Ingredient Spotlight: Pumpkin

by Erica Shaw
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Our Summer Skin Series is over, and it’s October, which means one thing: PUMPKIN EVERYTHING! If you love pumpkin or can’t stand it, hopefully by the end of this blog you will at least understand why it is so commonly used in skincare and maybe even schedule yourself a Pumpkin Peel.

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So what is it about this strange gourd (is it a gourd? Is it a vegetable?!?) that makes everyone swoon this time of year? If you've read my latest Throw It Out Thursday blog, you might now why we love pumpkins so much. For those who haven't, consider this a lesson in all things pumpkin!

When discussing ingredients, we break things down into features and benefits. What are the features of this ingredient, and how will that show up or benefit the skin. The features of pumpkin are its high content of Vitamin A and Vitamin C, and it contains fruit acids also known as AHA. Sounds great, but what does that really mean?

“Pumpkin is made up of alpha hydroxy acids (similar to glycolic acid and lactic acid), which are fruit acids that slough dead skin cells, increase cell turnover and keep the skin glowing.”
— Lily Talakoub M.D., Mclean Dermatology and Skincare Center

This is where we get into the benefits of pumpkin, and the results you are going to see on your skin. Let’s start with the AHA part as people get really excited around exfoliation. As mentioned in the quote above, pumpkin is loaded with these fruit acids which help to dissolve dead skin cells.

As we age, our skin cell turnover slows down, our collagen and elastin slow down, and basically, we need a lot of help! This “help” comes in the form of exfoliation and serums, these are the products that assist us in slowing down the aging process.

How do you ask?

Well! When you exfoliate, your skin sees this as trauma and sends the appropriate support: new skin cells, collagen, and elastin to repair the damage. You can see why this would help slow down aging skin! It is important to note that scrubs are not the preferred method of exfoliation for aging skin as you need the extra perks that enzymes and acids can provide, which brings us to the next point, the Vitamins.

Vitamin A is a well-known exfoliating vitamin also known by the name Retinal or Retin-A, all derivatives of this original ingredient.

Here are just a few benefits of using Vitamin A: it improves fine lines and wrinkles, stimulates fibroblasts which help in the production of collagen and elastin, fights against UV damage, and can help in clearing up acne. Just don’t get crazy and start using Retin-A every day!

Depending on how it is formulated, it can be very aggressive and too much so to be used daily. This will all depend on your product line and their recommendation on usage. Nonetheless, this is a fantastic ingredient and power player in the battle of aging skin.

“Unlike many other nutrients, vitamin A is a group of compounds that includes its active forms (retinal, retinol and retinoic acid) and other provitamin A carotenoids, like beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene (and the other carotenoids) is the form of vitamin A that we get directly from the plant foods we eat. The pre-formed or active forms are found in animal foods. In our bodies, beta-carotene is converted into the retinol form of vitamin A.”
— The Skin Benefits of Vitamin A 

So you love Vitamin A, but what about Vitamin C? Did you know it’s also a very powerful and key ingredient in pumpkin pulp? The good news is Vitamin C is so amazing that it also supports other key ingredients like Vitamin A!

Fun fact, did you know that some of that amazing Vitamin C are stored in your skin? Due to this, it is a key player in protecting you from UV damage as it neutralizes the free radicals that UV exposure creates. These free radicals scavenge out collagen and damage it, so not only is Vitamin C neutralizing those free radicals from doing so but in turn, protects collagen which is then even further supported by Vitamin A.

Whew, It is a full circle! One last benefit of Vitamin C I will share with you is that it also has wound healing properties, making it great for speeding up the healing of acne. Other than cooking your dinner and doing dishes, is there anything Vitamin C can’t do!?!

pumpkin facial

You should be hooked on the pumpkin and super jazzed about all those benefits for your skin! However, I want to discourage you from making your own pumpkin exfoliant at home, mainly because it is so strong that you can damage your skin and I am all about prevention.

Leave this one up to the professionals and either invest in some good old pumpkin skincare from a product line you trust or schedule a Pumpkin Peel with your esthetician. Speaking of which, we offer a Pumpkin Peel, Pumpkin Latte Facial, and Pumpkin Spice Facial, each one geared for a different skin type and different conditions:

Pumpkin Peel

This is a strong one and meant for pretty resilient skin. Picture that old lady from There’s Something About Mary, she would benefit greatly from this treatment!

Benefits:

  1. Resurfaces skin texture and pore size

  2. Antioxidant rich

  3. Reduces sun damage

  4. Can cause peeling

Pumpkin Latte Facial

So you want a Pumpkin Facial but your skin isn’t quite ready for a peel. This treatment includes a Goji Berry & Yogurt Mask to bring down the intensity of the pumpkin.

Benefits:

  1. Gently dissolves dead skin cells without peeling

  2. Leaves you with a beautiful, healthy glow to your skin

Pumpkin Spice Facial

A very seasonal treat, this facial mixes in the Autumn Spice Hydration Mask with the Pumpkin enzyme and is only available October-December while supplies last.

Benefits:

  1. Clove and nutmeg sooth inflammation

  2. Antibacterial

  3. Helps to draw in moisture to the skin from the air

These treatments are available to you at Enlighten Bodhi Spa, and unless this is our first facial together, there is a pumpkin facial for everyone! There are also a lot of skincare companies that bring out pumpkin goodies seasonally and can be easily incorporated into your home care routine.

One of my favorites right now is Alana Mitchell and her Pumpkin Cleanser, loaded with all the benefits I mentioned above and safe enough to use daily. There are pumpkin brightening masks out there too, doubling up the power of pumpkin as an exfoliant and for skin repair.

However you decide to incorporate pumpkin into your skincare, you’ve got a good foundation with this blog and are ready to choose the right pumpkin for you.

‘Tis the season to enjoy all things merry and bright, why not make your reflection one of those things!

Till next time, be good to your skin and even better to yourself,

xx eri

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