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Pumpkin Power: Pumpkin Spice Latte Skin Care
The ingredients in this popular fall beverage can give you dazzling skin.
Ah, the true mark of fall: the return of the pumpkin spice latte. The beverage has gained such a cult-like following over the years that it comes as a surprise its lovers aren’t forgoing the coffee mug and just bathing in it.
Well, fellow pumpkin-spice enthusiasts, you can. Sort of. Though here at HGTV we don’t recommend you run a bath with hot coffee, we do recommend you dissect the latte, as its ingredients are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are great for your skin.
We even went a step further and crafted an exfoliating face mask based on this brew that will keep your skin glowing all season.
Let’s look at the ingredients:
Pumpkin – Pumpkin is packed with vitamins and enzymes that rejuvenate skin, sweeping away dead skin cells to reveal a radiant complexion – this makes pumpkin great for aiding in dark spot removal.
Coffee – How dedicated are you to your morning (and mid-morning, and afternoon) cup of joe? Coffee has anti-inflammatory properties that “wake up” the skin – tightening it and making it feel smoother. When applied to the skin, coffee can also reduce redness.
Honey – Is there anything honey can’t do? Honey, especially in its raw form, hydrates and softens skin and has antibacterial properties. It’s gentle enough to use daily and perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Brown Sugar – Sugar is a powerful exfoliant and moisturizes the skin. Brown sugar is softer and less coarse than “regular,” white sugar, so it’s a good choice for a face cleanser.
Cinnamon – Like honey, cinnamon also has antibacterial properties, which helps it fight the bacteria that cause pimples and acne. However, be careful when using cinnamon in a mask: though most skin types will be just fine, cinnamon can be a skin-irritant or cause an allergic reaction. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to nix the cinnamon—try replacing it with a small spoonful of yogurt.
The best part about mixing your own face scrub is you can edit it to fit your needs. In this recipe we’re going for a thick, spa-day mask, but by just removing cinnamon and increasing the amount of pumpkin you can have a quick cleanser that you can use daily.
And hey—if you end up eating a spoonful of this sweet concoction, your secret’s safe with us.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Face Mask
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 tablespoon ground coffee
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
Mix the dry ingredients together in a small bowl. Add the pumpkin and honey and stir until all the dry ingredients have made contact with the wet ingredients. The mixture should be thick and hold up on its own on a spoon.
Apply mixture to face with a small spatula or the back of a spoon.
Wait 10–20 minutes or until the mask dries–you’ll feel it tighten. To rinse, splash water onto face, gently exfoliating in small circles with fingers. Wipe off any remaining mask residue with a warm, damp cloth.
If you have mask leftover, cover and refrigerate. Use within a week.
