Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Benefits: What Does Pumpkin Enzyme Do For the Skin?
Dull, lackluster skin? Clogged pores and blemishes? A pumpkin enzyme peel might be just the thing you need. We may associate pumpkins with all things fall, but when it comes to our skin, the humble orange squash is a skincare workhorse that deserves a spot in your routine, year-round. The powerful enzymes found in its pulp gently exfoliate, helping to address oiliness, breakouts, and congestion, revealing a brighter, more radiant glow without the need for harsh or abrasive scrubs. Ahead, discover the many benefits of pumpkin enzyme peels and how they can be a total game-changer for your skin.
What is a Pumpkin Enzyme Peel?
A pumpkin enzyme peel is a type of chemical exfoliant that harnesses enzymes derived from pumpkin pulp to renew and refresh the skin. Pumpkin enzymes are proteolytic, which means they break down proteins. When applied topically, they essentially digest and dissolve keratin, the protein that makes up the dead skin cells that build up on the skin’s surface and cause a dull, congested appearance. By eliminating this buildup, they visibly improve skin clarity and texture and help clear out clogged pores, revealing a fresher, smoother complexion and reducing the likelihood of developing blackheads and acne. These peels can come in a few different forms, such as masks and serums, and are a gentle exfoliation option suitable for most skin types.
What Does Pumpkin Enzyme Do For the Skin? 6 Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Benefits
So, what does pumpkin enzyme do for the skin? Exfoliation aside, the benefits of pumpkin enzyme masks entail much more than you might think! Let’s break down the six main pumpkin enzyme benefits.
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Gentle Exfoliation and Cell Turnover
As we mentioned above, pumpkin enzymes exfoliate the skin by gently dissolving the dead skin cells that dull our complexion and clog our pores. As a type of chemical exfoliant, enzymes are considered much milder than their acid counterparts—think AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs—and avoid the sometimes-abrasive effects of physical exfoliants like scrubs and brushes, making them a much gentler option for those with sensitive or reactive skin. They also help encourage faster cell turnover by removing surface-level buildup to reveal fresh, new skin underneath, improving skin texture and tone along the way. -
Hydration and Nourishment
A surprising pumpkin peel benefit is that, despite being an exfoliant, it’s great at nourishing and hydrating the skin. By improving the skin’s overall texture, it helps maintain and strengthen its moisture barrier, improving its ability to retain hydration and prevent dryness. Pumpkin is also rich in good-for-your-skin vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that deeply nourish, hydrate, and protect, supporting healthier skin overall. -
Anti-Aging Benefits
Because pumpkin enzymes promote faster cell turnover, they can aid in improving the appearance of common signs of aging. By shedding this top layer of the skin, they help smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and lighten dark spots and hyperpigmentation. According to a study on topical proteolytic enzymes, they not only have the ability to improve the skin’s texture and tone on a surface level, but can also help increase the firmness and thickness of the dermis, the skin’s middle layer. What’s more, its antioxidant-rich composition helps combat free radical damage, which contributes to premature skin aging. -
Brightening and Balancing Skin Tone
Thanks to its gentle exfoliation and increased cell turnover, pumpkin peel benefits include brightening and balancing skin’s overall tone. Dulling dead skin cells are shed, bringing newer, brighter, and more even-toned skin to the surface. Pumpkin is also rich in Vitamin C, a famed skin brightener that can help diminish the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and uneven tone by inhibiting melanin production. -
Antioxidant Protection
Again, pumpkin is brimming with antioxidants—particularly Vitamins A, C, and E and Beta Carotene. These antioxidants help protect the skin against the damaging effects of free radicals, which are produced by environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution. By neutralizing these free radicals, antioxidants prevent oxidative stress (aka, signs of premature aging) and support healthy, resilient skin. -
Enhanced Absorption of Skincare Products
By gently resurfacing the top layer of the skin, pumpkin enzyme peels create a smoother, more receptive base for skincare products. This allows active ingredients to penetrate more deeply and better absorb into the skin, ensuring your products work much more effectively—and get you the most bang for your buck!
Discover the Benefits of Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Firsthand, Today!
Curious about experiencing the revitalizing pumpkin enzyme peel benefits for yourself? Here’s everything you need to know before you start.
Do You Need Professional Treatments to Reap Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Benefits?
Good news: Because enzymes are much milder than most other chemical peels, you can enjoy the many pumpkin enzyme peel benefits without the need for a pricey in-office treatment. Our Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel is a great place to start, working its clarifying, glow-inducing magic from the comfort of your own home in a matter of minutes.
Why Choose Our Pumpkin Enzyme Peel for Your Skincare Goals?
At Naturopathica, we take a holistic approach to crafting our formulas, using only the purest botanical actives and ensuring we don’t include any ingredients known to be toxins or harmful to the body. We meticulously formulated the Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel to deliver pumpkin enzyme benefits with the help of a few other powerhouse botanicals. We paired pumpkin puree with a 3% concentration of Lactic Acid, a fan-favorite AHA that also aids in exfoliation to help decongest clogged pores and keep them clear. What’s more, a trio of antiseptic herbs—Cinnamon Bark, Oregano, and Rosemary Extract—work hard to fight acne-causing bacteria and control excess oil production, further treating and preventing future breakouts.
We offer a full collection of enzyme peels, each with its own unique benefits to help you reach your skin goals. While our pumpkin enzyme mask benefits are particularly visible on dull or congested skin, our Sweet Cherry Enzyme Peel can help brighten and even out the skin tone, making it an especially effective choice for those with visible sun damage. To deeply nourish your skin and restore your natural glow, try our Pear & Fig Polishing Enzyme Peel.
Application Tips to Experience Pumpkin Peel Benefits Firsthand
Beginning with clean, dry skin, apply a nickel-sized amount of our pumpkin peel mask to the face, taking care to avoid the eye area. If you’d like to include the neck and décolleté, use a quarter-sized amount. Leave on for three to five minutes, then remove with a soft cloth and rinse thoroughly with warm water.
To maximize the pumpkin enzyme mask benefits, we recommend applying before stepping into the shower or while using a home skin steamer. The warmth and hydration from the steam help activate the enzymes, boosting their brightening and softening prowess.
While enzyme peels are generally quite gentle, you should still always patch test before applying them to a larger area to ensure your skin won’t react—an important rule for introducing any new ingredient to your routine. As with any exfoliant, a pumpkin enzyme peel can increase sun sensitivity, so it’s crucial to apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for one week afterward.
Final Thoughts on Pumpkin Enzyme Peel Benefits
If clear, radiant skin is what you’re after, you can’t go wrong with a pumpkin enzyme peel. Boasting a litany of skin-rejuvenating properties, the benefits of pumpkin enzyme masks span brightening and smoothing the complexion, clearing away pesky blackheads and blemishes, and reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and discoloration. Still need convincing? Add our Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel to your skincare lineup and see and feel the difference for yourself.
