Pumpkin benefits for skin

Pumpkin’s a hot new trend in skincare, and we have Korean beauty to thank for that. While beauty lovers in Europe and America were busy carving pumpkins or baking them in pies, innovators were extracting enzymes from pumpkins. These are great in masks and serums.

However, you don’t have to shell out on luxurious beauty products to reap the benefits of pumpkin skincare at home. In this article, we’ll explain why you should use pumpkin to give your skin a glow, and how to make pumpkin beauty products yourself.

Why use pumpkin on your skin

The International Dermal Institute consider pumpkin enzymes an effective, skin-brightening ingredient¹ .

Pumpkin’s benefits for skin include:

• Exfoliating removes dead skin cells to brighten the complexion
• Softens skin
• Combats breakouts with zinc actives
• A good fatty acid content
• Vitamin E content

Thanks to the wealth of healthy vitamins and minerals inside these orange squashes, whichever way you apply pumpkin you’ll enjoy benefits for beauty.

Exfoliating pumpkin body scrub

Our exfoliating pumpkin body scrub contains sugar, a gentle natural exfoliant. When sugar unites with the naturally exfoliating pumpkin enzymes, it makes an excellent scrub for removing dead skin and restoring brightness.

To make this body scrub, you’ll need:

• 200g sugar
• 120g puréed pumpkin
• 110g coconut oil

Mix all the ingredients until well combined. Once combined, store in a 600ml jar, or separate into four 150ml mason jars and give as gifts!

If you like, you could put this body scrub into smaller decorative pots and use as a lip scrub. During the winter, the exfoliating and moisturising effects of this scrub are ideal for giving lips a boost.

Pumpkin body moisturiser

Be sure to split this moisturiser into four 150ml jars, and either freeze or gift to friends. Any moisturiser made from fresh ingredients should really be frozen or used from fresh within two weeks, or else it risks spoiling.

To make this body moisturiser, you’ll need:

• 120g puréed pumpkin
• 110g coconut oil
• ½ tsp cinnamon

Whisk ingredients together until you have a smooth consistency. Apply to the body as you would a regular moisturiser, or apply thickly, and use as a mask treatment for the body. When using as a mask, rinse off after ten minutes.

Pumpkin face mask

Pumpkin is increasingly used in up-market face masks, but there’s no need to shell out the big bucks when you make a perfectly good pumpkin face mask at home.

A good pumpkin face masks help to clarify and add brightness with natural exfoliants.

To make a pumpkin face mask for a golden glow, you’ll need:

• 120g puréed pumpkin
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp honey
• ½ tsp apple cider vinegar

Use a hand blender or food processer to combine ingredients. Wash your face, and apply the mask while damp. Wait until the mixture feels dry but still retains some moisture – around ten minutes – then, rinse. If you let a face mask dry out too much, they can dry skin, which is absolutely not we want from a glow treatment!

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Last Updated: 8th December 2020

Expertly reviewed by:

Reviewer: Manisha Taggar Joined Holland & Barrett: May 2019 Qualifications: BSc Hons in Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science Manisha started her career at a Cosmetics distributor as a Regulatory Technologist followed by a Regulatory Affairs Officer, ensuring the regulatory compliance of cosmetic products from colour cosmetics to skincare. After 3 and half years in this role, Manisha joined Holland & Barrett as a Senior Regulatory Affairs Associate in 2019. Manisha specialises in Cosmetic products, both own-label and branded lines, ensuring that these products and all relating marketing material comply to the EU Cosmetics Regulation.