Mr Pumpkin Face

And pumpkin (louder!) Pumpkin (louder!) Pumpkin (louder!) Turnip the radio, squash the stereo right now.

Pumpkins are part of the squash genus that also includes cucumber, zucchini, and butternut squash, all native to the Americas. Europe had to wait until the 16th century to discover and savour them! Harvested in October, the pumpkin became emblematic of the American celebration of Halloween (also in October). The large vegetable is easy to carve and transform into a jack-o'-lantern - easier than its predecessor, the turnip. Of course, the leftovers of this sculpting activity can be used to cook a delicious meal and, why not, prepare a nice homemade face mask.

Pumpkin flesh is rich in vitamins A, E and C, leaving the skin feeling soft and supple. It contains enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that gently exfoliate the skin.

Pumpkin seeds make great biodegradable decorations on the tops of soaps, and when ground up, they also give the skin a natural exfoliation.

Pumpkin oil and butter, obtained from the seeds, are moisturising, soothing and rejuvenating for the skin. The oil also contributes to fragrance with a unique nutty note.

When used fresh in our products, they are purchased from a distributor, who will provide us with the best quality. Thus, producers may change depending on seasonality and availability (and the same applies to pumpkin seeds). As for the other pumpkin products used by Lush, browse our list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in. This should take you to a page full of details!

It’s cold outside. The tip of your nose is freezing, the sky is grey, and you could really use something comforting and warming. Well, here comes cinnamon!

Cinnamon is a spice harvested from the Cinnamomum verum, also called the ‘true cinnamon tree’. It is a shrub-like evergreen tree of the Laurel family, considered native to Sri Lanka and India. Its leaves and outer bark are fragrant, but it's the inside of the tree that is most sought after. Indeed, it contains an aromatic inner bark that peels easily and in thin layers. These precious sheets are tied up and left to dry so that they form the brown curls that we know. It can also be sold in small pieces or powder.

The whole cinnamon tree can be used! Traditionally, the shredded outer bark is used to fill the cinnamon curls. The bark, leaves and flower buds can also be distilled to obtain essential oils of different intensities.

Its warm and spicy fragrance comforts and invigorates. For some, it’s emblematic of the winter festivities; for others, it’s an aphrodisiac!

It has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties, ideal for skin, body and oral care.

Depending on the concentration, it can have a warming effect on the skin when applied topically, helping to stimulate blood circulation and energise tired muscles.

Cinnamon was once one of the rarest and most expensive items in the spice trade. Its powerful antimicrobial properties had been noticed by the ancient Egyptians, who used it for embalming and to preserve their food. It was prized during Antiquity and the Middle Ages to flavour food, in religious rites, as medicine or perfume… and that hasn't changed today! Interestingly, some parts of the world view it more as a spice for savoury dishes, while others will pair it with sweets.

Clays leave the skin cleansed, soft and mattified like no other.

Clay minerals are tiny soil particles. No other mineral has been used as much in human history as clay. From growing plants to making ceramics, from engineering applications to cosmetics, clays seem to have limitless potential.

Absorbs excess oil (sebum) and water (sweat) into itself.

Makes a gently buffing paste when mixed with water.

Gives a pleasant, smooth texture to body and face masks.

There are many types of clay. Some are completely natural, like kaolin or rhassoul mud; some are mixed with colouring pigments, like rose clay. Some are made from a combination of several sedimentary clays, like fuller’s earth. Although they have common properties, each has its own specificities in terms of absorption power, mineral content, or granularity. Depending on these little differences, Lush inventors will choose one or the other to perfect their products’ formulae.

To learn more about the origin of each clay and their benefits, browse your Lush product’s list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in. This should take you to a page full of details!

It’s good to be green. Limes have a sharp, zesty scent and bring the shine!

The key lime grows on the Citrus aurantifolia tree, mainly cultivated in Brazil and Mexico these days although it is native to Southeast Asia. Fruits are usually picked when green and unripe, making them richer in acid and sugar than lemons. 

Limes (and their oil) contain citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that provides gentle exfoliation and thus cleanses the skin of dead skin cells, leaving it radiant and smooth. 

Their acidity gives a lot of shine to the hair as it flattens their cuticles and so reflects light better.

It is a top note in perfume blends, meaning it’s the first one your nose will pick, but it’s also the first to evaporate on the skin.

Lush purchases lime oil from a producer in Mexico. The whole fruit, peel included, is pressed to obtain a juice-and-oil emulsion that is then steam distilled to recover the aromatic oil. We also use fresh and dried limes in our products, which can come from different places. To find out more about them, browse your Lush product’s list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in. This should take you to a page full of details!