Try These 6 Superfood Smoothie Recipes For Healthy and Beautiful Skin

When it comes to skincare, there seems to be an infinite number of brands and formulas in the market but, sometimes, the key is a nutrient-rich diet that treats the problem from the inside out. Here are 6 superfood smoothie recipes to get you started on the road to healthy, blemish-free skin.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, well, not literally but the food we eat matters a lot to our skin health and the proper functioning of our body. One way to make sure we get our daily vitamins and nutrients is through regularly consuming superfoods. 

While there isn’t exactly a scientific definition of what a superfood is, they are generally foods that have a very high nutritional density. This means that they provide a substantial amount of nutrition for very few calories and can help keep our organs, including our skin, functioning at optimal levels. In other words, these superfoods are high in the good stuff that our skin needs - whether consumed or applied topically.

One delicious way of getting our daily dose of super foods is to fire up the ol’ blender and start churning out some healthy smoothies. It’s quick, convenient and a great way to get all of the nutrients we need for beautiful skin in just one drink!

Here are our top 6 all-time favourite superfood smoothie recipes, perfect for a refreshing drink in the morning to supercharge your day!

01 Tropical Superfood Smoothie for Glowing Skin

Delicious avocados, mangos, bananas and pineapples, among others, combine here in this delicious and refreshing tropical smoothie that will help your skin glow from the inside out. This smoothie is rich in Caretenoids, Vitamin C and contains other nutritious and hydrating ingredients that help support collagen production and promote your skin’s natural radiance.

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup plain coconut water 
• 2 frozen banana  (peeled, cut into thick slices)
• 1 cup chopped frozen pineapple 
• 1 cup chopped frozen mango 
• 2 cups spinach or kale
• 1/2 avocado, sliced
  

Directions: Add all ingredients into the blender in the order as listed, blend on high until smooth. Add more coconut water if needed. If you suffer from acne-prone skin, consider avoiding the bananas as they are high in sugar and can exacerbate your acne issues.

02 Antioxidant Boosting Blueberry Smoothie

This yummy smoothie features blueberries, one superfood that needs little introduction. Studies have shown that blueberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits and this helps to protect your skin from environmental stressors such as the damaging effects of the sun. In addition, blueberries are vascular constrictors, meaning they help decrease redness for those with sensitive skin.

What you’ll need:

• 1 cup greek yogurt 
• ¾ cup coconut water (plus more if needed)
• 1 frozen banana  (peeled, cut into thick slices)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 small ripe avocado
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup ice cubes
• 1 to 3 teaspoons hemp or chia seeds (optional)

Direction: Add all ingredients except the chia seeds into a blender and run until smooth. Add a dash of coconut water and top it off with chia seeds.

03 Matcha Smoothie for Younger Looking Skin

While matcha lattes are all the rage these days, you should try out this super easy smoothie that only needs 3 ingredients - 4 if you count the ice cubes. Matcha is a type of green tea that is one of the most potent sources of antioxidants derived from foods. It has the potential to quench inflammations, combat stress and prevent premature ageing. It can even help to clear up and manage hormonal acne all while protecting your body and skin against pollution and sun damage.

What you’ll need:

• 1 frozen banana  (peeled, cut into thick slices)
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (or low-fat milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon matcha powder
• 1/2 cup ice cubes

Direction: Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until the mixture is smooth and even without banana chunks. You could add honey or maple syrup for a sweeter taste.

04 Anti-ageing Acai Berry Smoothie

Jump on the açai bandwagon with this anti-ageing açai berry smoothie that will keep those wrinkles and fine lines at bay. A relatively newly discovered superfood, açai berries hail from the Amazon - the jungle not the online shopping platform - and are incredibly rich in vitamin A, the stuff retinols are made from. They also contain high levels of polyphenols and vitamins C and E that help combat visible signs of ageing like fine lines, wrinkles and the loss of skin elasticity.

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup frozen cranberries (or raspberries) 
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 2 teaspoon goji berries
• 1 cup oatmilk (or almond milk)
• 4-5 tablespoons acai powder (organic, freeze-dried)
• 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional) 

Direction: Add all ingredients into a blender and blend till mixture is smooth and even.

Tip! Want a little texture in your smoothie? Sprinkle some healthy nuts or seeds on the smoothie. If you are on the chia seed bandwagon, add a few to get a crunch.

05 Firming Strawberry Banana Smoothie Skin Treat

Strawberry and banana smoothie has always been a crowd favourite but not only is it a delicious treat, this classic smoothie is packed full of vitamin C that supports collagen production helping you achieve firmer skin. Vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that can help protect and repair our skin from damage caused by ultraviolet rays and environmental free radicals.

What you’ll need:

• vanilla almond milk
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seed
• 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, about 5-6
• 1 frozen banana  (peeled, cut into thick slices)
• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

Directions: Add all ingredients into a blender and blend till mixture is smooth and even.

06 Anti-inflammatory Chocolate Smoothie for Acne Prone Skin

Not only is Cacao extremely high in antioxidants, it has more calcium than cow’s milk, is rich in polyphenols and has a ton of iron and magnesium that can help with your skin’s anti-inflammatory response helping soothe redness and blemishes. In addition to improving your complexion, Cacao also improves circulation and hydration in the skin for a healthy glow. This is one super food you don’t want to miss out on and what better way to get it than in a delicious chocolatey smoothie!

What you’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons of raw cacao nibs
• 1 ½ cups oatmilk
• 1 cup ice cubes
• 1 frozen banana/pear  (peeled, cut into thick slices)
• Whey protein powder (optional)

Directions: Blend the oatmilk and banana together till the texture has a smooth and even consistency. Add the other ingredients and blend until perfectly mixed.