‘Detox’ has become one of the beauty buzzwords of the last few years. Detoxing can really mean anything from a green smoothie cleanse or quitting sugar to soaking in an Epsom salt-filled bathtub or sitting in an infrared sauna. While you may have the urge to groan at the thought of another detox, this one is worth paying attention to. We’ve rounded up our top beauty products to detoxify, purify and cleanse away all the pollution, makeup and bacteria that ends up sitting on your skin and clogging your pores, restoring it to its former glory.

Benzaderm Daily Deep Cleaning Gel

Call it the wrath of the skincare gods or our unhealthy lifestyles, but when it comes to fighting blackheads, all our best efforts are often wasted. They’re what my worst nightmares are made of … and yours too, I’m sure. I’ll let you in on a little secret though: The trick to winning over blackheads lies in your face wash, and Galderma’s new kid on the block is made to do just that. Ideal for oily and combination skin, this gentle face wash works effectively to eliminate blackheads, exfoliate dead skin cells and make your skin appear smoother, softer, pore-less and more radiant. In short, the result is quick freedom from blackheads, clogged pores, excess oil and blemishes. Trust me – you’ll want to check out this product immediately! PS: It’s suitable for both teenagers and adults.

Available from Clicks, Dis-Chem and leading pharmacies at a recommended retail price of R199

Sorbet Salon Skin Cleansing Balm

Are you currently experiencing dry skin issues like redness, rough patches or general irritation? Then my top tip is to inject as much hydration as possible into your daily routine. It starts with how you wash your face morning and night – enter the cleansing balm. Not only does this new addition to Sorbet’s Salon Skin range make splashing your face with water much more fun, it also contains a blend of safflower oil, aloe vera, vitamin E and essential oils that form a cleansing balm that emulsifies to melt away dirt, impurities and makeup. Like cleansing oils, this product is impressively effective at removing even the most stubborn waterproof makeup in seconds. The main difference is the texture – it has a creamy consistency that transforms from a thick balm to the thin texture of milk.

R199 from Clicks and Sorbet salons

Nuxe Insta-Masque Purifying + Smoothing Mask

If there’s one type of face mask that everyone can benefit from, it’s the tried-and-true clay mask. Face masks that contain clay are perfect for detoxing your skin and purifying your pores. Plus, they’re fun to apply! This mask from Nuxe’s new Insta-Masque range combines the benefits of rose floral water with white clay to very gently purify your skin and has an ultra-sensory light and fresh texture that doesn’t dry out your skin or leave any sensation of tightness. In just two minutes, your skin feels cleansed and visibly smoother. If you have oily skin and clogged pores, you can use this daily, while those with normal or dry skin may need to mask less often. It’s suitable for all skin types (including sensitive skin) and, best of all, it’s quick and easy to use in the shower.

R330 from Woolworths

Bodycare from Africa Argan Exfoliating Shower Gel

Your skin is in constant communication with the internal parts of your body, and there are some natural ingredients that detox your skin that you definitely need to get familiar with, such as vitamin E and argan oil. Since shower gels are affordable, they’re a great application for a weekly detox. When you use this exfoliating shower gel from Bodycare From Africa in the shower, the warm water and steam gives your pores a chance to open up and toxins to be flushed out. While the natural ingredients aren’t miracle cures, they’re known for assisting detoxing in the body and will make you feel enveloped in your own mini sauna (almost). Argan oil moisturises skin, protects against sun damage, treats skin conditions like acne, heals skin infections and even has anti-ageing effects.

R79.95 from www.bodycarefromafrica.co.za

Africology Skin Renewal Body Glow

Doesn’t your body deserve the very best? Get ready to coddle and smooth and protect every last inch of your skin with this spoil from Africology. Bursting with glittering mica minerals and hyaluronic acid, this anti-ageing body conditioning balm has a lush scent and natural oils that hug every inch of your body, transforming your skin into dewy perfection. Better yet, it contains padina pavonica – a natural extract that comes from a brown alga that lives in the Mediterranean and is claimed to be an anti-pollution active ingredient that acts as a protective screen against environmental pollution. It’s gentle enough to apply to your whole body daily after a bath or shower and is especially good to use after you’ve been in the sun or sauna to replenish moisture.

R565 from Africology spas or online at www.africologyspa.com

If there are any other detox skincare products you think we should try out, let us know in the comments below.