5 Pumpkin-Infused Beauty Remedies to Reverse Thinning Hair, Smooth Wrinkles, and More

Pumpkin is a seasonal staple that’s packed with anti-aging nutrients that rejuvenate skin and hair. Try these five pumpkin-infused beauty remedies, which will leave you looking gourd-geous in no time!

Reverse thinning with a pumpkin conditioner.

The oil extracted from the gourd’s seeds contains unique compounds that increase circulation to the scalp to encourage healthy hair growth and help keep follicles in an active growth phase. And combining with fatty acid–rich olive oil plumps individual strands so hair appears thicker, stat.

Try it: Mix 1⁄2 tablespoon of pumpkin seed oil like Mountain Rose Herbs Pumpkin Seed Oil, (Buy at MountainRoseHerbs.com, $11.50) and one tablespoon of olive oil. Massage all over damp hair and let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing.

Soften rough patches with a pumpkin scrub.

Enzymes in pumpkin whisk away dead, dry cells on skin’s surface. Speed the results by pairing with sea salt (it exfoliates) and almond oil (its vitamin E deeply hydrates skin).

Try it: Combine one tablespoon of pumpkin puree, 1⁄2 tablespoon of sea salt, and 1⁄2 tablespoon of almond oil. Massage onto damp skin for one minute; rinse.

Fade age spots with a pumpkin cream.

Exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids and skin-brightening vitamin C in the gourd reduce dark spots. Using with yogurt (its lactic acid dissolves discolored cells) helps skin appear more even faster.

Try it: Mix 1⁄2 tablespoon of pumpkin puree and 1⁄2 tablespoon of yogurt. Dab onto spots and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.

Smooth wrinkles with a pumpkin lotion.

Rich in collagen-stimulating vitamin A, pumpkin firms skin to diminish the appearance of wrinkles. And combining with egg whites (their amino acids and protein tighten skin) and honey (a humectant that “fills in” lines) amps up the skin-smoothing and firming effects.

Try it: Mix one tablespoon of pumpkin puree, one egg white and two teaspoons of honey. Apply to wrinkly skin and let sit for 15 minutes; rinse with cool water.

Soothe rosacea with a pumpkin mask.

Pumpkin flesh has potent anti-inflammatory properties that ease redness and irritation on contact. Blending with coconut oil (its antioxidants repair and fortify skin’s barrier) boosts the calming benef its.

Try it: Combine two teaspoons of pumpkin puree and two teaspoons of coconut oil. Rub onto irritated areas and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse.

A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.