Ever heard of Parenie for treating acne? If not, then you will soon. It’s the Russian method of detoxifying congested skin using a combination of steam and birch bark and its already arrived in the UK in the form of Banyas (Russian steam rooms).

In Russia, Birch Bark is widely used as an effective skin detoxifier and exfoliant for treating congested skin and acne. Parenie refers to the method of whipping the skin with birch twigs after a steam in a Banya in order to boost circulation and release toxins from the skin and aide skin regeneration, while also depositing the birch’s detoxifying actions onto the skin. Birch Bark contains natural equivalents of both salicylic acid and methyl salicylate, two synthetic chemicals commonly used in anti-acne products. Birch Bark detoxifies and cleanses the skin but does not dry or damage it like many chemical treatments do. Birch Bark also contains betulin to help reduce inflammation in acne-prone skin and Lupeol and Erythrodiol which studies prove can help increase the production of proteins in skin cells to speed up the healing process. Published research in the medical journal Plos One and carried out at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Freiburg in Germany found that when birch bark extract was applied to damaged skin, it accelerated the wound healing process. So if you’re breaking out but can’t make it to a Russian Banya, you could perhaps try Clarol’s Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash at home after a steam in the shower. Designed to help detoxify acne-prone skin, this birch bark exfoliant uses this ancient Russian method to help clear congestion that leads to acne and increase skin recovery. It also contains other naturally active targeted ingredients to treat acne-prone skin. Clarol Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash has a 4-way action to help clear, smooth and re-balance acne-prone skin. Action 1 - Detoxification & cleansing Birch Bark contains natural equivalents of anti-acne chemicals commonly used in anti-acne products. Birch Bark detoxifies and cleanses the skin but does not dry or damage it like many chemical anti acne treatments do. Birch Bark also contains natural substances that speed up the production of proteins in skin cells to speed up the healing process. Action 2 – Skin Flora Re-Balancing Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash contains MicroSilver ™, a natural and smart anti-bacterial agent that kills off bad acne bacteria without damaging good skin bacteria, effectively re-balancing skin flora and leaving acne-prone skin clearer and stronger. Action 3 - Exfoliation Exfoliation helps remove dead and infected skin cells on the skin’s surface that can trigger acne and helps skin re-generate new and healthy skin cells. The Birch Bark itself along with Pumice Stone and Rice Bran are used to naturally and effectively exfoliate and remove dirt and dead skin cells. Action 4 - Skin Smoothing Extracts of Bladderwrack and White Nettle help calm down bumpy skin, while Coffee Seed extract helps dilate open pores. For best results, use on slightly damp skin when pores are open after a steam in a hot shower or bath. Clarol Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash is FREE from parabens, perfumes, SLS and MI and is a 100% vegan and cruelty-free product. The product works best when the skin pores are open. It should be applied to damp steamed skin and gently rubbed in to exfoliate the skin and then washed off with cool clean water. If you really want to go all out on the Russian method for beating skin congestion and acne, follow up your birch bark exfoliation with a beetroot juice smoothie. Beetroot juice is a rich source of iron, vitamins and minerals can give you healthy and glowing skin and helps cleanse the body of toxins as its a well known blood purifier. Russians regularly drink a fermented form of beetroot juice known as a Beet Kvas after a pyranie Banya to further enhance the detoxifying effects. Silver & Birch Exfoliating Wash is available from www.clarol.co.uk