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Summary: In this blog we learn all about the beauty benefits of pumpkin and pumpkin seed oil and why you should consider adding this popular autumnal fruit to your beauty regime...

The air is crisp, and the leaves have turned from green to a splendour of oranges and reds, scattered on the floor underfoot. The scarfs are out, and the sun is setting quicker and quicker - Autumn is finally here (for some of us). With autumn, it brings Halloween – and a rather large number of spooky-faced pumpkin lanterns!

This spooky day is a short time away, and many of us know that we will finish the festive period with an overwhelming amount of pumpkin leftover. But, instead of throwing them away the moment we enter November, it is time to start taking advantage of those hollowed out lanterns…

That’s right! Pumpkins have more use than simply carving a few scary faces into and popping a candle inside – they have some amazing properties that can benefit your hair and skin care.

Beauty Benefits of Pumpkin

This large colourful gourd isn’t just delicious to cook with, it is also packed with antioxidants, both vitamin A and C and alpha hydroxy acids. These skin-loving nutrients can support your dermis in an abundance of ways – even helping to balance excess oil produced by oily skin and turn back the hands of time on those fine lines and wrinkles.

Pumpkin Can Help Reduce Signs Of Ageing

Pumpkin has a plethora of Vitamin C which is an extremely powerful antioxidant that will help improve and repair any damaged or ageing skin. One of the biggest causes of premature ageing in the sun – and the damaging UV rays it produces. Vitamin C from the pumpkin can help reduce this cell destruction and promote the production of collagen, improving the skin's elasticity and helping it to appear firmer, plump and more youthful.

Pumpkin Can Help Reduce Acne Symptoms

Along with vitamin C, this powerful orange fruit is also packing a high volume of niacin, riboflavin, B6 and folate – or in other words, vitamin B. Niacin, in particular, has been proven to improve circulation which will in turn help treat acne, breakouts and other skin blemishes. While niacin is working on treating acne, folate will be encouraging cell renewal and turnover, leaving you with fewer blemishes and clear skin.

Pumpkin Seed Oil For Hair Growth

Pumpkin doesn’t just benefit skin, it can also do wonder for your locks, too! Potassium and zinc are integral when it comes to healthy hair growth, helping to maintain collagen and stimulate individual hair growth by improving blood circulation which pumpkin is loaded with. A pumpkin seed oil is most popular when it comes to using pumpkin for hair growth: Read more on how pumpkin can help your hair grow here!

Make Your Own Pumpkin Beauty Treatments

Although cooking with the extra pumpkin you gained from carving a week or two ago is wonderful, keeping some aside to use for your skin and hair is also extremely beneficial! Take a look at these 5 easy homemade treatments that you can do to your skin and hair with the leftover pumpkin!

1. Use Pumpkin To Make A Body Sugar Scrub

Giving your skin a needed exfoliation is great – it will remove the dead skin cells from the epidermis (outer skin layer), exposing the newer and healthier layer of skin underneath. Instead of venturing to the drug store and buying countless scrubs, lotions, and potions, you can use your leftover Hallowe'en pumpkin to do the trick.

Remove everything from your redundant Hallowe'en decoration, cut it into small chunks and blend until the pumpkin becomes a smooth puree. Decant the puree into a mixing bowl and add a dash of olive oil, along with a spoonful of sugar until you have a dense consistency.

Take the pumpkin sugar scrub and gently, in circular motions, rub all over your body and face. Rinse off in the shower with warm water and pat dry with your towel. Moisturise as normal afterward!

2. Use Pumpkin To Make Your Own Body Butter

Whilst an exfoliant is great for removing old skin cells that are no longer required, making your own pumpkin body butter is perfect for adding some valuable moisture to your skin. The winter air can be unforgiving when it comes to our skin hydration, so the extra moisture will be helpful and will give your skin the ability to stay full, plump and crack free.

Take your pumpkin and cut it into small cubes to make blending easier. Once blended into a puree, pour into a bowl. Next, take some coconut oil and add it to the mixture so that you have equal parts pumpkin/coconut.

Just before you jump in the shower, take this pumpkin body butter and slather all over your skin leaving for a few minutes. Hop in the shower, rinse off thoroughly, dry and you will notice that your skin will be way more smooth, supple and soft.

3. Use Pumpkin To Make A Face Mask: Reap Those Pumpkin Facial Benefits!

When it comes to our skin, we all have our own hang-ups and issues. Some of us suffer from oily skin, some too dry and others struggle with both, not knowing how to manage the situation. Along with different skin tones and textures, some of us are victims of constant breakouts and acne, while there are others who deal with skin discolouration. Whatever your skin hang-ups, a the pumpkin facial benefits of a face mask are plentiful and it's suitable for all skin types!

Once again, take your unwanted pumpkin and blend into a soft puree, so that it can be easily mixed. Add two cups of the pumpkin puree to a mixing bowl and add one tablespoon of raw honey, two tablespoons of brown sugar and a half cup of organic, plain yogurt.

The honey will behave as a humectant (a substance that retains or preserves moisture) and the sugar and yogurt will exfoliate the epidermis layer of skin.

Simply apply the finished mixture over your face and leave to sit for 10 – 15 minutes, rinse off with warm water and gently pat your skin dry.

4. Use Pumpkin To Make A Hair Mask

Having shiny, luscious locks might feel like it is an unobtainable dream, but with this homemade hair mask, it could be a thing of reality! Whether your issue is lacklustre hair, dry ends or a flaky scalp, this hair mask could give your tired tresses a boost.

Very similar to the face mask, pop a cup of pumpkin puree and half a cup of plain yogurt to a mixing bowl and stir together. While the mask is blending together, add a tablespoon of honey (for the gentle moisturiser). Smear the content of the bowl onto your scalp and gradually smooth down to the ends of your hair. Scoop your hair up into a towel and leave to sit for 30 – 40 minutes.

Wash with lukewarm water and your favourite hypoallergenic shampoo, and continue your normal hair routine.

5. Use Pumpkin To Make A Hand Cream

Our hands can be a little neglected when it comes to our beauty routine. They are always exposed to the weather (less when snuggled up in a mitten or a glove), and they are in use all day. Taking the time to give them a little TLC will do your hands wonders.

Pop half a cup of pumpkin puree into a bowl and add a dash of almond or olive oil and 1 teaspoon of raw honey. Mix together until you’re left with a smooth paste. Gradually massage the homemade cream into your hands, making sure you get between your fingers and don’t forget your fingernails. Rinse off with warm water after a few minutes, and pat dry.

Final Thoughts On Pumpkin Treatments For Hair & Skin...

Carving pumpkins can be messy and fun but, if you're not into soup making, knowing that they will end up in the trash when Hallowe'en is over can seem a little wasteful. Following these 5 simple and easy at-home skin and hair treatments is a great way to make full use of this wonderful and colourful winter fruit and get a little beauty treat for yourself!

During the winter months, our skin and hair can become dry and vulnerable to the bitter temperatures, harsh winds, rain and snow so, giving them the extra boost and care will make a difference during the sudden weather changes.

Save yourself from spending loads of money on high-end skin and hair care products and make yourself some amazing, natural ones from the comfort of your own home!