Beyond the Jack-o-Lantern: Pumpkin for the Skin
October 3, 2013
Fall is a great time to revitalize your skin and hair. Now that you’re out of the harsh summer sun you can assess the damage and work on refreshing, moisturizing and giving yourself some much needed TLC. Consider using some of the season’s harvest to do it too. Use your pumpkins for more than just jack-o-lanterns with these fantastic, DIY scrubs and masks for the face, body and hair.
Pumpkins are high in Vitamin A and C. Both help in turning over skin cells, adding brightness to it and helping to even out the skin tone. All these things are in high demand after a summer out in the sun. Pumpkins also contain zinc which eliminates bacteria, reduce the appearance of large pores and keep oil production down. An apple a day might keep the doctor away but a DIY pumpkin scrub just saved you a trip to the dermatologist. One medium pumpkin is all you need to make these three recipes.
Pumpkin Face Mask – Beginner
Prep for this mask by cutting pumpkin into cubes. Steam it with the skin on for 15-20 minutes and the pumpkin skin will remove easily. .
Ingredients:
- 1 pumpkin wedge that equals 2 tbsp. of mashed pumpkin
- 1 tbsp. olive oil.
Directions:
If the steamed cubes are not mushy boil or steam them until they are easily mashed. Let it cool. Add olive oil to mashed pumpkin and mix. Apply all over face and keep on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with water. Add a daily moisturizer.
Pumpkin Face Mask – Advanced
Use more of the steamed, mashed and cooled pumpkin. Have a friend over because this recipe makes enough for two.
Ingredients:
- 4 tsp. of pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp. honey
- 1 tsp. milk
- ½ tsp. cinnamon.
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together until they form a paste. Apply the mask to a clean face and let it dry. After 15-20 minutes rinse it off with water and use your daily face lotion.
Pumpkin Body Scrub
Ingredients:
- ½ c. pumpkin puree (cooked)
- ½ c. brown sugar
- ½ tsp. cinnamon
- Squeeze of one lemon.
Directions:
In a medium size bowl, mix all the ingredients together. It is best to use this scrub like any other body scrub, meaning in your bath or shower. In small batches rub the scrub all over your body from chest to feet. Rinse off with warm water, pat dry and apply your favorite daily moisturizer.
Pumpkin Hair Mask for One
This recipe will probably finish off the pumpkin.
Ingredients:
- 1 c. cooked pumpkin puree
- 3-4 tbsp. coconut oil (depending on length and hair thickness)
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. olive oil.
Directions:
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Apply to hair from root to tip. Take a damp, hot towel and wrap it around your head. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Read your favorite trashy magazine or kill another level of Candy Crush on your phone. Rinse well. Style hair as usual.
