Brighten and Soften Your Skin with a Pumpkin Sugar Scrub You Can Make at Home
This article is about how I used up my leftover pumpkin puree and created a skin loving and brightening pumpkin spice sugar scrub recipe. Find out the benefits of pumpkin for your skin and make this easy and effective sugar scrub with real fruit!
Here’s a note from a happy person who tried this recipe:
“Hi Heidi, I tried the pumpkin spice scrub tonight and not only do I smell great. I keep touching myself = my skin feels sooo soft. Thank you, thank you, thank you…..” —-Rachel
You know what? That’s my experience too. Your face will feel SO, so baby soft, you’ll just want to keep on feeling it! Exfoliation is one of my beauty secrets and has been for years, and this pumpkin sugar scrub is amazing.
Now…..Here’s the recipe and some notes:
Well, I made some homemade pumpkin soap the other day...and I made some incredibly delicious pumpkin soup, too. But I still had some yummy pumpkin puree' left over between those two projects. I was thinking about giving the rest of it to my dogs, but then....I wondered if the leftover puree would be good for my skin.
So...I decided, "Why not make a homemade Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub?" So. I did. Here is my recipe, and I know you’re going to just love it! And so will your skin!
But first, I researched the skin healing and health benefits of pumpkin….and I was amazed. I’ll tell you about these in just a moment.
Most importantly, this sugar scrub turned out A-Mazing! Just quite unbelievably great.
Here is the recipe for you!
For this super simple and scrumptious sugar scrub recipe, I used a touch of vanilla extract to give it that little extra something-something. You can find out how to make your own homemade vanilla extract here, if you want. What's so funny is every single thing in this recipe is edible. Plus, it smells fabulous!
This is a perfect scrub to make if you are having some girlfriends or family members over and decide to have a beauty time. OR, if you just want to relax yourself---this will put you in a delicious lull. Your skin will thank you, too!
This skin care scrub will pair nicely with my Pumpkin Spice Fall Soap Recipe too, or maybe this pumpkin spice body butter for really dry skin. You might also like to take a look at this very beautiful Cranberry Spice Sugar Scrub!
FTC Disclosure: There are affiliate links scattered throughout this article. If you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What Benefits Does Pumpkin Have for Your Skin?
But first---I thought I'd check to see if pumpkin is actually good for your skin. Here's what I found out from the International Dermal Institute:
1) Pumpkin helps with skin cell turn over, creating a glowing and bright skin. This is because it's filled with Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) which exfoliate your skin, along with fruit enzymes.
2) It contains the antioxidants vitamins A and C. These both play a role in anti-aging and collagen boosting. Yay!
3) Pumpkins are high in zinc, which turns out is wonderful if you suffer from acne. Zinc also helps heal your skin.
4) Guess what? Vitamin E and fatty acids occur in high levels in pumpkins. This helps maintain the natural sebum on your skin, which is necessary for protection.
5) And finally--did you know that because the molecules in pumpkin mash are so small, they can actually penetrate the skin layers? This helps combat aging and wrinkles. Win!
SCORE! No wonder this scrub made my hands immediately softer and brighter, and even improved Mr. V's. I was seriously wondering about that. I think pumpkin puree is going to become a regular part of my personal beauty regimen. I think a face mask using this scrub would be perfect!
**Pictures are below of my husband’s hands. Please don’t be turned off by this! They cleaned up really well. When I used this on my body, I was amazed, and I think the scent even helped me to get a better night’s sleep, too. My skin also glowed!
This handy and beautiful Herbal Remedy Guide and Cheat Sheet is perfect for your home apothecary or kitchen. Click here to get yours sent to your inbox now!
How easy is this? Just combine and mix!
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub Recipe
Ingredients for the Scrub:
*** 1/2 cup organic sugar, turbinado sugar, or even brown sugar
*** 1 1/2 tbsp. almond oil
*** 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I may have been a little more generous, as I love spices, and I never measure anything.) **If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, just combine cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger. It's ok to mix and match.
*** 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (find out how to make your own)
*** 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
I wish I had taken a picture of Mr. V.'s hands before he put this on them---they were seriously a LOT more black and dirty. He works outside all day, and his hands are always grungy. I think I found a solution...because look below!
Directions (Could This be Any Easier?)
Step 1) Mix everything together in a bowl.
Step 2) Use. And enjoy. Try not to eat it up!
Note: You can use this as a body scrub, a facial scrub/mask, and even a great scrub for gardener's hands. I've included before and after pics of Mr. V.'s hands (which are terribly filthy when he comes in after working all day outside) so you can see what a wonderful job it does!
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE: There is no preservative in this scrub. Therefore, it’s not suitable to sell or give away as gifts because it needs to be used up within a week. Refrigerate the scrub on days you’re not using it. You could freeze some for use later, if you like. 😊
This was a light round one. He scrubbed again, and I have never seen his hands cleaner. AND they were a lot softer too. Sorry about the callus. He calls his calluses his "resume." And really, they are! If he had treated this scrub more like a mask and let it sit---I think even lovelier things would have happened!
Final Thoughts on Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub
I'm sorry this article is not longer, but really, this is how super easy this scrub is to make! Not only is it super simple, it's delicious and smells fabulous too.
And, it works.
I have nothing left to say---except you should give it a try. Especially if you have leftover pumpkin puree!
This pumpkin scrub smells great. It has skin benefits I didn't even know existed! And if you wanted to, you could eat it! ;-)
Here are some answers to some potential questions you may have about this homemade scrub:
1) How long will it last?
Since this scrub is made with pumpkin puree and has no preservatives, I'd say about a week in the fridge and maybe a day or two on the counter. Because the pumpkin contains moisture, in order for it to last any length of time, you’d need to add a preservative like leucidal or optiphen plus. I suggest just making this for personal use and using it up quickly. You could freeze some for later use, too.
2) What is the consistency like?
At first, it's pretty grainy because of the sugar. But I think because it has more moisture in it due to the pumpkin puree, the sugar tends to dissolve after a day or two. I thought this would be a problem, but it still worked great when I cleaned up Mr. V.'s hands!
3) Could you give this scrub as a gift?
If you gave it right away upon making it, it would be a really neat "ready-to-use-right-now" present. However, you really can't expect it to keep or to be safe over the long term. I think this would be a really fun project to do with your daughter, grand daughter, friends, or female members of the family though….or a fun spa day with friends.
Actually, some men may just love this too, because it does smell so good!
You might also enjoy this lovely warming massage oil recipe, especially during cold fall and winter.
Final Thoughts on Making Your Own Sugar Scrub with Pumpkin Puree’
And now. That's really all I have to say about this! If you have questions I didn't answer, please leave them in the comments section. And you may be interested in these similar articles:
Check out the blog for more articles on soaps, salves, skincare, essential oils, and herbs! There are a ton of ideas and recipes over there! OR….Consider joining us in this Fall’s (2022) Herbally Accomplished Workshop series! Natural fall skincare with herbs and essential oils is the topic, and we’re creating seven products for a complete skincare routine!
What do you think? Have you ever made a scrub with a food before? I just love when I accidentally come across something natural that is great for more than just one thing, don't you?
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
P.S. If you haven't already, get signed up for our newsletter! You'll never miss a thing, PLUS you’ll get free access to the growing self-reliance Resource Library!
This would be fun to make with a girlfriend get-together, if you do those kinds of things. I think I'll make this for my daughter and mom when they come to visit! Or any other lady (or man) who asks to give this sugar scrub a try!
This pumpkin sugar scrub will leave your tired skin glowing this Fall. Filled with nutrients for anti-aging and exfoliation, it's the perfect facial scrub for Autumn. If you have leftover pumpkin puree this Fall, you've GOT to try this skincare scrub recipe. Find out the skin health benefits of pumpkin and how to make this delicious, healthy scrub that really works! #sugarscrub #pumpkinscrub #skincare #natural #healthyscrub #exfoliating #antiaging #benefits #pumpkin #healingharvesthomestead