3 Foods to Help you Detox

Let's be honest with ourselves. We consume a lot of metaphorical garbage: processed sandwich meat with questionable origins, sugar-infused energy drinks that decompose your teeth faster than a fungal colony, and, of course, the occasional deep-fried doughnut. Ready for a change? Ready to detoxify your body? Here are three super-foods to help you do just that.

Cranberries—are great antioxidants. This means that they help battle molecules called "free radicals," which can cause damage to your cells. Try them dried in salads or in a low-sugar juice.

Garlic and Onions—Sure, you might need a few sticks of gum after consumption, but garlic and onions are rich in sulfuric compounds, and they manufacture their own anti-oxidants.

Water—There is no hope for detoxing if the pollutants are just sitting in your system. Consume 8-10 glasses of water a day to flush your body. Don't worry about having to rush to the bathroom; that's the goal.

Exercise Induced...Acne?

For those us of in America, spring has finally arrived. With temperatures hovering in the 60s, we were finally able to banish our parkas and snow-boots to the back of the closet. What is replacing them? Shorts and t-shirts, sure, but there are likely some athletic uniforms cropping up, too. Spring marks the beginning of lacrosse and field hockey season—which is great news if you want to get fit for bathing suit season, but not such good news if you're hoping for clear skin.

What is it about these sports that makes them such dermatological villains? The gear! Sure, eye masks and helmets are important. Unfortunately, those bands and chin straps form prime environments for bacteria growth. It shouldn't come as any surprise that you'll often notice breakouts along your hairline and on your chin.

What can you do about it? First, be sure to keep your gear clean; try disinfecting sprays sold at sporting goods stores. Second, although it might be tempting to hang out after a big win, try to get back to the locker room ASAP to wash your face. We promise it won't wash away the sweet feeling of victory.

More on KP

I've put together a handy little graphic to give the the quick run-down on how to treat those stubborn bumps on the sides of your face and on the undersides of your arms. Known as "keratosis pilaris," this condition is caused when too much of a protein called keratin is produced.

"Chicken Skin": Acne or Not?

Whenever a little bump or blemish appears on your face, it's easy to blame it on that scapegoat, acne. However, the P. acnes bacteria is not always the culprit. Take the following condition, for instance:

You run your hand along your cheek or on the underside of your upper arm. It feels like sandpaper, rough and scratchy to the touch.

What is it? This is a fairly harmless—but somewhat unsightly—skin condition called keratosis pilaris. It occurs when your body produces too much of protein called keratin. Normally, keratin helps protect skin, but in large quantities, it plugs up your follicles, resulting in that mysterious "chicken skin."

What can you do about it? 

Treating "KP" is difficult, but there are a few things you can try.

1. Exfoliation by using a lactic acid-based product (These exfoliate gently while hydrating.)
3. Hydrate using a vitamin A-based product (This helps increase cellular turnover and regulate sebum production.)
3. Increase omega 3s in diet and through supplements.
4. Have a light, chemical exfoliation (peel) in the winter months.

Do you suffer from KP? Send us your before-and-after photos!