Pumpkin Seed Oil Will Take Your Fall Beauty Routine to the Next Level

It’s that time of year again… all pumpkin everything. I’m not complaining. While I might take a pass on those pumpkin lattes, you’ll definitely find me snacking on pumpkin seeds, eating this divine pumpkin beer sharp cheddar gnocchi soup, and slathering my skin in this amazing pumpkin based face mask all season long. Pumpkins are amazing, y’all.

Every year I try to incorporate at least one seasonal beauty recipe into my routine. This year, I’m totally crushing on Pumpkin Seed Oil. Pumpkin Seed Oil is rich in vitamin E, zinc, omega 3- and 6- fatty acids, and antioxidants. The high amounts of zinc and vitamin E improve skin tone, help wounds heal more rapidly, fight acne and help with skin renewal. Even better, many of the minerals and vitamins in Pumpkin Seed Oil have anti-aging effects as well. This versatile carrier oil is the perfect addition to your fall beauty routine. Use it as a cleanser. Use it as a toner. This stuff does it all! Check out these Pumpkin Seed Oil beauty recipes that are sure to become your Fall beauty routine faves!

Pumpkin Seed Oil Daily Face Cleanser

Ingredients

  • ½ c raw honey
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin seed oil (find it here)
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 3-5 drops tea tree oil

Directions

Mix ingredients together and apply to damp skin. Massage your face and neck in a circular motion and rinse off with warm water.

Pumpkin Seed Oil Toner

This is an easy one. If you love witch hazel and you often use it as a toner then you know that it can quickly dry out your skin as the weather gets colder. Pumpkin Seed Oil will be your new best friend. Simply add equal parts Pumpkin Seed Oil and witch hazel to keep your skin both toned and moisturized. You may need to play with the proportions a bit to suit your specific skin care needs.

Pumpkin Seed Rosewater Face Mask

We all know how incredibly detoxifying a good clay mask can be. They pull out toxins, reduce oil, help get out blackheads, and even minimize the appearance of pores. With so many types of clay to choose from, I’ve even taken up the art of multi-masking to reap the variety of benefits in one application. The only drawback of clay-based face masks is that they can be incredibly drying. Not so bueno for cold weather skin care.

Autumn is in the air, and with it comes that familiar wind chill that sucks the moisture right out of our faces. Don’t despair. Imagine a clay mask that is as hydrating as it is detoxifying. This pumpkin seed rosewater face mask delivers just that. It has all the detox power of your favorite clay mask, but will leave your skin feeling moisturized. Honey is a natural humectant, while pumpkin seeds are chock full of skin friendly vitamins and minerals like zinc, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C.

Pumpkin Seed Rosewater Face Mask

Ingredients

  • 1/4 c pumpkin seeds
  • 1/3 cup rosewater
  • 1 tablespoon clay
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

  • Combine the pumpkin seeds and rosewater in a lidded container and place in the fridge to soak overnight.
  • The next morning, add the soaked pumpkin seeds and rosewater to a high speed blender along with the honey. Blend until smooth.
  • Transfer to a non-metal dish and stir in the clay using a non-metal utensil.
  • To use, simply smooth the mask over your face in a generous layer, avoiding your eye area.
  • Allow the mask to dry (this mask takes a little bit longer to dry out than others- about 30 minutes)
  • Wash off with warm water and enjoy your new glow!

***this mask must be stored in the fridge and will last over a week there in an airtight container.

Source: Catching Seeds

DIY Face Mask Perfect for Hormonal Breakouts

That time of the month? Tame those hormonal breakouts with this clarifying face mask. This mask is a brightening, nourishing, and deep cleansing powerhouse. Harnessing the antioxidant-rich duo of Maca and cacao, your skin will totally thank you. (Makes one mask)

Maca Cacao Clay Mask

ingredients

  • ½ teaspoon raw maca powder (find it here)
  • ½ teaspoon raw cacao powder (find it here)
  • ½ teaspoon bentonite clay (find it here)
  • 1 teaspoon light oil such as jojoba, sweet almond oil, or liquid coconut oil

directions

  • Mix all ingredients to make a paste (your mixture should look a lot like chocolate syrup)
  • spread the mixture evenly on your face and neck avoiding your eyes
  • let the mask set for about 15-20 minutes
  • gently rinse with warm water
  • repeat once a week

Source: Peaceful Dumpling

Homemade Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub

The older I get, the more I realize how dependent my mood is on the changing seasons. Winter always leaves me feeling bummed out and run down. The smell of firewood, peppermint, cinnamon, and cloves always makes me feel strangely nostalgic and sleepy all at once. I’m not complaining exactly. I kinda like the fact that my spirit goes into hibernation mode during the Winter months. It tends to make Spring and Summer that much more energizing. The smell of roses, citrus, mown grass, and the salty breeze from the Atlantic, always perk me up and make me want to live!

Over the weekend I made this amazing coconut lime sugar scrub just in time for Spring and Cinco de Mayo! This stuff is the real deal. The fresh scent of lime is totally energizing and the coconut oil leaves your skin feeling super smooth. I use some variation of this sugar scrub every summer at least twice a week. This recipe makes a lot, so if you don’t need as much you can tweak the proportions to suit your needs. Happy Spring, you guys!

Homemade Coconut Lime Sugar Scrub

Ingredients

  • 1 c. coconut oil
  • 1.5 c. sugar
  • zest from one lime
  • lime essential oil

Directions

  • Combine coconut oil, sugar and lime zest. Mix until combined.
  • Add 7 drops of lime oil and stir. If the smell isn’t strong enough, add more oil, 2 drops at a time.
  • Store in an airtight glass jar (the jars pictured here are from Target).

Image and Recipe: Homemade Mood

Take Your Shower to Spa Heights: DIY Oatmeal Rose Face Mask and Homemade Eucalyptus Body Oil

Last night was one of those nights when you get home and you just want to let the horrendous day you just had melt away in a soothing oatmeal bath. I was pretty tired though, so I needed to find a way to capture that long bath soak feeling into a quick shower. I’ve been fooling around with oatmeal skin care recipes for a while now, and I absolutely love the silky smooth texture that oats give the skin. I was feeling drained and sluggish, and the malaise of the day was definitely showing on my tired skin.

Because these oatmeal eucalyptus bath salts is one of my absolute favorite pampering recipes, I decided to whip up an oatmeal mask to use in the shower. I found exactly what I was looking for while drooling over Lauren Conrad’s incredible DIYs. These recipes are just what the doctor ordered!  Instead of using eucalyptus in the oatmeal mask, this recipe calls for a little rose water. Rose water revitalizes and moisturizes the skin, all while helping to improve the appearance of scars, and giving the skin a healthy glow. As much as I love rose water, I didn’t want to cheat myself out of the relaxing effect of eucalyptus. I followed up the oatmeal mask with a soothing eucalyptus body oil, and let me tell you! I felt amazingly calm. Long story short: if you’re dog tired but still in need of a luxurious, I-just-bathed-in-royal-splendor kinda feeling take these recipes and create your own spa shower tonight!

DIY Oatmeal Rose Face Mask

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup fresh or dried rose petals
  • 1 tbsp rose water
  • 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, or rose coconut oil if you want the mask to be pink!
  • 1 tsp honey

Directions

  • mix oats and rose petals in a blender until the consistency is fine and gritty
  • pour mixture into a glass bowl and add rose water, coconut oil, and honey
  • stir well
  • apply to your face and leave it on while you shower (about 10 minutes) and rinse

Homemade Eucalyptus Body Oil

ingredients

  • 2 tbsp jojoba oil
  • 2 tbsp rosehip oil
  • 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil

directions

  • combine all oils in a small dropper bottle
  • shake well to mix the oils
  • apply to any dry areas of your body and allow it to absorb into your skin