Iced Beauty Latte
Do you ever stop to think about how everything you put in your body has the potential to help improve your skin?
We do — and it might have to do with our obsession with understanding our skin and how we can improve it, down to each and every choice we make. Or it might be the fact that we love simplicity and the easiest way to improve your skin is to look at what you are putting into your body (or, on the other side of the spectrum, avoiding).
Let’s start with your basic coffee, because let's be honest, that tends to be a daily essential for many of us. And though we tend to think of the classics when we consider what to add to our coffee (milk and sugar, anyone?), there are many simple and easy ways to transition your morning beverage into a skin super-drink — an Iced Beauty Latte, if you will.
Iced Beauty Latte
1 cup brewed coffee
1 ½ cup non-dairy milk (we used almond)
1 scoop (10g) collagen powder
1 tbsp hemp hearts
2 tbsp pure maple syrup (to taste)
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ tsp cinnamon
1. Brew your coffee (as strong as you like… we like ours strongggg)
2. Add all ingredients into a blender
3. Blend on high until frothy and well blended
4. Add ice to glass
5. Pour the blended latte over ice
6. Enjoy!
Now you're probably wondering what actually makes this a beauty latte, anyways. Let’s break down the ingredients to get a better idea of how each one is working to give you that extra glow.
Coffee
The benefit of coffee is really the caffeine itself, which is loaded with antioxidants. What do these do? They protect your skin from outside elements that cause aging. It also smoothes and brightens your skin because it regulates cell regrowth which leads to retained hydration, increased collagen and skin elasticity. Coffee also stimulates blood circulation which leads to energized skin, reducing the swelling of tissues and de-puffing of the skin which is why you may have seen caffeine eye creams.
Collagen powder
Collagen is already present in you body but it is good to squeeze in a little extra if you can because as you age your body starts to slow down production of it. Collagen helps to promote skin elasticity and hydration, visibly improves your overall skin tone and appearance (hello, glowing skin), and reduces and prevents fine lines. It's also great for joint and gut health, so its a multi-tasker that goes way beyond your skin.
Almond milk
This milk alternative is high in Vitamin E which helps to keep skin glowing and prevent premature aging. It is also high in Vitamin B2 which helps produce Vitamin B3 in the body. This vitamin helps with blood circulation which provides your skin with essential nutrients and oxygen.
Hemp Hearts
They contain lots of protein and are high in fat (the good kinda!), which means they're rich in omega-3 and omega-6. Consuming these seeds helps to repair and moisturize dry and damaged skin, and they also help with hair and nail health too!
Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup is a great alternative to refined sugars, as it contains minerals and antioxidants, which is good news for the skin. If you're looking to get extra creative in the kitchen, it’s also works well as an addition to your homemade skin masks, similar to the way honey is used.
Cinnamon
It plumps the skin. How? It stimulates the blood vessels and brings the blood to the surface of the skin, which helps prevent fine lines. Some people even use it to plump their lips naturally and it can be used as an alternative to lip gloss. Adding it to your latte or smoothie can help fight against bacteria which causes acne and other skin conditions.
