When you carve your jack-o-lantern this month, be sure not to just toss out those pumpkin “guts”! They’re super rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, antioxidants, beta-carotene, zinc and vitamins A and C. As if that weren’t enough, pumpkins are packed with anti-inflammatory benefits, natural UV protectors and even exfoliating properties.
Just remove the seed and try these spa treatment recipes from The Beauty Bean designed to give you smooth and sexy skin ready for the season ahead.
Pumpkin Pie Face Scrub
Mix a few tablespoons of cooked and mashed (or canned) pumpkin with 2 tablespoons of plain, unsweetened yogurt (rich in lactic acid, a great natural exfoliator) and 1 tablespoon of ground almonds and/or oats. Apply the scrub to your face and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the pumpkin and yogurt to start to soften dead skin cells before using your fingers to gently scrub your face in small curricular motions. The dead, dull skin cells will wash away and your face will look fresh and flawless.
Pumpkin Body Mask
Mix 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned),
1/2 cup virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil
(which not only moisturizes, but also helps to exfoliate deal cells and even has antibacterial properties) and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (which is antioxidant rich, antibacterial and smells delicious!). Apply generously to clean skin (in the shower is neatest!) and massage it into the skin. After 10 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry – we think this is a perfect body treat to do while you let a deep conditioning hair mask steep.
Pumpkin Honey Facial Mask
Mix a few tablespoons of pureed pumpkin with 1 whipped egg white (which will help tighten pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines), 1 tablespoon plain yogurt (which will help exfoliate) and 1 tablespoon honey (which is anti-bacterial, great for clearing acne). Apply to entire face, avoiding the eye area, and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing. The yogurt and pumpkin will encourage cell-turnover and exfoliate, while the honey has antibacterial properties to ensure a fresh face for fall.
