By Anna Maria Giambanco DiPietro, Contributing Editor
After a long hot, arid summer, your skin may be in need of a seasonal reboot. Gracefully embracing the cooler temps and brighter early mornings will help you ease into the fall. But let's also welcome autumn's falling leaves and cozy nights with a little skin-plumping self-care boost.
Is your Halloween pumpkin still hanging around, awaiting its place in the compost pile? Did you wind up with an errant can of pumpkin puree post-holiday? If you answered yes to either of these questions, scroll on for a fun skincare DIY recipe. But first, let's chat a bit about the many virtues of our pleasant orange friend, the pumpkin!
Pumpkin has been turning up in skincare products for some time now, but ever wonder why? Pumpkin is chock-full-of minerals and vitamins like E, A and C, which offer numerous skin rejuvenating perks. It contains brightening beta carotene, fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids, which reverse the effects of sun damage and neglect. Enzymes slough away dead skin, leaving you with a smooth, fresh surface. These aspects of the noble gourd (which is a fruit, btw) present a unique healing opportunity for anyone seeking a gentle, effective resurfacing treatment.
Pumpkin based products (and homemade treatments alike) also deliver a shot of zinc, which prevents clogging and breakouts. For those of us seeking juicier, radiant skin, pumpkin contains essential fatty acids, boosts collagen and elastin production.
$30 USD
Organic pumpkin seed, flax seed and cherry kernel oils replenish & rejuvenate dull skin, while antioxidant rich grapeseed oil gently fights free radical, skin-aging damage. Omega fatty acids plus vitamins A, B, D, & E target fine lines to reduce their appearance, moisturize & renew the skin. Apply throughout the day to perk up your complexion. Suitable for all skin types.
PC: The Grapeseed Company
$45 USD
YENSA's Pumpkin + Turmeric 2-in-1 Radiance Polishing Mask is a gentle 2-in-1 nourishing mask and gentle face polish that nourishes, hydrates and exfoliates lips and skin. The signature 8 powerful Superfoods are designed with pumpkin, turmeric, ginger, rice, fruit and exclusive honey sugar blend, this formula leaves skin and lips smooth, supple and radiant.
PC: Yensa
$35 USD
Pure and natural highly active body lotion infused with Pumpkin Extracts and Glycolic Acid helps to improve tonal quality and elasticity in the skin. Excellent for regenerating and repairing sun damaged skin.
PC: Arcona
$60 USD
A quickie facial that leaves a lasting impression on skin, this multi-tasking minifacial infuses nutrients deep down while gently polishing to renew and brighten skin.
PC: LOUM
And now, for some homespun skincare fun. . . I recently whipped up this 2-in-1 scrub and mask recently and was told my skin looked "luminous" later that day. Coffee grinds obviously help exfoliate and caffeine brightens your skin. Combined with the fruit acid from the pumpkin puree, this DIY recipe may just wind up in your ongoing skincare regimen beyond the fall!
Plumping Pumpkin Scrub & Mask
1 tbsp organic pumpkin puree
1 tbsp ground coffee
1 tbsp olive oil
(For acneic skin, add 1 tsp ground ginger)
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix until well incorporated. Apply to a clean face, massaging gently as you go. Wet your fingers and continue working the scrub allover your face. Be careful not to press too hard - the enzymes will remove dead skin buildup for you.
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