7 ways to detox in January

After last month's boozy, party-filled weeks, many of us embark on Dry January, quitting alcohol, eating healthily and hitting the gym - hard.

Have you ever considered, however, that you should be detoxing your skin, not just your liver?

"It's common for people to overindulge during the festive period," says Tracey Wilmot, training and education director at Murad.

But, she warns, all those glasses of fizz and tins of Quality Street take their toll: "Excess alcohol and high-sugar foods can lead to loss of radiance, dehydration and a dull-looking complexion."

On the other hand, you might be seeing more blemishes or blotchy patches.

"If you're experiencing oilier skin, breakouts or the skin shows signs of redness or sensitivity, it could be time for a detox."

That doesn't mean going cold turkey on skincare - far from it - though there are some products you may want to ease off on.

"Depending on your skin type and the concerns you are looking to address, there are a variety of things you can do that will help cleanse and reboot your system internally and externally, to get your skin back in shape," says Wilmot.

1. Use a clay mask twice a week

“A good clay mask can help draw the impurities out of your skin, unclog blocked pores, and revitalise a dull complexion,” says Tracey Wilmot, training and education director at Murad. “Look for kaolin clay or volcanic clay, which controls excess oil and deep cleanses the skin.”

2. Drink lots of water — and eat it too

“Dehydration is often the biggest culprit during the holiday season,” Wilmot says, “because alcohol not only dehydrates our cells but also causes blotchy red skin and exacerbates sensitivity and redness.”

Boost moisture levels from the inside by drinking plenty of water, and ‘eating’ it in the form of water-rich foods.

3. Take a break from drying products

Dr Gregory Bays Brown, founder of ReVive Skincare said: “I would suggest decreasing the frequency of products that can contribute to drying, such as retin-A or retinol creams and peels.”

That way, your skin cells can hold onto all that extra water you’re giving them.

4. Declutter your skincare

“Start by detoxing you products and make-up,” recommends celebrity facialist and and laser specialist Debbie Thomas. “Check use-by dates and throw away out-of-date products, as they lose their effectiveness and have higher likelihood of harbouring bacteria.”

5. Add an extra moisturising step

If you don’t already use a serum after you cleanse in the evening, consider adding one, before your usual night cream. Alternatively, a face oil can make a huge difference.

6. Exfoliate gently

“Exfoliation is key to a good detox, stimulating skin cell turnover and unclogging blocked pores,” Wilmot says.

7. Don’t forget SPF

“It’s also important to not forget sunscreen,” says Dr Brown. “Even though the sun is less present, it can still have deleterious effects.”