The Mighty Pumpkin

Nothing signals the arrival of fall quite like the glorious pumpkin. With its perfect size, vibrant color, and delicious taste, pumpkins truly are a gift of nature. They also hold a special place in my heart, as pumpkin was one of the first foods my premature baby would eat after months of aggressive tube feeding in the neonatal unit.

The association of pumpkins with Halloween began through the tradition of carving jack-o'-lanterns, a practice that originated in Ireland and Scotland. It traces back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, when people believed the veil between the lands of the living and the world of the dead was at its thinnest and supernatural beings would walk the earth. Carved root vegetables, often turnips, were transformed into lanterns with grotesque faces to illuminate the darkness of the night and ward off evil spirits. When Irish and Scottish immigrants brought this custom to the United States in the 19th century, they found pumpkins—native to North America—more abundant and easier to carve than turnips. Over time, pumpkins became the preferred choice for jack-o'-lanterns and a central symbol of Halloween.

With a range of skin benefits thanks to their wealth of vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes, we choose this glorious fruit with its rich heritage and delicate interior to blend into our small batch soap and bath products to help nourish and rejuvenate the skin. Some key benefits include:

1. Rich in Vitamins A and C:
• Vitamin A promotes cell turnover and smooths fine lines for a youthful glow.
• Vitamin C brightens the skin and supports collagen production, improving skin elasticity and firmness.

1. Exfoliating Enzymes: Pumpkin's natural enzymes gently exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing smoother and brighter skin without the harshness of physical scrubs.
2. Zinc and Potassium: These minerals help reduce redness and inflammation, making pumpkin beneficial for acne-prone skin. Zinc, in particular, helps control oil production.
3. Moisturizing Properties: Pumpkin is rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which help maintain hydration and combat dryness.
4. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs): AHAs in pumpkin improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and even out skin tone.

In our handcrafted soaps and body butters, we use locally sourced pumpkin—both the pulp and oil. The oil, extracted from the pressed fruit, is a rich amber color and offers countless benefits. To this precious pumpkin extract, we add complementary essential oils like cinnamon and vanilla. Whether blended into our cold-process soap, infused into the rich oils of our body butters, or combined in our fragrant soy candles, we acknowledge and revere the amazing pumpkin, and look forward to it’s arrival each year.