Since my sister was so innovative in using butternut squash, I wanted to up the ante and do something fun with it too! I dabble with handmade beauty products, and I love to incorporate pantry items whenever I can – Who wants to buy a whole lot of extra ingredients for something that should be simple!?! I started experimenting with a basic oat milk mask, and put a spin on it by adding some cooked squash and its seeds to the mix. I questioned my own sanity as I was slathering the clumpy, orange, blend on my face, but the results were truly glowing!
I even inspired my Mom to try it, as she noticed how bright and smooth my skin looked, instantaneously. Here are the reasons why:
The squash works as a natural exfoliant, but gets a little bit of help from the seeds, as well. A pinch of cinnamon will kill bacteria at the surface-level. In addition, butternut squash is loaded with Beta Carotene, high in Vitamins A, C, and Zinc, thus acting as a brightener. The milk brings it all together, as a softening agent. You can use this formula as a scrub, or leave it on your face for up to 20 minutes as a mask – and might even find yourself wanting to eat it in the process because it smells really good!
PS – If you’re adverse to rubbing vegetables on your face (Totally understandable!), the oat/almond/seed base is equally effective and can be prepared on its own!
This recipe calls for a small amount of squash, so it’s very easy to set aside a bit when cooking it up to eat, or a great way to utilize leftovers! I recommend sampling the mix on a patch of skin first, as some can experience a reaction to the butternut squash, in particular.
INGREDIENTS
1 Tablespoon Rolled Oats
1 Tablespoon Almonds (Slivered or Whole)
1 Tablespoon Squash Seeds, or Pepitas, or Sunflower Seeds
2 Teaspoons Water (Oily Skin), or Milk (Normal Skin), or Heavy Cream (Dry Skin)
2 Teaspoons Cooked Butternut Squash
Pinch of Cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
Add the oats, almonds, and seeds of your choice to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until almost completely ground.
Stir the milk into the ground mixture. (Stop here if you are omitting the squash!)
Add the squash and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix until combined.
Use immediately. The mask / scrub will last in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
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