Sip your way to a clear, glowing complexion with these easy smoothie recipes that taste as good as they are going to make you look.
Sick of hearing what you can’t drink if you want perfect skin?
Coffee. Booze. Soda. Even fruit juice is a no-no. What’s a thirsty gal to do?
Well, allow us to quench your curiosity and bear some good news. You can sip your way to a clear complexion (and bonus — a slimmer waistline) with yum-o smoothies that are good for your skin.
Ashley Koff, R.D., a celebrity dietitian and author of “Mom Energy,” says every woman can benefit from firing up the ol’ blender. “Smoothies are a great way to get all of the nutrients you need for beautiful skin in just one drink,” says Koff. “Even better, since they’re so easy to make and take with you, they can replace the junky, highly-processed fast food that’s so bad for your skin.”
That’s why we asked Koff and four other experts to create 10 healthy smoothie recipes that would satisfy our blend ambition.
The nutritious combinations of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and good-for-you fats in these healthy, delicious smoothies are especially good for your skin, says Koff. “They are packed with essential fatty acids, which calm puffiness and redness. They’re loaded with antioxidants, which keep wrinkles and sagging to a minimum. And many of the ingredients here are also alkalizing, which helps the body release skin-irritating toxins.”
Are you frantically dusting off your blender yet? Yeah, us too.
1. The Clear Skin Smoothie
This smoothie, created by Koff, uses a protein powder made from hemp seeds, which is a balanced source of skin-boosting omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The dandelion greens are great for the liver, helping to detox the body and skin; the avocado and raw cacao powder contain a powerful mix of antioxidants, which help clear the complexion and get skin glowing; and the coconut water is loaded with potassium, which helps skin cells get the water they need to stay (and look) hydrated. Blend.
2. Banana Almond Flax Smoothie
This smoothie from Kelly Boyer, owner and Executive Chef of Paleta.com, is full of skin-loving plant-based proteins, potassium, calcium, fiber, and omega-3s. The essential fatty acids in the flaxseed oil have anti-inflammatory benefits, which is especially helpful for red, irritated, and puffy skin, says Koff. Blend.
3. Mango Yogurt Smoothie
Boyer also created this smoothie and says the frozen mango gives it its sweetness and smooth texture and adds skin-boosting vitamins B6, C, and E. Plus, the omega-3s in the fish oil help to regulate oil production, says Koff, which boosts hydration, helps prevent acne, and staves off wrinkles. Blend.
4. Very Berry Detox Smoothie
The powerful blend of antioxidants in this smoothie (also created by Boyer) helps cleanse your liver, which processes the toxins that could be contributing to your skin woes, says Koff. Bonus: It’s a great way to sneak in some bitter-tasting greens, because the berry flavor overpowers the taste of the veggies. Blend.
5. Coconut-Pear Dream
Hemp milk is a great alternative to dairy, says Koff, as dairy products can contribute to skin irritation in some people. This easy, tasty recipe was created by Manitoba Harvest, a hemp foods company. Blend.
6. Creamy Orange Creamsicle
More hemp — plus vitamin C-rich orange and healthy fat-filled avocado — make this a great alternative to a sugar-filled dessert, says Koff. Blend.
7. Noni Colada
Coconut water kefir is another great non-dairy smoothie ingredient, and it’s loaded with probiotics — the “good” bacteria that help keep our digestion running smoothly (and our skin clear as a result). The pineapple in this recipe, created by raw vegan chef Jason Andrew Wrobel, also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, helping to calm puffy, irritated skin. Blend.
8. Green Tea Cooler
Created by Mary Kennedy, M.S., a nutrition and wellness professional who works for Stonyfield Farm, this smoothie combines two powerful skin foods: organic yogurt and green tea. The yogurt is loaded with live active cultures that provide the gut with beneficial bacteria, which helps digestion (the better your digestive tract runs, the better your skin will look); mint and honey also help fend off “bad” bacteria, and the green tea is loaded with anti-aging antioxidants. Blend.
9. Sour Apple Smoothie
This smoothie, also created by Kennedy, uses flaxseed oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for skin health, says Koff. Blend.
10. Sweet & Salty Chai Lassi
Billy Brigtsen, a chef in New York City, created this recipe using skin-healing spices.
Ingredients:
3 green cardamom pods, crushed
3 black peppercorns
3 cloves
1 whole allspice berry
1/2 tbsp grated ginger
1 cup water
Directions:
Place the above ingredients in a small pot and simmer for a few minutes, until the water is reduced to 1/4 cup. Cool, then blend with:
16 oz Green Valley Organics kefir
4 tbsp maple syrup
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