Have you ever heard of the phrase “you are what you eat”, well what you consume has a huge impact on your skin health. The right foods and drinks can give you a glowing, radiant complexation that makes you feel good from within. Smoothies are one of the quickest and easiest ways to achieve this and they are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants without you even realising it. Here are my all time favourite smoothies to help you achieve the healthy skin we all want.
Adjust the ingredients list to create your desired amount and consistency in a smoothie:
The Green Smoothie
Instantly when people think smoothie, their mind goes to the vile green looking thing that doesn’t have such a great taste. But I will be one of the first to tell you that the green smoothie can actually taste delicious, when made with the correct ingredients. Leafy greens contain a wide variety of vitamins that help flush out toxins.
Ingredients :
- Spinach (at least a handful)
- ¼ Cucumber
- 1 green apple
- ¼ avocado
- Milk or coconut water
- 2 dates (optional as a natural sweetener)
Spinach is rich in fibre, which provides gut health, increasing your immunity and aiding digestion. Cucumber is known to hydrate the skin, it’s why you see so many people place them on their eyelids! Green apples contains vitamin c, increasing the collagen in your skin. Collagen gives a “botox-like” effect, smoothing skin and making it firmer. Avocado is high in vitamin E and healthy fats, which also aid skin elasticity giving a youthful appearance.
The Berries Smoothie
Berries are some of the best foods for a healthy complexion. Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries not only make a delicious smoothie but are full of antioxidants that combat oxidative stress, reducing dullness.
Ingredients :
- A handful of strawberries
- A handful of blueberries
- A handful of raspberries
- A tablespoon of greek yogurt
- Milk or coconut water
Berries are packed with Vitamin C which can protect the skin from free radicals that may damage the skin and result in premature aging. They also contain anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce skin irritation and redness, helping the skin to look more hydrated. Greek yogurt contains probiotics, this supports gut health directly supporting the appearance of your skin. The high protein content in greek yogurt aids the production of collagen, repairing the skin barrier.
The Tropical Smoothie
This tropical smoothie is perfect for when your craving something with a little refreshing taste of summer. Mango, pineapple chunks and banana are the perfect fruits to help give you glowing, healthy skin.
Ingredients :
- 1 mango
- Pineapple chunks (75g)
- ½ banana
- Milk or coconut water
Mango contains vitamin A, which aids the regeneration of skin cells and creating a healthy appearance. Pineapple has a high water content which can aid skin hydration, the vitamin C and antioxidants provide the same benefits that berries do for the skin. So if you are not too fond off berries, this tropical smoothie is a great replacement! The digestive enzyme (bromelain) in pineapple reduces inflammation and promotes digestive health.
It’s safe to say that smoothies are a great natural way to improve your skin, from the leafy greens, the antioxidant berries or the sweet summer smoothie, they all nourish your skin in more ways than one. Give it a try and create your own perfect skin smoothie!
XOXO,
Idman