By Sherrell Dorsey

There is no such thing as instant gratification when it comes to getting or maintaining naturally healthy skin and hair. You can’t go to a plastic surgeon for a procedure and you can’t buy a “fix it” pill that will turn dull, abused and neglected skin into a glowing spectacle overnight. With a little bit of time and undying commitment you can transform your skin this Spring with our recommended naturally beauty fixes.

FOOD
You’ve heard the saying: “You are what you eat.” And it is true. What we put in our bodies greatly influences the appearance of our skin and hair health. Instantly improve the look of your skin by changing your diet and purging any destructive lifestyle habits by incorporating foods high in anti-oxidants (blueberries, strawberries, green tea), essential fatty-acids (salmon, walnuts, canola oil and flax seed) and whole grains (wheat bread and cereals). Smoking, drugs, a high-fat diet and an overall unhealthy lifestyle not only contributes to sallow skin and hair, but also diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease amongst many others.

VITAMINS
Remember your alphabet when choosing supplements. Vitamin’s A, B, C, and E are the best natural beauty enhancers that you can get from food or food-based vitamins.

Loaded with antioxidants, vitamins can encourage scalp health, hair growth and give moisture to dry or aging skin.

We recommend Glowelle, a dietary “beauty drink” enhanced with natural vitamins and antioxidants that give you healthy-looking skin from the inside out. It comes in a 50-calorie powder stick form that can be taken on the go and added to a bottle of water. Find out more at www.glowelle.com.

HERBS
Have you ever soaked in your favorite bath salts or oils after a long hard day or to gain relief from dry or itchy skin? You can do the same with a variety of herbs to relax the mind, heal the body and nurture the spirit.

Herbs for dry skin: Dandelion, Clary Sage and March Mallow
Herbs for oily skin: Lavender and Rosemary
Herbs for sensitive skin: Spearmint, Borage and Lemon Balm

Find your herbs at your local health food store or vitamin store. Wrap your herbs tightly in a cheese cloth and add to a warm relaxing bath.

The best beauty recipe for healthy skin and hair is exercising and taking time to relax and de-stress. Take care of yourself this season and watch your skin and hair glow.