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Pumpkin Face Mask – Exfoliating Face Mask Recipe for Glowing Skin

Reveal a softer, more glowing complexion for fall with this DIY pumpkin face mask! This gently exfoliating homemade face mask contains real pumpkin powder to gently buff away dry skin without scrubbing. Plus, it has a silky, gel-like texture that leaves skin soft and moisturized.

DIY pumpkin face mask

I used to engage in some rather unfortunate practices in my quest for smoother skin. As a teenager, I thought that homemade face scrubs made of sugar, coffee grounds or crushed aspirin were the answer to what I perceived as a “bumpy” complexion.

Not only was there nothing wrong with my skin texture, but all that harsh scrubbing was likely damaging my skin barrier.

I’ve since learned that skin should be nourished and supported. Treating your skin gently and with kindness will yield far better results than ablating, scrubbing, or fighting against it with a slew of harsh products.

Nowadays, I rarely use scrubs on my sensitive skin. But when I do use a scrub, I make sure to only use gentle, minimally abrasive natural exfoliators like pumpkin powder, the main ingredient of this gently exfoliating pumpkin face mask.

DIY exfoliating face mask with pumpkin powder

Looking for a gentle way to exfoliate your skin at home? Unlike harsh face scrubs, this homemade exfoliating face mask is sensitive skin-friendly.

It contains no coarse abrasives like sugar or salt. Instead, it’s made with real pumpkin powder to gently exfoliate without scrubbing.

Pumpkin face mask with pumpkin powder

Pumpkin powder is one of the best natural ingredients to use for gentle exfoliation. Its granules are soft and smooth, with no rough edges like salt, sugar, or coffee grounds.

The pumpkin powder in this face mask helps slough off dead skin without abrasion, and a silky base of squalane oil, cera bellina wax and beeswax provide a cushioning barrier.

The result is a very gentle exfoliation that makes this pumpkin face mask recipe safe for dry or sensitive skin.

Pumpkin Face Mask Ingredients

Pumpkin fruit powder

As you might guess, pumpkin powder is finely powdered, dehydrated pumpkin. It’s a rich source of antioxidants, carotenoids, vitamins and minerals that help nourish the skin and protect it from oxidative stress.

Pumpkin face mask DIY

Pumpkin powder also contains naturally occurring enzymes which can theoretically help exfoliate the skin, but it’s unclear how many of them remain after processing.

While pumpkin powder might offer some enzymatic exfoliation benefits to this face mask, but it’s safe to assume most of its exfoliating properties are physical.

As a bonus, pumpkin powder also lends a pleasant natural pumpkin scent to this face mask. Unlike fresh pumpkin puree, it’s also stable at room temperature, so this homemade face mask doesn’t require refrigeration.

Squalane oil

Squalane oil is a natural hydrocarbon derived from plant sources like olive or sugarcane, with a light, non-greasy texture that absorbs easily into the skin.

It also provides emollience and slip to this exfoliating face mask. While pumpkin powder exfoliates, squalane softens.

When combined with the other ingredients, squalane creates a pleasant texture that feels like a cross between an oil and a gel.

DIY exfoliating face mask with pumpkin powder
This pumpkin face mask has a silky, oil-gel texture.

I don’t recommend substituting the squalane in this recipe for any other oil. No other oil can truly replicate squalane’s texture, so any substitutions are likely to create a greasy, oily consistency.

Squalane is versatile and inexpensive, especially if you buy it in bulk. You can also use it to nourish your hair, or you could make my moisturizing overnight face mask.

Cera bellina wax

Cera Bellina wax is a specially modified beeswax that has the ability to turn oils into silky-smooth gels. This unique ingredient is key for this pumpkin face mask’s pillowy, gel-like texture.

To create Cera Bellina wax, the free fatty acids in beeswax are transformed into polyglycerol esters. The consistency is reminiscent of silicones, but with a much more moisturizing skin feel, which makes for a lovely face mask texture.

White beeswax

A small amount of cosmetic beeswax thickens this face mask to a gel-cream viscosity. I used filtered white beeswax since it’s less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

Aside from its role as a texture enhancer, beeswax also imparts humectant and softening properties to this pumpkin mask recipe. When rinsed off the skin, a thin, protective barrier of beeswax remains, which helps bolster the skin’s moisture barrier.

Pumpkin face mask with orange pumpkins

Pumpkin Face Mask Recipe

1/2 cup squalane oil
1 tbsp pumpkin fruit powder
1.5 tbsp Cera Bellina wax
2 tsp white beeswax pellets

Supplies

Small double boiler pot
Silicone spatula
Glass cosmetic jar for storage

How to make exfoliating pumpkin face mask for glowing skin

  1. Start by placing a small double boiler pot over a pot of water on medium heat.
  2. Combine Cera Bellina, beeswax and squalane oil. Whisk or stir as it melts.
  3. Once the mixture is completely liquified, carefully remove the pot from the heat. Place it into a cold pot of water or water bath. (Cold water from the tap will suffice.)
  4. Mix in the pumpkin powder and stir thoroughly. The mask will quickly begin to cool and thicken, so be sure to continuously scrape the product from the side of the bowl.
  5. Once the pumpkin powder is completely incorporated, leave the mask to cool for about 10 minutes. Stir it well when you return, as some pumpkin powder may have clumped at the bottom.
  6. Take the mask out of the water bath and leave it to gel at room temperature for about an hour. Give it one last good stir to re-incorporate any clumps of pumpkin powder, then transfer it to a glass container.

How to use your pumpkin face mask

Depending on your goal, there are a few different ways to use this recipe. You can use it on clean skin as an exfoliating face mask, or on a face full of makeup as a makeup remover. It also doubles as a gentle homemade hand scrub for silky smooth hands.

However you choose to use this mask, I recommend using it only once a week on your face as to not over-exfoliate your skin.

Pumpkin face mask for glowing skin

Homemade exfoliating face mask

Start with clean, dry skin. Scoop a generous amount of pumpkin mask out of the container with a clean cosmetic spoon. Massage it into your face with gentle motions, being careful not to scrub too hard. Be sure to avoid the delicate eye area.

Once you’ve covered your whole face, wet your hands with warm water and repeat the process again. The step serves to dissolve the pumpkin powder, allowing it to release all of its benefits into your skin.

Once the pumpkin powder is completely dissolved, leave the mask on for as long as you like before rinsing with warm water.

This face mask washes off with water only, but leaves a thin, protective film of squalane and wax behind. If you leave it, it will eventually absorb into your skin.

But if you find that you don’t like the sensation, you may wish to follow the mask with a gentle cleanser.

Exfoliating makeup remover or cleansing balm

To use this pumpkin face mask as a makeup remover, follow the same steps above on a full face of makeup. Again, avoid the delicate eye area and use something more gentle here instead, such as a micellar water.

Instead of leaving the mask on, rinse it off immediately to cleanse your skin of makeup. Follow it with a gentle cleanser.

Face mask with natural pumpkin powder

Pumpkin hand scrub for soft hands

As temperatures fall, hands can become dry and sensitive.  Another benefit of this pumpkin exfoliating mask is that it can also be used on your hands to remove dead skin without the need for an abrasive scrub.

The pumpkin powder gently buffs away dryness, and the squalane and Cera Bellina leave hands incredibly soft and moisturized.

Simply scrub the mask all over your hands and rinse with warm water only. You can wipe off any excess oil with a towel, but I don’t use soap. You want any moisture left behind to sink into your skin, leaving you with smooth, baby-soft hands.

Pumpkin mask with wood spoon
DIY pumpkin face mask
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5 from 2 votes

DIY Pumpkin Face Mask for Glowing Skin

This DIY pumpkin face mask will leave your skin soft, smooth, and glowing. It’s made with natural pumpkin powder to gently exfoliate without scrubbing. Unlike pumpkin spice face masks, this mask won’t irritate sensitive skin.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Course: DIY Skin Care
Cuisine: DIY Beauty
Servings: 1 jar
Author: Kyla

What You’ll Need

Instructions

  • Place a small double boiler pot over a pot of water on medium heat. Combine the cera bellina, beeswax and squalane oil. Whisk or stir frequently.
  • Once the mixture is hot and completely liquified, carefully remove the pot from the heat. Place it into a cold pot of water or water bath. (Cold water from the tap will suffice.)
  • Mix in the pumpkin powder and stir thoroughly with a silicone spatula. The mask will quickly begin to cool and thicken, so be sure to continuously scrape the product from the side of the bowl. (The mask touching the cold bowl will harden more quickly, and we want to avoid any lumps.)
  • Once the pumpkin powder is completely incorporated, leave the pumpkin mask to cool for about 10 minutes. Stir it well when you return, as some pumpkin powder may have clumped at the bottom.
  • Take the mask out of the water bath and leave it to gel at room temperature for about an hour. Give it one last good stir to re-incorporate any clumps of pumpkin powder, then transfer it to a glass container.

Notes

This pumpkin mask can be stored at room temperature. No preservative is required since this recipe is anhydrous (free of water).
Squalane oil and pumpkin powder both have shelf lives of 2 years, but you’ll likely use your mask before the season is over.

More DIY face mask recipes

If you enjoyed this pumpkin face mask, you might also enjoy our other face mask recipes:

For even more natural DIY beauty ideas you can make at home, follow us on Pinterest! You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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DIY pumpkin face mask
Recipe Rating




Rebecca

Monday 4th of September 2023

Do you think I would be able to add sugar to this recipe to convert it to a lip scrub with success?

Kyla

Thursday 7th of September 2023

Hi Rebecca, I don't see why not! It makes a nice gentle lip scrub as is, but if you want to add sugar, I would just recommend using a very fine grind. I'm not sure about measurements as I haven't tried it myself, but if you do try it, I'd love to hear how it goes!

Cyna

Thursday 10th of October 2019

Your creativity to create stunning skincare recipes never ceases to amaze me. The texture of this mask sounds incredible!

Kyla

Thursday 10th of October 2019

Thank you so much, Cyna! ? The combination of squalane and cera bellina has such a soothing skin feel.

Cari

Tuesday 8th of October 2019

I love pumpkin masks! I've never tried pumpkin powder, but I think now I must have it for less waste for hair and skin masks.

Kyla

Tuesday 8th of October 2019

Thanks, Cari! I love how easy the pumpkin powder is to use. You're right, it's a lot less waste. I love that I don't have to worry about the mask going bad.

Rebecca Dillon

Monday 7th of October 2019

What a fantastic recipe! I love how easy it is to make. Cera bellina wax is one of my favorite waxes. I love the smooth glide it lends to products!

Kyla

Monday 7th of October 2019

Thanks, Rebecca! Cera bellina has become one of my favourites too. It has such an incredible texture.