If the 2010s could be defined by a drink, it would be green juice.
Once consumed primarily by health nuts and fitness fanatics, juices — specifically, freshly-pressed fruit and vegetable blends —are now nearly as ubiquitous as coffee.
Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, green juice is often touted as a healthy alternative to the sodas and sugary drinks of the early aughts, with proponents claiming “juicing” can do everything from clearing the skin to easing digestion.
So, it should come as no surprise that the beauty world has jumped on the juice bandwagon, too.
Submerging your face in a bowl full of juice for healthy skin would be weird — but using skincare infused with the same ingredients? Now, that’s just smart.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite juiced-up products, from both big-name beauty brands and smaller, indie companies. With hard-working ingredients such as broccoli, spinach and cucumber, these skincare standouts are almost good enough to eat:
Youth To The People Age Prevention Firm and Brighten Serum, $62
Packed with not one, but three superfood ingredients — kale, spinach and green tea — this lightweight serum is like the skincare version of a juice cleanse. High levels of Vitamin C help to reduce wrinkles and fade dark spots; while tripeptide-37 (a type of protein consisting of various amino acids) works to increase the skin’s collagen production by up to 175%.
Yes To Cucumbers Gentle Milk Cleanser, $9
Like all of the products in Yes To’s budget-friendly collection, this award-winning cleanser is almost entirely natural — 98%, to be exact. Designed for sensitive skin, the gentle formula features cucumber and aloe to calm redness and irritation, while green tea leaf extract provides a dose of antioxidants to keep skin healthy and wrinkle-free.
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Juice Beauty Stem Cellular Exfoliating Peel Spray, $49
Though everything in Juice Beauty’s extensive collection consists of naturally-derived, USDA-certified organic ingredients, the brand’s Stem Cellular Exfoliating Peel Spray stands head and shoulders above the rest. The gentle formula features apple, grapefruit and lemon extracts to exfoliate; cucumber and aloe extracts to soothe irritation; and a trio of plant oils to hydrate and nourish thirsty skin.
Éminence Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum, $110
It might be a bit pricey, but this award-winning serum, jam-packed with leafy greens and citrus fruit, is worth every penny. The broccoli, kale and spinach deliver high doses of antioxidants, which help improve elasticity, while lemon and grapefruit oils gently exfoliate to reveal brighter, more even-toned skin.
LUSH Ayesha Fresh Face Mask, $10
When it comes to plant-based beauty, Lush is about as fresh as it gets: This handmade face mask, featuring kiwi, honey and enzyme-rich asparagus, literally needs to be kept in the fridge. Annoying, maybe, but the payoff is worth it: After just once use, skin is tighter, clearer, and brighter — and looks about five years younger.
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