Autumn can play some nasty tricks on your skin with its winds and chilly weather. But you can give your skin a treat by using the perfect ingredient of the season, pumpkin, to reveal glowing new skin underneath.
Pumpkin contains a lot of amazing properties that benefit the skin in many different ways. So how does pumpkin help skin?
- Pumpkin is packed with fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which increase cell turnover, to brighten and smooth the skin.
- Pumpkin contains antioxidant Vitamin A and Vitamin C to help soften and soothe the skin and boost collagen production to prevent the signs of aging.
- Zinc in pumpkin seeds is brilliant for acne sufferers. Zinc will help control the hormone level and oil production, as well as assist with healing of the skin.
- Pumpkin seeds are high in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are necessary to maintain good barrier function of the skin. They also regulate sebum, great for an oily skin.
- The molecular structure of pumpkin is small and therefore can penetrate deeper into the skin when used topically. This is amazing for treating a dull complexion, aging skin and pigmentation.
Behold, the Easiest Pumpkin Soup Recipe Ever
This simple, comforting meal is a lifesaver when you’re short on time (or tuckered out from a day at the pumpkin patch). Dress it up with parsley, packaged croutons, walnuts, snipped chives, or a handful of pumpkin seeds.
Ingredient
- 1 medium onion, grated
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 29-oz. can pure pumpkin
- 2 14.5-oz. cans chicken broth (4 cups)
- 1/2 c. heavy cream
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 3/4 tsp. salt
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, 3 minutes or until soft.
- Stir in the pure pumpkin, chicken broth, cream, pumpkin pie spice, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally for 3 minutes or until soup simmers.
- Ladle into bowls and top as desired. Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.