Summertime is fun time - visiting beaches, going for a long drive in an open car, or be it that Mediterranean holiday you’ve always been planning for! It’s also an important time to pay close attention to skincare, for these are the months that affect you the most.
Direct exposure to UV rays, tan lines & facial sunspots are all tell-tale signs of summer skin problems, but the simplest thing you can do to keep your skin healthy & fresh is good old fashioned H2O - stay hydrated at all times!
Here’s some simple, tasty recipes to help you stay hydrated through the summer, beat the heat & get some natural antioxidants to help alleviate & rejuvenate your sun-stressed skin.
All recipes serve 1-2 persons.
Cucumber Mojito
What you need:
- A tall glass of cold water
- 1 cucumber, peeled & coarsely chopped
- 1/2 juiced lime
- 1 tsp honey
- Thinly sliced cucumber (for garnish)
- Crushed mint
The Recipe:
- Blend the cucumbers, mint, honey & lime juice with cold water until smooth.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a tall glass with crushed ice.
- Garnish with a slice of cucumber, sprig of mint and lime wedge.
The Payoff:
Cucumber cools down your body & re-hydrates your skin & pores, adding honey cuts down on harmful sugars & mint helps with its antioxidant properties. Really cool, isn’t it?!
Zesty Coconut
What you need:
- 200 ml coconut water
- 100 ml orange juice
- 1/2 juiced lime
- 1-2 tbsp of agave nectar or honey to taste
For a spicy twist:
- Finely grated ginger
- 1/2 tsp of turmeric
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
The Orange Mocktail Recipe:
- Boil 100 ml water in a pot. Add the ginger, cayenne pepper & turmeric let it steep for 5 minutes. Let the mixture cool.
- Mix the honey/nectar with the orange & lime juice.
- Mix two parts coconut water with one part orange-lime mixture & one part ginger mixture.
- Stir well & serve!
The Payoff:
The ginger, turmeric & cayenne peppers have healing properties, helping immune functions. Coconut water is full of nutrients & citric juices like orange or lime have Vitamin C, essential for great, glowing skin.
Refreshing Watermelon
What you need:
- 2 cups frozen watermelon chunks
- 1/2 juiced lime
- A sprig of fresh mint
- 1 cup water
The Watermelon Mocktail Recipe:
- Cut up a watermelon & freeze the chunks in a freezer bag overnight.
- Blend the frozen pieces with the lime & mint until smooth
- Pour into a jar & garnish with mint & a lime wedge!
The Payoff:
The drink is vegan, paleo, gluten free and needs only 3 ingredients! No extra sugar, and great for hydration. The perfect summer accompaniment really.
Iced Green Tea
What you need:
- 2 green tea bags
- Finely chopped/crushed ginger
- 1-2 sprigs of mint
- Lime wedges/slices
The Recipe:
- Heat water in a pot to a boil. Drop the tea bags & add chopped ginger & let it steep for 3 minutes. Allow the mixture to cool.
- Add ice cubes in a tall glass with a few lime slices & some lime juice.
- Pour the green tea into the glass & serve cold with fresh mint!
The Payoff:
Green tea is a rich source of antioxidants. It boosts your metabolism & helps in weight loss, helping you stay slim while keeping you hydrated!
Lassi (Yogurt Drink)
What you need:
- 1 and a 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
- Flavouring of your choice
The Recipe:
- Mix everything and blend in a good quality blender.
- Taste and add seasonings as needed.
Variants:
- Sweet Lassi: Add 2 teaspoons or more of honey/sweetener
- Mango Lassi: Add 1 cup mango cubes/pulp and 1/4 teaspoons cardamom (can be substituted with most fruits & berries)
- Salted Lassi: Roast & grind cumin seeds, add 1/2 teaspoons salt with the ground powder
The Payoff:
A gluten free drink that also serves as a great probiotic - bounce back from a stomach related illness with this nutritious, healthy drink!
That’s all you need in your refrigerator this summer. Five recipes to kick dehydration & beat the heat! Keep following us here for more tips & hacks for all your summer skincare needs.
