6 Ways to Use Pumpkin for Skincare

October 30, 2019

We're doing what everyone else does in the fall season: use pumpkin everywhere, for everything! It's in our recipes, decoration, cosmetics – even the ones that concern us, hair removal products –, in a hundred scented candle fragrances and a similar number of latte flavors. But we don't only bring in the squash because it's in the spirit of the season, but because this fruit does have amazing benefits for the skin. We bet you will be pleasantly surprised to know that pumpkin may just be the all-round perfect skin treatment, and you'll want to include it in your beauty routine not only during the chilly months but all the time.

Skin Benefits of Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a highly nourishing natural ingredient that has many more benefits than you imagined. The reason is that pumpkin contains a variety of vitamins and minerals which are proven to have amazing effects on the skin. When it comes to application, pumpkin has a small molecular structure that allows all the ingredients to be absorbed well into the skin.

Alpha-hydroxy acids: these acids are present in several fruits and their job is to slough off dead skin cells, which increases cell turnover. Prompt cell renewal, in turn, leaves skin smooth and glowing.

Beta-carotene: if you need an ingredient that helps fade sunspots (reverse sun damage) and smooth out fine lines, this derivative of vitamin A is what you're looking for, and it's present in pumpkin.

Zinc: this mineral is helpful in acne cases and has healing properties.

Vitamin C: vitamin C is not only an ally to your immune system, but it's also a great antioxidant for the skin, keeping your complexion bright and helping in the absorption of collagen. This results in smoother, plumper skin.

Vitamin E: this skin protectant defends your complexion from sun damage and free radicals, while it also moisturizes the skin.

Preparing Pumpkin for Skin Treatments

How to choose pumpkin

• At the market, look at the stem of the pumpkin first. It should be solid and fully attached to the pumpkin; a loose stem means that the fruit is not at its freshest.
• Squeeze on the skin of the pumpkin a little bit and check that it's not too soft and mushy or too tough (if too soft, it might be overripe; if too tough, it's not ready yet).
• If the pumpkin is heavy for its size, it's a good sign of soft flesh and good flavor.
• Look for pumpkins with a uniform color, few dents or bruises, and no mold or pinholes.

How to store pumpkin

• Once at home, you can store your pumpkin in three different ways:
  Room temperature: keep the fruits in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place with little light. In this way, they will last for about a month.
  In the fridge: keep the fruits refrigerated for up to three months.
  Cooked: this is the best way to store pumpkin for skin treatments. Cook pumpkin, process to a puree, and store in a sealed container.

How to get pumpkin puree

• Start off with a clean fruit. The skin of the pumpkin can be washed with a solution of chlorine and water (one tablespoon to a gallon), then dried thoroughly. The purpose of this cleaning is to prevent mold formation.
• Cut up the pumpkin into chunks or wedges and scoop out the seeds (you can use a spoon since the skin where the seeds are is soft).
• You have two options to cook pumpkin: boil or bake. Boiling adds more water to it, so many people prefer baking. Regardless of the option, always cook the pumpkin at medium temperature (high temperatures can make the pulp stringy).
• When boiling, put the chunks in a pot and cover with water. Cook for about two hours until tender.
• When baking, cover a baking pan with aluminum foil and add a little water. Put in the oven and bake until it's tender.
• Once cooked and cooled, mash the pulp into a puree. Strain the pulp through cheesecloth to remove excess water, then store it in a container.

Pumpkin for Skincare: 6 Recipes

Let's get down to the real recipe-making! This is the fun part where you prepare your pumpkin treats to give your clients a natural skincare plus that's totally in tune with the season.

Here you'll find recipes for face or body masks that you can apply on the face or body, provided that the areas are not going to be waxed. You can share the recipe with your clients so they can do it at home, too.

It's a good idea to use your pumpkin skin recipes as a goodie during thanksgiving. The great thing about it is that it'll be economical to make and will brighten your clients' day, also create an opportunity to build a rapport with them.

You can get this done at home and bring it to the spa/wax bar on a daily basis, so it's always fresh.

Pumpkin Face Masks

1. All-skin-type mask
You will need one cup of pumpkin puree, half a cup of plain yogurt, two tablespoons of brown sugar, and one tablespoon of honey. You can substitute the brown sugar with finely ground oats. Mix all the ingredients in a sterile glass jar and store in the fridge for later use or mix in a cup to use immediately.

Apply on the face avoiding the undereye area. Allow to sit for ten to fifteen minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Pat dry and hydrate your skin as usual. You'll get gentle exfoliation and leave skin soft, hydrated, and glowing.


2. Oily skin mask
You will need pumpkin puree, a whole egg, and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Mix everything, apply it all over the face, and leave it for twenty minutes. Then rinse out and pat face dry. The result is controlled oiliness on your skin.


3. Dry skin mask
Take pumpkin puree and add a whole egg, one teaspoon of olive oil and one teaspoon of honey. Mix well and apply to face. Wait twenty minutes, then rinse and dry. Apply a moisturizer.

Pumpkin Body Scrubs

Body exfoliation is super important for waxing. You can use these scrubs to show your clients how to exfoliate properly.

1. Gentle exfoliating mask
Take one cup of pumpkin puree, half a cup of brown sugar, 1 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of honey. If you want a sweet fragrance, add a few drops of vanilla extract.

Apply this to skin with gentle circular motions to slough off dead skin cells. Your skin will feel smoother and more hydrated.


2. Refreshing mask
Mix the pumpkin puree, half a cup of ground coconut, and half a tbsp of ground cinnamon. Massage gently with upward motions and rinse off.


3. Super moisturizing mask
Add brown sugar and half a cup of olive/coconut oil. Apply and leave on the skin for about twenty minutes. Rinse off.

We're sure you loved all our pumpkin skincare ideas. If you are a professional esthetician who is also looking for high-quality hair removal products, call TOLL FREE 888-513-8815 or fill out the contact form below to get in touch with us. Also, subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news about us right in your inbox.

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