Pumpkin Face Mask Recipe with Jojoba Oil: An Easy Fall DIY
I made this mask on the same afternoon I finished making and photographing a set of sugar scrub bars and melt-and-pour soap. Both of these recipes used pumpkin powder.
There was plenty of pumpkin powder left over, and I thought, well, a face mask would be easy to make and a great way to end the session.
I added a tablespoon of plain yogurt, a teaspoon of jojoba oil, and one drop of Frankincense essential oil to the pumpkin powder. That’s it! That’s all you need for this easy but indulgent pumpkin face mask recipe.
Four ingredients. One bowl. No special equipment. Two minutes to make.
I tried on the mask, kept it on for ten minutes while I relaxed, then rinsed it off.
The whole process from idea to rinsing took less time than it took to tidy up the kitchen afterwards.
The previous day, I’d been putting together a fall spa day guide, and this recipe filled the one gap in the routine – a quick and easy face treatment that used ingredients I already had, and felt like part of the same seasonal ritual as everything else.
This pumpkin face mask recipe sits perfectly as the face treatment step in a full at-home fall spa day.
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Pumpkin Face Mask Recipe Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Powder
- 1 tablespoon Plain Yogurt (Full-Fat)
- 1 teaspoon Jojoba Oil
- 1 drop Frankincense or Lavender
This recipe is enough for one use. Because this pumpkin face mask recipe uses yoghurt, it cannot be stored as yoghurt does not store well beyond a day or two.
Quick Look at the Individual Ingredients
Pumpkin Powder
Pumpkin powder is that one ingredient that transforms a regular face mask into a fall recipe. it gives the mask its color, texture, and distinctly autumnal character.
You can make several other fabulous fall bath and body products using pumpkin powder as a staple ingredient.
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Scrub Bars and Pumpkin Spice Melt-and-Pour Soap Bars are two of the easiest to start with. For both recipes, you mix the ingredients, pack them tightly into molds, and let them set completely before unmolding.
Plain Yogurt
Full-fat plain yogurt works best for this recipe. It’s thicker and blends more smoothly with the powder. The yogurt is what gives the mask its creamy consistency and helps everything bind together.
It’s also what makes this a make-and-use recipe that cannot be prepared in a large batch ahead of time. But, as long as you have at least the three base ingredients, it’s so easy to put together that it’s worth making it fresh just before use.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is one of the most face-friendly carrier oils you can use. It is lightweight, absorbs well, and doesn’t leave a heavy residue.
It is the carrier oil I reach for most often in facial DIYs. It plays well with essential oils if you choose to add one, and it works perfectly well without them.
Sweet almond oil is a good alternative if that’s what you have on hand.
Essential Oil (Optional)
The mask works without an essential oil. The jojoba alone is enough to carry it. But if you want to bring in an aromatherapy element and make it feel like a more intentional ritual, one drop of the right oil goes a long way.
Best essential oils for this pumpkin mask recipe:
- Frankincense: Warm, slightly woody, and grounding, frankincense is one of the most popular essential oils for facial DIYs, and it suits the fall mood of this mask well.
- Lavender: A gentler, softer option, lavender essential oil is a good choice if you prefer something more floral and less resinous.
One drop of essential oil sits at approximately 0.5% dilution in this recipe. This is within the recommended dilution range for leave-on facial use. Don’t be tempted to add more.
Important: Not all essential oils are appropriate for use on the face. Avoid cinnamon, clove, and citrus oils in leave-on facial recipes. If your skin is sensitive or reactive, skip the essential oil entirely. The mask works well without it.
How to Make & Use a Pumpkin Face Mask
Making this pumpkin face mask is super easy. Four ingredients and three steps.
- Step 1: Combine pumpkin powder and yogurt in a small bowl and mix until smooth.
- Step 2: Add the jojoba oil and stir to combine all ingredients well.
- Step 3: If using, add 1 drop of essential oil and mix well.
How to use your homemade face mask:
- Apply a thin, even layer to clean skin, avoiding the eye area.
- Leave on for 10 minutes.
- Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Reminder: Make enough for one use only and use it immediately. Do not store leftovers.
3 Things to Note Before Making or Using this Homemade Face Mask
- Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours before using it on your face, especially if you’re adding an essential oil.
- Dairy sensitivity. If you have a sensitivity to dairy, skip the yogurt and use a non-dairy alternative such as coconut yogurt.
- Avoid the Eye area. Keep the mask away from the eye area.
Where This Pumpkin Face Mask Recipe Fits in a Fall Spa Day
I made this face mask as part of a longer fall spa afternoon at home using homemade fall-scented bath salts, body scrub, body butter, and this mask as the face step.
It’s the right level of effort for that context: quick to mix, short treatment time, and the pumpkin and jojoba make it feel cohesive with everything else in the fall DIY lineup.
You only need a couple of hours to treat yourself to this cozy fall spa day at home. I’ve put together a few easy ideas. You can choose just a couple or use them all, depending on the time you have. It’s so worth it!
Pumpkin Face Mask Recipe FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin instead of pumpkin powder in this recipe?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Canned pumpkin purée will give you a wetter consistency that’s harder to control and adjust. Besides, it cannot be stored. Pumpkin powder blends more predictably and stores easily between uses, which is especially useful if you’re already making other pumpkin spice DIYs this season.
Can I substitute the jojoba oil with another carrier oil?
Yes. Sweet Almond Oil is the most straightforward swap. It has a similar weight and feel to jojoba. Avoid heavy oils like castor or coconut for a face mask, as they can clog pores and are also more difficult to rinse off easily.
How often can I use this pumpkin face mask?
Once a week is a reasonable starting point for most people. Make a fresh batch each time.
A Homemade Pumpkin Face Mask is Simple, Seasonal, & Done in Ten Minutes
This mask started as a happy coincidence. Leftover pumpkin powder, a spare ten minutes, and a spa day already in progress. It has stayed in the rotation because it’s genuinely that easy, and because it fits naturally into the same fall DIY world as the scrubs, soaks, and body butters.
If you want to explore more fall DIY recipes using essential oils and carrier oils, the fall essential oils guide is a good starting point for building out your collection.
