Skin-Friendly Summer Treats to Try Now

Summer demands something cold, refreshing, and a bit on the sweet side. But not too sweet. Maintaining a low glycemic diet is important not just for your overall health, but also for avoiding the inflammation and accelerated aging associated with processed sugars and refined carbs. That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on summer’s sweetest ritual, the popsicle.

Skip the store-bought variety and make your own with fresh, wholesome ingredients and natural, lower glycemic sweeteners. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite skin-friendly treats to make your summer a little sweeter without compromising your glow.

APRICOT-SICLES

Makes 6

INGREDIENTS

10 ripe organic apricots, cut in half and pitted

½ tsp pure almond extract

1 tbsp honey

DIRECTIONS

No need to peel apricots unless you are using non-organic. Blend everything up until smooth.

Pour into molds and insert sticks. If you like, keep one apricot out of the blender, cut into chunks and drop a few apricot chunks into each mold for some added visual appeal. Freeze until firm.

BENEFITS

Apricots are on the low end of the glycemic scale but are loaded with sweet goodness and beneficial nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, copper, and manganese. They need little in the way of enhancement to turn them into a sunny summer refresher.

WATERMELON CHILLIN’

Makes 6

INGREDIENTS

2 cups seedless watermelon, rind removed, flesh cut into chunks

¼ cup fresh lime juice

¼ fresh mint

DIRECTIONS

Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into molds and insert sticks. Freeze until solid.

BENEFITS

Watermelon is more than just a refreshing treat. This summertime staple is positively swimming with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, lycopene, carotenoids. Plus, it’s high in glutathione, an antioxidant known to inhibit the melanin-producing enzyme tyrosinase, making it a supporter of even skin tone.

I LOVE YOU SO MATCHA!

Makes 6

INGREDIENTS

2 cups low-fat coconut milk

3 tbsp honey, agave, or maple syrup

1 tbsp matcha green tea powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

¼ chopped pistachios (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Blend all ingredients except pistachios. Pour into molds, leaving a little room at the top. Add a layer of pistachios to each. Insert sticks. Freeze until solid.

BENEFITS

Green tea has a superabundance of bioactive polyphenols that protect cells and DNA from free radical damage and help maintain healthy collagen formation. It’s also rich in antioxidant vitamins E and C. It’s a true skin care super-hero.

BLOOD ORANGE AND YOGURT CREAMSICLES

Makes 6

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ cups plain, whole milk Greek yogurt

¾ cup blood orange juice (about 4 blood oranges)

½ tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp honey

¼ chopped pistachios

DIRECTIONS

Blend all ingredients except pistachios. Pour into molds, leaving a little room at the top. Add a layer of pistachios to each. Insert sticks. Freeze until solid.

BENEFITS

Aside from the fact that they are delicious and provide a colorful twist on the traditional 50/50 bar, blood oranges pack some advantages over a navel orange. The blood orange gets its deep red/purple color from its anthocyanin content, a potent antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Add that to the vitamin C content, and the blood orange delivers double-barrel skin benefits.

CHERRY ALMOND CHILLAX

Makes 6

INGREDIENTS

2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk

½ cup pitted cherries, chopped

1 tbsp maple syrup

½ tsp pure almond extract

DIRECTIONS

Blend almond milk, maple syrup, and almond extract in a blender. Keep cherries aside. Pour liquid into molds, filling about halfway. Divide cherry pieces and add to molds. Continue filling to top and insert sticks. Freeze until solid.

BENEFITS

Almond milk is a low cal, low carb, low sugar dairy alternative that gives these frozen pops a guilt-free creaminess that’s seriously satisfying. Make sure to choose the unsweetened variety, though. The sweetened versions are loaded with added sugar. Almond milk is also high in vitamin E and contains healthy fats to repair and nourish skin.

AVO-COLADA

Makes 6

INGREDIENTS

2 avocados, pitted

1 cup full-fat coconut milk

¼ cup of fresh pineapple

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

DIRECTIONS

Scoop avocado flesh into a blender. Add coconut milk, pineapple, and lime juice and purée until smooth. Divide among molds and insert sticks. Freeze until solid.

BENEFITS

Avocados are pure nutritional gold for the skin. Rich in linoleic and other fatty acids that nourish cell membranes. High in antioxidant vitamins C and E. Loaded with potassium, which helps maintain cell integrity. Coconut milk has an abundance of vitamins and minerals. It also has a lot of fat, but you’re only getting a small amount in each bar. You could substitute low-fat coconut milk. The result will be slightly less creamy, no less dreamy.