Pumpkin Enzyme Exfoliating Mask

A Brief History....

The earliest accounts of the pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) can be traced back to ancient Mesoamerica where it was being used by the aboriginal population. These early Native Americans used pumpkins as a source of food and medicine, long before the arrival of the early European settlers. There was no waste in the harvest and utilization of the pumpkin as accounts list their use in everything from food to clothing. Nowadays, the “humble” pumpkin has found it's notariety in skin care products. With a healthy list of ingredients, one can see why the latest sensation to hit the skin care industry is the pumpkin. 

Pumpkin in skin care....

The pumpkin contains a long list of vitamins, nutrients and other ingredients beneficial to the skin. Pumpkins contain their own set of proteases, which are proteins that aid in breaking down other proteins. The mechanism by which the breakdown occurs, serves to enhance cellular renewal for excellent exfoliation benefits without the irritation sometimes associated with other AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) or traditional enzymes.

A vast catalogue of ingredients....

Because of the incredible ingredient profile of the pumpkin, it's plain to see why this fruit has become so popular in the skin care industry. The following list is only a brief view of the ingredients found in the pumpkin:

AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acid)

AHAs can work by dissolving dead skin cells on the surface of the skin, revealing the bright, healthy skin underneath and allowing your other products to penetrate deeper. Certain AHAs are a wonderful ingredient for skin as they remove pore-blocking dead skin cells from its surface, which in turn helps to prevent blemishes and blackheads.

Alpha and Beta Carotenes

Alpha and Beta Carotenes have traditionally been used to prevent premature skin aging by acting as a protective antioxidant, a substance that reduces oxygen damage caused by UV light, pollutions and other environmental hazards.

Enzymes

The enzymes in pumpkin help remove dry skin cells increasing cellular turnover. They fight inflamation, reduce pore size and help to control excess sebum therefore controlling the appearance of pimples, blackheads and blemishes on your skin.

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid is a natural ingredient found in many fruits, vegetables and created by our own bodies. It is utilized to maintain high moisture levels on all levels of the skin.

Vitamins

The list of vitamins found within the pumpkin include:

• Vitamin A, which soothes and softens skin.
• Vitamin C, which boosts collagen production.
• Zinc, which helps your skin maintain a healthy sebum balance and helps other ingredients penetrate deeper into your skin. This increases cellular turnover and helps to protect the cell membrane.
• Niacin, which which helps to increase circulation to the skin and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
• Torulitine which has been called Vitamin T. This compound along with Vitamin E act as antioxidants and also help to protect the skin from acne.
• Folic Acid, which can slow down premature skin aging by stimulation of skin cells such as fibroblasts while repairing DNA damage at the same time. It is a powerful active which helps to fight photo-aging. 

Minerals

The list of minerals found within the pumpkin are quite immpressive and are similar to many of those found within the famed Dead Sea water and mud.

• Calcium
• Copper
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Selenium
• Sodium

Pumpkin Seed Oil

Along with the vitamins and minerals contained within the pumpkin, there is also the pumpkin oil which contains essential fatty acids and phytosterols. These fatty acids are responsible for the health of the cell membrane, which not only what acts as the barrier to things that are harmful, but also the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell. Since the membrane is what influences the cell's ability to hold water, having a healthy barrier yields skin that has more moisture, softness and less wrinkles.

• Delta-7-Sterine
• Beta-Sitosterol
• Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acid
• Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acid
• Omega-9 Essential Fatty Acid
• Phytosterols

Designing the mask

When designing this mask, it was very important for us to provide the end user with a product that worked on many different levels and mechanisms. We wanted a highly efficacious product that would be very gentle and safe to use, have the ability to provide exfoliation and restore and maintain a healthy and crucial moisture balance. The ingredients we have chosen will help you accomplish all of those goals. The following is a list of all the ingredients we have incorporated in order for you to have radiant, soft and healthy skin:

• Water (Aqua)
• Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Fruit Ferment Filtrate
• Isopropyl Myristate
• Titanium Dioxide
• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
• Hyaluronic Acid
• Vegetable Glycerin
• Propanediol
• Lanolin
• Glyceryl Stearate
• Cetyl Alcohol
• Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Puree
• Squalane (Olive Derived)
• PEG-40 Stearate
• Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Fruit Extract
• Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil
• Maris limus (Dead Sea Mud)
• Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
• Sorbitan Tristearate
• Phenoxyethanol
• Ethylhexylglycerin
• Fragrance (Parfum)
• CI 16035
• CI 19140