September may be creeping in but that doesn't mean it's time to put your sun protection away. In fact, with the abundance of our late summer harvest, you can use local produce to protect yourself against anti-aging and UV exposure. I'm not kidding, you can actually eat (well drink) your way to healthier, supple skin! Here is a look at some ingredients that you can add to create healthy drinks for glowing skin.
Key Ingredients
Watermelon
Research suggests that there are tons of lycopene in watermelon, which happens to be one of my favourite summer fruits! In addition to its ability to attack free radicals, it may also reduce inflammation and cholesterol, improve immune function, and prevent blood from clotting. It is also a carotenoid phytonutrient that's especially important for our cardiovascular health, and an increasing number of scientists now believe that lycopene is important for bone health as well. Best of all lycopene has been shown to protect your skin from UV damage and sunburn.
Since I have trouble going through a whole watermelon on my own, I freeze chunks of it and put them in my smoothies each morning! It’s not just a sweet treat for little kids, there are endless ways to enjoy this delicious hydrating fruit.
Citrus Fruits
Upping your daily vitamin C levels can greatly help protect your cells from free radical damage. It also helps your body with the absorption of other key nutrients as well as stimulating white blood cells to fight infection. Plus, lemon, limes, oranges, grapefruit, and strawberries are also a great source of vitamin C.
Maple Sap Water
Another amazing ingredient is Maple Sap Water. I know, I know how Canadian of us! But we can’t rave about it enough! It’s filled with nutrients and minerals, and packed with powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. The nutrients in maple sap water like calcium, iron and magnesium can penetrate deeply into the skin. It’s amazing to drink as is, in smoothies or cocktails and it’s also perfect for your skin. In fact our Skin Stuff Face + Eye Cream, and our new Supermoon Serum is Maple Sap Water based!
Skin Saving Smoothie Recipe
- 4 large cubes frozen watermelon
- 4 strawberries
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon (substitute with lime, orange or grapefruit if you don't have a lemon around)
- 2 ice cubes
- Optional: garnish with a sprig of fresh mint
Blend watermelon, strawberries, lemon juice and ice in a blender. Pour into your glass and add a sprig of mint for a little extra zest. And there you have it! A healthy drink for glowing skin.
And remember, it's actually healthy to get some daily sun exposure, at least 20 minutes a day (preferably outside of peak sun hours) so you can build up vitamin D levels and a natural tolerance to the sun!
