The weather is cooling, the leaves are turning, Thanksgiving is in the air and I am totally in the mood for all things pumpkin, how about you? I absolutely love everything and anything pumpkin! I adore pumpkin bread (BTW I make THE best addictive pumpkin bread ever), pumpkin pancakes, the warm orangey color of pumpkin, pumpkin pie and the warm spicy smell of pumpkin anything. And not only does it look, smell and taste yummy, but pumpkin also contains so many good for you ingredients that provide nourishment and nutrients for your body from the inside out.

Being a beauty maven, I am especially intrigued by the beauty benefits of this exquisite orange colored squash. Pumpkin is high in antioxidants and jam-packed with vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, potassium, beta carotene and zinc, which are all fabulous anti-aging ingredients that can give your skin a rejuvenated, healthy glow. Pumpkin can soothe and protect your skin, nourish tired or dry skin, refresh and soften the skin, unclog the pores, remove impurities and help to control acne. Pumpkin also works as an accelerator for other ingredients, helping your skin absorb vital nutrients and vitamins quickly. Pumpkin offers so many benefits when applied topically to the skin, and that is why beauty product companies are making a variety of skincare products that contain pumpkin enzymes as a the main ingredient.

Given my passion for this luscious orange flesh, I thought that I would share a couple of quick and simple skincare recipes for homemade pumpkin treats that you can dabble in this Halloween season without the calories or the guilt. Trick or Treat!

Pumpkin Face Mask

2 tsp canned pumpkin

½ tsp honey

½ tsp milk

¼ tsp cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

Mix all of the above ingredients together into a paste, and brush onto freshly cleansed skin, making sure to avoid the eye area. Sit back and chillax (love this word!) for fifteen minutes while your facial mask exfoliates and conditions your skin, and then rinse off with warm water. Ahhh your face will feel like (pumpkin) buttah!

Pumpkin Pie Sugar Scrub

1 cup Granulated Sugar or Sugar in the Raw

1/4 cup Oil

1/4 cup Pumpkin

1/8 tsp  ground Nutmeg

1/8 tsp  ground Cinnamon

1/8 tsp  ground Cloves

1/8 tsp  ground Allspice

1/8 tsp  ground Ginger

Mix everything together and apply generously to clean skin, massaging gently in a circular motion paying special attention to dry spots like elbows, knees and feet. Rinse with warm water and enjoy your soft and supple skin. I dare you not to eat this yummy body treat!