Is it just me, or is the color orange flooding the atmosphere a little early this year? Not that I’m complaining. I’ll pin pumpkin recipes and share cute costume pics all September long””then get crafty (or at least imagine I will) come October. But when it comes to my beauty routine, autumn’s early invasion goes beyond the usual social pinning, liking and”¦dreaming.
When fall starts to creep in, I keep an eye out for the first sale””and start stockpiling as soon as it hits. Canned pumpkin. By the cartful. Not for baking pies or muffins (which do deliver some skin-beautifying benefits in addition to being tasty treats), but to whip up a super-easy facial mask that helps me maintain gorgeous, glowing skin all season long.
You see, pumpkin is packed with naturally nourishing nutrients that soak skin with moisture””especially important during the cooler, drier months ahead””and potent antioxidants including vitamins C and E, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and zinc, to protect against lines and wrinkles. It’s also loaded with fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate, lifting away dead cells that clog pores and cause a dull, flat look.
To make my magical mask, I use pure, organic canned pumpkin (don’t want any chemicals or pesticides polluting those precious pores!) and raw honey, another superfood swimming with enzymes, amino acids, vitamins and minerals to revitalize skin. Keep it cruelty free with non-dairy almond milk, and add a dash of coconut oil for extra moisture and irresistible scent.
Here’s what to do:
DIY Pampering Pumpkin-Honey Facial
Stir it up:
½ cup organic canned pumpkin
2 Tbsp. raw honey
2 Tbsp. unflavored almond milk
1 tsp. coconut oil
In a small bowl, mix together ingredients until smooth and creamy.
Slather it on:
Spread a light layer on your freshly washed face, then sit back and relax for 10 to 15 minutes.
Rinse away:
Rinse skin clean with lukewarm water. Pat dry with towel.
Store it:
If you have leftovers, or you doubled the recipe to use up your entire can of pumpkin, store your mask mixture in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to two weeks.