If you’re like me, you have probably spent a fair amount of time over the years searching for products to help you get that glowing, red-carpet radiance. But what you may not realize is that using commercial chemical-laden beauty products can do more harm than good. We tend to ignore the simple ways of achieving glowing skin, as nature intended.
Instead of using unnatural chemicals on your skin, why not explore a dietary approach?
Over the years, I carefully designed a 3-day detox for clearer skin. This beauty-focused cleanse stems from my deep conviction that we can heal ourselves and live our best life when we optimize our diet and metabolism (supplement support: Optimize Me NAC)
I have found this 3-day cleanse to be an approachable and manageable way to make meaningful change and see impactful results!
One reason the results are so dramatic for your skin is because the fruits and vegetables I’ve chosen for my Luminous Elixir (recipe below) are rich in flavonoids.
So, what exactly are flavonoids?
Healthline defines flavonoids as various compounds found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Included in the flavonoid group are compounds called flavonols and flavanols.
The important thing to remember is that these flavonoids are rich in antioxidant activity and can help your body ward off everyday toxins. Including more flavonoids in your diet is a great way to help your body stay healthy and potentially decrease your risk of certain chronic health conditions.
According to Woodson Merrell, M.D. in the Huffington Post, “Consuming a phytonutrient-dense rainbow plant-based juice diet allows food to be assimilated quickly through the intestine — consuming less energy, while the toxin-free, nutrient-dense food helps to repair the gut itself.”
Flavonoid-Rich Foods
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Kale
- Apples
- Grapes
- Berries
- Tea
- Red wine
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Peaches
- Pears
How to prepare for your 3-day detox
Every time I do this green juice cleanse, I feel my skin recovering from exposure to the elements and the natural effects of aging.
Before I give you the key recipe for how to get clearer skin in 3 days, here are a few tips to get the most out of your cleanse!
1. Get a Good Juicer
Getting a good juicer is the first step to actually enjoying your juices!
I recommend a slow juicer, which grinds fruits and vegetables at a slower rate of speed than a traditional juicer. Instead of a regular juicer’s 20,000 rotations per minute, a slow juicer grinds about 30-200 rotations per minute.
Slow juicing is gentle, so your juice is better-tasting and more nutritious, without the tendency to separate or foam.
You may also want to consider a cold-pressed juicer. Cold-pressed is a method of extraction that doesn’t oxidize or degrade the ingredients by heating them up as it juices. It also keeps nutrients and enzymes more intact.
2. Go Organic When Possible
You want to make sure your fruits and veggies are organic and free of pesticides. Keep it organic to be sure you are not ingesting the same residues the body is trying to clear out.
Familiarize yourself with the “Clean 15″ (and “Dirty Dozen”) from the Environmental Working Group (4).
3. Keep Your Plans Relaxed
Try to plan for this cleanse during a period when you don’t have a lot of social meals planned. You don’t want to feel tempted to indulge in a particular meal if it doesn’t align with your health goals.
4. Plan to Go to Bed Early
That old wives’ tale about needing to get your beauty rest – turns out to be true!
According to the director of Laser & Cosmetic Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, Heidi A. Waldorf, MD, beauty rest is incredibly important to our health. She explains, “Our bodies—every organ and function—require rest, time to regenerate, and prep for activity. While awake, eating, moving, thinking, the normal physiologic processes our organs do to allow those activities and to protect us from the environment like ultraviolet light and pollution, produce molecules like free radicals that can be toxic if they build-up.”
5. Prep Your Luminous Elixir in Advance
I’m about to give you the recipe for my Luminous Elixir, a juice recipe that is rich in flavonoids, mentioned above, as well as antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals that will rejuvenate and clarify your skin.
You can prepare this recipe about 2-3 days in advance.
Serena’s Luminous Elixir Recipe
Yields 32-34 oz, 1 Full Day of Servings
Ingredients
- 6 Leaves Organic Tuscan/Black Kale
- ½ Bunch Organic Spinach (unbagged preferred)
- ½ Bunch Organic Italian Parsley
- 4 Stalks Organic Celery
- 2 Whole Organic Cucumbers
- 1 Head Organic Romaine Lettuce
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse each of the ingredients
- Cut the vegetables into smaller size that is appropriate for your juicer
- Alternate juicing the harder vegetables with the leafy ones (especially if using a masticating juicer)
- Transfer your juice into an airtight container–anything BPA-free–and keep refrigerated. Or divide it into 3 portions to drink throughout the day.
- Optional: Add lemon, lime, or ginger for extra flavor.
How to Round Out Your Cleanse
This juice cleanse information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new diet or cleanse, especially if you have existing health conditions, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking any medications. Always listen to your body and discontinue the cleanse if you experience any concerning symptoms.
Start each morning with a warm cup of lemon water and a few drops of Chlorophyll. This will brighten your skin, detox your liver, and balance your body’s pH levels. Detox supplements can also help achieve this balance. Consider Detox Me Daily for added support. Next, divide up your Luminous Elixir into three portions and have your first glass after your lemon water.
For lunch, enjoy a green, leafy salad with any other vegetables as toppings and a protein of your choice. Just make sure that nothing is cooked in oil and that you simply use some fresh-squeezed lemons as your dressing.
Between lunch & dinner have glass #2 of your Luminous Elixir.
For dinner, have another salad similar to lunch.
Before bed enjoy your third glass of Luminous Elixir.
With this cleanse, you can get clearer skin in just 3 days, all through natural means!
xo – Serena
