcohol as well as cookies, candy and pastries contain a ton of sugar, which causes glycation (the breakdown of the proteins in the skin) and ultimately causes skin to sag and age. Opt for a fiber and antioxidant-rich diet. Foods rich in fiber and antioxidants (think leafy greens, grains, avocado, broccoli, berries and tea, to name a few) help to pull the toxins from within and move them through the body’s natural digestive track while fighting free radical damage, which directly leads to premature aging.

2. Sleep with your head slightly elevated.

Fluid retention occurs while we sleep because we are lying flat, which in turn affects circulation. Excess sugar, salt and alcohol will add to fluid retention and consumption of all these pollutants can escalate swelling and puffiness in the eyes and face.

3. Drink plenty of water.

A minimum of 6-8 glasses of water per day or coconut water, which is high in potassium and electrolytes, is important for your overall health. It aids in circulation, digestion, absorption and excretion. Drinking water also promotes a healthier, hydrated, younger-looking and more radiant complexion.

4. Exercise regularly.

Three to five times per week, even for just 30 minutes, is beneficial. Even though it may be the last thing you feel like doing, sweating will help de-puff the eyes and face, the circulation will get blood pumping (and awaken the complexion) and the release of endorphins will make you feel better internally and glow externally.

How to Detoxify Your Complexion

Step 1: Polish + resurface through exfoliation.

The process of exfoliation is a lot like peeling away the dry, outer skin of an onion to reveal the living layers beneath. Whether the exfoliation is done using mechanical abrasion or a controlled chemical or enzyme peel, removing dead and damaged skin cells on the surface allows the fresh, new skin underneath to become visible.

This newly exposed layer of skin feels much softer and smoother. Its surface reflects light better, making fine lines and other small imperfections harder to see. Age spots and other areas of unwanted pigmentation are less noticeable because the dead skin cells containing the pigment have been removed. Exfoliation also unplugs clogged pores and allows for the release of natural skin oils.

Step 2: Cleanse + purify with pore-clarifying treatments that keep congestion at bay.

Our new GOLDFADEN MD Facial Detox Clarifying Facial Wash features a combination of two alpha hydroxy acids—lactic and glycolic—that work to dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells that build up inside pores. Our technologically advanced Detox ComplexTM, comprised of potent fruit extracts and active plant cells, provides anti-pollution benefits and works to revitalize and detoxify damaged skin. The result? A fresher, cleaner, smoother and more rejuvenated complexion.

Step 3: Mask your way to beautiful skin.

GOLDFADEN MD Facial Detox utilizes potent naturals including zinc oxide, sulfur and camphor to correct and purify broken out or blemished skin. This gentle mask’s ingredients go beyond treatment of existing problem areas to heal the skin and prevent further breakouts. The uber-potent minerals in this mask have a super-absorbent material that yanks out dirt and debris. Plus, it’s a naturally occurring mineral that works to soothe redness.

Have you tried the new detoxifying products form GOLDFADEN MD? Comment below and tell us about it!