The Scoop On Pumpkin

Is there more to pumpkin than the usual holiday pies, bread, and ice cream? Apparently so. The popular autumn vegetable moves from treat to treatment through luscious body wraps, scrubs, peels, and facials available in spas around San Diego. Most of us know that eating pumpkin has great health benefits, but many of us are not aware that wearing it (the pulp, not the costume) also promotes healthier skin.

The nutrients found in pumpkin seed oil, for example, contain essential fatty acids, antioxidants, zinc, and vitamins A and E, all of which promote healthier bodies when ingested. What are the benefits, however, when applied to the skin? Vitamin E, for starters, found in pumpkin at high levels, can reduce the amount of scarring from wounds, diminish the appearance of wrinkles, and soften the effect of stretch marks. It can even decrease the redness from rosacea and the effects of psoriasis. In addition, pumpkin contains exfoliating enzymes that dissolve dry, dead skin cells, making it a perfect candidate for skin peels.

Pumpkin also contains high amounts of antioxidants, which are not just good for internal consumption. According to Lester Packer, PhD, who pioneered much of the research on antioxidants at the University of California, Berkeley over the past three decades, free radicals are the primary agents in the advancement of the aging process, and antioxidants, applied both internally and topically, are the best defense. Free radicals attack our cells both internally and through the environment. They occur through normal chemical reactions inside us, and all around us through pollution, atmospheric radiation, stress, x-rays, strenuous exercise, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption.

Treatment lies in the application of high doses of antioxidants that fight the cell-damaging free radicals. Notable among antioxidants are carotenoids, found in orange, red, and yellow plants, fruits, and flowers, which, of course, includes pumpkin. Carotenoids carry the first line of defense by absorbing large amounts of the free radicals, providing critical cell protection and freeing up other antioxidants to function in other, specialized ways. Packer adds that skin care experts are now recognizing the anti-aging benefits of antioxidants when applied directly to the skin.

There are a number of spas in the area serving up pumpkin treatments. Darcie DeBartelo, corporate director of spas for Evans Hotels, describes an exotic pumpkin mud body wrap as part of a "menu of treatment rituals." She adds, "We have created a menu of services for our spas in the same way a chef would create a menu for a gourmet restaurant." The pumpkin wrap "starts with a fruit extract exfoliation containing alpha-hydroxy acids, fruit acids from grapefruit, papaya, peach, kiwi, and apricot, and also jojoba spheres.

This leaves the skin soft and silky. Next, the wrap consists of a two-part body mask made up of pumpkin, tomato, spinach, beets, and artichoke extracts, which is very high in antioxidants." DeBartelo explains that the ingredients work synergistically to "guarantee tissue regeneration." She says that guests leave with "deeply nourished skin."

Evans Hotels maintains The Spa at Torrey Pines at The Lodge at Torrey Pines, as well as The Catamaran Spa in San Diego. (www.spatorreypines.com, www.catamaranresort.com)

Skinsational, located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, offers a Multi-Enzyme Smoothing Peel that has pumpkin as the main ingredient. (They also use it in their signature facial.) The peel is proven to dramatically diminish fine lines and improve the clarity and texture of all skin types. It contains a multitude of nutrients including natural pumpkin extract, pineapple, and papaya enzymes to promote silkier, smoother, and more radiant skin. The product is also available for purchase on their Web site.
(760/434-8118, www.skinsationalspa.com)

In Carlsbad, Bella D’ora Spa offers pumpkin as one of their celebrated holiday vegetables, available in the Pumpkin Glycolic Body Souffle and the Harvest Abundance Facial. Co-founder Christine Alvarado says, "Pumpkin replenishes the skin with nutrients providing anti-aging by directly stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. Your skin’s texture will become incredibly smooth, and the pumpkin prepares skin for maximum penetration of serums and moisturizers, increases skin’s metabolism, and heals while stimulating circulation." (760/438 7404, www.belladoraspa.com)

In La Jolla, Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa offers the Pumpkin Spice Treatment, which is a rejuvenation experience that exfoliates dead skin cells and nourishes depleted skin to a vibrant glow. The treatment begins with an Oatmeal Pumpkin Walnut Scrub followed by a Pumpkin Spice Masque, and finishes with a rich Pumpkin Body Butter. The products are also available in the Estancia Spa Boutique to take with you and continue the regimen at home. (858/550-1000, www.estancialajolla.com)

In Encinitas, Nufaces Day Spa offers the Pumpkin Peel Beta-C Mask Treatment, which contains pumpkin’s naturally occurring enzymes and powerful antioxidants to make skin look radiant. (760/942-0914, www.nufacesdayspa.com)

In San Diego, Spa Tiki offers the Pumpkin Enzyme Peel as the product of the month for November. The peel contains fresh pumpkin pulp and alpha-hydroxy acids as nature’s answer to dull, congested skin. (619/231-4363, www.spatiki.com)

Downtown, Spa Velia offers an 80-minute Autumn Rejuvenation Package that includes a Pumpkin Body Mask and an application of Pumpkin Body Butter (rich with shea butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E to replenish natural moisture and vibrance). A Rejuve/Hydra facial follows, which also includes an antioxidant-rich Pumpkin mask. The experience then concludes with fall harvest blend tea from Extraordinary Desserts. Wearing a pie never looked so good. — Kathe Gogolewski

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Tips For A Healthier Holiday
Thanksgiving: For some, a carefree time of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. For others, a dieter’s nightmare, a table rife with caloric landmines. In an effort to make the holidays less stressful for those watching their waistlines, we spoke with Marcus Bornstein of Solana Beach’s Milagros Personal Training Center, who gave us some simple tips on how to avoid becoming as stuffed as the turkey this year.

Prepare Yourself Mentally:
Everybody knows the guilt associated with consuming too many delights. Prepare yourself by hitting the gym one or two more times than normal. That extra effort will allow you the mental freedom to enjoy yourself with family and feast.

Time To Eat:
Start the feast earlier — the earlier the better. After dinner, instead of sitting around, get the family out for a walk. A 160-pound person can burn up to 200 calories in a half hour.

To Eat Or Not To Eat:
On Thanksgiving, staying away from stuffing, rice, bread, and dessert is almost impossible. But you can stick with white meat, and ladle on more veggies and less starches. As far as dessert goes, a piece of cake shouldn’t be fat free, so enjoy! (858/259-9767, www.milagrosfitness.com) — Nickolas Cook