DIY // Moisturizing Pumpkin Mask

So I've mentioned a couple of times recently that I would have something fun coming up starring fall favorite: pumpkin. And I'm finally ready to share it! 

I had an opportunity to collaborate with Skana, a spa in upstate New York, on an all-natural at-home mask for fall. And by all natural I mean using things most of us have in our cabinets or fridge at any time. I'm a firm believer in the healing power of food--internally and externally! So I was really excited about this project. When considering what type of at-home spa treatment I wanted to create, I decided to go with something that would be moisturizing because of my eczema and dry skin. I knew as fall and winter descended, the delicate skin on my face would need some extra love! 

Here's what I used:

4 tbsp Greek yogurt (plain)

2 cups pumpkin (I used canned, but pureed or cooked works too!)

4 tbsp organic honey

1/4 tsp olive oil

4 almonds (soaked overnight, then mashed into a paste)

And here's why (per Michelle Pino, Spa Manager at

Skana):

Pumpkin

is high in Vitamin A (skin healing), C (anti-oxidant) and Zinc; the pumpkin soothes, moisturizes and acts as a carrier, assisting the other mask ingredients to absorb deeper into the skin and intensifying the results.

Olive oil

is a great skin moisturizer, in part because it contains linoleic acid, a compound not made by the body, but which prevents water from evaporating.

Honey

's anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties draw out impurities from the skin, thus targeting breakouts, reducing redness and calming inflammation.

Almonds

are great because first off they are a major source of vitamin E, they also are great for helping wrinkles and reducing circles around your eyes.

Can you think of anything about this doesn't sound amazing??? I couldn't either.

Before applying the mask, I washed my face with Cetaphil facial cleanser and my Clarisonic Mia, then I gently rubbed the mask onto my damp skin using my fingertips. 

There was a bit of tingling when I first applied the mask, so it felt like it was working. I sat with it on for about 20 minutes while it dried, and I could literally feel my face tightening as it worked, then I rinsed with lukewarm water and patted dry with a cloth. I purposely didn't put any additional moisturizer on my face before heading to bed because I wanted to see what my skin felt like in the morning. It was super soft and smooth! So I'm really pleased with the results. 

The recipe makes a TON of mask, but luckily, it's able to be stored in the fridge for  up to a week, because I will definitely be using it again. And I would totally recommend for you to use at home too (now you know what to do with all that leftover pumpkin from Thanksgiving!).

If you're ever in the Verona, NY area near Turning Stone Resort & Casino, and you're looking for an amazing treatment at the spa,

check Skana out. One of their current fall specials is a Pumpkin Pie Mani & Pedi. Sounds so indulgent!

What's your favorite at-home/DIY facial treatment?