The skin is our largest organ. It is our protective coating against the environment into which we put our bodies. Imagine everything it has to contend with every day, such as pollution, perspiration, weather, etc. That’s a lot to be thrown at anything. The skin is the last organ to receive nutrients and the first to show signs of deficiency. The same simple naturopathic equation I keep shouting about applies here: our skin needs to have the good stuff put in and the bad stuff chased out!

The skin is a safe organ for us to excrete toxins. I experienced this myself recently, after accidentally consuming foods to which I’m intolerant. One of the first signs that something was up was a breakout of spots. Remember, every symptom in our bodies is a conversation it is trying to hold with us, but it is up to us to listen. For example, breakouts in the middle of your forehead can be a message from your liver, or those on your chin can be a message from your hormones.

As toxins build up in the body it has two options – to store them or to get them out. One route for expelling them can be through the skin. The pus in our spots is the reaction of our immune system as white blood cells come to the area to gobble up the nasties…yum, yum! Then the white blood cells die and create pus for us to squeeze out…POP!

Our face is probably the one area of skin that is exposed the most. One way we can help our body to excrete these toxins and nourish our skin is a face pack. These are really easy to make at home and can also be a bit of fun.

My favourite recipe is * :

1 teaspoon of kaolin clay powder
1 teaspoon of matcha green tea powder
1 teaspoon ground kelp powder

The kaolin helps pull out the toxins, while the matcha tea feeds the skin with antioxidants and the kelp is food for the skin and nourishes the whole area. This is the perfect combination. To make, simply place the powders in a bowl and mix with a spoon until combined. Then add a small amount of water and start to mix together. Keep drizzling the water in slowly, until your mixture reaches the consistency of runny mashed potato or yogurt. If it gets too runny, add a little more of the powders in equal quantities, or if it is too dry simply add more water.

Apply the pack to your face, being careful not to get too close to the eyes or mouth, or any other sensitive areas. Leave it on until it has started to dry out and you find it difficult to speak or smile without it cracking! Wash off, using a natural sponge and warm water, being careful not to get it in your eyes or mouth. After everything has been removed, splash your face with cold water to close the skin pores and then apply a gentle oil over the face, something like organic argan oil. Don’t be surprised if, over the following few days, you have a few spots that have a good head on them, as this shows the mask is doing its job and pulling out the toxins.

Once lockdown is over, you may choose to enjoy a face pack party with your besties, or you could try doing it together over Zoom. It can be fun when you all get to the point where you can’t talk as the pack dries and tightens!

Let me know in the comments below the face pack you like creating and don’t forget to share this with your friends, so they can all enjoy some face love.

*It is advisable to do a small skin test with the powders before using a full-face pack to check for any allergies.

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