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10 Pumpkin-Based Products to Add to Your Skincare Routine This Fall

Christopher Ehlers READ TIME: 11 MIN.

We've all seen how pumpkin-flavored everything has taken over grocery store shelves in increasingly surprising ways over the last few years. From coffee and baked goods to cereal, candles, ice cream, and even mac and cheese, the pumpkin phenomenon has gotten slightly out of hand.

While pumpkin flavoring has reached a saturation point, pumpkin has been used in skincare for ages, and it's far from just a gimmick. Containing potent amounts of Vitamin C and beta-carotene, a precursor of Vitamin A, pumpkin-based skincare can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and rough texture, which in turn smooths skin and strengthens collagen. But more than all that, pumpkin is excellent for brightening the skin and lightening dark spots, thanks to alpha hydroxy acids and fruit enzymes.

We wouldn't recommend taking canned pumpkin and concocting a DIY mixture yourself, but there are plenty of pumpkin-based products on the market that deliver heartily on their promises. Here are some of our favorites.

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

Given the impressive enzyme exfoliation powers of pumpkin, there are a ton of products like these on the market. But Revision – as it often does – stands apart from the rest as being a flawlessly formulated product with clinical research to back up its claims. This polishing mask exfoliates in two ways, both physically and chemically, to sweep away dead skin cells while helping the skin combat environmental stressors. For those that prefer clay masks, this mask is clay-based, so it will draw impurities from the skin and reduce oiliness. $52, lovelyskin.com.

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Intense Hydration with Vitamin C

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask Intense Hydration with Vitamin C

Laneige's line of overnight lip masks have long achieved cult status, and their limited-edition scents make rebuying a favorite skincare product fun. Their latest creation is pumpkin spice, which smells delicious without being cloying. But it's more than just a cute gimmick: A berry complex infuses the lips with antioxidants; coconut oil, shea butter, and murumuru seed butter flood the lips with moisture; and vitamin C helps protect from external aggressors. A little goes a long way, which is why we've never minded buying this product year after year. $24, sephora.com.

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

This cult classic mask is like the Revision one above, but the aluminum oxide crystals up the ante on the physical exfoliation aspect of this, making it more of a mask-polish hybrid than just a resurfacing mask. This one is intense, though, so we don't recommend using more than once or twice a week, and the fact that it smells like dessert doesn't hurt, either. $60, lovelyskin.com.

Nest New York Pumpkin Chai Liquid Soap

Nest New York Pumpkin Chai Liquid Soap

Alright, so this product doesn't actually infuse the hands with any kind of pumpkin magic, but we are suckers for a cute, festive hand soap, and this one from Nest delivers. Not only does it smell incredible, but it effortlessly adds some class to your counter. $22, sephora.com.

Eminence Organics Pumpkin Latte Hydration Masque

Eminence Organics Pumpkin Latte Hydration Masque

Despite the pumpkin puree at the heart of this mask, the first ingredient is Aloe Juice, which speaks to just how soothing and nourishing it is. While most pumpkin masks are exfoliators, this one contains pumpkin seed oil, which helps to intensely moisturize and balance the skin, along with other botanical oils like Calendula, Chamomile, Alfalfa, Comfrey, Sunflower, Rosemary, Sweet Orange, Carrot, Lavender, Apricot, and Frankincense. $57, lovelyskin.com.

Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter

Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Cleansing Butter

A terrific first step in a double cleanse routine, this cleansing balm uses pumpkin and acerola cherry to lightly brighten and exfoliate while effectively removing sunscreen and makeup. It also includes mango butter and chia seed oil, which soften and nourish the skin. It emulsifies beautifully and smells divine, making it a slam-dunk. $39, lovelyskin.com.

Mila Moursi Revitalizing & Beautifying Body Oil

Mila Moursi Revitalizing & Beautifying Body Oil

$140 is an awful lot of money for a body oil, but this product is terrific, even if it is quite frequently on sale (like it is now). When your body is still damp, applying this luxurious blend of Camelia Kahai, squash pepins, and blueberry extracts will soften and moisturize the skin while protecting it from damage. And thanks to the inclusion of pumpkin seed extract, it can also help minimize the look of stretch marks. $140, lovelyskin.com.

Summer Fridays Overtime Mask

Summer Fridays Overtime Mask

While this mask hasn't achieved the cult status of its sister product, the Jet Lag mask, this clarifying and exfoliating mask is a worthy complement. Packed with pumpkin and exfoliating apricot seed powder to polish away dead skin cells, it also contains soothing oat kernel proteins and free radical-fighting antioxidants to give the skin an impressive glow. The thing we really love about this mask? You can follow it up with the Jet Lag mask for a one-two punch of pampering. $46, sephora.com.

PCA Skin Nutrient Facial Toner

PCA Skin Nutrient Facial Toner

If gentle exfoliation without the harsh potential to strip the skin is what you're in the market for, this one-of-a-kind toner from PCA Skin is well worth a look. The special ingredient here is pumpkin wine, which is what makes this product stand out from the crowd. The wonder of this toner is that it exfoliates, hydrates, and nourishes the skin at the same time, resulting in smaller pores, and smoother, stronger skin without stripping or drying. And yes, it smells like a cinnamon and pumpkin confection.
$42, lovelyskin.com.

Lalicious Hydrating Body Butter

Lalicious Hydrating Body Butter

There are a ton of pumpkin-scented body products on the market that don't actually contain any pumpkin, but this limited-edition body cream from Lalicious is a rare, dermatologist-approved exception. Not only is this deliciously scented, but it combines pumpkin with shea butter, safflower oil, aloe, and vitamin E to rejuvenate, seal in moisture, nourish, and protect from dreaded free radical damage. $38, lovelyskin.com.


by Christopher Ehlers

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