A new hyaluronic acid post has been a long time coming.  My first HA recipe HERE has been my most viewed post since I published it but I haven’t played with the ingredient since.  I’ve been wanting to explore botanical extracts as well but since most of those need to be in a water based solution, I had put them on the back burner.  Then it dawned on me-a 1% hyaluronic solution would be the perfect base for extracts and I’ve been experimenting ever since!  Plus, it’s fall and PUMPKIN IS IN. This DIY hyaluronic pumpkin serum is a great DIY for anyone looking to smooth, plump and hydrate their skin!

What you might not know is that pumpkin is an incredible anti aging tool in the skin care world.  Even before I was aware of harmful ingredients in most skin care, I offered a pumpkin peel that infused the skin with nutrition as well as removed the top layer of dead skin cells.

Since my first HA post, I’m excited to say that Amazon has added to their hyaluronic acid collection.  With hyaluronic acid there are basically two types-low molecular weight and high molecular weight.  Low molecular weight means that it will penetrate deeper into the skin.  (avoid super low molecular weight because there is much evidence that it can cause irritation and inflammation)  High molecular weight gives your skin an immediate boost because it works only with the first couple of layers of skin.  Which one you choose is up to you.

I chose to use High Molecular weight HA in this recipe because the potent ingredient is pumpkin extract.  Plus, I find my HMHA thickens up much better.

Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Extract:

Pumpkin Seed Extract is an active ingredient that works by stimulating collagen and fibrillin and by inhibiting the activity of enzymes which contribute to its degradation.

• Smooths the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
• Improves skin vitality and tone
• Prevents stretch marks and scarring
• Increases firmness and elasticity
• Evens skin tone

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid:

Hyaluronic acid is a humectant.  This means it draws in water and holds on to it.  HA can hold 1000x it’s weight in water.  Basically, when hyaluronic acid is abundant in the skin, the skin looks smooth, plump and dewy.  As we age, especially in the late 30’s to early 40’s, the amount of hyaluronic acid our skin has, greatly decreases.

• Plumps fine lines and wrinkles
• Hydrates
• Repairs the barrier of our skin
• Eradicates free-radical damage
• Smooths and softens skin
• Increases elasticity
• Heals damaged tissue
• Protects from UV rays

I chose copaiba essential oil because of THIS post.  It’s an amazing anti aging tool!  I chose geranium essential oil because of THIS post.  It is another essential oil perfect for achieving beautiful skin.

DIY Hyaluronic Pumpkin Serum

• 2 TBSP. Cucumber Hydrosol (find it HERE)
• 2 TBSP. Lavender Hydrosol (find it HERE)
• 1/4 tsp. Pumpkin Seed Extract (find it HERE)
• 1/4 tsp. Leucidal Liquid (find it HERE)
• 1/8 tsp. hyaluronic acid (find it HERE)
• 3 drops Copaiba Essential Oil (find it HERE)
• 1 drop Geranium Essential Oil (find it HERE)

Directions:

1. Add COLD ingredients (the cold might help with dissolving the HA) to a baby food blender, magic bullet or regular blender.
2. Sprinkle the hyaluronic acid on top of the ingredients.
3. Use blender to mix your solution.  Once thoroughly mixed, you can transfer it to the container you will be keeping it in.  If your solution is thick and hard to get in a serum bottle, I suggest putting your mixture in a condiment bottle.  This will make it very easy to transfer it to a bottle with a small neck.
4. Put your serum in the fridge.  Over the next couple of hours your serum will continue to thicken.
5. Apply morning and/or night after toning and before moisturizing.

**Sometimes a blender is unnecessary.  I have created an HA serum just by adding ingredients straight to a serum bottle and shaking it like crazy.  After it was in the fridge for a few hours, it was perfectly thick and the HA had completely dissolved.  Many batches later, that has not happened again!   I’m finding that HA is very temperamental and doesn’t always dissolve or thicken from batch to batch.  To narrow the issues, be prepared to mix your solution with a blender.

**Also, leucidal liquid is a preservative.  It is natural and safe.  If you are going to keep the full 2 ounces to yourself and use for more then 2 weeks, you need to add a preservative.

IMPORTANT:  I must mention-once I had ordered the ingredients, made this product and have been using it, I realized that Lotion Crafter’s Pumpkin Seed Extract contains .5% of a preservative that contains parabens.  .5% is a small amount and we are using a 5% solution of Pumpkin Seed Extract so the paraben risk is very minimal but this being a blog about natural products, I had to let you know.  If you would like to omit the Pumpkin Seed Extract, you could replace it with 1/8 tsp. of Gogi Berry Extract.  I have another DIY coming up using it and it is preserved with less controversial ingredients and has amazing benefits for the skin.

So there you have it-my pumpkin contribution for the fall-lol!  For more pumpkin recipes go HERE.  I tend to use this serum in the morning because it immediately makes my skin look smooth and even.  Hyaluronic Acid is no joke-it really does plump your skin and pull moisture to the surface!

xx, Jenni

P.S. The dropper bottles pictured are 1/2 ounce and they are HERE.  The frosted glass pot is an empty moisturizer bottle I had but I found one just like it HERE.

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