The Great Pumpkin…Facial Treatment

It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to carving pumpkins and Halloween festivities. This brings me to the topic of the benefits of pumpkin enzymes for your skin. Without getting too scientific, enzymes, whether they are extracted from pumpkin, pineapple or papaya, digest dead cells to increase exfoliation, decongest pores and allow newer cells to come forth. Pumpkin also contains Vitamin A, C and Zinc.

There are a multitude of pumpkin treatments for use year round, but more conducive to the Fall season. There are professional treatments your aesthetician can perform and there are home treatments you can do which are less effective than a professional treatment, yet still effective enough to get those “dead” cells moving.

If you want to make your own treatments, you can take the leftover pumpkin pulp from the pumpkin you carved and try the recipe below.

A professional pumpkin treatment such as the PCA Retexturize: Therapeutic Pumpkin Mask, not only contains pumpkin fruit enzymes but also has salicylic acid to address thick, resilient skin affected by acne, sun damage or build up of dead cells from lack of cell turnover. The treatment does get a little spicy, but is soothed by antioxidants to leave your skin glowing. This treatment is for all skin types.

There are home treatments you can do, however, they are not as corrective as a professional treatment. gloTherapeutics Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub is a very gentle treatment that lifts away dead skin build up to reveal smoother, glowing skin. The pumpkin enzyme in this scrub is naturally rich in Vitamin A and antioxidants as well as ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties. This mask is for all skin types except the most sensitive.

The Revision Skincare Pore Refining Pumpkin Mask is a creamy blend of minerals and enzymes that makes your skin smoother in just one application. It’s a warming mask and feels just wonderful and the pumpkin aroma is like Halloween and desert in a tube.

Do It Yourself – Pumpkin Honey Facial Mask:

Ingredients:

cooked, pureed pumpkin pulp (a few tablespoons)
1 whipped egg white (which will help tighten pores and reduce the appearance of fine lines)
1 tablespoon plain yogurt (which will help exfoliate)
1 tablespoon honey (which is anti-bacterial, great for clearing acne)

Mix and apply to entire face, avoiding the eye area and leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing. The yogurt and pumpkin will encourage cell-turnover and exfoliate, while the honey has anti-bacterial properties to ensure a fresh face for fall.

Although these treatments are very superficial, they can lift your “spirits” and be rejuvenating for skin types that are non-problematic. Problematic skin types do need treatments that address the causes of the skin that is not healthy such as acne and Rosacea.

About the Author

Nancy Russ attended Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences and Technology. At Cindy Lee Facial and Nail Institute in Daytona Beach, Florida, she earned her Full Specialty License in Skin and Nails. Nancy has over 28 years in the skincare industry and works at Advanced Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Port Orange. She has received additional education and certifications from PCA Skincare, Kalil Medical, Image Skincare, NeoCutis, VisaoMD, Obagi, SkinMedica, gloMinerals and Oxygenetix. Her passion lies in helping the patient/client with obtaining healthier skin by coming up with a plan of action that is suitable for the patient/client lifestyle and as well as advanced exfoliation treatments. You can reach Nancy at 386-322-8310 x206 or email her at nruss@leavittmgt.com.