The first day of autumn has been and gone and that means pumpkin season is upon us. As people gear up ready to carve out for Halloween, it’s time to make use of the insides for an array of beauty needs.
Pumpkins are filled with plenty of beauty boosting ingredients that your skin will love. These include, vitamin A, plus plenty of vitamin C, potassium, a special blend of antioxidants and a moisturising texture.
But vitamins A, K and C and minerals such as zinc, copper, magnesium and potassium, nutrients also hydrate skin and stimulate hair growth.
Beta-carotene is the antioxidant which gives pumpkin its vibrant colour but it also converts vitamin A in the body and provides another layer of protection from sun damage.
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And the fact that it’s natural means there are plenty of natural benefits too.
Not only is it packed with disease and wrinkle-fighting ingredients, but it smells heavenly and is safe for most skin types. Once you’ve used pumpkin in your beauty routine you’ll only be upset that you didn’t start sooner.
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Here’s how to use pumpkin in your beauty routine
FACE
Facial peel
Whisk together about 150g of pumpkin and one egg. Mix in either a splash of apple cider of cranberry juice and slather the mixture on your face. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes and rinse off for a more refreshed complexion.
High in zinc and vitamins C and A, this gourd-like squash helps and protects the skin from free radicals, all the while gently dissolving dead skin cells. The addition of egg helps to bind the face mask together while also nourishing and lifting the skin
Face mask
Mix together one cup of pumpkin, two tablespoons of brown sugar, one tablespoon of honey and half a cup of yogurt. Spread on a thin coating with your finger tips or a cotton pad and leave on skin for 8-10 minutes.
Brown sugar and yogurt are exfoliants that will slough away dead skin cells, while honey is a humectant that absorbs water from the ait and naturally moisturises the skin.
BODY
Body moisturiser
Lock in moisture before heading out into the cold and blustery climate of autumn by smoothing on a body cream made from pumpkin, coconut oil and ground cinnamon. This can get pretty messy so put this on whilst in the shower, let soak in for a few minutes, rinse with warm water and gently pat the skin dry with a fluffy towel.
Body scrub
Get rid of dead skin cells and reveal a youthful skin tone with this pumpkin body scrub.
Combine two tablespoons of fresh pumpkin, one teaspoon of honey, one teaspoon of papaya and one teaspoon of sugar. Apply to areas of the skin that are rough and dry and massage the mixture in for a minute or two and rinse.
Combine the wrinkle fighting vitamin A in pumpkin, the exfoliating properties of the enzyme papain in papaya and the moisture-locking characteristics of honey and you’ve got a recipe for skin success.
HAIR
Hair Mask
Combine half a cup of pumpkin puree with a quarter cup of yogurt, two tablespoons of honey and one tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply on hair and leave for up to 20 minutes, then wash and condition hair as normal.
Don’t forget the seeds…
Rich in monounsaturated fats, magnesium and zinc these seeds shouldn’t be wasted. Instead sprinkle them with olive oil, season and pop them in the oven for a crunchy and skin-healthy snack. Since zinc is a big part of the cell metabolism process getting your daily dose ensures all your cells maintain collagen and turn over at a normal rate, all the while protecting against cell damage and UV radiation.
Author Bio:
Taryn Davies
Editor of TheFuss.co.uk. Find her on Facebook. Find her on Twitter .
