Fall pumpkin beauty is now exploding … all over my face! And I love every slimy seed of it.
Fall is officially here, which means if you’re anything like me, the next few months will be spent eating copious amounts of pumpkin. Life is all about oversized sweatshirts, cozy socks and endless mugs of pumpkin spice lattes from now until November, before Christmas comes along and steals the show.
Just the other day my love of all things pumpkin took a turn in a different direction. I sampled a pumpkin face mask and everything from the scent to the texture was magical. Even when my face was a nice shade of Donald Trump, I was a happy bunny. And the end result? Silky smooth skin that had a welcome glow.
So, that got me thinking: if pumpkin tastes so good, what other ways are there to use it that I’ve been missing out on all these years? The answer is pretty much anything!
Benefits of Pumpkin
So, it turns out there are many reasons why pumpkin is such a great ingredient to use in beauty products. Not only does it smell, taste and look great, it’s pretty potent when it comes to health:
Vitamin C: It probably is no surprise that pumpkin offers a great source of vitamin C. And we all know how wonderful that is for our skin; it helps to protect our skin from free radical damage (bye, wrinkles) and can even work to prevent skin cancer. When you include foods that are rich in vitamin C in your diet you also help to boost your collagen production, which then improves skin tone and elasticity. So, basically, pumpkin is like dipping your toes into the pond of youthfulness. Can I get a hell yeah?!
Minerals: Pumpkin is a powerhouse for beneficial minerals. Potassium will help promote healthy hair and regrowth, so use it on your tresses to get your hair nice and shiny. Pumpkin is also rich in both copper and zinc, both of which play a vital role when it comes to maintaining healthy skin and hair. And zinc will help to maintain collagen levels, keeping your skin nice and healthy, while also fighting acne and promoting skin renewal.
Carotenoids: You know that lovely orange hue? Pumpkin is orange due to its high levels of carotenoids, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, both of which are a protective type of antioxidant. By adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet (and applying it topically to your skin) you can help reverse UV damage and improve skin texture.
So, whether you’re popping some pumpkin into your morning oats or applying it topically to the skin, it’s going to make your skin nice and supple and give it a wonderful boost. Why not dabble with your leftover pumpkin and turn it into these wonderful DIY beauty treats?
1. Pumpkin spice lip scrub
The transition between summer and autumn can wreak havoc on our skin. The cooler temps can dry out your skin, including the delicate skin of your lips. Don’t let your pout become dry and cracked this fall. Make this pumpkin spice flavored lip scrub and polish it back to perfection. Plus, it tastes pretty great afterwards.
Get the recipe here.
2. Pumpkin SPICE lip balm
Maintain your lips with a rich and nourishing lip balm. Not only does this DIY balm smell wonderful, it will also leave your lips nice and glossy. The pumpkin oil will leave your pout with a little orange tint, which is fitting for the season.
Get the recipe here.
3. Pumpkin Spice SUGAR BODY Scrub
I’m all about a little body scrub love. I exfoliate from head to toe around three times a week because it helps to keep my skin gorgeous and soft. This scrub smells like heaven while buffing away any lingering dead skin to reveal super soft skin.
Get the recipe here.
4. vanilla pumpkin spice sugar scrub
This scrub is a little sweeter thanks to the infusion of vanilla, and it reminds me of pumpkin cookies. Warm and sweet and oh so delicious! Scrub your body with this and you’ll likely have a hard time stopping yourself from eating it, it smells that good.
Get the recipe here.
5. Pumpkin SPICE MACARON BATH BOMBS
I love a bath bomb. There’s something nostalgic about getting into a warm bath and watching as a fizzy bomb explodes around me, filling the air with a soothing and aromatic scent. But that can cost a pretty penny, so why not try and make your own? They make great gifts, too.
Get the recipe here.
6. Pumpkin SPICE SOAP
During the autumn months why wash your hands with anything other than a pumpkin spice soap? Not only is this going to condition and keep your hands nice and soft but it smells incredible.
Get the recipe here.
7. BAOBAB OIL PUMPKIN FACE MASK
I’m a huge fan of face masks. They just feel like such a treat for both yourself and your skin. And this pumpkin-based face mask is going to slay dead skin cells and penetrates deeply into the skin to rejuvenate your complexion. Plus the addition of baobab oil will help to lock in moisture while also fighting acne-causing bacteria.
Get the recipe here.
8. Pumpkin souffle body butter
I love to use a body butter during the colder months. It just makes my skin feel so indulged and soft. A body butter is a little thicker than a body lotion as there’s no water, so it’s incredibly rich and creamy. The shea butter and coconut oil in this recipe will hydrate your skin while the pumpkin pie spice will tantalize your taste buds.
Get the recipe here.
9. PUMPKIN ROLL BATH SALTS
The ingredients for these bath salts can pretty much be found in your pantry, that’s how clean it is, and the smell and color is gorgeous! Think pumpkin and caramel – yum! Add some of these to your next bath and unwind as the warm water releases their gorgeous autumnal scent.
Get the recipe here.
10. Pumpkin hair conditioner
Sometimes we all need to show our hair a little TLC. It goes through a lot and is always battling the elements, so take the time to make a hair mask once a week and revive your locks. This mask is super simple and yet so effective, it will leave your hair lovely and soft.
Get the recipe here.
And because pumpkin is life . . .
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE SOY CANDLE
Why stop there when it comes to pumpkin infused goodies? Make a candle inspired by your love of pumpkin spice and all things fall, and burn this when enjoying your beauty recipes. It will make your entire home smell delicious and no toxic fumes as it’s soy-based and made with natural ingredients.
Get the recipe here.
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