There's no denying it, pumpkin is the unofficial/official mascot of autumn — and there are plenty of ways to enjoy it during the cosy season. You can go pumpkin picking, bake a pumpkin pie, and sip on a Pumpkin Spice Latte [1], or you can incorporate the gourd into your beauty routine. That's right, in addition to being a delicious smelling and super tasty, it's also a popular ingredient in skin care.

We welcome the addition of pumpkin spiced everything into our lives each autumn, but is the humble fruit actually good for our skin? We asked Dr Catherine Borysiewicz, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic [2] in London, to share exactly what pumpkin is great for. "Pumpkin is more than just a Halloween [3] decoration — the nutrient-dense fruit is full of vital proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which is as beneficial for our health as nourishing our skin," said Borysiewicz. Pumpkin delivers a whole host of benefits for the skin that include removing dead skin from the surface, brightening the complexion, and fighting against acne flare-ups thanks to the proteins found in pumpkin. "The zinc, enzymes and alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) in pumpkin help increase the skin cell turnover, soften the skin, and restore the pH balance," explained Borysiewicz.

Pumpkin is also packed full of anxioxidants, which "helps deliver skin radiance and improve elasticity". And it's skin-loving properties don't end there. "The beta-carotene contents of pumpkin, which is converted to vitamin A, have anti-ageing benefits, which helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as UV damage," said Borysiewicz.

So turns out, our pumpkin-loving ways does have its skin-care benefits after all. Luckily, there is a pumpkin beauty product out there for everyone, including face masks, body butters, and washes. Read on to shop our 2021 pumpkin beauty product favourites.

Summer Fridays Overtime Mask

Summer Fridays Overtime Mask [4] (£39) is the ultimate autumnal night in companion. It smells like delicious sweet pumpkin pie and leaves skin feeling supersoft without any irritation, and is also a winning combination when used before the Summer Friday Jet Leg Mask [5] (£22.50).

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum

The Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum [6] (£67) is a favourite amongst beauty editors and skincare enthusiasts for a reason. [7] The antioxidant-rich ingredient list is packed with pumpkin ferment extract to help gently exfoliate and improve the texture of the skin.

Crabtree and Evelyn Pomegranate and Argan Oil Body Smoother

Crabtree and Evelyn Pomegranate and Argan Oil Body Smoother [8] (£18) contains sunflower wax beads that gradually and gently exfoliate the skin as they dissolve in warm water. It also contains pumpkin oil to leave your skin feeling silky smooth in the chillier weather.

The Body Shop Vanilla Pumpkin Shower Gel

If you're a pumpkin spice latte enthusiast, then you'll welcome the sweet scent of The Body Shop Vanilla Pumpkin Shower Gel [9] (£5.50) with open arms this autumn.

Oskia Renaissance Brightlight Serum

Pumpkin just got fancy with Oskia Renaissance Brightlight Serum [10] (£89). The potent (yet gentle) mixture of pumpkin and papaya enzymes help gently exfoliate and brighten the skin.

Haeckels Bladderwrack + Pumpkin Body Balm

Haeckels Bladderwrack + Pumpkin Body Balm [11] (£40) contains pumpkin and tomato seed oil, which hydrate the skin without leaving a greasy residue.

Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

If your skin needs a good exfoliating session, welcome Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask [12] (£50) into your routine. The pumpkin enzymes slough off dead skin without being too harsh and help refine your skin's texture, leaving you with a glowing, radiant complexion.

Pestle and Mortar Erase Cleansing Balm

Nothing will clean and prep your skin for all those nourishing face masks quite like Pestle and Mortar Erase Cleansing Balm [13] (£40). It's thick without being heavy and cleans your skin without totally stripping it dry. It also whisks away any trace of your makeup, which is thanks to the small amount of pumpkin enzyme in the formula.

Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturiser

The Kate Somerville ExfoliKate range is all about exfoliation, hence the name. It combines alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) with pumpkin, pineapple, and papaya enzymes for an intense exfoliation. We love the Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Glow Moisturiser [14] (£55) as it's neither too harsh nor too heavy and leaves you with a glow that your Summer skin would be jealous of.

Elemis Superfood Cleansing Wash

Elemis Superfood Cleansing Wash [15] (£25) is full of broccoli, avocado, and pumpkin seed oils to hydrate the skin while cleansing off all the grime from your autumnal nature walk (or dirty commute because Autumn life isn't always that glamorous).

Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque

The main ingredients of the Kiehl's Turmeric & Cranberry Seed Energizing Radiance Masque [16] (£36) are turmeric and cranberry as the name suggests, but also included in the ingredient line up is (you guessed it) pumpkin, which helps to smooth and brighten the skin without leaving your skin feeling tight and dry.

Malin + Goetz Brightening Enzyme Mask

Formulated with botanical AHAs, pomegranate, and pumpkin enzymes, Malin + Goetz Brightening Enzyme Mask [17] (£48) is an exfoliating gel mask that gently exfoliates and brightens skin. After just one use of this gel mask, skin is visibly smoother and positively glowing.