Recipes for skin-boosting smoothies are everywhere. They claim to help your skin glow and clear your acne, which certainly sounds nice. But can a smoothie really improve your skin? Or is it just a marketing strategy?
Here’s what you need to know about whether or not a smoothie can really improve your skin.
In Short, Yes.
A smoothie can indeed improve your skin. In fact, most dermatologists and doctors recommend eating whole foods in order to help your body function its best – and this includes your skin.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. Skin regenerates itself approximately every 28 days. This is why it can take some time to notice results from a change in skincare or diet. What you eat, drink, and put on your skin can impact its overall health and appearance. Good foods nourish your skin and ensure that it’s receiving enough hydration and other nutrients.
In fact, smoothies come as a highly recommended snack due to their many benefits for your overall health, as well as how they can improve your skin.
How Can A Smoothie Improve Your Skin?
It depends on what you put in it! The best thing about smoothies is how customizable they are. You put anything in them from fruits to vegetables to protein powders and more. Hailey Bieber’s viral $17 smoothie even has ingredients like hyaluronic acid and sea moss gel.
Generally speaking, a smoothie can improve your skin by helping you get in 2-3 servings of fruits and vegetables in a day. Plant foods have wonderful nutrients that can lower inflammation, protect your skin against harmful exogenous factors, prevent skin disorders and premature skin aging, and more. They also provide your skin with hydration, which promotes elasticity and a clearer, more glowing complexion.
What Should You Put In A Smoothie For Healthy Skin?
You can adjust a smoothie recipe however you like so that it fits your needs and taste preferences. If you want it to improve your skin, you want to ensure that it has good-for-you ingredients, such as fruits, veggies, and supplements.
Here’s what you need to know about how different smoothie ingredients can improve your skin health.
Fruits
The staple of pretty much every smoothie there is: fruit. Different fruits have different benefits, which you can look into if you want to get specific benefits from your smoothie.
For instance, bananas have potassium, which helps to regulate fluid balance in your body. Strawberries are high in vitamin C, which can brighten and clarify your skin. Avocados give you healthy fats and more supple skin.
Vegetables
These aren’t as popular in smoothies, as they tend towards the savory. But if you put in a little bit, you can get all the benefits while the other smoothie ingredients mask the taste.
Mixing a handful of spinach into your smoothie can give you vitamin A, which moderates oil production. Kale has plenty of fiber and can firm your skin, preventing cellular breakdown. Ginger reduces inflammation and can boost your immune system.
Supplements
Some people also choose to add supplements to their smoothies, such as collagen, protein, and more. These can give you even more benefits. For instance, the hyaluronic acid in the Hailey Bieber smoothie gives your skin more hydration from the inside out.
Flax seeds give you Omega-3 fatty acids which help to moisturize your skin and to keep it thick and supple, so that it is more youthful-looking. Collagen can help older adults enjoy improved skin elasticity.
Nuts
Nuts and nut butters can make your smoothies creamier, tastier, and even better for you than they already are (provided that you don’t have a nut allergy). This is because nuts have healthy fats and antioxidants which fight off skin cell damage, reduce inflammation, and prevent skin aging.
They also have important nutrients, such as protein, which helps to maintain your skin structure.
Can Smoothies Resolve Skin Problems?
Smoothies can certainly improve your skin health. They can help reduce inflammation, prevent aging, clarify your skin, and more. However, if you have persistent skin issues, you will want to see a dermatologist. As good as a healthy diet is for you, you could be the healthiest person in the world and still struggle with skin problems. A healthy diet can’t fix all skin problems, but it can improve your skin health.
A dermatologist will be able to ensure that you receive the treatment you need. Allen-Tainter Dermatology provides dermatology treatment for anything from acne to skin cancer. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.