WellGal

Fall is here in Southern California, so I’m all about soaking up the best the season has to offer — and I might add, enjoying the slightly cooler weather! I’ve not only eaten pumpkin-inspired foods and drinks for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but have even slathered pumpkin on myself in the name of beauty! I know. Sounds a little excessive, right? Why do I do it?

Well, canned pumpkin purée and fresh pumpkins are so bountiful right now, I can’t resist. Plus, pumpkins and the other natural ingredients in this autumn treatment are full of several skin-nourishing benefits that leave skin silky soft and smooth. And doing this treatment at home saves me some serious cash. If I were to go to a spa and indulge in a seasonal pumpkin body treatment, it would probably cost close to $200 or $300. But for under $10 per treatment, I can give myself one at home.

So, why not whip up this 100% natural, homemade body mask for yourself? Depending on how much you use, you might have enough for a second one, which means you can treat your honey as well! Plus, you can modify it to suit your needs and skin type. You can even make it 100% organic. Finally, if you like the idea of turning it into a spa wrap instead of a body mask, you can do that, too. Sounds like a win-win situation, right?

Benefits of Doing a Pumpkin-Papaya Mask or Wrap

Pumpkins are great at moisturizing and nourishing the skin with their Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and zinc content. Also, because pumpkins and papaya contain enzymes that naturally exfoliate and slough away dead skin cells, you are left with the appearance of smaller, tighter pores and fewer fine lines and wrinkles. In essence, the enzymes act like alpha-hyrodoxy acids (AHAs) would in an over-the-counter skin product targeted towards treating mature skin, acne, and discoloration.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The other natural ingredients in this mask/wrap (most of which you probably already have in your own pantry) are great for the skin as well. The honey draws moisture to the skin and also works as a natural antibacterial. The cream is very moisturizing and also contains lactic acid, a natural alpha hydroxy acid. The addition of essential oils supports the skin as many promote cell renewal, treat sensitivity, and moisturize the skin — just to name a few of the benefits. Finally, the spices, which lend a pleasing “pumpkin pie” scent to the treatment, are natural antibacterials and increase blood circulation.

So, you see, this pumpkin-papaya body mousse mask/wrap really is versatile. It works well for all skin types and is also great for acne and as an anti-aging treatment. You’ll be left with smooth, moisturized, and rejuvenated skin and wonder why you haven’t tried something like it sooner! Promise.

Complementary Treatments

In addition to giving yourself a body mask or wrap treatment, try doing this homemade Pumpkin Walnut Body Scrub beforehand (it’s great for increasing circulation and exfoliating the skin). Also, why not give yourself a luxurious pumpkin facial? Simply use the same ingredients in the mask minus the spices (they might be too strong for facial skin) or try the facial recipe described in this post. And don’t forget to sip on something healthy and festive, like this Pumpkin Chai Tea Latte while you’re at it.

Ingredients for Pumpkin-Papaya Body Mousse Mask

¼ cup organic heavy cream
1 ½ tbsp. organic pumpkin purée
2 ½ tbsp. organic papaya purée
1 tbsp. organic, raw honey
1/8 tsp. organic ginger powder
1/8 tsp. organic cinnamon powder

Optional: Skin-appropriate essential oils (See “Modifications” section below for details.)

Makes enough for 1-2 applications.

Note: If you can’t find fresh papayas in the supermarket, sometimes they are available in the frozen section. But if you omit them, this renewing treatment will still work great. Simply substitute the papaya with more pumpkin.

Modifications

Adding a component of aromatherapy to this autumn body treatment will help accentuate its effects and also add a different scent. Countless essential oils may be used in place of the ones I mention below, but I just wanted to give you some ideas to start with. So, here are a few suggestions:

For dry or mature skin, you may add in a couple drops of frankincense essential oil (Boswellia ssp.), which is very moisturizing and encourages the growth of new skin cells, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles.

For sensitive skin, add in 2-3 drops of organic lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia). You may also want to omit the use of the spices if you are especially sensitive. Also, be sure to only leave the mask/wrap on for about 10 minutes and remove it at any sign of irritation.

For oily or acne-prone skin, mix in 1-2 drops of bergamot essential oil (Citrus bergamia), which is a natural antiseptic that is not only great for acne, but useful for also treating wounds, psoriasis, and eczema. If you’re going into the sun afterwards, choose bergaptene-free bergamot essential oil, because bergaptene has found to be phototoxic on the skin.

For normal skin, a blend of ginger CO2 (Zingiber officinale), blood orange (Citrus sinensis), and frankincense essential oils (Boswellia ssp.) complements the natural mask ingredients. Add in 1-2 drops of each, but error on the side of less if you’re skin is sometimes sensitive.

Directions

First, puree the pumpkin and the papaya by mashing it with a fork or putting it in a blender. Then whip the heavy cream. Next, fold in the other ingredients. If desired, add in essential oils.

Note: This may be made in advance and refrigerated for a day or two, but before using it, let the mask reach room temperature.

To apply the pumpkin-papaya body mouse as a mask, apply the mixture to your entire body on clean, damp skin while in the tub or shower. Leave it on for 10 – 20 minutes. (If you have particularly sensitive skin, opt for less time.) Then rinse well and pat your skin dry.

As an alternative, you may do a body wrap. Wrap yourself in an old sheet or a new, unused plastic drop cloth (available from any home improvement store for about $2) and then cover yourself with a blanket. The use of a plastic sheet not only eliminates mess, but also assists with moisture retention and penetration of the product. Relax for 10-20 minutes. (Again leave it on for closer to 10 minutes if you have sensitive skin.) Then rinse the wrap off and follow with a moisturizing lotion if desired.

Cautions

If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to shorten the amount of time you leave this mask/wrap on. If you notice any irritation while using it, remove it immediately and rinse with cool water. I once had a spa party and a friend of mine, who is very fair skinned, applied this to her face and her skin got very red within a couple of minutes. It went away, but still, no one else had that happen, so just be conscious of your own skin-type. The enzymes in the papaya and pumpkin are quite powerful!

If you have a latex allergy, omit the papaya from this recipe. As noted in this article, those who are allergic to latex may also have allergic responses, such as hives, to vegetables or fruits that contain proteins similar in nature to those found in latex, such as papayas, bananas, kiwis, etc.

What are your thoughts?

This spa treatment is a great one to keep in mind with Halloween and Thanksgiving coming up. After all, pumpkins are plentiful this time of year.

So, do you think you may give it a try? Would you modify it in any way? If you don’t think you’d use it yourself, would a friend or family member enjoy it? If so, please help spread the word. Social shares are always welcome!

Some Other Articles About DIY Personal Care & Spa Treatments You May Enjoy:

• Reduce Abdominal Fat with This DIY Belly-Busting Aromatherapy Massage Oil
• Reduce Cellulite and More with Dry Skin Brushing
• Organic Lavender Body Scrub for Sun-Drenched Skin
• How to do Abhyanga: A Daily Self-Massage Therapy Full of Health Benefits
• Make Your Own All-Natural Hand Sanitizer

Copyright © Karen Peltier and Well Gal, 2012-2014. All rights reserved.