So much more than a scary decoration
Whilst typically thought of as an autumnal vegetable used in warming soups and a scary Halloween decoration, pumpkin is actually one heck of a skincare ingredient.
High in vitamins A, C and E, it works wonders at reducing and smoothing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, as well as fading dark spots. And as it's made up of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), it works much like glycolic and lactic acids to break down and remove dead skin cells, which as a result speeds up cell turnover to reveal brighter looking skin.
See? Wonder ingredient.
Here's our roundup of the 10 best products containing pumpkin...
Frances Prescott Tri-Balm, £46 Cult Beauty
Whilst it might sound strange for one product to be both cleanser and exfoliator, as well as a moisturiser, this multi-tasker is in fact all three. Add water to it and it emulsifies, removing make-up and dirt, let it sit on the skin and allow the pumpkin enzymes to gently nibble away at any dead skin cells, and leave it on all day for a plump, freshly cleansed glow thanks to the rich, nourishing ingredients, like sweet almond and mandarin peel oil.
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Emma Hardie Moisture Boost Vit + C Cream, £49 Look Fantastic
Dull skin's worst enemy. The combination of vitamins B3 and C, as well as red algae, pumpkin enzymes, shea butter and grapeseed oil brighten skin, whilst encouraging collagen production, calming the appearance of dark spots and ridding the skin's surface of glow-preventing, dead dulling cells.
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Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment, £72 Cult Beauty
This is a punchy treatment that has been nicknamed 'The Hollywood 2-minute facial' and two minutes is really all you need. The LA-based facialist combines both physical and enzyme exfoliators (our trusty pumpkin, papaya and pineapple) to help reveal super glowy skin.
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Neal's Yard Remedies Geranium and Orange Hand Lotion, £13 John Lewis
Skincare doesn't stop at your face. This delicious hand lotion contains pumpkin seed oil, which brightens and firms the skin on your hands. Keep next to your sink.
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Mádara Superseed Soothing Hydration Organic Facial Oil, £42.50 Look Fantastic
Who doesn't want to skin that screams radiant energy?! There are a total of nine different dry oils inside this face oil, including our favourite pumpkin. Together they help to reveal a brighter, more even complexion that deserves to shown off. Add into your daily moisturiser or use alone.
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Pai Pomegranate & Pumpkin Stretch Mark System, £50 John Lewis
Fight stretch marks with this two-pronged attack. Use the cream in the morning, which pushes water into the skin to promote elasticity, and the oil in the evening, which helps work on skin suppleness. Both are laced with pumpkin extract to encourage sluggish cell turnover.
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Votary Super Seed Facial Oil, £70 Net-A-Porter
This natural face oil tackles redness, irritation and loss of elasticity and plumpness, which makes it perfect for dry, sensitive or hormonal skin. The pumpkin plays a big part in all that by refining the skin's texture and kick starting cell turnover.
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Lancer Skincare The Method: Polish, £62.18 Look Fantastic
From the man behind Beyoncé, Margot Robbie, Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's complexions, comes The Method. A simplified routine that promises to deliver. Inside The Polish you'll find pumpkin and pomegranate extracts, which help to banish any uneven texture. The A-List option.
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Summer Fridays Overtime Mask, £39 Cult Beauty
Summer Fridays are known for creating instant cult products, and this one is no different. Called Overtime, because it's perfect for those times when you've been busy and have neglected your skin slightly. Apply a thick layer onto clean, dry skin and work it in for 60 seconds before leaving it for 10 minutes. Goodbye lacklustre skin, hello glow.
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Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, £46 Cult Beauty
If you're partial to a Spiced Pumpkin Latte from Starbucks around Christmas time, then you will love the way this smells. You'll also love the way that the AHAs and pumpkin enzymes cut through surface debris and dead skin to reveal skin that reflects light like never before.
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It's time to take pumpkin more seriously.
Invest in this vegetable now.
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