Good news: here are 5 desserts you can eat and actually get glowing skin

We can all count the ways we love our desserts but unfortunately, it’s often labelled as the bad guy we need to avoid if we want clear, glowing skin (read: refined sugar). Two reasons: one, refined sugar is very acidic and is one of the possible contributors to acne.

Two, it also acts as a beauty leach in your body, upsetting mineral levels, draining your skin of vitamin E, and breaking down collagen which leads to premature ageing. In addition, it can affect your adrenal glands, and this imbalance tends to show up on your face in the form of dark under-eye circles.

Psst… Read till the end to learn about a “dessert” that you can actually spread on your face for skin-hydrating benefits!

Does this mean we’re supposed to just skip our ice cream and cupcakes entirely?

Well, here’s the good news: you don’t have to necessarily give up desserts entirely. But, you do have to be selective with your dessert options.

Apart from choosing sweetener components that are low-glycemic and low in fructose, it’ll also help to opt for desserts made with wholesome, natural ingredients that are actually good for your skin and body.

Ahead, we rounded up a handful of options that you can satisfy your sweet tooth with ease without having to worry about skin deterioration.

5 desserts that are actually good for your skin – and still very yummy

Raw chocolate

Chocolate lovers can rejoice because – get this – cacao is a superfood that comes with a ton of wonderful skin benefits!

Since the ingredient is packed with antioxidants that can help combat free radical damage along with vitamin C, magnesium, and enzymes that support cellular repair and assist in keeping the skin healthy, including some quality raw chocolate in your diet can help prevent premature ageing and support a beautiful complexion.

Try to go for those that have at least 70% cacao and are sweetened with a natural healthy alternative to sugar, such as stevia or coconut nectar, to ensure you’re getting plenty of the good stuff.

Coconut cream

There’s a reason why coconut is a huge favourite among nutritionists and beauty lovers – it has a chock-full of health benefits and is the beauty Messiah. Eating it as a dessert is easy as ABC – all you need is a can of coconut milk, some coconut nectar, and pure vanilla extract for sweetness.

Simply scoop up all the creamy part of the coconut milk (leave the water in the can behind), mix it with two teaspoons of coconut nectar and half a teaspoon of vanilla, and whisk the ingredients into a light fluff. Store the mixture in the fridge overnight or until it’s ready to serve, and that’s it!

Chia seed pudding

The humble chia seed may look unassuming but it is actually a “skin food” star and a nutritional game-changer when it comes to achieving glowing skin.

That’s because chia seeds are loaded with fibre which functions to get rid of toxins and cholesterol – and they are also one of the best ways to get your bowel motions regular again. When your body is healthy on the inside, this shows on the outside and your skin – the body’s largest organ – will look its best.

On top of that, you’ll also be happy to know that chia seeds are also a complete plant-based source of protein, meaning they contain all the essential amino acids – which play a key role in building and repairing healthy tissue structures – required by the body, plus help stabilise blood sugar levels to keep you full and prevent unhealthy cravings.

Making your own chia seed puddings is incredibly easy too. Simply mix them with liquid (any kind of milk is a great option) and add-ins of your choice, then let the mixture sit in the fridge until a delicious, thick texture forms. We like ours with fruits like kiwi, berries, grapes, and banana along with crunchy nuts!

Avocado mousse

A dessert made from avocado? Yes, this creamy wonder food makes the perfect mousse base!

When blended smooth with a dash of almond milk or coconut water and combined with your favourite healthy sweetener and natural flavourings such as lime, vanilla or cinnamon, you will no longer see avocado as just the topping on your toast.

Rich in healthy fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, avocados work to improve your skin from the inside out. These antioxidant properties are actually the key to help protect the skin from environmental damage that brings fine lines, wrinkles, and other visible signs of ageing to the surface.

Additionally, this delicious fruit assists in the production of collagen and elastin to maintain the skin’s structure and firmness. Filled with healthy fats, avocados are deeply moisturising to leave skin soft and hydrated.

Make your own with this easy three-ingredient recipe that we found!

Turmeric latte

Okay, this one is technically a drink but trust us, it sure hits the spot when you’re craving something sweet after dinner. Plus, any delicious way to get turmeric’s famous skin-rejuvenating benefits in the system is, in our opinion, a welcomed opportunity for your beauty.

Not only is turmeric abundant in antioxidants but it also has anti-inflammatory properties that have been linked to everything from lowered cholesterol to improved joint pain.

In the skin health department, this ancient spice boasts the ability to help reduce redness and acne scarring while calming conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. It can assist in softening lines and wrinkles as well, giving you a more youthful appearance.

If you fancy something cold, you could get the beautifying benefits of turmeric by adding it to a smoothie too!

Here’s a zero-calorie “dessert” that your skin will definitely enjoy

While you treat yourself to some delicious desserts, here’s one sweet treat that’s made especially for your skin – minus the calories! Meet Hada Labo Snow Dew Moisturizer, the latest facial moisturiser that’s joining Hada Labo’s highly affordable range of lotions and creams.

Powered by four types of hyaluronic acid, ceramide, lilac, and Swiss edelweiss essence, the Hada Labo Snow Dew Moisturizer is designed to deliver intense hydration to parched skin while rebalancing sebum levels and providing a mattifying finish.

In other words, it is one of the perfect hydrating yet oil-controlling moisturisers to have in your skincare arsenal, especially if you have oily skin.

But, the formulation isn’t just the only special thing about Snow Dew. In fact, it comes in a unique sorbet texture that helps to cool the skin, much like a thirst-quenching dessert for your skin that’s highly suited for our humid weather! What could be better than that?

Hada Labo Snow Dew Moisturizer review

Daily Vanity had the chance to try the all-new Snow Dew shortly after its launch and together with our 10 readers who reviewed the formula for two weeks, we must say we were pretty impressed.

While sorbet-textured face creams aren’t exactly new, Hada Labo actually managed to develop a texture that closely resembles a gelato sorbet instead of the conventional lightweight gel creams that are then labelled to have a sorbet texture.

Thanks to its one-of-a-kind texture, Snow Dew absorbed really easily into the skin without any stickiness by quickly turning into a watery layer that spread easily on the skin as we massaged it in.

Seeing that it’s a sorbet-like moisturiser, we decided to chuck it into the fridge to see if it can still moisturise our skin effectively while offering an extra cooling effect.

Guess what? It did! The chilled moisturiser further intensified the sorbet texture of the cream, which remained easy to spread even though it wasn’t kept at room temperature. Using the cold moisturiser every morning immediately perked up our skin, and we loved using it to refresh our mien on a hot day too!

For best results, it is recommended to pair Snow Dew with Hada Labo’s Hydrating Lotion (S$22.90). Use the lotion first after cleansing followed by a layer of Snow Dew Moisturizing Cream on your face and neck.

The Hada Labo Snow Dew Moisturizer retails for S$30.90 at Watsons and Guardian as well as online at Lazada and Shopee.

This article is brought to you by Hada Labo.