STYLE

Give us a good multi-tasking beauty product and we’re hooked: a mascara that’ll help our lashes grow, a brightening serum that battles acne or a lip gloss that plumps more than just temporarily? Yes, please.

Now, apply those beauty benefits to the bevvy in our tumbler…and it sounds too good to be true. That’s why we asked experts to weigh in on how legit these beauty-boosting sips actually are, so you don’t waste your time (or money) on a potential hydration hoax. Before you pop in that straw, read this.

Beauty sleep...you can drink? 

@katiefangg

We’ve all heard of the perks that come along with chugging H2O. But is there something even better than sipping water? Enter electrolytes. “Electrolytes do more than just hydrate us,” shares integrative nutritionist Cara Clark. “Being hydrated on a cellular level—in which water gets through the cell and into the mitochondria—makes a big difference in our skin and overall health.”

Waterboy Variety Pack Workout Hydration, $45 for 30, waterboy.com; Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sampler Variety Pack, $13 for 5, amazon.com; LMNT Variety Pack, $20 for 12, drinklmnt.com

A simple way to boost your electrolytes? Add a hydration enhancer to your water bottle. You’ve likely seen your favorite influencers promoting  LMNT, Liquid I.V. and Waterboy—which also contain sodium, potassium, magnesium and other added vitamins that help to hydrate you even more than plain water.

A splash of sparkling collagen

Collagen drinks are trending rn, and for good reason: These sips are said to improve skin elasticity and hydration, promising you can get glowy from the inside out.

But do these drinks deliver? It depends, says Maggie Berghoff, a functional nurse practitioner and author of Eat to Treat. “A lot of the pre-made collagen beverages have about 1,000 milligrams of collagen in them.” But to see any real benefit, you’ll need 10 to 15
*grams* of collagen—10 times the amount included.

“It’s not that the drink is ‘bad’ for you by any means,” adds Berghoff. “It’s absolutely better than soda or juice, but it’s not going to give big results.”

@zendaya

And here’s the thing: Teen skin is naturally chock-full of collagen. So if you’re blowing your allowance on pricey skin-plumping bevvies, consider spending it elsewhere. Dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Bowles suggests aloe vera juice, which is known for its soothing properties and may help with skin hydration. Esthetician Tammy Fender adds that coconut water, watermelon juice or cucumber water are also good choices, especially for replenishing minerals lost on a hot day or after a workout.

Vita Coco The Original Coconut Water, $3, walmart.com; Dr. Barbara Sturm x Pressed Beauty Tonic, $7, pressed.com; Wtrmln Wtr Hydration, Cold Pressed Juiced Watermelon Water, $4, target.com

Some of our go-to hydration heroes? Vita coconut water, pressed juicery and WTRMLN WTR. 

A cup of probiotics

@annie.shr

Pre- and probiotics are essential for a healthy gut and can contribute to a strong skin barrier. But the tricky part is ensuring the probiotics you're taking are actually able to make it where they need to go.

"Probiotics in pre-made drinks must be formulated carefully to ensure they remain viable," says Dr. Bowles. She recommends looking for products that "guarantee live cultures at the time of consumption." Easier said than done, although there are options out there, like Health-Ade Kombucha or Lifeway Kefir.

But just because your beverage boasts pre- or probiotics, it doesn't mean your body is able to absorb them. That's why Clark suggests supplements instead. "I like probiotics to stand alone so they can get into the gut and do what they need to without the body being in digestive mode." Instead of a drink, look for a supplement option that combines both pre- and probiotics in one bottle (try HUM Skin Squad Pre+Probiotic). 

Health-Ade Fan Favorite Variety Pack, $50 for 12, health-ade.com; HUM Skin Squad Pre + Probiotic, $40, humnutrition.com

Know before you sip

The biggest bevvy no-no of all? Excess sweeteners and additives, known to be skin saboteurs. Be sure your drink has less than 8 grams of sugar, says Berghoff, and also avoid ingredients like artificial flavorings, food dye coloring, gums or carrageenan.

“Think to yourself, is this found in nature?” Berghoff says about what to look for on that ingredient list. If you don’t recognize what’s in your drink, it’s best to sip on something else.

Au naturel 

Although the idea of a drink with skin savers sounds nice, the simple fact is that it’s prob best to get your beauty-boosting nutrition the old-fashioned way: through whole foods. “I’m a huge fan of fresh-pressed juices and vegetables in their raw and natural state when choosing a drink or snack,” Fender says. “Our bodies absorb the good stuff from these natural sources so easily, and it shows in the radiance of our skin.”

The bottom line? “All of these drinks are truly just a bonus,” says Clark. “They will add additional benefits to a body that is already well supported by food, sleep, exercise and lifestyle choices.” Cheers!

Skin food for thought

Fill your plate (or cup) with these science-backed beauty boosters, according to dermatologist Dr. Alexandra Bowles.

🥖🍎🥦 High-fiber foods: Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes can help regulate blood sugar levels, reducing insulin spikes that may trigger acne.

🐟🌰 Omega-3 fatty acids: Fatty fish (like salmon and mackerel), flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts have anti-inflammatory properties that can help calm acne and redness.

🥛🥒 Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi support gut health, which can have a positive impact on skin and reduce inflammation.

🥕🍠🥬 Vitamin A: Sweet potatoes, carrots, spinach and kale help reduce sebum production (aka the stuff that causes breakouts).

🥑🌻 Vitamin E: Almonds, sunflower seeds and avocados help protect the skin from damage and support healing.

🍵🍃 Green tea: The brew contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce acne.

Hey, girl! Just wanted to let you know that this story originally ran in our October/November 2024 issue. Want more? Read the print mag for free *today* when you click HERE.

Check out more beauty secrets below:
💗 How to do a hair gloss at home
💗 Here's how to clear your skin from the inside out
💗 The beginner's guide to lipstick

Top and slider image: @livmangrum
Formatted for digital by Diamond Johnson.

by Lisa DeSantis | 10/28/2024