Pumpkin as a skin care ingredient?

Did you know that pumpkin is great for your skin? I prefer to eat several slices of pumpkin pie in one sitting, but if there is ever any leftover pumpkin puree (which clearly doesn’t happen very often at my place) you can whip up a great skin care mask with just a few ingredients.

Pumpkin contains beta-carotene which protects against UV damage, vitamins C and E which are antioxidants and natural enzymes which help to exfoliate skin by dissolving dead skin cells. The oil from the seeds is a very promising skin and hair care ingredient as it contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which maintain moisture, zinc which improves skin tone and vitamin E to fight free radicals. Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin extract are showing up more often in skin care products and may just be the next big thing since coconut oil.

Eating pumpkin obviously has tremendous health benefits as well (no, Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes don’t count), so why not indulge and make it pumpkin night tonight! Slice yourself some pumpkin pie, put on your skin care mask and turn on your Netflix for a perfect fall evening. Your skin will look radiant, but your waistline, well that’s another story.

PUMPKIN DIY SKIN CARE MASK

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of water

2 tablespoons of Organic pumpkin puree ( or make your own by steaming and mashing pumpkin)

1 tablespoon of Vegetable glycerin ( glycerin can be found at Whole Foods in the skin care aisle. It is often used in skin care formulations as an emollient.)

1 teaspoon of Manuka honey ( or regular honey)

1 tablespoon of plain yogurt

Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Using a large foundation brush or the back of a spoon, apply to clean, slightly damp skin for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.

Makes 1 mask. For DIY skin care it’s best to make it fresh to avoid bacteria.

The addition of yogurt aids in the exfoliation process as it contains lactic acid. The honey for its anti-inflammatory properties. Manuka honey is said to contain anti bacterial properties, but research is still out on this claim.