There’s skincare on your shelf.

And then there’s skincare in your tote bag.

When summer hits, the sun comes out, the shorts get shorter, and Mother Nature turns into your esthetician. The best skin of your life might start at the Saturday morning market.

Here’s what I’m tossin’ in my bag this month (and why it’s basically a whole-body glow-up), plus two easy, dreamy recipes to keep your gut happy and your skin saying “thank you, darlin’.”

Btw, here's a link to my current fave tote bag 🤠

 

🩷 Lychee

Good for: hydration, vitamin C, collagen, being a pink jewel of a fruit

Lychee’s only here for a hot second, and she’s bringing dewy skin with her. These juicy little love bombs are full of antioxidants, boost collagen, and taste like a floral candy from heaven. You’ll find ‘em at Asian produce stands—buy them by the bunch and eat ‘em cold on the porch or use them in a cooling smoothie (recipe below!). Skin = plumped.

 

🥛 Raw Milk

Good for: hormone support, gut health, skin elasticity, actual glow

Unpasteurized, creamy, full-fat real milk is one of the most underrated skincare secrets. Rich in bioavailable vitamins A, D, K2, and probiotics, raw milk helps balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and support skin from the inside-out. Add it to smoothies, pour over fruit, or sip straight from a cold glass like a 1950s dairy queen.

 

🍓 Strawberries

Good for: vitamin C, collagen, glowy cheeks

These sun-ripened babes fight inflammation and support collagen, making your skin firmer, brighter, and a little more flirtatious.

 

🫐 Blueberries

Good for: antioxidants, sun stress recovery, feeling like a forest fairy

Blueberries help protect against UV damage and repair stressed skin. Wild ones are extra potent—add them to anything or eat by the sticky handful.

 

🥬 Dandelion Greens

Good for: liver detox, clear skin, balancing oil production

Bitter greens support your body’s detox pathways (aka your liver), which helps your skin stay clear, bright, and less reactive. They’re like spring cleaning, but for your face.

 

🥚 Pasture-Raised Eggs

Good for: biotin, protein, strong skin + nails

These yolks are nature’s multivitamin. Vitamin A, D, E, and B12—aka the good stuff for resilient skin, shiny hair, and energy that doesn’t fizzle out by 2 p.m.

 

🍑 Peaches

Good for: hydration, soft skin, lipgloss-level juiciness

Peaches bring vitamin C and A to the party and make your skin feel as soft as they taste. Eat one while leaning over the sink—non-negotiable.

 

🍯 Local Raw Honey

Good for: microbiome, allergies, digestion

A spoon a day keeps the gut weirdness away. Supports your skin from the inside by reducing inflammation and balancing gut flora.

 

🌿 Fresh Herbs (Mint, Basil, Parsley)

Good for: cooling, detoxing, skin-calming

Throw a handful in everything. They’re not just for garnish—they’re medicine in disguise.

 

Bonus Darlin’-Approved Summer Recipes

 

1. Lychee Glow Milkshake (with Colostrum Magic)

Basically skincare in a glass.

Ingredients:

• 5–6 fresh lychees, peeled and pitted
• 1 cup raw milk
• 1 scoop high-quality bovine colostrum powder (we like this vanilla one!)
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 tiny pinch of sea salt
• 1 raw egg yolk (just trust)
• Optional: splash of rose water or a drop of vanilla extract
• Ice

Instructions:
Blend lychees, raw milk, colostrum, honey, egg yolk and sea salt until creamy and smooth. Pour over ice. Sip slowly while romanticizing your entire life. It tastes like a tropical milk cloud and works like internal skincare—collagen support, gut healing, immune boost, and that post-vacation glow.

Top with whipped raw cream if you're feelin' fancy!

Why it works:
Colostrum is packed with growth factors, peptides, and immune support. Combine that with the vitamin C and polyphenols in lychee and the healthy fats in raw milk, and you’ve got yourself a glow-up that starts in the gut and shows up on your face.

Can’t find lychee? No worries, darlin’. Try pomegranate arils, blueberries, or raspberries instead. Still sweet, still glow-inducing, and probably in your fridge already.

 

 

2. Strawberry-Peach Summer Salad with Dandelion Greens & Grilled Shrimp

Skin food that slaps.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe peaches, sliced
• 1 cup strawberries, halved
• 1 big handful dandelion greens or arugula
• Fresh mint leaves
• Feta or goat cheese (optional but dreamy)
• Grilled wild-caught shrimp or sliced grilled chicken (grill using grass-fed tallow for extra yummy flavor)

Dressing:

• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
• Sea salt to taste

Instructions:
Toss salad ingredients in a bowl. Whisk dressing, drizzle on top, and eat outside if you can. Bonus points for eating barefoot.

Why it works: Bitter greens like dandelion help support your liver—aka your skin’s detox partner—while peaches and strawberries bring antioxidants and hydration. Add protein like shrimp or chicken, and you've got a full-body glow meal disguised as lunch.

 

Final Thoughts From Your Skin’s Favorite Cowgirl:

Summer skincare doesn’t have to be 7 serums deep.
Sometimes all you need is the sun on your face, some real food, and a farmer who knows your name.

Fill your basket. Feed your skin. And don’t forget to flirt with the guy selling eggs. 😉

Tag us @getdarlin with your market hauls—because we wanna see what you’re cookin’ up.