5 FALL SPICES WITH SKINCARE BENEFITS

Pumpkin Spice, Cinnamon Clove, AHHH the smell of Holiday season is all around us! I know in my treatment room at Millefiori, located in downtown Melbourne, I’ve been feeling the autumn atmosphere, mixing vanilla, cinnamon, clove and pumpkin in many of my facial treatments. Spices take center stage during fall and winter due to more cooking going on in the kitchen during these next few months than the rest of the year combined! I know myself, I usually stock up on certain spices during these autumn months like clove, saffron and others that are notorious in recipes that are used most often during the holidays. Now that you got a kitchen full of goodies, spread the love and use them to the fullest extent – in the food and on the face! Read on to see what spices have the most skincare benefits, and next time you’re cookin’ something up add a little to your skin for multi-purposing at its finest.

Cinnamon 

Cinnamon is antimicrobial and antibacterial. It can prevent infections (especially if you have open pustules from picking breakouts) and also control bacteria acne. Acne that spreads is usually related to one of these two issues and cinnamon can be an easy fix to control these issues. Find products with cinnamon listed as a main ingredient to get the best benefit. Looking for at home ideas as a mixologist? Create a mask with banana, honey, lemon and cinnamon for circulatory benefits and brightening of acne scarring and discoloration associated with picking.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin isn’t officially a spice, but this time of year we seem to horde canned pumpkin for unexpected desserts, smoothies, etc. Pumpkin (even the canned version) has high levels of antioxidants and vitamins, including A & C. It contains natural alpha hydroxyl acids that not exfoliate but tighten, brighten and smooth the skin. It can be quite active, so be careful if you are someone that naturally runs more red or warm. Also zinc is present in higher levels and can manage oil producing hormone levels – goodbye chin acne! Take a little canned pumpkin and shmear it all over for an at-home pick me up (rinse after 10 minutes and follow up with a good moisturizer – expect tightness!).

Turmeric

Turmeric is amazing for the redness you may carry throughout the holiday Season due to stress, dryness and weather change. Turmeric is a special spice that carries anti-inflammatory benefits to reduce redness and swelling (full face or acne associated). Just be careful to you fair ladies out there – turmeric can give a stained orange look for up to 24 hours due to its potency.

Pepper

This hot inducing spice raises the internal temperature of the body, increasing circulation and blood flow. What does that mean? FLOW = GLOW! Increasing blood circulation via working out, products, spices – they all help with a rosy (not red) and healthy complexion. As we age, this slows down, and adding pepper to your diet and topically on the skin can really help look alive! Add pepper to cleansers and masks to give a kick to your skincare routine.

Saffron

Saffron can be pricy – one of the most expensive spices that the average home chef owns. Saffron is popular in Indian cuisine and could be one contributing factor to the beautiful even skin that their population owns. Saffron brightens dull and uneven skin tone, especially incorporated with milk, and can yield measureable results that is somewhat surprising. Soak saffron strands in whole milk for about 30 minutes and apply liberally as a mask to glow all fall long! Just remember, saffron goes quick, and at almost $20 for small amount, you may want to use this one sparingly.