Shine OnHomemade pumpkin beauty treatments
Pumpkins: they aren’t just for eating — or carving — anymore.
In fact, pumpkin, which boasts a long list of beauty benefits, has recently been popping up in skincare products and spa treatments.
Pumpkins are rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, make great exfoliators, and are packed with carotene, vitamins A and C, anti-inflammatory properties and even have natural UV protectors.
“The pumpkin facial is nourishing and skin brightening—it removes dead skin cells and it’s very suitable for sensitive skin types because it’s gentle,” Maria Angelica Hurtado, a spa manager at Equinox in New York City, tells Forbes.
“Pumpkin masks and moisturizers nourish your skin and promote the absorption of nutrients like vitamins A and C,” she adds.
Skincare expert Kate Somerville agrees.
"Pumpkin, a fruit enzyme, is considered a natural ‘chemical’ from fruit and is a protein-digesting enzyme, which means that when applied topically it ‘eat dead skin cells," Somerville tells StyleList.
Celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas adds that, “pumpkin pulp is also great for the skin because it contains beta-carotene (which acts as an internal sunscreen and protects against UV damage), amino acids (which strengthen the connective tissue and reinforce elasticity), and antioxidants which fight the signs of aging.”
Some beauty experts are even predicting that pumpkin seed oil will be the next coconut oil, as its rich in vitamin E, zinc, omega 3- and 6-fatty acids and helps skin retain moisture and fight free radicals.
"The high amounts of zinc and vitamin E also improve skin tone, help wounds heal more rapidly, fight acne, and help with skin renewal," cosmetic dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum tells Elle. “Lastly, many of the minerals and vitamins have anti-aging effects as well.”
Don’t have the time or money to visit facialists or buy expensive skincare products? We’ve rounded up a few DIY treatments you can make right at home:
Pumpkin Pie Face Scrub
This scrub from The Beauty Bean is a simple one: mix a few tablespoons of cooked and mashed (or canned) pumpkin with two tablespoons of plain, unsweetened yogurt and 1 tablespoon of ground almonds or oats.
Read how to apply it here.
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Facial Scrub
This scrub from Live Simply uses sugar as its main exfoliants.
Homemade Pumpkin Mask
Have 15 minutes to spare? This pumpkin mask from Primally Inspired includes antibacterial raw honey.
Homemade Pumpkin Oatmeal Facial Mask
This mask from Ring Around the Rosies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. (It also makes quite a bit, perfect for a girls’ night in.)
Homemade Pumpkin Cellulite Scrub
Combine the beauty benefits of pumpkin with the cellulite-fighting properties of caffeine with this three-ingredient scrub.
(Tip: Because this scrub can get a little messy, apply it in the bathtub.)
Customizable DIY Face Mask
Got dry skin? Oily? This recipe from PopSugar is customizable. Start with a base of pumpkin and a whole egg, then add the ingredients that best suit your skin type.
If you’re not sure what to do with all that pumpkin puree after you’ve opened a can of pumpkin, Lark’s Perennials suggests freezing individual dollops of the puree so you can make your own masks and scrubs all year round.
Do you ever make your own masks and scrubs?
