There are many different herb, fruit, and vegetable ingredients that can be seen in skincare and cosmetic products in the beauty industry, but there seems to be a trend lately regarding the increasing popularity of a certain fruit (a fruit you say…and yes, it is!) and its pumpkin.

Pumpkin is being used in many products from facial masks to lash serums and its no wonder, this popular fruit isn’t just for pumpkin carving and baking anymore; its full of skin-loving benefits to smooth, hydrate, and nourish the skin.  Pumpkins (and all parts of it including skin, flesh, and seed), contain loads of skin-loving properties and benefits that are good for the complexion like hyaluronic acid, alpha-hydroxy fruit acids, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins including but not limited to A, C, (which we all know is a skin brightener and glow enhancer) and E,  lycopene, amino acids, glycerin, beta carotene, zinc, and enzymes and the list goes on and on (and looking back as I was growing up that funny feeling I remember on my hands as I was carving pumpkins throughout the years that felt like the skin was being stripped and the dead skin was being sloughed off as well as why they always felt so smooth after, those were the very benefits that are from pumpkin being recognized now).

The benefits of pumpkin are many with some of them being the reduction of inflammation and pore size while healing acne scarring, skin brightening and brown spot reduction, reversal of ultraviolet rays, protection against pollutants and free radicals from the harmful effects of the sun, exfoliation (enzyme action) increasing cell turnover which decreases aging and wrinkles, reduces and balances oil in the skin while dissolving dead skin cells, and last but not least improves hydration retention (hyaluronic fruit acid) and balances all skin types.

There are many different products that carry the ingredient pumpkin in them (of high end and low end products whether it be pumpkin seed extract, ground pumpkin seeds in facial scrubs, or pumpkin enzymes, etc…) like lash serums that contains biotin (by Lancer) from pumpkin to build lash strength or the hydrating addition of pumpkin fruit acids and enzymes into sleeping masks, you can be sure to find pumpkin in the form of cleansers, facial peels, cleansing oils, moisturizing creams, body butter, facial soaps, and lip balms that will suit your individual skin type needs no matter what they may be.  The prices for these products vary depending on the company, ingredient, and item and depending on where you purchase them that can range anywhere from $3.00 (Burt’s Bee’s “Pumpkin Spice” Lip Balm) to $80.00 (Drunk Elephants “C Firma Day Serum”) that has pumpkin ferment extract in it.  

For skincare, there are many brands with products for face and body that have pumpkin in them depending on how much you want to spend.  Some of the higher-end brands like Ole Henriksen, Summer Fridays, Fig & Yarrow, Mahalo Beauty, and PCA Skin, etc… carry some great products.  Summer Fridays “Overtime Mask” for $44.00 and is packed full of vitamins A, K, and C that has pumpkin exfoliating properties and hydrates skin for a “blinding brightness” that is a beautiful and festive orange cream pumpkin color with dark orange scrub flecks in it.  The Peter Thomas Roth company has the “Pumpkin Enzyme Mask” for $60.00 that is a “triple-action manual, chemical, and enzymatic treatment” to revive the face.  The skincare line Ole Henriksen has the “Clean Truth” Foaming Cleanser for $12.00-30.00 with pumpkin fruit and chamomile extracts and the “Moment Of Truth” 2 in 1 Polishing Sugar Mask with pure honey and pumpkin extract for $26.00. The brand Michael Todd Beauty has a delicious-sounding mask called the “Pumpkin Nutrient Rich” mask (that sounds good enough to eat) with pumpkin enzymes, glycolic acid (AHAs), maple syrup, and sugar cane extracts to exfoliate, nourish, and brighten, that improves radiance and glow that is priced at $34.00 with an aromatic yummy pumpkin pie scent.

Some other companies that have products within them in the higher price range are Savor Beauty (a neat company with a holistic approach to Korean skincare with all kinds of yummy natural ingredients in them like lavender milk, manuka honey, and bamboo rice) that has a “Pumpkin Seed Renew Serum Brightening Oil” with pumpkin seed oil in it that has lots of nutrients, vitamins, and anti-oxidants priced at $64.00.  They also have a “Pumpkin Enzyme Peel & Lactic Acid Resurfacing Treatment” that removes dead skin cells improving skin texture that gives your skin illumination priced at $80.00.  The Mahalo beauty brand is a Hawaii based skincare line that has “The Unveil Cleanser” that is a balm to milk cleanser (love these!) concentrate formula that moisturizers and removes makeup that leaves a soft and glowing complexion for (get ready for this) $120.00.  The Bella Lucce brand has a “warming pumpkin masque” with organic pumpkin and coconut milk and powdered honey that removes dead skin cells and draws toxins from the skin for $93.99.  The Osea Malibu company’s “Black Algae Flash Mask” has pineapple, fig, and pumpkin for enzymic exfoliation and detoxifying priced at $48.00.  The last mention of high-end goes to Kate Sommerville that carries the “ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment” that is an award winner that has pumpkin enzymes, papaya, pineapple, and apricot in it that only takes only 2 minutes to soothe, nourish, hydrate, and refine for $75.00 for 1 ounce (they also have two other sizes).

For products in the mid to low-end price range, there are also many products to choose from.  Another skincare company is a pumpkin and honey facial soap by the brand Osmia Organics that is a cleansing bar for all skin types that has tomato and pumpkin for a gentle enzyme exfoliating effect that also soothes, hydrates, and softens with organic honey and camellia seed oil for $24.00.  The Mychelle Dermaceuticals skincare brand has several products with the ingredient pumpkin in them with one being the “Pumpkin Renew Cream” for $30.00 that that has anti-oxidant rich pumpkin seed to nourish, hydrates, and balances the skin. The brand Urban Skin RX has a facial scrub called the “Purifying Pumpkin Pore Detox Mask & Scrub” for $36.00 that is a self-warming mask with pumpkin enzymes in it that improves skin texture and pore size.  The skincare line MIG has a pumpkin serum “stick” called the “Face Lotion Bar/Serum Stick” that is “for radiant youthful skin” that is anti-aging, perfecting, and replenishing” that contains essential oils, and pumpkin with a vitamin-rich base for $39.00.  The company Bliss has the “Pumpkin Powerhouse Resurfing & Exfoliating with pumpkin enzymes, and natural AHAs that helps hydrate, smooth, and enhance glow for $15.00.  

Some other mid to lower brands that carry pumpkin products are the Too Cool For School cosmetic and skincare company that has the “Pumpkin Sleeping Pack” that is an overnight mask with pumpkin extracts and natural enzymes for “supple, moisturized, and glowing skin when you wake up” priced at $20.00. They also have the “Pumpkin Hydra & Peeling Duo Pads” that are “dual-phase exfoliating and moisturizing essence pads for night time and day time” that run for $18.00 with pumpkin seed oil for all skin types.  The Sephora Company has a pumpkin mask in the Sephora Collection (which I think is way underrated for the quality and price it is) with its “Masque Visage Citrouille Pumpkin Face Mask” (limited edition) that has pumpkin extracts being “saturated with vitamins and minerals” to hydrate and protect the skin from dryness priced at $6.00.  The Korean skincare brand (which is all the rave now and its no wonder because Korean women have some of the best beauty rituals and most beautiful skin) that has a face balm called the “KBeauty Rescue Balm” that is an “intensely hydrating melt-in balm-like formula” for all skin types that has a “very light botanical scent with refreshing undertones” that is priced at $28.00.

The brand Passport To Organics has a gorgeous looking pumpkin flesh-orange and pumpkin smelling “Pumpkin Peel Mask” with natural pumpkin enzymes (that is the “peel” in the product), with 5% glycolic acid, and organic content leaving your skin glowing after each use for $36.00.  The skincare brand Daycell (another Korean beauty product line) that has a moisturizer called the “Relaxing Pumpkin Moisture Cream” (which I must say is in adorable packaging) that contains “nutrition-rich pumpkin extract for tired and irritated skin” and decreases swelling while also improving elasticity priced at $17.33. Farmhouse Fresh has the “Splendid Dirt Nutrient Mud Mask” with Organic Pumpkin Puree that has a whipped mousse formula with pumpkin puree to detoxify and awaken skin (that is called the “pumpkin de gunker”) for $25.00

For body care products there are quite a few with the ingredient pumpkin in them and all luxurious while healthy for your skin at the same time at all price ranges.  The brand Philosophy (well known for its deliciously scented bath and body products made even more well known for the “Fresh Cream” products Jaclyn Hill raved about that I tried and smells amazing!) that has the “Pumpkin Icing” Shampoo, Shower Gel, & Bubble Bath that has a deliciously sweet creamy pumpkin scent for $18.00.  The Bath & Body Works line has a “Sweet Cinnamon & Pumpkin Shower Gel” for only $13.92 on Amazon that has an heirloom pumpkin, autumn cinnamon, gingersnap, and whipped vanilla scent.  They also have a “Marshmallow Pumpkin Latte Body Cream” that has a creamy sandalwood praline musk” scent that is priced at $16.00 (on Ebay).  The well-loved Trader Joes has a “Pumpkin Body Butter” described as “a luxurious body butter that is made with coconut, shea butter, and pumpkin oil” for only $17.34 on Ebay (and at other places for different prices depending on where you shop).  The Clientele skincare brand has a delicious-sounding “Pumpkin Regeneration Body Souffle” that is an “extra rich souffle” with pumpkin enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants that “micro exfoliates aged cells that reveals fresher younger-looking skin” and provide “longlasting hydration” that runs for $27.75.  The Body Shop also has a body butter called the “Vanilla Pumpkin Body Butter” in “special edition seasonal packaging” (inspired by the Mexican holiday “Day of the Dead” celebrations) that is described as an “indulgently rich formula that provides 24 hour moisture that is infused with Madagascar vanilla and has the aroma of roasted pumpkin” (as well as hazelnut and maple syrup) for only $12.00.  The Sephora Collection has a body butter that is priced at $6.00 that is a pumpkin extract rich formula to comfort dry skin.  The brand Hempz has a “Vanilla & Chai Herbal Body Mask” that is a rinse-off daily body mask that contains pumpkin puree and seed extract to help condition and hydrate the skin for $17.95 at Ulta.  The Miss Violet Lace has a unique product called the “Pumpkin Spice Body Glow” (an Autumn body glow) that is a beautiful Autumn auburn-orange color with gold shimmer in a body oil that illuminates the skin in a gorgeous pumpkin glow for $9.00.

For various other pumpkin products like hand cream The Body Shop carries a “Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Cream” for $4.50.  There is a body mist that Bath and Body Works has called the “Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Fragrance Mist” with a “conditioning aloe light mist” that also smells of gingersnap, whipped vanilla, brown sugar, clove, and cinnamon for $13.90 on Amazon.  There is also the Sephora Collection “Pumpkin Hand Balm” for $5.00 to smooth, nourish, and hydrate your hands.  For lip balms (they also have hydrating lip shimmers now!) there are the Burts Bees “Pumpkin Spice” Lip Balm (with a touch of rosemary) for $3.59 and the “Pink Pumpkin Baby Shower Lip Balm” for $24.11 on Zazzle that is so cute with it’s pumpkin pastel-shaded packaging.   For hair, there is the Wen by Chaz Dean sold on QVC for $36.00 called the “Fall Ginger Pumpkin Cleansing Conditioner” that contains pumpkin seed extract.  Also, the brand Demeter Fragrance Library has a pumpkin pie scented fragrance with warm notes of clove, pumpkin, brown sugar, cinnamon, and ginger that is priced from $3.40 to $34.00.  There is even a pumpkin foot scrub from Onyx Professional called the “Pumpkin Pick Me Up Foot Scrub” that “instantly softens and soothes your feet for a little over $1.00 (I got mine at Walmart) which would really be a relaxing addition to your self-care Sunday routine!

So, whether you prefer a skin scrub, a sleeping mask, or skin serum in whatever form (gel, soap, mask, bath and body products or in a shower gel or body butter), there is a product out there for you with the skin-loving benefits of pumpkin in it no matter what you choose!