Skin Perfection with Pumpkin!

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It’s October, so that can only mean one thing: pumpkin is everywhere! Whether you’re sipping on that pumpkin spice latte or baking another batch of pumpkin muffins, this delightful fruit from the squash family is a must-have as soon as cooler weather comes knocking.

While pumpkin is a delicious treat to enjoy throughout the autumn season, there’s also plenty of benefit to be had for your health and skin! Packed with vitamins, including B, C and E as well as beta-carotene, pumpkin offers a number of benefits to improve the look and feel of your skin.

Minerals
An assortment of potent minerals are found in pumpkin, including iron, zinc, potassium and magnesium, all of which are important for skincare and even the health of your hair. Zinc in particular plays a powerful role by maintaining ample collagen levels in the skin, protecting cell membranes from destructive free radicals and encouraging skin cell renewal. Are you dealing with breakouts or acne flare-ups? Zinc can help.

Vitamin B
Although many of us just look to pumpkin as a seasonal treat, the truth is that it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods out there for skin and overall health. Pumpkin is a great source of much of the vitamin B family, including B6, folate, niacin and riboflavin. In turn, these vitamins promote healthy, nourished skin by increasing circulation and encouraging quicker cell turnover rates, which lead to a more vibrant appearance.

Vitamin C
Though all vitamins are necessary for optimal health, pumpkin contains a good amount of vitamin C, which is crucial in anti-aging skincare routines. Vitamin C boosts collagen production, which leaves skin supple and firm over time.

Carotenoids
Fruits or vegetables that are deep orange in hue contain a number of antioxidants that protect the skin and body from free radicals and UV damage, particularly beta-carotene and alpha-carotene. It should go without saying that anything that protects the skin against UV damage or free radicals is an exceptional ingredient to use on the skin!

Now that you have an idea just how healthy a pumpkin can be for the health of your skin and body, why not create nourishing, natural products and reap those benefits in the form of beauty scrubs and masks?

Before you get started, it’s important to remember that the type of pumpkin puree you use makes a huge difference. You can find your pumpkin puree in two ways–canned or fresh. While fresh is always the way to go, it does take a bit more time and planning to prep a pumpkin for use. You will need to scoop out the seeds; save them! Grind them up finely to use as a body scrub or eat them as a health snack. Then cut the pumpkin down into smaller pieces, steam, bake or boil them until the inner fleshy part is soft. Once it’s soft, simply cut it away from the outer skin and allow it to cool before combining it with other ingredients to make your skin care products. If you’re short on time, canned pumpkin is an acceptable alternative; just make sure you are using pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains a hefty amount of sugar and other preservatives.

An additional benefit of using pumpkin in your natural skin care products is that you typically combine it with other amazing ingredients such as full-fat yogurt, egg whites or even apple cider vinegar. These substances all have their own special benefits to shrinking pores, reducing the appearance of fine lines, and giving the skin a substantial dose of vitamins and minerals. Here are just some of the recipes you can make using ingredients from a pumpkin:

Sugar Scrub
Combine equal parts sugar, pure pumpkin puree and an oil of your choice (olive oil is wonderful) and mix together until you have a thick paste. Massage it into the skin while showering, concentrating on dry areas of the body. Rinse and then pat the skin dry.

Body Moisturizer
Give skin a healthy dose of hydration by combining an equal part of coconut oil and pumpkin puree, then slathering it on the body from the neck down. Allow it to sit on the skin for five to ten minutes, then rinse off with water and pat the skin dry.

Face Mask
Give your face some extra care by creating a nutrient-rich face mask! Combine a cup of pumpkin with one tablespoon each of honey and sugar, and a half-cup of full-fat yogurt. Apply it to the face and allow it to soak in for ten minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water.

There are so many different ways to use pumpkin in your skin care routine. Whether you choose to consume it or use it topically, the benefits are endless! ■

Sources: allure.com, beverlyhillsmd.com and glamour.com