Pumpkin Benefits for Skin and Hair Care – Why are pumpkins good for skin and hair?
Pumpkins are not just a decoration for your doorstep, they also have unexpected benefits for your skin! So before you throw away the leftover pumpkin flesh from your Halloween crafting, check out these ideas on how to use this skin-boosting superfruit!
Face Masks for a Glowing Effect
Pumpkin is a great source of vitamin C, and its antioxidant properties fight free radicals on the skin that can cause wrinkles. Vitamin C is also great for treating all the textures and uneven skin tones on your face, such as dark spots. To fade dark spots and give your skin a healthy glow, try the recipe below.
1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
Apply the mixture to wet skin for 30 minutes, wait for the mask to dry, and then rinse with warm water.
Lip Exfoliator and Lip Balm
For many people, lip balm is a must during the colder months! Since chapped, flaky lips are so uncomfortable, a scrub and balm can work wonders for sore lips by eliminating the flaking and moisturizing them. Here’s a lip scrub and balm 2-in-1 recipe!
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon pumpkin seed oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Combine the coconut and pumpkin seed oils in a bowl and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. Let the mixture cool but not harden, then add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Let cool completely, then the scrub and balm are ready to use!
The coconut oil is moisturizing, the pumpkin seed oil is very hydrating for dry skin, while the sugar provides the exfoliating part of the mixture for exfoliation, and the cinnamon not only adds a wonderful flavor, but also helps plump up the lips. This recipe makes for a versatile lip scrub and moisturizer in one jar! Perfect for getting through these colder months!
Body Scrub
I’m not gonna lie to you, this recipe will get you dirty! I find it’s best to just hop in the shower and exfoliate my body. Here’s what you need:
1x small bowl of pumpkin pulp
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1x small bowl of pink Himalayan salt
Mix the ingredients with your hands and rub the scrub all over your body. The salt removes dead skin cells while the coconut oil and vitamin E-rich pumpkin pulp regenerate the skin and restore moisture.
Nourishing Hair Mask
This hair treatment is extremely beneficial if you have very dry hair. Here’s what you need to make this mask.
1x small bowl of cooked pumpkin
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
1 tablespoon of honey
2x tablespoons of yogurt
In a blender, puree the cooked pumpkin and yogurt to a thick consistency, add the coconut oil and honey and continue blending. Apply the hair mask to damp, washed hair and leave it on for 15 minutes. You can leave your hair like this or use a shower cap. Rinse thoroughly and you’re done! Your hair is restored, nourished, and shiny!
Anti-aging Treatment
Pumpkin is rich in many vitamins and also contains beta-carotene, which can miraculously reverse the damage caused by UV rays to your skin. Let’s not forget that your skin tone and elasticity will improve thanks to the collagen-boosting benefits of this fall superfruit!
You can mix up a mask at home to treat your skin, the ingredients used vary to help different skin types (dry and oily). Below you’ll find recipes for both.
Dry Skin
2 teaspoons cooked pumpkin
½ teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon heavy cream
Use a fork to puree all ingredients and place in a bowl. Apply the mask to a clean, dry face and let dry for 10-15 minutes. Although this mask only has 3 ingredients, you’ll notice your skin is exfoliated, nourished, and hydrated when you rinse it off! Apply some moisturizer and both you and your skin will feel happy and comfortable.
Oily skin
1 tablespoon of cooked pumpkin
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
Using the same method as before, blend these ingredients into a puree with a fork, apply the mixture on wet face and let it dry for 30 minutes, rinse with warm and cold water to shrink pores, apply some moisturizer, and you will find that your skin is healthy and deep and feels clean.
So, if you are craving pumpkins, don’t waste them, make them look gorgeous instead of scary this Halloween!
