For the gardeners and growers out there, unless you have amazing psychic powers to predict how your growing season will go, we often end up with a glut of something. Once you’ve made endless curries, chutneys and inundated your neighbours with your much- loved produce, what can you do with what you have left?
Well with Halloween on its way, pumpkins are popping up everywhere, and, not only are they super nutritious for you on the inside, these colourful gourds have a lot to offer your skin on the outside. Pumpkins are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, boost your skin’s collagen production and can soothe dry skin too.
So here are a couple of quick and easy pumpkin skincare recipes you can make at home. All you need are a few basics from your cupboard.
For the Pumpkin Face Mask
- You’ll need around 75g of pumpkin, peeled, and chopped into small pieces.
- Boil until soft and then puree using a hand blender or fork.
- Add a drizzle of honey if you have dry skin or for oily skin add a splash of cider vinegar. For skin brightening, add a squeeze of lemon.
- Mix it well until everything is blended into a smooth paste.
- Using the back of a clean spoon, apply a thin layer to your face, avoiding eyes, nostrils and mouth. Relax for 15 minutes and let the pumpkin work its magic. Rinse off with warm water. Pat dry
For the Pumpkin Face Scrub
Follow the first 2 steps above.
Then add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil or any good quality food grade oil, a handful of porridge oats or a couple of spoons of sugar. Then add ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and mix together well. Scoop some scrub and then apply using light circular movements.
For both the mask and the scrub, use them straight-away or they can be kept in the fridge until ready to use for up to 2 days
If this all seems too much then take a look at our organic Face Scrubs and Masks (non scary ones) instead and treat yourself - no tricks we promise!
Hope you enjoy your pumpkin preparations!
Rebecca & Quentin
