carve out some glowing skin with healthy pumpkin recipes

As Halloween gets closer those pretty pumpkin faces start popping up all over our neighborhood. What most folks don't often realize is that those ghoulish jack-o-lantern faces could actually help improve your own skin! Well.. you wouldn't want to use the already carved pumpkin as it would not be fresh after it has served its candle-lit purpose but with canned pure pumpkin on the shelves for low prices you can't beat some homemade skincare with antioxidant packed pumpkin to give your Fall skin a boost.

With the temperature changing most people are having trouble with their skin. We need more exfoliation in the colder months to slough off dead skin cells and make the underlying skin more able to absorb the products we use and we need more deeply moisturizing lotions. Pumpkin is an amazing natural skin treatment, loaded with vitamins A and C along with zinc and beta carotene helping to restore skin. You can find high end pumpkin skin care but why go for all the added preservatives and stuff you don't need? Here are three ways to utilize the wonders of pumpkin to improve your skin's health in a snap:

1. pumpkin spice soap is handmade with pure pumpkin, all natural essential oils of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and clove and pure ground spices. It smells just like a delicious slice of pumpkin pie so it satisfies that craving without all the calories (and trouble to make the pie!) The scent of pumpkin pie is supposedly one of the most attractive to men, so if you're on the prowl give it a shot, ladies. Also, the natural antioxidants of the pumpkin is great for your skin and the rich combination of pure plant based spice oils is hugely beneficial from an aromatherapy point of view, refreshing, rejuvenating, and bringing comfort.
   
   
2. pumpkin pie face & body mask
   1/2 cup pure canned pumpkin (organic is best)
   1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
   1/2 tbsp ground ginger
   1/2 tbsp lemon juice
   1 tbsp sweet almond oil (canola will work)
   
   Blend all of the ingredients together and apply to clean skin. Avoid your eyes or any other sensitive areas. The ginger draws out toxins while cinnamon improves circulation, essential for skin health. The antioxidants in the pumpkin help repair sun damage while the lemon juice acts as a natural, gentle exfoliant. Allow to sit on your skin for ~10-15 minutes and rinse off with warm water and a wash cloth and pat dry. Moisturize with a natural lotion or face treatment oil. This will not last long so if you have extra store it in the refrigerator for no more than one week.
   
   
3. sweet pumpkin body scrub
   1/2 cup pure canned pumpkin
   1 cup turbinado or brown sugar
   1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
   1/2 tbsp ground ginger
   1/4 cup sweet almond oil
   a dash of pure vanilla extract
   
   Stir the ingredients all together in a bowl. Apply to moist, clean skin in the shower in circular motions toward the heart. Focus on rough spots like knees, elbows, ankles, and heels and allow the pumpkin to sit on the skin for a minute for maximum benefit. Avoid sensitive areas, breathe deeply for maximum aromatherapy from your all natural ingredients, rinse fully, pat dry, and follow with moisturizer. Again, if you do not use all of your scrub store it in the refrigerator, tightly covered, for no more than a week.
   

With so many great uses for pumpkin it is no wonder they are such a Fall favorite! Keep an eye out for my upcoming recipes for pumpkin scones and healthy pumpkin soygurt. :c)