Recipe: DIY Pumpkin Face Mask

In the UK, around 17 million pumpkins are bought for Halloween each year, but only 20 percent are used afterwards – which means millions are discarded as food waste. So, this Halloween, if baking leftover seeds or whizzing up the flesh into soup doesn’t appeal, why not turn your pumpkin into a face mask? We’ve got the experts on hand to tell us just how we can make the most of this autumnal gourd – outside the kitchen.

Is Pumpkin Good For your Skin?

In short, yes. Pumpkin has plenty of benefits when it comes to skincare. ‘Applying pumpkin residue to the face has been shown to exfoliate the skin, leaving a radiant glow thanks to its natural enzymes and alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) properties,’ explains Jason Goldberg, director of SpaSeekers.com. ‘AHAs are commonly used to treat acne and remove scars, as they work by promoting skin cell turnover.

@bodylovebytal We love Pumpkin Season!!! 🎃🎃🎃If you have ANY skin ailments… Pumkin will do it for yaaaaa! Make your own face mask at home! Super easy and quick! #d#diyskincared#diyf#fallp#pumpkinh#holidayseasonorganicskincare #fyp ♬ original sound – Tal 🦋

‘The use of pumpkins in your skincare routine can also be beneficial for those with dry skin, due to their hydrating properties,’ he continues. ‘Pumpkin contains high levels of vitamin E and essential fatty acids that help moisturise and soften the skin, restoring smoothness and maintaining moisture.’

They also have links to the skincare ‘C’ word: collagen. ‘In addition to the skin-boosting antioxidants in pumpkins, they are also rich in collagen – a structural protein found in the skin, cartilage, and bones,’ adds Jason. ‘Applying pumpkin to the skin has been shown to increase collagen levels, which improves skin elasticity and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Zinc, another component found in pumpkins, can also help reduce acne breakouts by controlling excess oil production and minimising blemishes. Vitamin E and antioxidants help heal acne scars and calm irritated skin.’

So, with this in mind, there’s no reason why you can’t repurpose your pumpkin at the end of spooky season. Here’s how you can turn your pumpkin into an ultra-nourishing face mask…

(c) Yuliia Huzenko, Unsplash

How To Make A DIY Pumpkin Face Mask

‘Making a face mask from your leftover pumpkins is a great way to reduce waste while giving your skin a boost as the months get colder and darker,’ notes Jason. ‘After indulging in all the Halloween sweet treats, our skin often needs some extra love, and making this simple face mask can not only help your skin appear more youthful and glowing, but it’s also a great way to reuse your festive decorations.

‘It’s important to note that the nutritional value of pumpkins will vary depending on their age and whether they’ve started to rot,’ he continues. ‘For better-quality skincare benefits, it’s best to use a pumpkin that is still full of moisture and not too dry from being on display for a long time.’

Below, the team share their quick and easy method for creating a pumpkin face mask at home:

1. Remove any tea lights or decorations from your pumpkin, including any pumpkin seeds that you may not have removed previously.
2. Chop and blend your pumpkin using a blender.
3. Apply the blended pumpkin to the skin using your hands or a clean applicator of choice.
4. Leave the pumpkin face mask on for 15 minutes to experience its skincare benefits – but do not leave it on for longer, as this may cause irritation.

Featured image: Aaron Burden, Unsplash