Get Your Glow On With This DIY Pumpkin Guts Face Mask

Arguably the best part about carving pumpkins is pulling out the stringy and seedy guts inside. That is, if you like to get your hands dirty. Usually the squishy cold mush goes straight into the trash, but not this year.

Pumpkins are packed with vitamins, zinc and antioxidants that revitalize your skin and leave you glowing just like a jack-o-lantern—minus the crooked teeth, of course.

I tried it for myself at home and it's true, these gross guts really do give your skin a gorgeous glow. Check out this simple and fun DIY recipe below:

What You'll Need

• 1 Pumpkin
• 2 Teaspoons Honey
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• Blender
• Carving Utensils
• 2 Bowls for Guts

 

Directions:

1. Carve Your Pumpkin

Once you've safely removed the top of your pumpkin, it's time for scooping. Use a large spoon, ice cream scoop or fruit baller to scrape out all of the icky sticky guts inside. You want to get your pumpkin clean as can be, this will also help protect your jack-o-lantern from bugs and rotting. Place the guts and carved chunks into a bowl. Dice the larger chunks into smaller pieces for easier blending.

 

2. Separate the Seeds

In a second bowl, separate the seeds from the pumpkin guts, reserving about 10 seeds for your mask mixture. If you really want to get the most out of this DIY pumpkin mask, you can roast the seeds for additional nutrients. Just toss them with melted butter or olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally for even coverage. Yum!

 

3. Combine Your Ingredients

In a blender, combine the guts, diced chunks, roughly 10 seeds, honey and cinnamon. I like adding the cinnamon because it makes your face smell like a pumpkin pie…but more importantly, it unclogs and opens pores. The honey helps fight acne while soothing your skin and creating a nice texture for your mask. Blend these ingredients until they are well-combined and you have a pasty consistency. My mask felt similar to applesauce.

 

4. Apply and Wait

Apply a layer to a clean face and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Make sure you stand over a sink when applying because the mixture can be gloppy. If you feel kind of like Mrs. Doubtfire after she smashes her face in a cake, then you're doing it right. I found that my mask began to stiffen after about 10 minutes.

 

5. Rinse

Rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat dry. Apply moisturizer as usual. Do I look like I'm glowing? I feel like I'm glowing.

 

6. Bottle the Excess

Bottle up the rest of your mask mixture and store it in your refrigerator for more masking down the road.

 

After I washed off my mask, I felt nice and smooth. I don't often use face masks or special toning techniques so this was a fun way to incorporate one of my favorite fall activities—carving pumpkin—with a healthy, all-natural DIY project.

While I was masked up my puppy took a swipe at my cheek with her little tongue. Aside from the doggy breath there was no harm done. One of the best reasons to use all natural products is that your pets won't get sick if they are accidentally ingested.

 

If you aren't in the mood for carving, you can substitute the fresh pumpkin guts for a can of pumpkin at the store. You should also check out THESE alternative, no-carve methods for decorating pumpkins.