Spa at Home with Pumpkin

by Myrna Beardshear, Director of Spa & Wellness

Pumpkin is my favorite skin treat. It is an excellent treatment for all skin types, especially environmentally damaged or sensitive skin. Rich in Vitamin A (skin healing), C (anti-oxidant) and Zinc, the pumpkin soothes, moisturizes and acts as a carrier, assisting the other mask ingredients to absorb deeper into the skin and intensifying the results.

Pumpkin puree has enzymes and antioxidants that offer results similar to gentle alpha-hydroxy action: It removes dead dull cells, while its beta-carotene-rich antioxidants nourish your skin.

Try the pumpkin at-home spa treatments below. They will moisturize and nourish your skin, leaving it smooth and glowing.

Pumpkin Body Mask

Ingredients:
1/2 cup cooked or canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup solids from a can of coconut milk (Coconut solids are a natural moisturizer.)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (Ground cinnamon is gently warming, stimulating and antibacterial.)

Directions:

1. Making sure they are at room temperature, mix ingredients in a bowl.


2. Apply generously to clean skin, massaging gently to work well into the skin. (I like to do this while standing on a towel in the bathtub and then I sit on the towel while waiting for the mask to work.)


3. Allow the mask to remain on for about 10 minutes, a good time to do some breathing and meditation to relax you after all those hours in the kitchen.


4. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Pumpkin Pie Face Mask

Ingredients:
2 tsp cooked or canned pumpkin, pureed
1/2 tsp honey (Honey is a humectant and is regenerative.)
1/4 tsp milk, or soymilk (The alpha hydroxyl acid digests skin cells.)

Optional Ingredients:
For Dry Skin
1/2 tsp heavy whipping cream (Cream is moisturizing and contains alpha hydroxy acid.)

For Oily Skin
1/4 tsp cranberry juice (Cranberries are high in antioxidants critically important to the utilization of essential fatty acids to maintain balanced, nourished skin.)

Directions:

1. Combine the ingredients for your face mask.


2. Mix gently and apply to your face avoiding the eye area.


3. Relax for 10-15 minutes while your Thanksgiving mask gently exfoliates, nourishes and conditions your face.


4. Rinse with warm water and apply the appropriate moisturizer for your skin type. Allow the mixture to penetrate for 15 minutes. Rinse with tepid water.

Resources for pumpkin recipes:
Cait Johnson, author of Witch in the Kitchen (Inner Traditions, 2001).
Lipman World, newsletter, Issue 2: Volume 1 2004, www.lipman world.com