Why You Need To Add Pumpkin To Your Skincare Routine

Here in the U.S., fall is the time for all things pumpkin. Starbucks brings back their iconic pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin candles make everything 10x cozier, and pumpkin pie is a staple of the season. What you may not know is that there's a place where pumpkin fits all year round — your skincare routine. We know it sounds crazy, but hear us out. 

According to Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City's Mount Sinai Hospital, "Pumpkin is rich in alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which help exfoliate and renew the skin. It also contains high levels of antioxidants like lycopene, which protect the skin from free radical damage" (via Allure).

The benefits of pumpkin enzymes in skincare can be reaped across a wide variety of products, including facial peels, scrubs, serums, masks, cleansers, and many more. Keep reading to discover the surprising benefits that pumpkin can have in your daily skincare routine.

Skincare gurus know that vitamin C is a major player in radiant skin, and pumpkin is packed full of it. According to Dr. Lily Talakoub, M.D., a dermatologist at McLean Dermatology and Skincare Center, while vitamin C plays an important role in boosting your immune system and fighting off sickness, it can also aid your skin by fighting sun damage and discoloration and preventing wrinkles (via Dermstore). It turns out, there's a laundry list of beneficial ingredients that make pumpkin such a powerful inclusion in your skincare routine, including beta-carotene, vitamin A, and zinc for effective acne prevention.

Pumpkin is also rich in vitamin E, which, according to board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss of Union Square Laser Dermatology, "helps fight inflammation, reduce pore size, and control excess oil" and "prevent the appearance of pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes" (via Allure). So, regardless of your feelings on the PSL, it may be time to incorporate this orange gourd into all seasons of your skincare routine.