Jazzing up your jack-o’-lantern just got a whole lot more rewarding. Why, you ask? Your leftover pumpkin gunk can be put to second use on your skin and hair! While pumpkins smell great and look pretty, these fruits (they grow on vines…duh!) are good for much more than carving this holiday season. Pumpkin pulp is rich in alpha-hydroxy acids, loaded with antioxidants and enzymes, infused with beta-carotene, full of vitamins A and C, and packed with anti-inflammatory benefits. Plus, because they’re a rich source of potassium, pumpkins are especially useful in promoting the re-growth of hair. So, this season, instead of trashing that messy pulp, put it to good use on your skin and hair and concoct these easy-as-pumpkin-pie treatments with ingredients straight from your pantry.
Softening Pumpkin Body Scrub
What You need:
¼ cup cooked pureed pumpkin
¼ cup brown sugar
Combine all ingredients in a small bow. Apply the mixture to your body using a damp cloth. Scrub your body using circular motions and wash off with warm water. Apply lotion immediately to skin.
Moisturizing Pumpkin Hair Mask
What you need:
2 cups pureed pumpkin
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon yogurt
Blend the yogurt with the pumpkin puree. Add the coconut oil and honey, ensuring the mixture is smooth. Apply the mixture to damp hair and cover with a plastic cap. Let sit for 15 minutes. Wash out with your everyday shampoo and conditioner and style as usual.
Brightening Pumpkin Face Mask
What you need:
2 teaspoons pureed pumpkin
½ teaspoons honey
¼ teaspoon heavy whipping cream
Mix all ingredients and apply to dry face. Leave on for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Follow up with a light moisturizer.
Moisturizing Pumpkin Body Lotion
What you need:
½ cup pureed pumpkin
½ cup coconut oil
½ teaspoon of cinnamon (this acts as an anti-bacterial)
Mix ingredients together in a jar until smooth. Apply to clean skin and massage to work in. Let treatment sit on skin for at least 10 minutes and rinse with warm water. Pat dry. Mixture should last around five days if stored in the fridge.
DIY not your thing? Not a problem! Here are our favorite pumpkin products on the market:
Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, $44
Arcona Pumpkin Body Lotion, $35
Bath & Body Works Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Body Wash, $11
