Spring is fast approaching (high five!), which means goodbye to freezing temps and hello to heaps of sunshine (we can hope!)

But how do we get a spring glow when winter has done a number on our skin, leaving us with a dull, dreary complexion?

Well, you’re in the right place to find out! Read on to discover how to get your glow on in the most natural way possible, from what you eat to what you put on your face, plus a few other bonus tips that will take your skin from blah to hurrah!

Exfoliate

To start off, it’s time to get rid of all those dead skin cells by exfoliating. Think of it as literally sloughing (very gently!) the effects of winter off your face.

Luckily, it’s easy to make your own scrub using ingredients you already have in your kitchen, along with a couple of your favorite essential oils. Here is a DIY scrub recipe that we love at Cynaglow--use it once a week for best results.

Softening Sugar Scrub

What you need:

• 1 tsp of sugar (preferably organic cane sugar)
• 2-3 drops of water
• 2 drops of a spring-scented essential oil, such as lemon, orange, or lavender

How to make:

Combine ingredients in small bowl, then use tips of fingers to gently apply scrub to already cleansed face. Remove by rinsing with lukewarm water. Pat dry with a towel, et voila, a fresher, more radiant complexion.

Eat right

It’s not difficult to eat healthy in the spring months, with fresh, local produce readily available in the markets.

But what foods will ensure a glow that looks like it comes from within? Include plenty of the following in your daily diet and you’ll look radiant in no time!

Fruits and Vegetables

Yeah, we all know we should be eating more fruit and veg, but now we have a really good reason to do so. A study from the Evolution and Human Behavior Journal found that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables gives you more of a glow than you’d get from basking in the sun.

That’s right! Fruit and vegetables don’t just do wonders for your body, they also make you more beautiful. Someone pass a sweet potato, stat!

Omega 3s

Eating plenty of omega 3s can really help heal the effects that winter has on the skin.

These mega-healthy fatty acids play an essential role in both the structure and the appearance of the skin and are wonderful at helping lock in moisture and eradicate inflammation.

Great sources of omega 3s are fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel, as well as walnuts, flaxseeds, and flax oil.

Bone Broth

Vegetarians, look away! One amazing source of collagen, a youth-boosting protein produced in abundance by the body when we’re young, is bone broth.

Bone broth also helps eliminate skin-aging inflammation and is packed full of minerals and essential amino acids.

Get enough sleep!

Hey, it’s called beauty sleep for a reason! Getting enough zzz’s is essential if you want your skin to look radiant and smooth for the spring.

Without enough sleep, the cortisol levels in your body increase significantly. This leads to inflammation, and inflammation leads to skin that is rough and sallow. Time to hit the pillow!

Feed your skin

You know we’re all about keeping it as natural as possible at Cynaglow, and so when we say feed your skin, we mean it quite literally!

Trying to create a glow with makeup is fine, but it’s much better to have your own natural glow underneath. That way, whatever makeup you put on top will look even better.

The best way to feed your face is with oils. Think thick, skin-nourishing oils like avocado and coconut, which, combined with a few essential oils, will make you a true glow-getter!

For the warmer months, look for essential oil scents that are light and uplifting, such as geranium, lemongrass, and lavender.

Here’s a DIY recipe that will make you glow like a goddess! We’ve used jojoba oil as it’s great for all skin types, though feel free to use a different carrier oil.

Glow-Boosting Facial Oil

What you need:

• 1 oz of jojoba oil
• 1-2 drops of essential oil (spring-scented lavender is excellent for all skin types; for more information on the best oils for your skin type, look here.)

How to make:

Simply add ingredients to a dark glass jar and mix by gently rolling bottle between palms. Pop a couple of drops in your hand and pat on to face at least once daily.

However, if you’re not in the mood to be a DIY princess, fear not!  Beautycounter has you covered with its excellent Facial Oil Collection.

These three luxurious oils address different skin concerns. They are:

• #1 Brightening Facial Oil-- This award-winning oil not only smells like a spring morning, it also contains vitamin C and other skin-boosting oils to give dull skin a glow in no time flat!
• #2 Plumping Facial Oil-- This oil is skin food for those with dry skin and/or mature skin. It contains rich argan oil and jasmine essential oil to minimize fine lines and to plump the skin to perfection!
• #3 Balancing Facial Oil--Perfect for all skin types, this restorative oil uses softening meadowfoam seed oil and wild chamomile to restore balance and soothe skin.

Whichever oil you choose, we know you’ll love the radiance it helps you achieve.

Now it’s your turn! Do you have any tips of your own on how to look glowing and gorgeous in time for the spring? We’d love to hear from you!