October is just around the bend and we’re thinking pumpkin – of course! It’s a go-to fall favorite from beverages to candles and everything in between. For us, pumpkin rocks skincare with its hundreds of healing and skin rejuvenating properties. Pumpkin is a super fruit that gently exfoliates, hydrates, and protects the skin.
Pumpkin is a natural for fall, when it’s time to repair the effects of summer skin (and get our glow on for the holiday season!). Pumpkin’s many benefits include increasing collagen production and smoothing and repairing – it’s a natural form of retinoic acid.
Pumpkin is commonly known for containing beta-carotene, but there are many more healing ingredients (over 100) that promote skin health. We’ve listed 20 here which may surprise you, but we encourage you to discover them all!
1. Arginine: A semi-essential amino acid which inhibits free-radical production. It works with Alanine to suppress crystallization of glucose in protein fibrils.
2. L-Ascorbic acid: A form of vitamin C which delivers antioxidants to the skin, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.
3. Beta-carotene (D): An antioxidant pro-vitamin that protects against UV damage, and is a predecessor of vitamin A.
4. Caffeic acid: Helps reduce the appearance of pigmentation.
5. Calcium: Provides hydrating benefits and stimulates tissue repair.
6. Glutamic acid: A protein-building amino acid that promotes the synthesis of NaPCA or sodium PCA, which is responsible for attracting moisture to the skin and preventing water loss.
7. Hydroxy-brenztrauben acid: A version of pyruvic acid, helps metabolize AGE (advanced glycation ends – product of aging) sugar-crystals, stimulating collagen production and cross-linking collagen and elastin fibrils.
8. Hydroxybutyric acid: A fatty acid that help dissolve the skin’s waste products and improves the skin’s self-cleaning capabilities.
9. Kaempferol: A plant flavonoid, it protects from UV damage and is a powerful antioxidant.
10. Lauric acid: An emollient fatty acid with antibacterial and antibiotic properties.
11. Lutein: A naturally occurring carotenoid (an antioxidant) offering powerful skin protection.
12. Lysine: An essential protein-building amino acid and growth promoter.
13. Niacin: Vitamin B3 that’s important for energy release in the tissue and is responsible for growth and maintenance of healthy skin.
14. Phytosterols: Promotes healthy enzyme levels in the epidermis, and are responsible for barrier repair in the stratum corneum.
15. Riboflavin: Part of the B vitamin group, aids in skin development and function.
16. Salicylic acid: A beta-hydroxy acid. Pumpkin has the highest natural concentration of salicylic acid of any plant.
17. Selenium: A potent antioxidant. Pumpkin-based selenium is particularly powerful blended with other natural carotenoids (other antioxidants).
18. Trigonelline: Antibacterial and antiviral properties. Helps preserve the skin around eyes, lips and nose.
19. Valine: A branched-chain amino acid which the body does not produce naturally. It must be obtained through outside sources (like diet). It boosts antibacterial skin pathways.
20. Xanthophyll: Highly stable plant pigment carotenoids. Potent antioxidant, protects the skin from environmental damage.
That’s our short list of ingredients that make pumpkin a skincare powerhouse – there are lots more! Pumpkin works for many skin conditions, but it is especially beneficial for skin that needs healing and repair. And it’s not just for fall – we love it all year round.
Schedule a fall facial today and ask how pumpkin can rejuvenate your skin – and don’t forget to try our Pumpkin Enzyme Exfoliant and skin conditioner in your homecare routine.