We often use face masks as essential elements of our skincare routine. However, some masks are prone to making our skin feel more irritated than others.
Depending on your skin type, different masks have different effects.
But, there are a few key ingredients in every facial mask that are beneficial for every skin complexion. Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and natural ingredients such as fruits and vegetables are those ingredients.
We’re all familiar with the fact that fruits and vegetables, when consumed daily, provide significant benefits for our health. Well, the same thing goes for our skincare routine — fruits and vegetables are filled with vitamins that leave our skin feeling regenerated and firm.
In this text, we will cover:
- The science behind pumpkin and pumpkin masks
- The difference between DIY pumpkin facial masks and professional ones
- Long-term effects of applying pumpkin masks
- Recipe for a DIY pumpkin mask
- How does Revoderm’s pumpkin mask compare to other popular pumpkin masks
Why pumpkin and what does it do for your skin? (the science behind pumpkin and pumpkin masks)
There are several scientifically proven reasons why pumpkins serve as a great ingredient in our skincare routine:
- Pumpkins are naturally concentrated with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as with antioxidants. These vitamins, when combined with antioxidants, help with fighting the sun damage effects and prevent wrinkles. By themselves, vitamins A and E improve the texture and tone of the skin by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Several environmental stressors make our skin appear damaged, and vitamin C that’s found in pumpkins is often used to treat and exfoliate damaged skin cells.
- Pumpkins are also rich in fruit enzymes that are natural exfoliants of dead skin cells. By including exfoliants in your routine, you will achieve a brighter and smoother skin complexion.
- Finally, they are an excellent ingredient for our daily skincare routine because they contain zinc and potassium, which help treat redness and other skin discolorations.
DIY pumpkin masks also include other natural ingredients such as honey, eggs, and apple cider vinegar.
- Honey deeply moisturizes and hydrates the skin,
- Eggs clean out oily pores, and
- Apple cider vinegar serves as a toner and spot treatment.
DIY pumpkin facial masks VS professional ones: Is there a difference?
The main difference between DIY facial masks and professional ones is the ingredients.
- DIY pumpkin facial masks use common natural ingredients that you can find in your kitchen. Most often, they use pumpkins, honey, and eggs.
- Professional pumpkin masks contain a more comprehensive range of ingredients that include specialized skincare ingredients and antioxidants. Some of those active ingredients include Pumpkin Fruit Extract, Vitamin E, Silver, Jojoba Beads, and more.
Professional pumpkin masks are more potent and effective because of the concentration of ingredients that can’t be DIY made. They can also be customized to suit your personal skincare needs and concerns, while DIY masks are more generic.
Most DIY masks, however, tend to do more harm than good for your skin. Every skin functions on a certain pH level that makes the skin look optimal if the level is correct.
Unfortunately, homemade facial masks that use ingredients commonly found in your kitchen can very easily disrupt the average pH level of your skin, thus leaving it feeling rough and irritated or prone to pimples. With every new experimentation with DIY face masks, your skin is more prone to have an unwanted reaction.
Revoderm’s Pumpkin Mask has these four active ingredients that can’t be homemade:
- Pumpkin Fruit Extract,
- Vitamin E,
- Silver, and
- Jojoba Beads.
Because of its ingredients, it provides aftereffects that work on a cellular level and are suitable for all skin types. It brightens, firms and hydrates, leaving a warming sensation and soothing scent on the skin.
Revoderm’s pumpkin mask also absorbs excess oil and sebum, thus helping reduce the pores’ visibility. It compliments OTC or prescription for acne, eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea.
The dangers of disrupting your natural pH levels and skin oil with DIY masks are avoided when using Revoderm’s pumpkin masks.
However, DIY masks can be a quick fix in certain situations:
- Acne treatment — egg whites are filled with protein that helps prevent long-term breakouts and treat blackheads or other unwanted spots.
- Hyperpigmentation — this is a post-inflammatory remedy that treats certain skin areas damaged by the sun or acne scarring. It uses turmeric powder and raw honey.
- Clogged pores — oatmeal is a traditional homemade remedy for treating clogged pores, and it’s often mixed with baking soda for faster and longer-lasting effects.
- Oily skin — DIY masks that are used to treat oily skin are usually the best homemade remedy for this problem. It uses bananas, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Dry skin — half a cucumber and aloe vera gel are used very often for daily treatment of skin dryness.
Things that you eat and drink heavily affect the outlook of your skin. Better skin complexion comes with a balanced diet, but it can also be achieved by treating the skin with professional products.
Regardless of your skin condition, the best route is to consult with your doctor and opt for clinically proven products, rather than doing it yourself.
Long-term effects of applying a pumpkin facial mask
Long-term effects of applying pumpkin facial masks are linked with overall better skin complexion, hydration, and alleviated redness. Other effects are:
- Infusing the skin with bioflavonoids which help fully absorb skin-friendly vitamins (A, E, and C)
- Deep hydration that plumps the skin
- Higher collagen production, which lessens the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles
- Provided protection from environmental stressors such as sun damage
- Delivers beta carotene, amino acids, and fruit enzymes which serve as exfoliants
Expert’s DIY pumpkin mask recipe
If you really want to do it yourself, here’s how to do it right.
What type of pumpkin do you choose?
For the most benefits, use fresh, cooked pumpkin.
Ingredients:
- Small slice of pumpkin (½ a cup when pureed)
- One raw egg
- ½ a teaspoon of honey
- ½ a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Instructions:
- Puree the pumpkin until the substance is smooth
- Add the egg, honey, and vinegar in the same bowl and mix
- Thoroughly clean your face and apply the mask on dry skin
- Let the mask sit for 15 to 20 minutes
- Rinse and apply your usual skincare products.
Advice:
- If you have sensitive skin, omit the eggs
- If you want to soften the mask, add a few drops of water
- If you want better exfoliation, add sugar and rub the skin before rinsing the mask.
- The mask cannot be stored as it will oxidize.
How does Revoderm’s Pumpkin Mask compare to other popular pumpkin masks?
Revoderm’s Pumpkin Mask leaves the sensation of warmth on your face. This soothing effect is what differentiates it from the others the most, but there can also be some differences in effects and ingredients.
#1 Revoderm’s Pumpkin Mask
Suitable for all skin types.
Medical-grade formulation, administered by a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Ken Alanen.
Ingredients: Pumpkin Fruit Extract, Vitamin E, Silver, Jojoba Beads, colloidal silver, vitamins A, C, E, Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), and the antioxidant lycopene.
Side-effects: Overuse of the product can irritate the skin.
Long-term and immediate results: Jojoba beads provide you with a warm exfoliating immediate effect. It revitalizes aging skin, brightens, firms, and hydrates, absorbs excess oil and sebum, and helps reduce and refine pores. It compliments prescriptions for acne, eczema, rosacea, and dermatitis.
Expert advice:
- For an extra boost of hydration, use the intense hyaluronic acid serum after the pumpkin mask.
- If you have sensitive skin, add a few drops of water to soften the scrub, and will be more suitable for sensitive skin.
- This mask is supposed to be used 2-3 times a week. If you need more exfoliation you can use it in conjunction with microdermabrasion scrub. First, do a microdermabrasion scrub, and then apply a pumpkin mask — that way you can have a chemical peel at home.
#2 Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
Ingredients: Pumpkin Enzyme, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Aluminum Oxide Crystals. Free of sulfates, SLS and SLES, parabens, and phthalates. This product is also gluten-free.
Side-effects: Bad for sensitive skin if using a lot of other activities — it leads to itchy and irritated skin.
Long-term and immediate results: Smoothens the skin’s surface, gives radiant-looking skin, polishes the skin’s surface to improve the look of uneven texture.
#3 Bliss Powerhouse Pumpkin Face Mask
Ingredients: Pumpkin Puree full of fruit enzymes and AHAs, Lemon and Rice Powders, Sodium Hyaluronate, and Shea Butter.
Side-effects: If you have extremely sensitive skin, sodium hyaluronate can cause redness, itching, or rashes.
Long-term and immediate results: Loosens and dissolves loose skin cells, stimulates skin’s renewal process for a fresh surface, exfoliates and reenergizes the skin surface, and is excellent in combating dryness and flaking.
#4 Naturopathica Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel
Ingredients: Pumpkin Puree, Lactic Acid, Cinnamon Bark, Oregano, and Rosemary extract.
Side-effects: Lactic acid can cause noticeable peeling and itching.
Long-term and immediate results: Exfoliates and prevents clogged pores and can serve as a retinoid acid substitute.
#5 Andalou Natural Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Brightening Mask
Ingredients: Pumpkin Puree, Manuka Honey, Vitamin C
Side-effects: If you’re allergic to bees, this product can lead to an allergic reaction.
Long-term and immediate results: Sweeps away dry surface cells, evens the tone, and smoothens the skin's texture.
#6 Urban Skin Rx Purifying Pumpkin Pore Detox Mask and Scrub
Ingredients: Kaolin, Bromelain, Willow Bark Extract, Salicylic acid
Side-effects: May cause skin irritation due to Bromelain
Long-term and immediate results: Detoxifying mineral clay absorbs the excess oil and cleanses clogging surface cells, reduces the look of irritation after exfoliating, and provides soothing relief for reddened skin.
#7 Mr. Pumpkin Face Mask by Lush
Ingredients: Pumpkin Puree, Glycerine, Corn Starch, Lime oil, Kaolin, Wild Orange Oil, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance.
Side-effects: Linalool and Limonene can cause allergic reactions and irritation.
Long-term and immediate results: Softens the skin and enriches it with vitamins A, C, and E, exfoliates and leaves the skin looking radiant.
Want to stick with a proven and professional formula?
Revoderm’s Pumpkin Mask leaves the skin looking fresh and smooth, it alleviates redness and provides a soothing warm sensation on the skin. Its key ingredients are soothing for all skin types, which makes it a more trustworthy choice than a DIY mask.
DIY pumpkin masks are good for correcting minor skin conditions such as dryness or oiliness, but for treating them long-term, we advise using a professional product.
Who are we, and why should you trust us?
Revoderm Pharma was founded by a triple-certified dermatologist, dermatopathologist, and laboratory medicine specialist Dr. Ken Alanen and skincare and medical cosmetic specialist, Ildiko Juhasz, with 20+ years of clinical experience.
Together, they have created a unique fusion of clinical dermatology and laboratory medicine — a medical-grade luxury skincare line — ensuring that our products are backed by solid scientific research.
Revoderm Pharma has been trusted by patients and clients at Derm.ca, a leading dermatology and laser cosmetic practice, for over a decade. Our products are not only tested, but have consistently delivered real results in clinical settings, giving you peace of mind knowing that a proven track record backs your skincare.
Schedule consultations with us for a personalized skin program based on your skin type.
