1. Cucumber Water
Credit: Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr Health Benefits: Water is the most important drink for healthy skin. It helps maintain your skin hydration levels, keeping it plump and firm. Dehydration is a key cause of premature skin aging, so drink lots of water and stay looking younger for longer. Make It: Fill a large jug of mineral water. Slice a cucumber thinly and stir it through the water before leaving in a fridge for a few hours.
2. Aloe Vera Juice
Credit: Ruth Hartnup/Flickr Health Benefits: Aloe vera has been used for centuries in treating inflamed skin, but drinking the juice is also an excellent way to enjoy the benefits. Make It: Using a sharp knife, slit open an aloe vera plant leaf. Squeeze out the gel and blend with water or the juice of your choice.
3. Kale Smoothie
Credit: Jennifer/Flickr Health Benefits: Kale is high in vitamin A, which plays an important role in helping your skin repair damage. It also contains vitamin K, which may help alleviate dark under-eye circles. Make It: Blend 1 cup of kale, 1/2 banana, 3/4 cup of apple juice, and 1/2 cup of ice in a blender and serve.
4. Berry and Flaxseed Smoothie
Credit: Boldray/Flickr Health Benefits: Berries are high in antioxidants, which have restorative properties. Flaxseed is high in essential fatty acids, which encourage your skin to heal itself and glow! Make It: Blend 1 1/2 cup mixed berries, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed, 1/2 cup natural yogurt, and 1/2 cup of milk and serve.
5. Pomegranate and Apple Juice
Credit: nathanmac87/Flicker Health Benefits: Each serving of pomegranate juice provides significant quantities of folic acid together with vitamins C, E, and A. Its nutrient profile helps skin cells repair and regenerate themselves, and can prevent lines from appearing on the skin. Make It: Scoop the seeds from one large pomegranate, blend together with a cored apple, and serve.
6. Carrot Juice With Apple
Credit: Burn Images/Flicker Health Benefits: Carrots are high in beta-carotene, which promotes clear skin. Apple sweetens the juice and provides a more interesting flavour than carrot alone. Make It: Combine the juice of 4 carrots with the juice of 1 apple and add a touch of ginger for a more complex flavour.
7. Soy Latte
Credit: Pixabay Health Benefits: Make your regular coffee more skin-friendly with the addition of soy milk. Soy contains genistein, a plant hormone that helps the production of collagen in the skin. Why is this important? Collagen is vital in keeping skin flexible and youthful, so ingesting soy on a regular basis may help preserve youthful-looking skin. Soy also contain isoflavones, which research suggests may improve general skin appearance. Make It: Simply swap regular dairy milk for soy. Remember, however, that soy milk curdles when mixed with boiling water, so allow your drink to cool slightly before adding it and stirring well.
8. Pineapple Smoothie
Credit: Kyle McDonald/Flickr Health Benefits: Pineapple is high in bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. This means that pineapple may be soothing for skin that is prone to acne and irritation. Make It: Blend together 3 large slices of pineapple, 1 apple, 1/2 a cucumber, and serve.
9. Green Tea
Credit: chezbeate/Pixabay Health Benefits: Green tea is high in antioxidants, which help every organ in your body repair itself. Research suggests it may be protective against the effect of harmful UV rays. As an added bonus, it is calorie-free! Make It: Green tea is available as both teabags and in loose-leaf form, and either will give you the skin-boosting properties you need. Add a splash of lemon juice for an extra tang.
10. Skin-Calming Carrot and Fennel Smoothie
Credit: starbright/Pixabay Health Benefits: Fennel and evening primrose oil both calm flushed, red skin via their powerful antioxidant properties. Make It: Blend together 1 apple, 1 carrot, 1/2 fennel bulb, a few slices of cucumber, 1/2 a ripe avocado, and a pierced oil of evening primrose capsule. Featured photo credit: JESHOOTS/Pixabay via pixabay.com
