You need to try this glowing skin smoothie! It's so easy to make and good for your skin; you'll love it because it tastes heavenly.
Vegan Collagen Smoothie Recipe
Ingredients (one smoothie)
200 ml milk of choice or water (I used unsweetened oat milk)
Half a banana
3 tablespoons berries (I used fresh strawberries and raspberries)
10 g vegan collagen powder (I used naturya 'under the skin' beautiful berries, containing pea protein, hemp protein, hyaluronic acid and antioxidant resveratrol and vitamin C)
1 level teaspoon of flax seeds
1 chopped date for natural sweetness (optional)
Garnish: frozen berries, flax seeds
Method
Place all ingredients into a blender in order to ensure the liquid is at the bottom.
Blend on medium speed, then switch to high speed until smooth.
Why this smoothie is good for your skin.
As well as looking and tasting great, this smoothie is packed with skin-loving antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and with added plant-based collagen, it's perfect for helping to boost your body’s collagen production for healthy glowing skin.
Collagen is a naturally occurring protein created by the body and found in the connective tissues, including hair, skin, bones and nails.
As we age, the hormone oestrogen starts to dip, and these connective tissues that give our skin its strength, 'bounce', and youthful appearance begin to diminish. At the same time, skin-plumping hyaluronic acid reduces. As a result, cell turnover slows down, and skin recovers more slowly from inflammation and damage. As a result, we may notice our skin becoming dry, thinner and more fragile, or the acne and breakouts we thought we'd left behind in our teenage years may suddenly reappear.
As we all know, we need to nourish and nurture our bodies and minds as much as we need to keep up the skincare rituals - part of a holistic approach to skincare that includes eating well, daily movement and a healthy lifestyle. There's nothing more naturally beautiful than healthy, hydrated and glowing skin.
A smoothie is a great way to quickly and easily introduce skin-loving superfoods into your day when you're busy. It can be ready in seconds, nourishing, tasty, and something everyone in the family can enjoy. Plus, having a homemade smoothie helps you cut down on plastic waste.
Benefits of the ingredients
🥛 Oat milk - is a vegan, soy-free alternative to dairy milk that is creamy and rich in vitamins, protein and gut-friendly fibre.
🍌 Banana - contains nutrients essential for the skin, including vitamin C and manganese, which support collagen production. Bananas are also rich in fibre, and since most of us don't consume enough fibre daily, adding bananas to your smoothie helps you get there.
🍓 Berries such as strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are chock full of tiny seeds rich in antioxidants. Numerous research studies have confirmed that berries may protect your skin from free radical damage, which causes a loss of elasticity.
🌱 Vegan collagen powder is an optional extra to complement healthy eating. If you're not vegan, you could add your marine collagen liquid or powder instead. Always check that you're buying a supplement from a reputable brand, and it's also good practice to consult your doctor before taking dietary supplements.
🤎 Flax seeds are the richest vegetable source of omega-3 essential fatty acid, which helps to maintain a healthy skin barrier and promote soft, supple, hydrated skin.
💏🏾 Medjool dates add some natural sweetness and are a source of vitamin-A, known to have higher antioxidant properties than figs and prunes.
🚫 Want substitutes? Don't worry; there are so many alternative ingredients that support happy, healthy skin! You could opt for any of the following:
Spinach
Kale
Blueberries
Papaya
Pomegranate
Celery
Avocado
Probiotic yoghurt which contains good bacteria thought to restore a healthy bacterial balance in your gut.
Other types of plant milk, cow's milk, or water
Cacao nibs, seeds like sunflower, pumpkin and chai. Though I find flax seeds easy to blend as they are so teeny, tiny!
Superfood powders like moringa leaf, cacao, wheatgrass, and chlorella. I opted for a berry-based powder as, in my experience, the aroma of the very 'green' powders can be an 'acquired taste' to say the least!
Thanks for reading. I hope you'd enjoyed my vegan collagen smoothie for glowing skin. If you'd like to see a fun Instagram reel showing me making this, then click here >>.
Let me know if you try it, and what you think. Or if you have a favourite smoothie recipe or ingredient, please share it!
Love Sarah x
If you'd like to try Pamoja's multi award-winning natural skincare routine, shop the Mini Experience here!
Written by: Sarah Taylor, trained skincare formulator and founder of Pamoja.
9 October 2022. All content © Pamoja. All rights reserved.
Pamoja is a high-performing natural skincare brand designed to help you nourish your skin and nurture yourself. Now with over 300+ five-star reviews. As seen in Vogue, Stylist, Woman's Health, Health and Wellbeing Magazine, Natural Health Magazine, Top Sante and more.
** Disclaimer - The content of this blog is for your general information only and is not designed to diagnose or cure health issues. The recommendations in this blog are based on my research and experience as a trained skincare formulator and 40+ woman who loves healthy food and smoothies!
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Sources
Hair, Nails, and Skin: Differentiating Cutaneous Manifestations of Micronutrient Deficiency - PubMed (nih.gov)
Vitamin C and Skin Health | Linus Pauling Institute | Oregon State University
A single portion of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L) improves protection against DNA damage but not vascular function in healthy male volunteers - PubMed (nih.gov)
Healing fats of the skin: the structural and immunologic roles of the ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids - ScienceDirect
Medjool Dates: Nutrition, Benefits, and Uses (healthline.com)
Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation - PMC (nih.gov)