By Jasleen Kaur Last Updated:
If you are someone who prefers natural skin care products and does not trust the efficacy of those easily available beauty products that throng the shelves, then it is high time you think of including this wonder fruit called pumpkin in your beauty regime. Pumpkin is loaded with some hidden beauty benefits that you can ever imagine. It is no longer just a pie ingredient! Find out to believe it.
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Give those OTT harsh chemical peels a miss this time and instead choose a pumpkin. The wonder fruit is generously rich in enzymes that rejuvenate and remove pigmented skin cells. It works best on the ageing skin which, like the skin of the young people, cannot renew itself as effectively. Besides it hydrates, soothes and softens the dry and damaged skin.
Is pumpkin oil going to replace coconut oil? Well, it just may because it is as effective as coconut oil. It is rich in vitamins A, K and E, and some vital minerals like potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium and iron, and also essential fatty acids, which strengthen our hair bonds and boost hair growth. In addition, it hydrates hair follicles, heals scalp inflammation and gives your dull, dry hair that extra nourishing shine. All thanks to zinc in pumpkin, it also regulates sebum production in the scalp that can cause dandruff.
Free radicals are charged particles of oxygen that damage our skin and unfortunately, we are exposed to these free radicals through the air we breathe, sedentary food choices and also stress; all of which damage our skin cells. However, vitamins A, C and E keep our skin intact by boosting collagen production and prevents wrinkles and other damages that are caused because of our exposure to free radicals.
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Zinc and vitamin E present in the pumpkin boost skin’s healing process, fight off acne, lighten scars and renew skin. High level of beta-carotene helps wage a much-needed battle against bacteria that causes acne and also reduces inflammation caused by it. What fights inflammation in tandem with the former is essential fatty acids.
Pumpkin also helps in removing dark spots on your skin. All you need to do is make a mixture by adding 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil. Mix this mixture well together and then apply it on your damp face. Leave it on the face for over half an hour or until it dries. Later, wash off with lukewarm water.
In case you have dry and frizzy hair, fret not! You only need to make a simple hair conditioner using pumpkin and you will get rid of dry hair. Mix 2 cups of chopped and cooked pumpkin with 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon yoghurt. Mix and make a puree out of all these ingredients in a blender. Apply the paste on your damp shampooed hair after wearing a plastic shower cap. Leave it on your hair for about 15 minutes. And afterwards, you can rinse off thoroughly.
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Pumpkin being the most significant ingredient, you can make the most amazing body mask. All you need to do is mix a half cup of cooked or canned pumpkin in half teaspoon of ground cinnamon and half cup coconut solids. Apply this mixture all over your body and gently massage. Let the mask stay there for over 10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards, rinse off with warm water and pat dry.
In case of any insect bites, or for that matter, burns, abscess and inflammation, pumpkin help in treating of it. The reason behind it is that it is a cooling agent and it helps in giving relief. Also, there is a presence of high quantity of anti-oxidants in the form of vitamins A, C and E and zinc, which eventually make it an amazing healing agent. Therefore, it the best idea if you eat pumpkin regularly or thrice a week.
Not just all of the things mentioned above, pumpkin also helps in working as an anti-wrinkle and/or hydrating cream. The reason behind pumpkin being used in many anti-wrinkle and hydrating creams is that it is blessed with high nutritional value. Mix pumpkin paste with ingredients such as honey, yoghurt, lemon juice and vitamin E oil. Apply this mixture or paste on your evident wrinkle area. Leave it there for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly. It suits any skin type.
Pumpkin can also be used as a lip balm and you would then be blessed with beautiful plump lips. This mixture is known as plumping pumpkin spice lip balm. All you need is 6 teaspoon coconut oil and 3 tablespoons grated beeswax. Put them in a double boiler over a low heat. Once they melt, stir the mixture in 1 teaspoon of pumpkin puree, 2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir the mixture well and then allow it cool off. Put it in a container and let it set before capping it.
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So, did this wonder fruit surprise you like it surprised us? Well, so just don’t wait and think of some of the ingenious ways in which you can include pumpkin in your beauty care routine. You can use canned or homemade pumpkin puree as a peel, cream, lip balm, conditioners and hair oil. You can perhaps buy a few products that have pumpkin as an ingredient. We bet you would not be sorry after all.