Pumpkin skin benefits? Yup, that’s right, there are a plethora of skin benefits from Pumpkin. Because Pumpkin is so awesome (to eat and to slap on your skin), we use it in several Essentially Haitos products (more on that at the end of this post) For now, let’s review some Pumpkin basics:

Pumpkin is a type of winter squash that is native to North America. It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is somewhat of a food anomaly. Scientifically speaking, Pumpkin is a fruit since it contains seeds. However, from a nutrition perspective, it is more like a vegetable. But, that’s neither here nor there since we’re here to talk about how awesome it is for your skin!

ANTI-AGING

Pumpkin is a loaded with Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant as well as beta-carotene, a Vitamin A derivative. These work together on several levels. On one level they help to soften the skin and boost its collagen production to prevent the signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, and dark spots. On an Antioxidant level, the Vitamin C and beta-carotene work together to reverse UV damage and free radical damage, two major culprits for wrinkles and worse yet, skin cancer.

ACNE-PRONE SKIN

If acne is your enemy, then this old fruit might just be your best friend. Pumpkin is full of B vitamins such as niacin, riboflavin, B6 and folate. Niacin improves circulation, and hence, is beneficial in treating acne. Folate helps to increase circulation, which improves cell turnover and renewal. The Zinc in pumpkin seeds is beneficial for acne sufferers as it helps control hormone levels and oil production, as well as assists with healing of the skin. Lastly the Vitamin A content helps minimize acne scars.

Did we mention that Pumpkin seeds are high in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E? These are not only necessary to maintain protection of the skin, but they also regulate sebum (oil produced by the skin). This is a big plus if you have oily skin and the acne problems that come with it.

BRIGHTENS THE SKIN

Now that you know that Pumpkin will give you youthful, clearer skin, let’s put a cherry on top with the fact that it helps brighten your skin. Pumpkin contains fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which increase cell turnover. This brightens the skin. Additionally, the molecular structure of pumpkin is small and therefore can penetrate deeper into the skin when used topically. This is amazing for treating a dull complexion, aging skin and pigmentation.

So now that you know just how great Pumpkin is for your skin, why not check out our Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice  face mask, which is full of Pumpkin goodness, our Hello Sunshine Antioxidant Clay Mask, and our newest Pumpkin offering, Fresh Start Exfoliating Face Wash.

Thanks to our friends at O Naturals for providing some of the content for this post.