If you ever feel like you're the only person not doing a juice cleanse, smoothie diet, or any liquid detox to achieve true beauty, know that I'm right there not cleansing with you. Every smoothie I have ever tried has had so much fiber in it that all I got was a three day stomach ache and left me with the same 'ole complexion I was trying to perfect. Needless to say, I chose to eat my food the good old fashioned way, not blended into a beverage. There are, however, smoothies for skin I have found to be effective — as long as we're talking about smearing them all over your face, rather than gulping them down.
As we know, leafy greens, grains, and fruits have health benefits for our bodies that beauty companies have been trying to master for decades. Since food is perishable, it's not always beneficial for companies to mass produce these items, so we end up with synthetics or diluted forms of an ingredient that don't give the same healthy benefits. In my experience, it makes much more sense to just go directly to the source for naturally toned, clear skin — and have a pretty fun DIY beauty bash with your pals at the same time.
You don't need to have a background in science or skincare to make a facial smoothie — it's pretty hard to actually hurtyourself with an all-natural beauty treatment. All you need to know is what foods your face will like, typically those are the same foods your body likes to. Avoid any foods that have given you an allergic reaction, stomach aches, or any other ailment, because chances are they'll make your skin mad too.
Here, three of my favorite facial smoothies to get your DIY beauty game off to a good start, but feel free to play around with some of your favorite natural ingredients until you find the perfect mask for you.
1. Acne Facial Smoothie with Nutmeg, Oatmeal, and Coconut Milk
A common skincare misconception is that drying your face out is the best way to get rid of zits. Unlike many OTC acne masks, this DIY smoothie treats acne withoutthat nasty tight feeling. Drying formulas cause your pores to go on defense, which means producing excess oil and therefore more breakouts.
The nutmeg in this mask is a natural anti-inflammatory and antiseptic which is key for killing bacteria that causes acne and decreasing the size of blemishes. Oatmeal has been one of the first natural foods to be recognized by the Food and Drug Administration for reducing inflammation and alleviate dryness. Its antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-itching properties are hella good for your skin. Oh, and that fiber? Yes, please. Coconut milk is incredibly moisturizing; by giving our skin the capacity to retain water it keeps our face from drying out. Use a teaspoon of nutmeg, a handful of oats, and then add your coconut milk (about 2-3 tablespoons depending on how thick you want your mask). Have some of your mask left over? Eat it!
2. Anti-Aging Facial Smoothie with Cherries, Avocado, and Aloe Vera
Cherries contain five times as much melatonin as their berry cousins (like blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries), which is why you should throw some on your face. Avocados are highly moisturizing which is a key factor in keeping skin soft and supple making it an excellent defense against wrinkles. Aloe Vera is high in vitamin E, a popular ingredient in anti-aging serums. With all the ingredients combined, this mask is a great source of antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and D: the perfect formula for a timeless complexion. Throw a handful of cherries, a half of avocado, and a tablespoon of aloe vera into a blender, and you've got yourself a potent anti-aging smoothie.
3. Complexion Restoration Facial Smoothie with Turmeric, Pomegranate, and Organic Yogurt
Lack of sunlight giving you a dull complexion? This mask should definitely brighten things up. Turmeric heals scars, reduces oil secretion, exfoliates, and brightens while increasing the elasticity in our skin. Yes, it does all of that for a very low cost. Tackling a pomegranate can seem like a daunting task, but trust me, the antioxidants are worth manually extracting those tiny seeds: Poms are packed with anti-aging, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This fruit is good for hyper-pigmentation, acne scars, and age spots as well. The yogurt will provide a moisturizing base for your smoothie, making sure your mask doesn't dry your skin out while simultaneously giving you some vitamin A and D. Use a teaspoon of turmeric, 2 tablespoons of pomegranate juice, and a tablespoon of organic yogurt for best results.
Image: Mitch Altman/Flickr; Giphy; Kristin Collins Jackson
