As temperatures cool and seasons change, we become a nation obsessed with all things pumpkin. It fragrances our candles, becomes a decorating staple, and adds layers of flavor to our lattes. At KIND soap, we believe this superfood deserves the spotlight year-round for the incredible benefits it provides to your skin.

While it may be slightly entertaining to envision the pumpkin, donned in a flowing cape, standing atop a mass of inferior fruits and veggies, we truly hope to shine a light on the reasons why this gourd gets such a powerful title.

Nutritional Superiority
There’s no argument against a pump of pumpkin flavor to make that latte taste fantastic, but there is no substitute for the real thing. Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, the nutritional benefits of the pumpkin’s flesh and seeds rally those of other well-known produce powerhouses. Some of these nutritional benefits include:
Beta-Carotene- This provitamin converts to vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene is known to help boost your immune system, and is crucial to eye and coronary health.(1)
Vitamin K- We need this vitamin to properly clot blood and keep our bones strong.
Magnesium, Potassium, & Zinc- These minerals support a healthy heart, muscles, and nerve function.
Phytosterols- These plant sterols are known to lower cholesterol.(2)
Fiber- A healthy gut needs plant-based fibers. Nuff said.
Vitamin C- For immune support, heart health, and the skin, vitamin C is clearly necessary.
While there are a lot of great ways to sneak some pumpkin into your diet, it is recommended not to use pumpkin pie filling. The added sugars and syrups negate the health benefits. We went in search of something tasty, to fulfill that pumpkin craving, and found a delectable smoothie bowl by Erin at thealmondeater.com (3):

You’ve got a Little Food on Your Face…
Now that we’ve got your stomach rumbling for some pumpkin-y deliciousness, it’s time to get a little messy. That orange glowing gourd has the ability to give you radiant skin as well! So get to smearing that superfood on your face, and enjoy the external benefits of pumpkin. Let’s look at some of those now…
Sun Protection- That wonderful beta-carotene not only give you the ability to see well, it also acts as a natural sun barrier, blocking harmful UV rays. In addition to beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin E stand guard against those damaging rays.(4)
Collagen Production- The ample amounts of vitamins A & C found in pumpkin help your skin produce collagen, that wonderful protein that improves elasticity and keeps your skin youthful.
Cell Reproduction- We need those fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids to give us that bright, renewed glow.
Oil Regulation– This is great news for the driest of skins as well as the acne sufferers among us! Thanks to loads of zinc, oil production is regulated, keeping skin in perfect balance. Additionally, zinc helps promote healing.
Glowing Complexion- The molecular structure of pumpkin allows for deep penetration when used topically.(5)  All that good stuff goes deep beneath the outer layer of your skin and works its pumpkin power at the cellular level.
What You’ll Find at KIND
We’ve got your back when it comes to your face. You want that glowing, youthful complexion, and we aim to please. We offer the Pumpkin Facial Fruit Enzyme Peel year-round. We call this mask our most difference-making, immediate-results-having, my skin is so smooth, facial mask.

Shop Pumpkin Facial Now!
The light exfoliating action allows the antioxidants and anti-aging enzymes to do their stealthy ninja thing below the surface. Their fight is against free radicals and the damaging effects the environment throws right in your face.
While we aren’t quite ready to give up our pumpkin lattes all together, we are surely grateful for pumpkin’s ability to do more than flavor coffee. We’ve got enough to worry about in our daily lives. Let’s not let those worries pile up in lines across our forehead. Instead, let’s nourish our faces and bodies with the superpower of pumpkin.
 
Sources:

1. https://www.health.com/family/fall-superfood-spotlight-pumpkin
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/phytosterols-good-or-bad#section3
3. https://thealmondeater.com/2015/09/pumpkin-smoothie-bowl/
4. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/pumpkin#section8
5. https://www.dermalinstitute.com/us/news/2012/10/the-benefits-of-pumpkin-ingredients-on-the-skin/