Detox for your skin

Do you think your skin is looking dull even after you have indulged it with the latest antioxidant moisturiser? Sure, topical creams have their pluses. But if your dark circles show no signs of receding or zits keep popping on your face, you have to change your approach. You need to start thinking ‘inside out’, with dermatologists (yes, the ones who swear by chemical peels and laser treatments) believing in the goodness of detox drinks. We get two specialists to suggest their ideal skin and hair detox picks. Try these good old toxin baiters that will put your skin/hair at its best behaviour.

Pack a Pomegranate punch
You need: 1 cup pomegranate seeds, 1 tsp chia seeds soaked in ½ cup water, 1 tsp ground sesame seeds, 1 tsp spirulina powder.
To make: Place all the ingredients in a blender and glug it while it’s still fresh – ideally in 15 minutes.
How it works: Pomegranate, thanks to its vitamin A content, strengthens skin collagen. Chia seeds help eliminate toxins, while spirulina with its vitamin B12, iron, and trace minerals, heals inflammation and gives a fresh lease of life to the skin.

Iron booster
You need: 2 leafy bunches of spinach or kale,
1 cup chopped amla (Indian gooseberry), 1 shot of wheatgrass, 2 medium-sized chopped dates.
To make: Mix all the ingredients in a blender and drink up for its iron-boosting properties.
How it works: This green juice helps in preventing hair fall as well as premature greying of hair. It is also beneficial for those struggling with brittle nails.
From: Kiran Lohia, dermatologist

Clean your system now
You need: A teaspoon of triphala in warm water to start your day.

How it works: It cleans the colon and purifies the blood – the cornerstones of a problem-free skin. Triphala – a detoxifying staple made from three fruits – works as a gentle laxative by removing built-up stubborn toxins from the intestinal tract. The amla in it is known for its skin brightening and hair strengthening properties.

For a hair raising plan
You need: 1 tbsp dried Himalayan nettle leaves (also available online).
To make: Boil water and add it to a teapot. Let the leaves steep for 15 minutes. Sip while it’s warm.
How it works: A healing herb found in the remote villages of the Himalayan region, nettle is a great blood purifier and a liver cleanser. It has also been used by beauty enthusiasts for promoting hair growth as it is believed that the chemical silica present in it improves blood circulation to the scalp and minimises hairloss.
From: Vasudha Rai, beauty blogger and yoga teacher