Approximately 17 million pumpkins are bought each year in the UK for Halloween, but only 20% are used afterwards, which means millions of pumpkins are thrown away as food waste. It means that. So, if roasting leftover seeds or mixing the pulp into soup doesn’t appeal to you this Halloween, why not turn your pumpkin into a face mask? Experts will show you how to make the most of it.
Is pumpkin good for your skin?
In short, yes. Pumpkin has many skin care benefits. “Applying pumpkin residue to your face has been shown to exfoliate your skin, leaving you with a radiant glow thanks to its natural enzyme and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) properties,” says SpaSeekers.com. Director Jason Goldberg explains. “AHAs promote skin cell turnover and are commonly used to treat acne and remove scars.
@bodylovebytal I love pumpkin season! 🎃🎃🎃If you have a skin condition…pumpkin is the solution! Make your own face mask at home! It’s so easy and fast! #d#diyskincared#diyf#fallp#pumpkinh#holidayseasonorganicskincare#fyp ♬ Original song – Taru🦋
“Using pumpkin in your daily skincare routine can also benefit people with dry skin due to its moisturizing properties,” he continues. “Pumpkin contains high levels of vitamin E and essential fatty acids that help moisturize and soften the skin, restore smoothness and maintain moisture.”
There’s also a link to collagen, the “C” word in skin care. “In addition to skin-revitalizing antioxidants, pumpkin is also rich in collagen, a structural protein found in skin, cartilage, and bones,” adds Jason. “Pumpkin applied to the skin has been shown to increase collagen levels, improve skin elasticity, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Zinc, another ingredient found in pumpkin, also helps reduce excess oil. Vitamin E and antioxidants help to heal acne scars and soothe irritated skin. .”
So, with this in mind, there’s no reason you can’t reuse pumpkins at the end of spooky season. Learn how to turn pumpkin into a nutritious face mask.
(c) Yulia Huzenko, Unsplash
How to make a DIY pumpkin face mask
“Making face masks with leftover pumpkin is a great way to reduce waste while invigorating your skin as the weather gets colder and darker,” says Jason. “After eating all of the sweet Halloween treats, our skin often needs some extra love. Making this simple face mask will not only help your skin look more youthful and radiant. , it’s also a great way to reuse festive decorations.
“It’s important to note that the nutritional value of pumpkins varies depending on the age of the pumpkin and whether it’s starting to rot,” he continues. “For better skin care benefits, it’s best to use pumpkins that have been on display for a long time and are not too dry and retain plenty of moisture.”
Below, the team shares a quick and easy way to make pumpkin face masks at home.
Remove all tea lights and decorations from the pumpkin, including any pumpkin seeds that were not previously removed. Finely chop the pumpkin and mix in a mixer. Apply the pumpkin blend to your skin using your hands or a clean applicator. Leave the pumpkin face mask on for 15 minutes to experience the skin care benefits. However, don’t leave it on any longer as it can cause irritation.
Featured Image: Aaron Burden, Unsplash
