Good news for fridges already full to the brim: Leftover pumpkins from Halloween can be put to a second use on your face! Pumpkins smell and taste delicious at the Thanksgiving table, and they're even more effective as a natural skin care ingredient. Many think the pumpkin is a vegetable, but the gourd is actually a fruit because it grows on a vine and has seeds. This autumnal icon comes in various shades of green, yellow, and red, but we most recognize its bold and bright orange hue. Pumpkin pulp naturally contains high levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body naturally converts into vitamin A. Pumpkin also contains antioxidants and enzymes that speed up cell turnover, revealing brighter, younger-looking skin. And while many spas and skin care companies offer fancy (and pricey!) pumpkin enzyme peels, you can re-create your very own tangerine-tinted treatments with ingredients from your fall pantry. Here's an easy recipe to try!
Pumpkin Pedicure
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 raw egg
- 1/2 tsp raw honey
- Plastic wrap
Directions
Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl and apply to clean feet. Wrap your feet with clear plastic wrap and let your tootsies marinate for 15 minutes (don't forget to wrap in between your toes!). After time is up, rinse with lukewarm water and slather feet with your favorite foot cream.
