Nothing sounds better than a pumpkin-based facial mask, right?

Er…perhaps.

Michael Todd’s Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich Facial Mask (find on the website here) has received tons of raves from beauty bloggers all over the web. Michael Todd is a well-respected, priceyyy, all-organic company that makes a wide range of skincare products. The 3.4 oz bottle (pictured) costs $34 and the product description says-

”That tingle is the pumpkin enzyme combining with glycolic acid to go to town on your skin’s flaws dissolving impurities like dead skin and clogged pores. Adds brightness and radiance to the skin and significantly improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles after a single use.”

Lately I’ve taken to ordering sample sizes of everything on Ebay before I commit to buying a full-size product, and thank the gods above I did for this. Because I had overlooked one tiny, tiny detail.

This mask is not recommended for those with sensitive skin.

I know – right? There are a lot of products tailored for sensitive skin. But it’s so rare to see a product specifically labeled as not for sensitive skin that I hadn’t even looked for or noticed this.

And then the mask arrived. And I blithely applied it, loving the thick, creamy texture (it’s an orange-colored gel) and the pumpkin smell (yes, it really does smell like pumpkin puree).

And my skin started itching with three seconds. And burning a little. And not in the pleasant slight tingle of a good exfoliating scrub, but in a “I don’t like this get this off” kind of way. Bad enough that without hesitation I washed it off the side of my face that was burning the most.

I did leave it on the other half, and I must say, my skin didn’t show any noticeable difference. And while it’s unfair with all other skin products to expect an immediate difference, masks, whether moisturizing or exfoliating, really should – they’re a deep treatment, and in the same way you’d expect your hair to show a difference after a mask, the same goes for skin. I fell in love with the C Booth Green Apple Microdermabrasion scrub because my skin was noticeably brighter after one use.

However, I can’t pass a full review on whether this product works or not, because I did only use it once, and only on half my face. So if you don’t have sensitive skin, go for it, give it a shot – keeping in mind that this is exfoliating as well as moisturizing so it will be harsher than most facial masks.

If you do have sensitive skin? Avoid at all costs.

Verdict: Lose it 

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