Benefits of Pumpkin

Use this Season’s Most Popular Ingredient to Benefit your Skin!

Forget about pumpkin pie and other treats during the colder months; pumpkin is a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants that can help your skin achieve a healthy glow throughout the season! From facial treatments and moisturizers, to invigorating body treatments and wraps,  pumpkin and pumpkin extracts can be used in a variety of indulgent  treatments at the spa--or even at home!

Fresh and cooked pumpkin is chock full of vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, alpha-carotene, zinc, beta carotene, and lutein.  It’s easy to add pumpkin to your favorite baked goods and dishes during the colder months, and the vitamins and minerals can help keep your health in tip-top shape during the winter.  Pumpkin is rich, satisfying, and can be used in a number of recipes as a meal or in dessert; if you cook it in a healthy way, it might also give you an excuse to indulge in an extra slice of pumpkin pie this year!  Still, eating pumpkin isn’t the only way to enjoy its natural benefits.  Pumpkin offers plenty of benefits when applied topically to the skin, and a number of cosmetics and beauty product companies are making skincare products that contain pumpkin enzymes as a leading ingredient.

Pumpkin Spa Treatments

Some spa treatments make use of pumpkin masques, body wraps, and even extracts combined with a pumpkin and spice oil.  These are just a few ways to try pumpkin in a new way, and it’s a simple treat that you can enjoy on a regular basis. Pumpkin facials make use of a pumpkin enzyme mask that can soothe and protect your skin; the essential nutrients can reach deep within your pores and absorb quickly.  Combined with a moisturizer and basic toner, this is a great treat for your skin and body—without the extra calories!

Body wraps and massages that use pumpkin ingredients are another way to indulge during the season, or any time of year.  Pumpkin nourishes tired or dry skin instantly, giving you a healthy glow anytime your skin needs a boost!  Colder weather can make your skin especially dehydrated, and the brisk fall and winter breeze certainly doesn’t help.  You’ll also find pumpkin treatments in many anti-aging therapies, but you can still enjoy it as a basic skin soother and moisturizer.  Pumpkin peels can also help with breakouts and acne problems.  The nutrients can help soothe and reduce inflammation naturally, helping skin recover from acne-related damage.

You can even find bath and body treatments made with a ‘tasty’ combination of pumpkin, spices, honey, and milk.  Pumpkin works as an accelerator for other ingredients, helping the skin absorb vital nutrients and vitamins quickly.  If you have sensitive skin, it’s even more important to use ingredients that can fortify and nourish with ease. Other nutritious ingredients that combine well with pumpkin include cranberry, orange, and pomegranate; you’ll need a good excuse to miss out on this season’s harvest!

At-Home Pumpkin Facial

The natural healing properties of fruits and vegetables continue on into fall and winter, and there’s no better time to take advantage of all the benefits of pumpkin for your skin. Ready to indulge in a calorie-free treat?  Here’s how to make your own pumpkin facial treatment at home:

What you need:

2 teaspoons canned pumpkin

½ teaspoon honey

½ teaspoon milk

¼ teaspoon cinnamon spice

How to make your own pumpkin masque:

Mix together ingredients into a paste, and brush onto freshly cleansed skin.  Let it dry for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm spring water.  Use a pumpkin-infused moisturizer for an immediate glow!

Sabah Karimi writes on health, beauty, fitness, and fashion for DivaVillage.  When she’s not busy mixing up her own spa treatments, you’ll find her looking for the season’s tastiest fruits and vegetables at the Farmer’s market.