Blame it on your mama or call it a case of bad genetics—but don’t forget to consider your complexion has a lot to do with what you’re eating! As it turns out, eating healthy foods has an direct impact on your appearance, so the old saying “you are what you eat,” actually has merit. So, instead of simply throwing in the towel (or washcloth?) when it comes to your skin, get out your blender, and whip up one of these smoothies that will spruce your complexion in no-time.
Clean Skin Green Smoothie
Not only do the ingredients in the clean, green smoothie revitalize your skin with antioxidants that promote cell renewal thanks to the spinach, cucumber, celery, and parsley, they also provide a quick detox and energy boost. Pre-make this one and bring along to work for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Ingredients:
1/2 an avocado
1 cup of fresh spinach
1 teaspoon of coconut oil (up it ot a tablespoon if you prefer!)
1 small bunch of parsley
1/2 a cucumber, sliced
1 or 2 stalks of celery
juice from 1/2 a lime, squeezed
1 cup of room temperature water
Glowing Skin Coconut Water Smoothie
Looking to try some of the most sought-after ingredients found in the best skin products but in a smoothie? Then look no further! Hello Natural whips up this coconut water-based smoothie that will rehydrate your skin. Added bonuses include strawberries to assist in collagen production, carrots providing anti-aging oxidants and the oranges encouraging cell rejuvenation.
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut water, chilled
1 cup fresh or frozen organic strawberries
1 cup organic baby carrots
1 cup fresh or frozen mango chunks
1 navel orange, peeled
Original recipe here.
Youthful Banana Almond Flax Smoothie
Flax seeds are fabulous for your skin—fighting against irritation, redness, and inflammation— while the vitamin E found in almonds help rid your body of toxins and the vitamins A, B, and E in bananas are excellent anti-aging properties. Can you say trifecta? This Cookie and Kate smoothie combines the power of all of these ingredients for one skin smoothing smoothie.
Ingredients:
1 medium or large frozen banana, broken into one-inch chunks before frozen
1 heaping spoonful of almond butter
2 spoonfuls of flax seed
½ cup of almond milk (can alternate with yogurt or whole milk)
a drizzle of honey (or agave nectar or maple syrup)
a small drop of almond extract (or vanilla extract)
Original recipe here.
Sun Skin Chia Seed Smoothie
On top of the beautifying ingredients found in mango, banana and spinach, you’ll also be getting something a little more unique in this skin-glamor smoothie from What’s Gaby Cooking: Chia seeds! Chia seeds, which provide calcium, iron and protein that encourage the health of cell membranes, also reduce inflammation of the cells and help to protect against sun damage. The Omega-3 fatty acids found in chia seeds also increase hydration meaning you’ll feel full, be glowing and dodge dehydration with this multi-purpose smoothie.
Ingredients:
1 cup of almond milk, unsweetened
½ cup of frozen mango pieces
1 ripe banana
1 handful of fresh spinach
1 teaspoon of chia seeds
Original recipe here.
Anti-Puff Kale Smoothie
We’ve all know kale is a superfood, yet it doesn’t top most of our grocery lists—so why not blend it up, mask the pungent flavor and allow its properties to benefit your skin? Rich in Vitamin K, kale is a genius when it comes to anti-inflammatory properties, making it fabulous to decrease that under-eye puffiness. Plus, its sulfur content reduces redness and smooths out skin flakiness. Cue saying hello to your fresh complexion thanks to Minimalist Baker.
Ingredients:
1 medium ripe banana (previously peeled, sliced and frozen (~3/4 cup)
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (or sub blueberries)
1 heaping Tbsp hulled hemp seeds (organic if possible)
2 cups frozen or fresh kale, any kind
2/3 cup 100% pomegranate juice
3/4 – 1 1/2 cups filtered water
Original recipe here.
Anti-Wrinkle Bee Pollen Smoothie
Blueberries and bee pollen are the ultimate anti-wrinkle combo—you’ll be looking as wrinkle-free as you have in forever with this recipes from Healthy Smoothie HQ! Bee pollen is an anti-aging superfood that battles free radicals and prevents signs of premature aging like wrinkles and under-eye circles. It also supports the cardiovascular system, improves digestion and strengthens the immune system. So drink up!
Ingredients:
1 cup of almond or coconut milk
1 cup of frozen blueberries
1/2 of a fresh or frozen medium-sized banana
1 tablespoon of bee pollen
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
A dollop of honey or maple syrup, optional
Original recipe here.
As it turns out, drinking health-packed smoothies to benefit of your complexion might just result in a whole-body, nutritional benefit. It’s likely to leave you feeling just as fabulous as you suddenly look—so be prepared for a dose of confidence and happy blending!
Photos: Kaboompics, HBFit, Hello Natural, Cookie and Kate, What's Gaby Cooking, Minimalist Baker, Little_Desire / Shutterstock
