Summer is the season of sunshine, tan lines, and fresh starts. But it’s also when your skin needs extra love. The secret to that smooth, glowing, glass skin look isn’t just in skincare bottles—it’s on your plate and in your glass. Yes, what you eat matters! And yes, there’s a must-eat foods this summer list that can help you achieve it.
So, let’s explore the top must-eat foods this summer and the refreshing drinks that will not only keep you cool but also bring out that clean, radiant skin we all dream of.
Watermelon – Summer’s Favorite Glow Booster
Let’s get real—this isn’t just a picnic snack, it’s nature’s 2-in-1 skincare product. Every juicy bite delivers 92% water for instant plumping (beat that, hyaluronic acid) plus lycopene—a pigment that acts like internal sunscreen by fighting UV damage at the cellular level.
Pro move: Blend frozen chunks with mint for an inflammation-fighting sorbet that reduces redness while cooling you down. That “just-glowed-up” look? It’s yours by dessert.
Skin bonus: Regular watermelon snacks can help reduce acne and dryness, giving you smooth, Korean skin vibes.
Coconut Water – The Glow-Getter Drink
Looking for the ultimate must-have drink this summer? Coconut water is it. It’s nature’s energy drink, packed with electrolytes and antioxidants. It hydrates your skin from the inside and helps flush out toxins.
Glow tip: Drink a glass daily to support clean skin and fight off dullness.
Cucumber – Cool, Crunchy, and Clear-Skin Friendly
Cucumbers are light, fresh, and 95% water. They’re a perfect addition to salads, sandwiches, or detox water. If you’re aiming for glass skin, don’t skip this one.
Why it works: Cucumber cools the body and keeps your skin calm, especially during those hot, sticky days.
Mint-Lemon Water – Simple but Powerful
A true classic, this detox drink is more than just trendy—it’s a must-have drink this summer. It boosts digestion, freshens your breath, and most importantly, gives your skin a natural glow.
Best part? It’s super easy to make at home. Just slice a lemon, add a few mint leaves, and enjoy all day long.
Berries + Yogurt – Sweet Skin Therapy
Mix strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries with plain yogurt for a tasty, skin-friendly treat. This combo is not only delicious but also one of the top must-have foods this summer.
Why your skin will thank you:
Yogurt has probiotics that improve gut health (hello, clear skin)
Berries are rich in vitamin C, helping you get that bright, even-toned Korean skin
Iced Green Tea – Sip Your Way to Glass Skin
Switch your sugary drinks with iced green tea. It’s refreshing, antioxidant-rich, and a total skin saver. If you want that clean, soft glow, make this your go-to must-have drink this summer.
Pro tip: Add a dash of honey and a few mint leaves for flavor and extra skin benefits.
Pineapple: Your Tropical Skin Detoxifier
This isn’t just a poolside snack—it’s nature’s exfoliator working from the inside out. That tangy sweetness? It’s bromelain, a powerful enzyme that:
- Digests dead skin cells (bye-bye, rough texture)
- Calms angry breakouts like an edible anti-inflammatory
- Boosts collagen production for long-term bounce
Pro Hack: Grill rings with cinnamon (heat increases enzyme activity) for a dessert that doubles as a skin treatment. Your pores will thank you by morning.
Tomatoes – Natural Sunscreen
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which offers mild protection from UV rays. It’s one of those sneaky must-eat foods this summer that works from the inside out. It is a natural skin care.
Great for: Fighting sun damage
Skin goal: Protected, glowing skin
Papaya – The Skin Brightener
Forget expensive serums—this tropical powerhouse is nature’s answer to dull skin. Packed with papain (a gentler alternative to chemical exfoliants) and a triple-threat of vitamins A, C, and E, papaya works overtime to:
- Fade dark spots like an all-natural retinol
- Unclog pores without stripping your skin
- Accelerate scar healing (take that, post-acne marks)
Pro Move: Mash ripe papaya with honey for a brightening face mask that tastes as good as it makes you glow. Eat it for breakfast, wear it as a treatment—this is 360-degree skincare.
Bell Peppers – Vitamin C Bombs
Colorful bell peppers are rich in Vitamin C, which supports collagen production and helps your skin stay youthful and firm.
Great for: Anti-aging + firmness
Skin goal: Clean and plump skin
Aloe Vera Juice – Calm from Within
If your skin is sensitive or prone to redness, aloe vera juice is a gentle but effective must-have drink this summer. It cools, soothes, and clears the skin from within.
Great for: Inflammation and sensitivity
Skin goal: Korean skin calmness
Mango – The Radiance Fruit
This isn’t just dessert—it’s nature’s tanning pill. That vibrant orange flesh is packed with beta-carotene that:
- Boosts radiance from within (no self-tanner streaks)
- Acts as internal sunscreen by increasing UV resistance
- Repairs sun damage with vitamin C’s collagen boost
Pro Hack: Freeze chunks with coconut milk for a skin-plumping “cream-sicle” that fights inflammation while satisfying sweet cravings. Your glow-up just got delicious.
GLASS SKIN IS MADE IN THE KITCHEN – HERE’S YOUR EDIBLE SKINCARE ROUTINE
Forget magic potions – that summer glow starts with what you put on your plate. Hydration heroes like watermelon (nature’s SPF booster) and cucumber (hello, silica for collagen) work from the inside out, while omega-rich salmon repairs your moisture barrier better than any cream.
Sip on antioxidant-packed green tea to neutralize UV damage, and swap sugary drinks for coconut water – your skin’s ultimate electrolyte recharge.
Pro tip: That 3pm chocolate craving? Dark berries satisfy your sweet tooth while fighting inflammation. Feed your skin right, and you’ll wake up with a radiance no highlighter can replicate.