Juicing for clearer, brighter skin
Samantha Eldridge
Samantha owns a cold-pressed juice and smoothie bar in Craighall, Johannesburg – Bliss Juicery. She has always had a passion for nutrition and healthy living. Her background is in finance. However; after a few short years in the corporate world she decided to follow her passion. She studied nutrition through the Sports Science Institute at UCT. She is always on the lookout for healthy alternatives when it comes to food, fitness or lifestyle.
Much like a good hair day – a good skin day can make you feel like a million bucks. But no amount of fancy creams or ointments are going to give you that natural glow. Great skin is a reflection of what you put into your body – that and how well your body can process those nutrients.
When it comes to preventing or clearing acne, or other aggravated skin conditions, learning to detox with the power of juicing is essential. You can eat as healthy as you like but if your digestion is sluggish your body isn’t going to absorb those nutrients or process them properly. A juice detox is a great way to kick start clearer skin.
A few key skin essentials:
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!!
Make sure you’re getting enough water throughout the day. Your skin is your body’s largest organ and as the average adult’s body is made up of 50% – 65% water staying hydrated is key to supporting good skin.
2. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant which helps prevent and repair damaged tissue. Food sources high in Vitamin C include a kale, grapefruit and green bell peppers.
3. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also critical for skin repair and maintenance. Sources include carrots, kale, sweet potato and red peppers.
4. Omega 3s
These essential fatty acids offer healing benefits in various inflammatory conditions such as eczema. Omega-3s also manage overexposure of cortisol levels, which in turn helps keep skin supple and guard against wrinkle formation. Chia seeds are a good source of Omega’s to add to your juices.
5. Zinc
Zinc is an important trace mineral that helps repair damaged tissue and heals wounds. Ginger is a great source of Zinc.
Recipe ideas for clearer skin:
4 carrots
1/2 apple
Ginger to taste“This juice blend with beta-carotene-rich carrots and skin-clearing apple will help you kick the snacking habit and provide a line of defence against office-cupcake cravings”
4 carrots
Handful of spinach
Handful of parsley
1/2 apple
“This juice is great for every skin type. Detoxing parsley’s great for stimulating the lymphatic symptom and reducing water retention. And spinach has vitamin F (AKA omega fatty acids linoleic acid and alpha-linoleic acid), which is great for healthy functioning skin that glows.”
Bromelain, the enzymes in pineapple, promote good digestion and good skin. (Bromelain is even applied topically in skin-clearing masks and exfoliants.) Cucumber and apple are skin-purifiers that help boost hydration and alkalinity. They all work together to calm inflammation, which is present with acne, says Vargas.
Few slices or chunks of pineapple
1/2 cucumber
1/2 apple
“Bromelain, the enzymes in pineapple, promote good digestion and good skin. (Bromelain is even applied topically in skin-clearing masks and exfoliants.) Cucumber and apple are skin-purifiers that help boost hydration and alkalinity. They all work together to calm inflammation, which is present with acne.”
Recipe source: Joanna Vargas
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