With Halloween just around the corner, you’ll likely be carving pumpkins this weekend to get into the spooky spirit of the celebration on October 31st. But don’t toss those leftover pumpkin seeds! They hold a surprising secret: they’re a powerhouse for both your skin and hair.
According to Bella von Nesselrode MCMA, a skincare expert working with Ripe Hair & Beauty, pumpkin extract is a true skincare gem. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as flavonoids and carotenoids, it offers a potent blend of benefits for your complexion.
“Your skin needs extra TLC as the winter months set in,” says von Nesselrode. “It can look dull, and its lipid profile can suffer from the colder temperatures. Pumpkin extract is a powerful ally, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-histaminic and antimicrobial properties. It can help revitalize your skin, combat dryness, and leave it looking radiant.”
But the benefits don’t stop there. Pumpkin seed oil, derived from those leftover seeds, is a versatile ingredient with numerous applications for your skin and hair. It’s known to:
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Promote wound healing:
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in bioactive components like tocopherols, fatty acids, and phytosterols that can help accelerate the healing process of wounds.*
Treat chronic hand eczema:
Its anti-inflammatory properties can soothe and heal the irritated skin associated with chronic hand eczema.*
Combat hair loss:
A 2019 study revealed that regular scalp massages with pumpkin seed oil can significantly reduce hair loss. Dermatologist Dr Karan Lal explains that pumpkin seed oil effectively blocks DHT, a hormone responsible for male pattern baldness.Sofia Baig, a renowned trichologist and hair loss expert at Monpure London, emphasizes the remarkable benefits of pumpkin seed oil for hair. “It naturally blocks the production of DHT and can minimize excess shedding,” she explains. “It also boosts the growth of follicles entering into a new cycle of the anagen phase, making it a natural solution for hormonal hair loss, such as thinning during menopause and after childbirth.”
Ready to unlock the power of pumpkin? You can find pumpkin seed oil online or at your local supermarket and health food stores. But if you’re feeling crafty, you can easily make your own at home. Simply blend the shelled pumpkin seeds into a paste and warm the paste in a bain-marie with a few tablespoons of water. As the paste warms, it will release the oil. Strain the oil into a clean container using a muslin cloth, and you’ll have your own homemade pumpkin seed oil, ready to infuse your skincare and haircare routines with a touch of natural magic!