Fall is the perfect time of year to think about adding hydrating exfoliating face masks to your skin care routine. Temperatures are beginning to drop and everythingтАЩs coming up pumpkins, fallтАЩs favorite fruit. From coffee shop treats to holiday desserts to autumnal d├йcor, this amazing squash takes center stage and we love to see it! See how to boost your facial skin care with the wonder of pumpkin face masks.
Even though a pumpkin spiced sweet treat is a go-to in September, October and November, itтАЩs also important to remember that itтАЩs a natural superfood that offers some important nutrients to the body when ingested. It should come as no surprise that these nutrients also offer benefits to the skin:
- Beta Carotene: This nutrient is what gives pumpkins their signature orange color, as it does with carrots and sweet potatoes. Your body converts beta carotene to Vitamin A, which is a powerhouse antioxidant that defends against free radical damage usually caused by environmental pollutants and harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
- Vitamin C: Long known for its health benefits, this vitamin is widely regarded for its skin-brightening benefits for dark spots and uneven skin tone. Vitamin C also helps protect the bodyтАЩs largest organ from free radical damage and stimulate the production of collagen, fighting common signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity and sagging.
- Fatty Acids: Pumpkin seeds are great sources of Omega 3 and 6 lipids which are great for your skinтАЩs moisture retention as well as its suppleness.
- Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): Alpha hydroxy acids are commonly used for chemical exfoliation to smooth and resurface your skin by removing dead cells. The flesh contains these natural AHAs. The enzymatic power of pumpkin makes it a great component of exfoliating face masks.
- Zinc: This mineral helps control hormone levels and is often used for the treatment of acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of zinc also help relieve redness and irritation. Zinc can help minimize the appearance of scarring.
- Vitamin E: This vitamin is a known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and is found in a wide variety of skin care products.
LetтАЩs take a closer look at understanding why pumpkin face masks are a great boost for a fall skincare regimen.
Understanding the Effects of Cooler Weather and Why Exfoliating Face Masks Are Important
With cooler temperatures, the outdoor air tends to lose its moisture. The lack of humidity can lead to surface dryness which triggers your body to produce an oily substance known as sebum. While sebum in normal amounts provides hydration and defense for the skin, too much of this naturally occurring substance can lead to oily skin, acne breakouts and enlarged, clogged pores.
You might think an easy fix for cold weather is simply to spend more time indoors. When itтАЩs cold outside, most people turn on heating systems which also leads to drier indoor air that sucks up moisture from your skin. The resulting dryness kicks your sebaceous glands into overdrive, triggering oily skin symptoms:
- Oily appearance
- Acne
- Visible pores
- Blackheads
- Rough texture
As the fall rolls through, you need to pay closer attention to your regimen. While pumpkin may be good to your taste buds, itтАЩs great for your face when worked into your daily skincare.
Boosting Your Regimen With Pumpkin
WeтАЩve talked quite a bit about the wonders of pumpkin. Now itтАЩs time to work it into a complete routine:
- Cleansing: No skin care routine is complete without a good wash. Cleansing is how you remove grime and other pollutants from your face. While there are many facial washes available, not all are created equal. Some products clean by stripping your face of everything, including its natural moisture. Look for gentle cleansers that help replenish nutrients and lock natural moisture within. We love the ELEMIS Superfood Facial Wash, 5 oz. for daily cleansing. It contains several superfoods, including pumpkin seed oil for a complete, soothing clean.
- Toning: Toners offer several benefits, including minimizing the appearance of pores. PCA Skin Nutrient pHaze 5 Toner 4.4 oz. is a great addition to your routine, thanks to its unique formula which includes pumpkin to refine pores. It also offers enzymes and amino acids for a face that is smoother and more radiant looking.
- Moisturizing: No matter your skin type, itтАЩs essential that you moisturize, especially since fall weather can dehydrate the skin. Hydration is essential for combating the effects of aging such as fine lines, dryness and dullness. Moisturizing products come in various weights to keep the epidermis properly lubricated. Serums and lotions tend to be lighter in weight, while creams and emollients are heavier. Apply your preferred moisturizer after cleansing and toning in delicate, upward movements.
- Exfoliating: Skin cell turnover is one of the bodyтАЩs many processes. A buildup of dead skin cells can make your face look dull, tired and rough. A good routine includes products that exfoliate these dead cells to reveal brighter, glowing skin. Exfoliation is usually accomplished primarily through two methods:
- Chemical exfoliation: Alpha hydroxy acids and enzymes react with dead skin cells, removing them from your face. We recommend the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask 5 oz., as one of the best exfoliating face masks available. Enzymes sourced from our favorite gourd works to uncover younger looking skin. ItтАЩs great for all skin types, proving that jack-oтАЩ-lanterns donтАЩt have a lock on perfect pumpkin face masks.
- Physical exfoliation: Small beads collide with the outer layer, causing dead cells to detach from your epidermis. The Glo Skin Beauty Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub 1.7 oz. harnesses the power of both physical and chemical exfoliation to soften and improve your complexion. As the name indicates, pumpkin is the MVP for this amazing product which helps boost your skinтАЩs cell turnover.
- Protecting from the Sun: Harmful UVA and UVB rays can age the skin or burn it outright. Choose sunscreens or moisturizers that have a minimum SPF of 30 to effectively block these rays, especially when youтАЩll be out in the sun. ThereтАЩs still plenty of daylight during the fall months!
- Treating Specific Concerns: Your skin care regimen should be tailored to the specific needs of your face. This includes acne, anti-aging, eye care, dryness among other issues. Improve your routine with eye creams, serums, hydrating face masks and other products that target and repair whatever issues you may be dealing with, especially when the temperatures start to dip.
Now that weтАЩve delved into the amazing power of pumpkin, youтАЩll be looking forward to the fall more than ever. Step up your facial routine for the fall by incorporating facial products that leverage the benefits of this superfood for skin that is balanced and radiant. Whether you love a pumpkin spice coffee beverage or canтАЩt end a holiday dinner without a slice of pie, now you have even more to look forward to as the summer wanes.
At LaLa Daisy, weтАЩve got you completely covered with the best skin products at remarkable prices, including pumpkin face masks. With the right skincare approach, jack-oтАЩ-lanterns wonтАЩt be the only faces glowing this fall! You can read more about exfoliating your face at Wikipedia.
