Wondering what to do with extra canned pumpkin? DIY pumpkin face mask, of course! This homemade organic pumpkin mask brightens and gently exfoliates your skin thanks to all the antioxidants, vitamin A, and alpha hydroxy acids.
As a little girl growing up, my mom used to make all sorts of homemade beauty recipes. I’m talking mayonnaise hair masks, avocado hair masks, face masks with honey, etc.
Did I also mention that my hair was also super shiny as a kid. Gives a whole new meaning to momma knows best, right?
The more ingredient labels I read, the more I think she was onto something. I’m going to start doing more DIY beauty treatments this coming year, and I’ll be sharing them with you here on the blog.
I LOVE face masks. There’s just something so relaxing and fulfilling and promising about slathering a product onto your face and waiting to see what magic unfolds after you’re done. I am always excited about how refreshed my skin will look and feel.
Since I battle hormonal acne, I also am left with tons of hyperpigmentation scars. I’ve been using new products recommended to me by a clean beauty esthetician and I’me seeing great results.
However, my skin does best when I keep it guessing. I heard pumpkin and butternut squash both have lots of vitamin A which is great for brightening and exfoliation.
And guess what you’re likely to have around Thanksgiving? A small amount of leftover canned organic pumpkin puree from baking pumpkin goods.
Ever wonder what to do with leftover canned pumpkin? Girlfriend, don’t toss that precious gold stuff. It’s gold!
The benefits of pumpkin in skincare
- Pumpkin contains more than 100 beneficial nutrients, which help to reverse the signs of aging
- Pumpkin contains high levels of vitamins A and C
- Pumpkin’s natural vitamin A levels are mild retinoids
- Pumpkin contains minerals like zinc, and the powerhouse antioxidant beta-carotene
- Pumpkin fights free radical damage
- Pumpkin contains niacin which helps to naturally brighten skin and naturally lighten hyperpigmentation
- Pumpkin has natural exfoliants salicylic acid, lactic and ascorbic acid
- Pumpkin’s natural properties stimulate skin circulation
- Pumpkin provides a youthful glow to dull skin
- Perfect any time of year, but particularly during dry, colder months
- Good for all skin types and skin tones, except for extremely sensitive skin
Pumpkin is naturally high in vitamin A, which is the powerhouse behind traditional retinols. (Not to be confused with bakuchiol, an alternative to retinol without the harsh side effects). While I haven’t personally used retinol, I did learn first-hand how vitamin A helps exfoliate.
I was peeling and dicing butternut squash for a sheet pan dinner a few weeks ago, and noticed that my hands started peeling. It didn’t burn at all, but when I Googled it, sure enough, butternut squash is very high in vitamin A – hence the peeling.
Thankfully, pumpkin doesn’t have as much naturally-occurring vitamin A, so it’s safe to leave this mask on for 10 minutes without any peeling. I leave it on for 15 minutes as I go about doing dishes after dinner.
Why you shouldn’t make a pumpkin spice face mask
While it’s tempting to get carried away with the holiday festivities (and the love of pumpkin spice lattes, which I personally don’t find that amazing at all) pumpkin spice does not belong on your face.
Pumpkin spice contains powdered cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice. While they may be delicious in food, and can help plump your lips, the skin on your face is very delicate. You can risk damaging the skin barrier by applying these “hot” spices.
This also applies to any essential oils related to the spices above. You can seriously burn your skin.
There is a teeny tiny bit of cinnamon spice in this recipe. However, I only added it for the wonderful aroma of cinnamon, and since my skin can tolerate strong peels without turning red, I indulged a little. If you have sensitive skin, I would 100% omit the cinnamon in this pumpkin face mask recipe.
DIY Organic Brightening + Exfoliating Pumpkin Face Mask
Without further ado, here’s that pumpkin face mask recipe. I hope it leaves your skin as refreshed and bright as it did for me. There’s enough for two face masks, so you can mask twice before Thanksgiving, or share it with a friend.
DIY Organic Pumpkin Face Mask
A brightening organic pumpkin mask that gently exfoliates thanks to the organic oats.
Materials
- 1/4 cup organic pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup organic oats
- 2 tsp raw organic honey
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (omit for sensitive skin)
Tools
- food processor
- bowl
- spoon
- mask brush
Instructions
- In a food processor, grind oats until they turn into a powder.
- Combine pumpkin and oat powder. Stir until combined.
- Add the cinnamon and mix.
- Add raw honey and stir to make a paste. If too thick, add more honey or a few drops of water.
- Apply to clean face, avoiding eyes, nose and mouth.
- Leave on 5-10 minutes.
- Wipe off with warm, damp washcloth.
- Rinse face and follow with toner, serum, and moisturizer for acne-prone skin.
Notes
Cinnamon is totally optional. Its only purpose is for natural fragrance. Exercise caution with spices on your face, especially if you have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema, as it can cause redness and irritation. If your skin is sensitive, you should avoid spices (including powder and oil) in facial treatments.
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