10 Healthy Homemade Drinks for Clear Skin (that you need to know!)

selection of homemade drinks for clear skin

If you’ve been wondering what to drink for clear skin, then you’re in the right place! In this article we’re going to look at some amazingly potent homemade drinks for clear skin that you can make with ingredients that may already be in your pantry or backyard.

This list of home remedies includes herbal teas, a cortisol-regulating herbal milk and a super simple legume-based detox water!

So, without further delay, let’s get into it!

Note: this post contains affiliate links and I earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you use them to make a purchase.

BEST DIY DRINKS THAT HELP CLEAR UP THE SKIN: TEAS, SMOOTHIES, JUICES AND DETOX WATER

1. Fenugreek Seed Water

drinks that help clear the skin - fenugreek water

Fenugreek is a signature Ayurvedic herb with a long list of high impact benefits. Here are just a few of the ways in which fenugreek can support the skin (source):

Lymphatic cleanser: the lymphatic system is our body’s equivalent of a sewage system. And just like with the sewage system in a house, it’s super important that everything flows through correctly. Otherwise, waste and toxins stay in your body and could ruin your skin. Fenugreek is well known for its ability to keep the lymphatic system in top condition.

Antioxidant activity: fenugreek contains various antioxidants that protect every part of the body from the damaging effects of free radicals (for skin free radicals usually means inflammation and wrinkles, for example).

Antimicrobial and antiparasitic: microbes and parasites can contribute to inflammation that shows up in the form of skin problems. Since fenugreek has been shown to combat microbes and parasites, it could be a useful ally in your natural skin care diet.

Loaded with amino acids: if you’re struggling with acne, you’ve probably seen videos from women on social media who say that the amino acid, lysine, cleared their skin. Well, fenugreek happens to be a natural source of lysine, as well as other amino acids like leucine, arginine and L-tryptophan. As a whole amino acids are essential for both collagen and elastin production.

Regulates blood sugar: elevated blood sugar is one of the many things that can worsen inflammatory conditions like acne. Fenugreek looks very promising as a natural way of balancing glucose levels. Not only is it used as an insulin substitute, but extracts from the seed have also been shown to lower blood sugar.

And if that’s not enough, fenugreek also is also anti-inflammatory and a natural digestive aid.

How to make fenugreek water for skin

Boil 1 quart of water in a saucepan.

Remove from heat and add in 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds.

Cover and allow to steep overnight.

Strain the seeds. You will have a pale yellow, nutrient-rich fenugreek water.

Here are the fenugreek seeds that I like to use.

2. Ashwagandha Milk

Ashwagandha is a treasured Ayurvedic herb that is classified as a “tonic.” One of its most notable properties is that it is an adaptogen. This simply means that it regulates our response to stress and regulates cortisol levels.

Why does this matter for acne? Well, the more stress we experience:

the more cortisol the body produces.

when cortisol levels increase, the sebaceous glands respond by making more sebum. This can lead to clogged pores and more breakouts.

elevated cortisol also contributes to elevated blood sugar levels, which can also make acne worse.

So, using an herb like ashwagandha can help to keep cortisol in check and ultimately, prevent things from spiraling out of control.

In addition, ashwagandha is said to (source):

lower blood sugar.
fight off inflammation.

How to make ashwagandha milk for blemish-free skin

In a saucepan combine 1 cup milk, 1 tsp ashwagandha powder, 1 tsp coconut oil and ¼ tsp cinnamon powder on medium heat.

Allow the mixture to heat up, stirring occasionally. After about 5 minutes you will notice vapor being released from the saucepan. A this point adjust the temperature as needed to avoid reaching a full boil.

Continue heating up the mixture for another 5 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure the spices are well incorporated into the milk.

Pour into a cup. Sweeten with raw honey or maple syrup.

Here’s my go-to ashwangandha powder.

3. Green Tea

Green tea contains various antioxidants, with the most abundant being EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate).

Overall, research indicates that green tea may be effective at (source):

preventing damage from free radicals.

reducing the number of acne lesions.

preventing the production of excess androgens, which tend to worsen acne.

regulating sebum production.

fighting off the acne-causing bacterium p. acnes.

How to make green tea for skin

Place a green tea bag (or 1 teaspoon loose leaf tea) in 1 cup of boiled water.

Steep for 5 minutes (steeping for longer than this produces a more bitter tea).

Get started with these green tea bags.

4. Stinging Nettle Tea

Stinging nettle is a medicinal, and very common, weed that is probably growing in your backyard at this moment. One of its main benefits is that it contains compounds that can regulate blood sugar levels (source). It does this by improving our cells’ ability to take in glucose, which ultimately leads to healthier blood sugar levels.

This is a huge benefit for acne-prone skin because elevated blood sugar increases insulin production. In turn, increased insulin creates a series of reactions that can lead to more sebum production (source).

Aside from all this, nettle leaf is (source):

rich in amino acids, which are the building blocks of collagen.

a good source of vitamin C, which the body needs to synthesize collagen.

a natural source of skin-friendly nutrients such as vitamin A, antioxidants and trace minerals.

loaded with chlorophyll, which supports detoxification.

Last but not least, animal studies suggest that nettle is able to protect the liver from the damaging effects of toxins and inflammation (1, 2). Given that the liver is responsible for detoxification, this can also help to improve the appearance of the skin.

How to make nettle tea for clear skin

Regular nettle tea: steep 1 teaspoon of dried nettle leaves in 1 cup of boiled water for 15 minutes. If using a tea bag, then simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This produces a light colored tea.

Stronger nettle infusion: steep 1 ounce (about 1 cup) of dry nettle leaves in 1 quart of boiled water for at least 4 hours or overnight. This infusion delivers more nutrients and produces a dark colored tea.

For nettle tea bags, I suggest this brand. As for loose leaf nettle, here’s one to try.

5. Green Smoothie

With the right combination of ingredients, smoothies can be a great way to:

Regulate blood sugar.

Balance hormones.

Support detoxification.

Support the gut-skin connection.

How to make a skin-friendly green smoothie

This article on how to make an anti-acne smoothie includes a recipe you can use, plus tips on which veggies, fruits, milks and herbs to add to your smoothie.

6. Chamomile Tea

Research shows that chamomile is:

anti-inflammatory.

rich in antioxidants.

antibacterial and astringent.

beneficial for gut health.

helpful for lowering blood sugar levels.

able to enhance wound healing.

In addition, chamomile tea can be used topically as a toner or mixed into a DIY cleanser. To learn more about this be sure to check out this article about chamomile tea for acne.

How to make chamomile tea for acne-free skin

Place 1 tsp dried chamomile flowers into 1 cup of boiled water. Allow to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

For tea bags, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

To get started you can use these chamomile tea bags.

7. Spearmint Tea

Although there are no studies clearly showing that spearmint tea eliminates acne, research does confirm that spearmint can lower androgens.

The androgens – such as testosterone – are known for contributing to acne.

So, spearmint tea might be a helpful home remedy for clear skin.

In addition to this, spearmint is:

anti-inflammatory.

anti-microbial.

soothing to the digestive system (which can also impact the health of the skin).

How to make spearmint tea for skin

For loose leaf tea, place 1 tsp dried spearmint leaves into 1 cup of boiled water. Allow to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

For tea bags, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Here are some spearmint tea bags that you can use.

8. Fresh Green Juice

From plain celery or cucumber juice, to a mix of veggies and fruits, homemade juices are amazing for the skin. Although they can be consumed during any time of the day, they’re best used as a morning detox drink.

Here are a few benefits of juicing for the skin:

Floods the body with nutrients: Whether we’re talking detoxification, turning over new cells to get rid of scars or healing a wound, everything that the body has to do requires nutrients.

Soothes the gut: gut health plays a significant role in skin health. Juices happen to be great for the gut because they contain soluble fiber. This fiber is essentially prebiotics that feed the probiotics in the gut.

Easy on the digestive system: if you generally have trouble digesting raw foods, then juices are for you. Juices don’t contain any of the hard-to-breakdown insoluble fiber that is in fruits and veggies. As a result juices are easy to absorb.

How to make green juice for glowing skin

Any combination of fruits and veggies can be used in juices. A recipe made of equal parts cucumber, carrots and green apples is a great place to start.

9. Ginger Tea

healthy drinks for clear skin - ginger tea

Ginger is a warming herb that is (3, 4):

Anti-inflammatory: ginger is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods that we can consume. As a result, it’s great for protecting the body from the damaging effects of free radicals.

Regulates blood sugar: a small study done with type 2 diabetics shows that regular intake of ginger powder lowers blood sugar by 12%. Larger studies are needed to re-validate this initial finding and to determine what an ideal dose would be.

May help fade dark spots: ginger contains the antioxidant, gingerol, which has been shown to inhibit melanin production (in mice). More studies are needed to confirm this action in humans, but it makes ginger a potential natural remedy for fading dark spots.

How to make ginger tea for clear skin

How much ginger you use depends entirely on whether or not you enjoy spicy drinks. So feel free to use more or less of it to suit your taste buds.

Wash and thinly slice a 3-inch piece of ginger. You can leave the skin on or peel it.

Add the ginger slices to 1 quart of water in a saucepan.

Cover and bring to a gentle simmer.

Maintain the simmer on low heat for 15 – 20 minutes. Try not to let the tea boil. Adjust the heat as necessary for your stove.

Remove the ginger slices.

Drink as is or sweeten with raw honey and as much fresh lemon juice as you’d like.

10. Dandelion Tea

A sluggish liver makes it difficult to get rid of toxins, balance hormones and subsequently, makes it more difficult to have clear skin. That’s why a liver-friendly herb, like dandelion, is a good addition to your diet.

Dandelion root contains polysaccharides which may be able to protect the liver from free radical damage.

Furthermore, dandelion is a natural source of vitamins A, Bs and C (source).

How to make dandelion tea for blemish-free skin

You can use dandelion leaves, dandelion root or both for a tea.

If using tea bags, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to make it.

Here’s a dandelion root tea to get started with. For a dandelion root and leaf, check out this one.

QUICK TIPS ABOUT USING NATURAL DRINKS FOR BLEMISH-FREE SKIN

Herbal teas are best consumed within a day or two. Store them in the fridge to maintain freshness.

Ideally, juices and smoothies should be consumed immediately. The longer they sit around, the faster they oxidize.

If you absolutely have to store leftover smoothies or juices, put them in a glass mason jar, filled almost to the top and then seal. The less gap you have at the top of the jar, the better (less room for oxygen to get in and interact with the drink).

If you are taking any medication, please check with your doctor before adding teas and herbal waters into your routine. Remember that these drinks regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and more. So, combining them with the wrong meds can have serious consequences.

How much of each drink you need really depends on your specific needs. I suggest finding a naturopathic doctor (ND) or Functional Medicine practitioner to help you figure out the right dosage for you. They will also help you determine the right combo of herbs for your skin. You can find an ND here, while Functional Medicine practitioners can be found over here.

FAQs ABOUT WHAT TO DRINK FOR CLEAR SKIN

Does lemon water clear skin?

While lemon water alone may not be able to get rid of blemishes, it is a good addition to healthy diet. Lemons provide vitamin C, they support digestive function and they contain minerals (which are essential for proper hydration of the skin and entire body).

CONCLUSION

There are countless drinks that you can use at home to get a clear, natural glow. This article has covered just a few to help you get started.

No matter which drink(s) you choose to go with, remember that patience and consistency are key. Give yourself about 2 weeks to a month before you fully evaluate whether a particular drink is helping you or not.

Also, use these drinks as an integral part of your diet. And if you need help figuring out what to eat for clear skin, check out the articles listed below.