October 2022
Every year, come mid-September we talk about pumpkin season arriving. And every industry tries to capitalize on things with pumpkin in them. The skincare industry is no different.
It’s October, so we are in full pumpkin season mode and pregaming for Halloween so I feel it’s official and totally ok to talk about the benefits of pumpkin in your products.
First, let’s talk about the science behind it….
WHAT ARE PUMPKIN ENZYMES?
- Pumpkin is a fruit enzyme. I know it seems like it should be a vegetable but it’s a fruit.
- Fruit enzymes contain proteases that speed up the breakdown of proteins.
- Skin cells are held together with keratin proteins. Keratin proteins help form the tissue of the hair, nails, and outer layer of the skin.
WHAT DOES PUMPKIN DO FOR YOUR SKIN?
Pumpkin assists in the removal of dead skin cells by digesting the proteins that hold skin cells together. This process gives you smooth and glowing skin and is so gentle it generally does not irritate nor inflame the skin.
Pumpkin has the added benefits of:
- Killing acne bacteria
- Brightening dark spots
- Firming the skin (as it is loaded with Vitamin C which brightens and firms)
- Increases circulation
- Fights free radicals (which can accelerate the breakdown of the skin’s collagen and elastin)
HOW TO INCORPORATE IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE
I recommend incorporating a pumpkin product into your exfoliation skincare routine. Rotating them into the Sunday or Wednesday evening routine will yield the best results. Use it 1-3 times a week depending on the other exfoliating products in your arsenal.
Pumpkin might be seasonal but pumpkin skincare can be used year-round.
As a non-DIY fan, please DO NOT try to make your own pumpkin mask at home.
Need help finding the right pumpkin product for your skincare routine, here is the list of a few of my favorite pumpkin enzyme products for home use.
Here are a few Instagram Reels of me using some of these pumpkin exfoliation products:
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Overnight Face Mask
- Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer
CONCLUSION
Pumpkin is a wonderful skincare ingredient and perfect addition to your exfoliation nights. The pumpkin enzymes assist in sloughing off dead skin cells which help reveal a smooth, glowing skin. It’s not just a seasonal product but could be used all year-round. As always, remember to use sunscreen daily to not un-do the exfoliation efforts of your pumpkin (and non-pumpkin) exfoliation products!
P.S. I am creating a Skincare Roadmap, a workbook of sorts to help you establish a skincare routine with fillable or printable pages! Watch out as it’s coming very soon.
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