Radiant Skincare |
7 Drinks for Radiant Skin
People spend hundreds and thousands of dollars each year on skin care products. Yet, they neglect the most critical influence on skin health: Nutrition. What we put in our bodies matters a lot more than what we rub into the surface of our skin.
The early morning is a great time to start taking care of your skin for the day, but you might not be ready to eat yet. Instead, turn to healthy liquids, which are more easily digested. The options below are some of the best morning drinks for glowing skin. First, take a look at these common skin complaints to figure out what you might need from your skin-health beverage.
Common Skin Complaints
If you want a more radiant complexion, you must first determine your specific skin problems. Many people fall into at least one of these categories:
- Acne
When your pores get clogged with oil, bacteria, or debris, the outcome is acne. You may experience whiteheads, blackheads, or a combination of both. Certain factors can put you more at risk for acne, like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hormonal imbalances, stress, some medications, or a family history of acne. The primary nutritional goal is to balance hormones and clear pores.
- Dehydration
Though some use the terms “dehydrated” and “dry skin” interchangeably, they’re quite different at the core. Dry is a skin type marked by lowered oil production. Dehydrated skin is a condition where your skin doesn’t have enough water. The primary nutritional goal is to rehydrate.
- Poor Elasticity
As you age, your skin naturally loses its elasticity. However, the process may speed up due to sun exposure, lack of hydration, smoking, or genetics. Losing your elasticity leads to wrinkles and sagging skin. The primary nutritional goal is to get antioxidants, collagen, and hydration.
- Dullness
Your skin is bound to look less than its best from time to time, but if you suffer from this frequently, you might have dull skin. Aging, dehydration, and a buildup of dead skin cells can all contribute to a dull-looking complexion. The primary nutritional goal is to get collagen, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories.
- Redness
Long-lasting facial redness and a tendency to blush easily are signs of rosacea. Your skin is probably quite sensitive to most products, especially scented ones. You won’t be able to completely reverse your condition with nutrition, but you can make a drastic improvement. The primary nutritional goal is to get anti-inflammatories, omega-3s, and prebiotics.
Drinks to help with skincare |
Best Drinks for Skin That’s Radiant and Healthy
This collection of beverages runs the gamut of good skin ingredients. You’ll find something here to help with any skin complaint from the list above, and they’re so delicious you’ll want to try them all.
1. Coconut Water
Coconut water is the liquid from the inside of a coconut. Many confuse it with coconut milk, which mixes coconut water with grated coconut to form a thicker liquid. Coconut water is still in its purest form. It’s incredibly low in calories and sugar and high in nutrients.
How to Prepare
You don’t need any preparation for coconut water. It has a natural sweetness that tastes great on its own. You can purchase this satisfying drink at most grocery stores, sometimes tucked away in the international food aisle.
Helps With
Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, which help hydrate the skin. It also has antimicrobial properties, which can improve the appearance and recurrence of acne. Finally, it has a wealth of antioxidants.
2. Matcha
Matcha comes from the same plant that gives us green tea. However, with the tea version, you steep the leaves in water and then throw the leaves out once you achieve your desired strength. Matcha consists of the leaves ground down to a fine powder – therefore, drinks made with matcha instead of green tea have a much higher potency of nutrients.
How to Prepare
You can prepare matcha in several ways. Some of the most popular are adding ground matcha to a smoothie or used as a tea. To make matcha tea, you’ll need to stir the powder vigorously into hot water and finish with steamed milk for a delicious latte. You may also want to add a natural sweetener like maple syrup if you aren’t accustomed to the taste of matcha – it has a very earthy flavor profile.
Helps With
The biggest perk of matcha is the plethora of antioxidants it offers, along with anti-inflammatory qualities.
3. Spearmint Tea
Spearmint tea is a soothing blend of spearmint leaves and sometimes green tea. It’s a caffeine-free alternative to other favorite hot drinks. Its unique minty flavor can be either relaxing or invigorating depending on how you serve it – plus, you get the bonus of extra-fresh breath.
How to Prepare
Steep as you would a green tea and pour over ice for a refreshing treat. If you want a more calming feeling, serve it warm. When you’re sick, add a little honey to soothe your throat.
Helps With
Spearmint tea has been shown to have anti-androgenic effects, meaning it can reduce your testosterone levels. Women with PCOS or those with hormonal acne could see significant improvements with a two-cups-daily routine of spearmint tea. Even those without acne may find this to be the best drink for the skin due to its level of polyphenols and other antioxidants.
4. Fruit Juice
Fruit juice is possibly the best morning drink for glowing skin you could reach for. The secret is to make the juice yourself or buy no-sugar-added options. Fruit juice becomes problematic when it has additives like dyes, sugar, and preservatives. Plus, when you make your own from fresh fruit, you get to create any combos you can imagine.
How to Prepare
There are limitless possibilities when using fruit juices. You can drink them straight after squeezing or you can infuse water with the delicious taste. A popular favorite is to combine lukewarm water with lemon juice and honey to drink first thing in the morning.
Helps With
The benefits depend on the type of fruit you use. Most have antioxidants and some have antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties. A glass of lemon and honey water carries all of those perks.
5. Collagen Protein Smoothie
Who doesn’t love a good smoothie? In addition to your base, greens, fruits, and whatever else you love to treat your body with, add in some collagen powder. This excellent source of protein usually comes from bovine sources.
How to Prepare
Add a scoop of collagen protein powder to a daily smoothie or cup of coffee. For the best results, go for a brand that claims to dissolve in hot or cold liquid.
Helps With
The main benefit of collagen protein is the amino acids that can stimulate collagen production in your skin, hair, and nails. Collagen is a building block of your skin, so having more available can make your skin plumper and more hydrated.
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6. Red Wine
Sitting down with a glass of red wine is so rewarding. Yet, you may not know your little indulgence could also improve the look of your skin. Red wine is unique from its other alcoholic counterparts in that it contains high levels of antioxidants.
How to Prepare
Simply pick your favorite, chill, allow it to breathe for a bit, and enjoy.
Helps With
Red wine has a few antioxidants – you’ll find resveratrol, tannins, and flavonoids, which can all improve the look of aging or dull skin. However, stick to only one glass a night to get the benefits without the side effects.
7. Coffee
No drink spells “morning” quite like coffee. It can put some pep in your step and into your skin’s appearance. The caffeine in this popular drink has many potential benefits for your skin – just don’t overdo it.
How to Prepare
While it may not be the most Insta-worthy choice, drinking your coffee black is the best drink for the skin. Milk and sugar can cause inflammation and acne when overused.
Helps With
Drinking no more than four or five cups daily can help your skin regain its radiant glow. Caffeine has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
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Radiant Skin Starts with Good Nutrition
You can undoubtedly improve your skin’s appearance with topical creams and serums. However, they fix the surface level at best. To truly treat your skin and improve its health, you must prioritize good nutrition through the food and beverages you consume. This list is full of some of the best drinks for the skin with antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and collagen. Trying these could help you get the radiant skin of your dreams.