Benefits and DIY of Fall Ingredients for Your Body and Hair

 

 

September 22 marked the first day of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere which means hello to crisp fall mornings, horror movies, pumpkin spiced lattes, and trick-or-treating. It’s also a welcome back to comfy sweatshirts and thick cozy blankets.

 

But it doesn’t have to stop here. Here are three fall-related ingredients with listed benefits and DIY recipes that you can include in your hair and body routine to officially smell and feel the fall vibes.

 

Pumpkin

 

Pumpkins are not only suitable for baking pumpkin pie or a decorating staple both indoor and outdoor. The benefits include the following:

• Helps with hair growth: Pumpkins contain biotin (B-7), part of the Vitamin B family, which aids in the production of keratin, a type of protein found in our hair, skin, and nails.

• Fights scalp infections: Sulfur in pumpkin seeds helps fight scalp issues such as eczema and dandruff.

• Reduces acne: The high concentration of zinc in the orange fruit contains anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce oiliness and remove the bacteria that causes acne. It also contains Vitamin C, a great ingredient to treat acne scars.

 

DIY

 

Pumpkin hair mask for shinier and healthier hair

 

Ingredients

• 2 cups of cooked pumpkin

• 1 tbsp of coconut oil

• 1 tbsp of honey

• 1 tbsp of yogurt

 

Instructions

1. Puree the pumpkin and yogurt.

2. Add the coconut oil and honey. Make sure the mixture is smooth.

3. Apply the mixture to damp hair and cover it with a plastic cap. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

4. Wash it out thoroughly before washing your hair as usual.

 

Pumpkin body scrub for dry and flaky skin

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of brown sugar

• ½ cup of canned pumpkin

• ½ cup of coconut oil

• 1-2 tbsp of olive oil

• 4-5 4.5oz jelly jars or any airtight container

 

Instructions

1. Mix the ingredients in a bowl.

2. Put the scrub in the jelly jars or the container of your choice.

 

Note: Once opened, store it in the fridge and use it within four days. If the mixture gets seperated, stir.

 

Apple

 

The wonderful fruit with many varieties, colors, and tastes have its reasons for keeping the doctor away. The benefits include the following:

• Recover from hair loss: Apples contain procyanidin B-2, a type of antioxidant, and biotin which promotes healthy hair growth.

• Natural skin protection: Copper, in apples, contributes to the production of melanin, which protects you from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

• Increases collagen production: Vitamin C in this fruit helps produce collagen, which improves skin elasticity and skin barrier protection.

 

DIY

 

Apple hair mask for smooth and shiny hair

 

Ingredients

• 1-2 large apples

• 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp of lemon juice

• 1 tbsp of corn flour

 

Instructions

1. Peel, core, grate, and mash 1-2 apples into a thickish pulp.

2. Mix in the apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and corn flour to the pulp.

3. Apply this mixture on unwashed, dry hair and leave it on for 30 minutes.

4. Wash it off with lukewarm water before proceeding with your shampoo and conditioner.

 

Rejuvenating face mask with apple and rice

 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp of apple puree

• 1 tbsp of cooked rice

• 2 tsp of jojoba oil

 

Instructions

1. Mash the cooked rice with a fork until there are no lumps.

2. Combine with the apple puree and jojoba oil; mix well.

3. Apply to a washed face; leave it on for 20 minutes.

4. Rinse off thoroughly and moisturize.

 

 

Cinnamon

 

If fall is the time you sprinkle cinnamon in your pastries or beverages, you don’t have to leave it at that. You can sprinkle it into your hair and body care routine because of the following benefits:

• Stimulate circulation: Cinnamaldehyde, the organic compound that gives the spice its flavor and smell, canreduce hair loss.

• Antifungal properties: Cinnamon contains some antifungal properties that can treat dandruff caused by the fungus Malassezia.

• Shrink pores: With its astringent properties, cinnamon can help shrink pores which will make the skin appear smoother.

 

 

DIY

Note: Cinnamon is known to give side effects to certain individuals. Please do a patch test prior to applying it to your skin.

 

Cinnamon hair mask to stimulate circulation and treat dandruff

 

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of coconut or olive oil

  • If you have an oily scalp, use honey or yogurt instead

• 3-5 drops of cinnamon oil or 1 tsp of ground cinnamon

 

Instructions

1. In a small pan over low heat, boil your oil or oil substitute until it’s lukewarm.

2. Add the cinnamon oil or ground cinnamon; mix well.

3. Apply the mixture into your parted hair; first the scalp and then to the ends of your hair.

4. Leave it on for 15 minutes.

5. Wash off thoroughly and proceed to wash your hair as usual.

 

Honey and Cinnamon Mask to treat acne

 

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp of honey

• 1 tbsp of cinnamon

 

Instructions

1. Mix the ingredients together until it forms a paste.

2. Do a patch test prior to application; Wait 10 minutes for any reactions.

3. If everything is ok, apply the mixture onto your face.

4. Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse afterwards or leave it overnight.

 

There are other ingredients and spices that may be associated with autumn so we hope that by reading this, you’ll feel inspired to explore your kitchen cabinets for healthy hair and body.

 

Sources:

https://thebeautygypsy.com/apple-hair-recipe/

https://bespotted.org/benefits-of-apple-for-skin-diy-apple-face-masks/

https://www.healthline.com/health/cinnamon-for-hair#how-to-try-it

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315877#how-to-make-a-face-mask

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/pumpkin-hair-mask

https://thepennywisemama.com/homemade-pumpkin-body-scrub/

https://banish.com/blogs/article/15974952-benefits-of-pumpkin-for-your-skin

https://www.charlierenee.com/charlies-blog/2018/11/4/the-benefits-of-pumpkin-for-hair-and-skin

https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/apple-health-benefits-skin-6291.html