5 drinks to clear the complexion and get a clear skin

They say glowing skin starts from within and no, it’s not just a beauty cliché. What you sip daily can make or break your skin health. While expensive creams and ten-step skincare routines have their place, glowing, clear skin often begins in your kitchen. Hydration, vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory ingredients can do wonders, especially when consumed regularly. So if you’re tired of breakouts, dullness, or uneven tone, maybe it’s time to pay more attention to your drink choices.

Here are five amazing drinks you can add to your routine that are known to clear up your complexion and boost your skin health:

by TOI Lifestyle Desk

Simple, timeless, and incredibly effective—starting your day with warm lemon water is a skin-care ritual many swear by. It’s hydrating, detoxifying, and packed with vitamin C, which helps in collagen production and fighting free radicals. But if you want to give it an extra boost, add a few drops of honey and a pinch of turmeric. Honey is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, while turmeric is a powerhouse when it comes to calming the skin and reducing redness.

How it helps:

Flushes out toxins

Brightens dull skin

Reduces inflammation and breakouts

Helps balance pH levels

Pro tip: Drink this on an empty stomach for best results.

Green tea is like liquid gold for your skin. It's rich in antioxidants, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), which is known to reduce acne, fight inflammation, and protect against sun damage. Matcha, a powdered form of green tea, is even more potent and has calming properties thanks to L-theanine.

How it helps:

Calms irritated skin

Reduces sebum production (goodbye, acne!)

Delivers a healthy dose of antioxidants

Slows signs of ageing

Drink tip: For a creamier and more delicious version, try a matcha latte made with oat milk or almond milk.

You’ve probably used aloe vera on sunburns or irritated skin but did you know drinking aloe juice regularly can help clear your complexion? It’s loaded with vitamins A, C, and E, all essential for radiant skin. Aloe is also known to promote gut health, and since a healthy gut means happy skin, this drink is a double win.

How it helps:

Hydrates and plumps up the skin

Promotes collagen production

Reduces acne-causing inflammation

Heals the skin from within

Caution: Always choose pure, unsweetened aloe vera juice, and start with a small quantity to see how your body reacts.

This bright red-orange blend is like a skin detox in a glass. Beetroot is rich in iron, folic acid, and antioxidants, while carrot delivers a high dose of beta-carotene (Vitamin A), essential for skin cell renewal and that coveted glow. This combo not only improves your skin tone but also helps reduce blemishes and dark spots.

How it helps:

Detoxifies the liver (which reflects on your skin)

Reduces pigmentation and evens out the skin tone

Boosts blood circulation to give a natural flush

Prevents dryness and dullness

Pro tip: Add a small piece of ginger or a dash of lemon to enhance the flavour and add extra anti-inflammatory benefits.

If you find plain water too boring, jazz it up with cucumber and mint. This super refreshing drink is ideal for hydrating the skin while also reducing puffiness and calming breakouts. Cucumber is loaded with silica, a compound that strengthens skin tissues and improves elasticity.

How it helps:

Deeply hydrates the skin

Cools the system, reducing skin redness

Flushes out toxins

Promotes a fresh, dewy complexion

Pro tip: Let the cucumber and mint steep in water overnight for the best results. You can also throw in lemon slices for added vitamin C.

Bonus: Things to avoid for better skin

While adding these drinks to your routine is a great idea, try to cut back on sugary sodas, excessive caffeine, and alcohol, as they tend to dehydrate the skin and trigger breakouts. Also, avoid fruit juices with added sugar- opt for fresh, homemade ones instead.

You don’t need to spend thousands on skincare products when nature already offers some of the best beauty boosters in liquid form. Staying hydrated with nutrient-rich drinks can clear your complexion, tighten your pores, and give you that elusive glow from within. The key is consistency. Pick two or three drinks from this list that you genuinely enjoy and make them a part of your daily or weekly routine.

So go ahead, sip your way to glowing skin, your mirror (and Instagram selfies) will thank you!