Did you know that a pumpkin face mask is considered one of the oldest cosmetic skin care products? So we, having become interested in this topic, decided to collect for you from the vast expanses of the Internet the most effective and simple recipes for such masks, which we actually present to your attention. However, let's first figure out what makes these masks so useful.
Pumpkin “treasury”: interesting facts
For the first time, pumpkin came to Europe with the help of Columbus: the resourceful navigator brought the seeds of this plant. And in Russia, the bright vegetable began to settle only at the beginning of the 16th century. The pumpkin took root very slowly due to the rather difficult cultivation, because the plant did not tolerate cold, it needed a fairly warm autumn to ripen, which means that only the southern regions of the country were suitable. But today, centuries later, we cannot imagine our autumn table without pumpkin. You won’t surprise anyone with pumpkin pies, porridge, vertuta and other delicacies.
Besides the fact that pumpkin is incredibly tasty, it is also incredibly healthy. When consumed, it rejuvenates the body, normalizes metabolism, prevents the accumulation of fatty tissue, and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Doctors advise including pumpkin in the diet for gout, urolithiasis, tuberculosis, and diabetes. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of usefulness. If you enrich “pumpkin” recipes with other natural ingredients, the range of its properties will be much greater. For example, a decoction of pumpkin with honey helps with insomnia.
What is important is that absolutely everyone can eat pumpkin – even pregnant women and small children. This is such a miracle vegetable.
Results
Skin care at home is quite simple and effective. A wonderful autumn gift from nature, pumpkin has a multifunctional effect:
- recovery;
- anti-inflammatory effect;
- rejuvenation;
- whitening;
- nutrition;
- hydration;
- regeneration.
Queen of Autumn is an excellent dietary product. It improves vision, promotes digestion, is useful for hypertensive patients, and is used for excess weight. Nutritionists have developed special pumpkin diets on which a person loses excess weight.
When eating pumpkin as food, as well as applying it superficially to the skin, the result will double. The good news is that pumpkin has virtually no contraindications and does not cause allergies, which expands its use in healthy nutrition and cosmetology.
The gift of late autumn patiently guards the treasures of its larder all year long. If she is treated with respect, care and tenderness, she will generously bestow her gifts and the beauty queen will definitely bring a sunny harvest of mood and beauty.
Application in cosmetology
In addition to gastronomic purposes, pumpkin is also very successfully used for cosmetic purposes. Even popular brands often use the plant to create products for youth and beauty. Take, for example, the sensational night mask with pumpkin extract from the famous Korean manufacturer TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL. I tried it myself, and I really liked the effect.
On the beauty market there are a lot of interesting things for the beauty of our skin with pumpkin: alginate masks, essential oils, scrubs, creams, lip balms, etc., and cosmetologists really love this healthy plant for its rich composition.
But believe me, natural pumpkin masks are no worse than store-bought ones. Any pumpkin mask will help soften the skin, rejuvenate, smooth out wrinkles, and, moreover, provide the epidermis with many “goodies” in the form of vitamins, micro- and macroelements.
For homemade recipes, only pumpkin pulp is used; the peel can be safely thrown away. And the consumption of ingredients for one mask is quite insignificant - I always try to pamper my skin with pumpkin “sweets” when I buy a bright vegetable for my culinary masterpieces.
Composition and benefits for facial skin
Pumpkin consists of up to 90% water, and the remaining 10% is the most interesting and “tasty”. It is not for nothing that it is nicknamed the real leader among plants in terms of the content of nutrients that we so need:
- Starch has a pronounced whitening effect and helps get rid of age spots.
- Vitamin C - strengthens blood vessels, mainly serves to prevent rosacea and treat it.
- Vitamin E is an excellent natural antioxidant that helps fight free radicals - almost the main culprits of aging.
- Vitamin B1 - helps protect skin from ultraviolet radiation. By the way, the sun's rays are dangerous even in winter, so we need to protect our skin from insidious rays all year round.
- Vitamin B2 - actively fights inflammatory processes. If you get a pimple at the wrong time, be sure to try making a pumpkin mask. You'll see that the red bump will disappear much faster.
- Vitamin PP (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3) - improves blood flow. Just do not confuse nicotine, which is essentially poison, with nicotinic acid, which is directly proportional in its effect and is very beneficial for the skin. In cosmetology, vitamin B3 is used to improve complexion and fight fine wrinkles.
- Beta-carotene, like vitamin E, is a powerful natural antioxidant that helps fight free radicals. In addition, this pigment protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation, accelerates regeneration processes, and has healing properties.
- Carbohydrates saturate the skin with vitality, help it look fresh, and rejuvenate.
- Useful microelements: potassium, silicon, calcium, iron, fluorine, copper, zinc, cobalt, magnesium.
As you can see, the list of different usefulness is quite extensive. Pumpkin masks are suitable for absolutely all skin types. Depending on your goals, the recipe can be improved by adding various ingredients.
Expert opinion
Svirid Nadezhda Yurievna
Cosmetologist, 5 years of experience
If you have never made pumpkin masks and are afraid of allergies, do a simple test. Grind a small amount of vegetable pulp into a paste and apply to the inner crook of your elbow or wrist. Leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off. If the skin does not turn red or irritation appears, you can safely apply the composition to your face.
How to use it correctly
Pumpkin is a low-allergenic vegetable; it is one of the first to be introduced into baby food. Despite this, before cosmetic procedures with pumpkin mixtures, you need to test for individual tolerance to the product.
Medium-sized vegetables weighing no more than 5 kg are suitable for masks. Larger fruits may be too watery or, conversely, fibrous and dry.
Read the article on how to properly use a flax seed face mask.
Queen of the bed
The brighter the color of the pulp, the more beta-carotene it contains, the rejuvenating effect on the skin will be stronger. Do not store cut pumpkin for a long time; it will quickly lose its nutritional value and begin to rot. It is better to freeze any unused pulp.
Before applying pumpkin mixtures, you need to cleanse the epidermis of dirt and residues of decorative cosmetics. Next, steam your face in a special steam room or with a compress from a hot, damp towel.
Do not cook large quantities of pumpkin mixture. Unused remains will quickly lose some of the vitamins. To chop the vegetable, use a grater, a blender, and cut the slices with a knife.
The thick skin of the pumpkin allows you to retain nutrients for a long time. You can pamper your skin with a vitamin mask in the winter-spring period, when other vegetables and fruits have almost completely lost their beneficial substances.
Depending on the condition and type of skin, honey, eggs, fermented milk products, and cosmetic oils are added to the pumpkin mass. You can also add a ready-made cosmetic product based on oils. L'Oreal Luxury Nutrition facial oil gets good reviews when added to masks or after a procedure. This allows you to expand the effect of cosmetic procedures.
With oatmeal
Wonderful rejuvenation after the first use - a sour cream mask for the face against wrinkles.
Pumpkin face masks: the best recipes
“Rejuvenating” pumpkin for wrinkles
This is a universal monocomponent recipe that is suitable for all skin types.
So, for the healing mask you will need:
- Fresh pumpkin;
- Gauze.
Procedure steps:
- Grind the fruit pulp in a blender to a pulp and apply it to gauze folded in several layers;
- Apply a vitamin compress mask to the face and neck area for 20 minutes;
- Rinse your face first with warm and then cool water.
This mask perfectly tones, moisturizes and cleanses the skin, relieves swelling and improves complexion. It is recommended to do it 2-3 times a week. Course - 10-15 procedures.
Pumpkin with oatmeal for skin rejuvenation
This version of the pumpkin mask for aging skin is also prepared from fresh fruits, but thanks to the oatmeal, the composition also has a slight scrubbing effect.
We will need:
- 100 gr. pumpkins;
- 1 tsp oatmeal;
- 1 tsp honey;
- 2 tsp olive oil.
All ingredients should be at room temperature, fresh and of good quality.
Expert opinion
Svirid Nadezhda Yurievna
Cosmetologist, 5 years of experience
Before using the mask, be sure to do an allergy test on the skin of your wrist. If you are allergic to honey, you can omit it or replace it with lemon juice (in this case, the mask will also have a slight whitening effect).
Grind the raw pumpkin pulp in a blender (you can simply grate it on a fine grater), add honey and olive oil to it.
Thoroughly stir the honey-pumpkin puree, gradually adding oatmeal, previously ground in a coffee grinder, to the mixture so that the result is a fairly thick, homogeneous paste.
Apply the oatmeal-pumpkin mix to previously cleansed skin, avoiding the area around the eyes. To enhance the effect, you can do a light facial massage.
The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes, the product can be used 2-3 times a week.
For oily and problem skin
A pumpkin-honey “blow” consisting of:
- 50 g pumpkin pulp;
- 3 g honey;
- 50 ml. water.
Preparation and use:
- Cut the fruit pulp into small pieces and cook until soft over low heat, gradually adding water and honey.
- Cool the mixture slightly and apply to cleansed facial skin.
- After 15–20 minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water.
This mask not only helps treat oily skin, but also relieves facial puffiness.
It is recommended to use it every other day in courses of 3-4 weeks. At the same time, you can apply a lotion on your eyelids in the form of cotton swabs soaked in arnica tincture (1:10).
For dry skin
Another simple recipe will be an excellent “handy” remedy for those with dry skin prone to flaking.
For a nutritious boiled pumpkin mask you will need:
- 50-60 g of crushed fruit pulp;
- 1 tsp. olive oil.
Preparation and use:
- Cut the fresh fruit into small pieces, add a little filtered water and simmer over low heat until tender;
- Mash the boiled pumpkin with a fork (or in a blender) to a paste and mix with olive oil;
- Apply the mixture to previously cleansed facial skin.
Exposure time is 15-20 minutes, then rinse your face with warm water.
Pumpkin + papaya for wrinkles
A vitamin mix with a slight lifting effect is also very useful in the fight against excess oily skin and expression wrinkles.
For the nutritional composition you will need:
- Pumpkin pulp puree – 2 tbsp. l.
- Papaya puree – 2 tbsp. l.
- Egg – 1 pc.
Preparation and use
- Mash the pumpkin and papaya pieces into a puree (you can use a blender).
- Add a thoroughly beaten egg to the mixture and mix well - the mask should be quite thick.
- Using your fingertips, apply the composition to cleansed skin of the face and neck (do not touch the area around the eyes).
The exposure time of the mask is 10-12 minutes, then rinse your face with warm water.
"Golden" acne mask
Expert opinion
Svirid Nadezhda Yurievna
Cosmetologist, 5 years of experience
We talked about the “magical” properties of turmeric for facial skin in a separate review - I strongly advise you to add this wonderful spice, also known as Indian saffron, to your repertoire of beauty recipes.
Among other things, turmeric is a strong natural antibiotic; it helps fight inflammation on the skin, promotes rapid cell regeneration and has a slight whitening effect (which is very important in the fight against post-acne and acne).
Ingredients of a healthy “dessert” for problem skin:
- Turmeric – 1/2 tbsp;
- Pumpkin puree – 1/4 cup;
- Natural honey from the apiary – 1 tbsp. spoon.
Mix the ingredients and apply to a cleansed face for 5-7 minutes, and then wash with warm water.
Before using the mask, be sure to do an allergy test on your wrist!
Pumpkin cream
Pumpkin hand cream. You need to grate the pumpkin and mix it with peach oil 1:1. Apply the product to your hands under rubber gloves for 60 minutes. This will be enough to make the skin incredibly velvety.
Our useful articles for your beauty:
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Fresh recipes and useful tips for self-care on the site!
Pumpkin scrubs and peelings for all skin types
Gentle peeling for dry skin
This recipe helps to gently cleanse, nourish and moisturize dry and sensitive skin.
You will need:
- Pumpkin pulp - 1 tbsp. l.;
- Egg yolk – 1 pc.;
- Olive oil – 1 tsp;
- Buckwheat flour – 1 tbsp. l.;
- Sugar – 1 tsp.
Thoroughly stir all peeling components until smooth.
Expert opinion
Svirid Nadezhda Yurievna
Cosmetologist, 5 years of experience
To achieve maximum effect, before using the product, you should cleanse your face and open the pores using a steam bath or cold hydrogenation (you can also apply a warm, damp towel for a couple of minutes).
Apply the mixture along the massage lines to the face and décolleté, massage gently for 2-3 minutes, then rinse off the scrub with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizer
Pumpkin seed scrub for oily and combination skin
A berry scrub with the addition of pumpkin seeds will help remove blackheads, eliminate oily shine and brighten the skin.
We will need:
- Ground pumpkin seeds – 1 tbsp. l.
- Pulp of sour berries or fruits (plums, apples, cranberries, cherries, grapefruit) - 1 tbsp. l.
- Lemon juice – 1 tsp.
Preparation and use:
- Mix all the ingredients, apply the scrub to previously cleansed skin of the face and décolleté and massage lightly.
- Rinse off the scrub first with warm water and then rinse your face with cool water.
- The exposure time of the mask is 3-5 minutes.
Pumpkin scrub for dry and normal skin
For additional nutrition and hydration of dry skin, the “classic” pumpkin scrub base should be enriched with olive oil.
Expert opinion
Svirid Nadezhda Yurievna
Cosmetologist, 5 years of experience
By the way, I advise you to read more about the benefits of olive oil in home cosmetology in our separate review: Olive oil: liquid gold for facial skin
So, we will need:
- Chopped pumpkin pulp - 1 tbsp. l.
- Oatmeal – 1 tsp.
- Ground walnuts – 1 tsp.
- Olive oil – 1 tsp.
Preparation and use:
- We prepare the base for the scrub from the pulp of raw pumpkin: grind the fruit in a blender or grate it on a fine grater until it becomes a paste.
- Add olive oil and scrub ingredients: ground walnuts and oatmeal, mix thoroughly and leave the mixture for a couple of minutes to soak in.
- At this time, we prepare the skin of the face: we wash our face and help the pores open with a steam bath or cold hydrogenation.
- Apply the scrub along the massage lines, do a light massage and leave for 10-15 minutes.
- At the end of the procedure, wash first with warm and then cool water.
Silk peeling for wrinkles
Another luxurious recipe for dry skin, which can deservedly be called royal. There are many components, and each brings a separate “note” to the symphony of youth for our skin: nutrition, hydration, deep cleansing and skin restoration.
- Chopped pumpkin seeds – 1 tbsp. l.
- Dried immortelle petals – 1 tbsp. l.
- Dried kelp – 1 tsp.
- Aloe vera juice – 2 tbsp. l.
- Essential oil (jasmine) – 2 drops.
- Essential oil (neroli) – 2 drops.
- Essential oil (patchouli) – 2 drops.
- Soybeans (chopped) – 1 tsp.
Preparation and use:
- Mix all the ingredients and leave the peeling to sit for 3-5 minutes.
- During this time, we do classic skin preparation: removing cosmetics, washing, steam bath (or cold hydrogenation).
- Apply the mixture along the massage lines and massage the skin for 2-3 minutes.
- We wash our face with cool water (preferably filtered melt water) and apply our favorite moisturizer.
Pumpkin body scrub with coconut oil
Gentle pumpkin scrubs, prepared with love, deeply cleanse and saturate the skin with beneficial vitamins and microelements. So why not pamper your whole body with a “vitamin” by enriching the bright “sunny” puree with the necessary components.
For one procedure you will need:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (from fresh fruits);
- 1/4 cup coconut oil;
- 1/4 cup ground coffee beans;
- 1/4 cup Himalayan salt.
Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and also perfectly nourishes and moisturizes the skin.
Expert opinion
Svirid Nadezhda Yurievna
Cosmetologist, 5 years of experience
I advise you to read more about the effectiveness of the component in a separate review of the beneficial properties of coconut oil in home cosmetology.
Coffee, in turn, perfectly exfoliates dead epidermis and stimulates cell regeneration, thereby fighting cellulite, and pink Himalayan salt contains so many minerals necessary for the skin.
Preparation and use:
- Connect all components together
- Use as an exfoliant while taking a bath or shower.
After the procedure, the skin will be shiny and smooth, and your mood will be wonderful.
Pumpkin ice for face
Rubbing your face with an ice cube every day is a very useful habit that should be introduced into your daily facial care to maintain youth and beauty.
I talked about the benefits and features of the procedure in a separate video on our channel, I advise you to watch the material.
Well, here we will look at several options for preparing healing cosmetic ice from pumpkin.
The easiest option is to simply wipe your face with a piece of raw frozen pumpkin or make ice from pure pumpkin juice.
For this:
- Grate the fresh pumpkin pulp on a fine grater;
- Squeeze out the juice using gauze, pour into an ice container and place in the freezer.
By the way, the remaining cake can be used as a base for a mask or used to make pumpkin cookies.
Yogurt + pumpkin puree
This type of ice is well suited for delicate sensitive skin.
We will need:
- a piece of raw pumpkin;
- yogurt (preferably homemade).
To make ice, make pumpkin puree and mix with yogurt in a 50/50 ratio.
Pour the finished mixture into molds and place in the freezer.
Aloe juice + pumpkin
This version of ice will be an excellent remedy for oily, problematic, inflammation-prone skin.
- Raw pumpkin juice;
- Aloe juice.
The vitamin “duet” of juices can be further enriched with a decoction of chamomile or calendula (for severe skin inflammation).
Lemon + pumpkin juice
This composition tones the skin well, also improves complexion and has a slight whitening effect.
- Pumpkin juice - 1/2 cup;
- Lemon juice - 1 tbsp.
Mix the vitamin components, pour into molds and store in the freezer.
Potato + pumpkin juice
Another recipe with a slight whitening and toning effect, which is worth taking note as an express remedy for combating puffiness and uneven complexion.
- pumpkin juice
- Raw potato juice
Let me remind you that you should wipe your face along the massage lines after thoroughly cleansing the skin.
Mask for dark circles under the eyes
You need equal proportions of cucumber juice, cooled boiled pumpkin puree and milk. Fold the gauze in half (if you don’t have gauze, you can use another cloth), lay it over your closed eyes and carefully place a layer of the mixture you prepared on top. The procedure lasts about 10 minutes.
Pumpkin masks help solve any facial skin problems. Reveal the secret of this rich vitamin-mineral complex, and you will not exchange it for any expensive product!
