Pumpkin Body Wash

See how to make DIY pumpkin body wash with all-natural ingredients! Infused with nourishing pumpkin, jojoba oil, vitamin E, and warming essential oils, this homemade pumpkin spice shower gel has a creamy lather and will make your skin feel cleansed and hydrated.

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Homemade pumpkin body wash

In case you haven’t caught on from our recent posts (pumpkin spice air freshener, PSL bubble scoops, pumpkin spice soap….), we’re kind of on a pumpkin spice kick right now. Pumpkin season is in full swing, so we’re creating alllll the pumpkin spice things we can dream of.

After sharing a pumpkin body lotion, I decided to take that delicious scent and make it a body wash, too. Because why not!?

This pumpkin body wash has a rich, creamy lather and smells like pumpkin pie. The formula is enriched with moisturizing ingredients (such as jojoba oil and glycerin) and contains real pumpkin in for of pumpkin powder. The perfect cozy fall body wash!

Some of our other popular body wash recipes include this DIY rose body wash, peony body wash, this creamy milk and honey body wash, and my easy tutorial on how to make shower gel.

Why you will love this fall scented shower gel

• Benefits of real pumpkin: Unlike store-bought products, my pumpkin spice body wash contains real pumpkin, giving you all the skincare benefits pumpkin has to offer. More on this later.
• Natural fragrance: The body wash is scented with essential oils that provide a delicious pumpkin spice scent and have a warming effect on the skin. Perfect for those chilly autumn days!
• Quick and easy: Body wash is surprisingly easy to make at home! The recipe is a cold process formulation, meaning all you do is stir everything together.

Materials for pumpkin spice body wash

• Distilled water is the main component of this body wash recipe and acts as a solvent for the other materials.
• Pumpkin powder: The nutrient-rich powder provides nourishment and gives your skin a healthy glow. Pumpkin powder lends the DIY shower gel a soft orange hue and a delicate smell.
• Coco glucose (Plantapon SF) is a mild surfactant blend and gives this shower gel its cleaning power. The ECOCERT-approved material is made from coconut oil. For more information about coco glucose, see the FAQ section at the end of this post.
• Vegetable glycerin is a natural humectant and helps to bind moisture, preventing dry, itchy skin. 
• Jojoba oil (optional) provides moisturization which is ever so important to keep your skin soft and supple. Jojoba oil is helpful to alleviate various skin conditions and prevents chapped skin.
• Vitamin E (optional): I like to load my fall body care with nourishing ingredients like vitamin E. The vitamin is an excellent antioxidant and can potentially protect your skin from free radical damage.
• Essential oils create a yummy pumpkin spice essential oil scent. I used the same skin-friendly blend from my pumpkin body lotion recipe, which I have lined out below.
• Lactic acid helps to adjust the pH of the formula and thickens the body wash.
• Preservative Eco (Geogard ECT): A broad-spectrum preservative is needed to protect our body wash from microbial spoilage like bacteria, yeast, and fungi.

Pumpkin powder

Before we continue, let’s talk some more about pumpkin powder, the star of this fall body wash recipe. Pumpkin powder might seem like an unlikely ingredient for homemade skincare recipes. I love it because it offers a plethora of benefits and is easy to use.

Irena was the very first beauty blogger to use dried pumpkin powder in homemade skin care when she shared her pumpkin pie bath bombs a few years ago. She later also posted a PSL bubble scoop recipe with pumpkin powder.

What is pumpkin powder?

Pumpkin powder is a dry powder made from real pumpkins. The pumpkins are washed, sliced, dehydrated or freeze-dried, and then pulverized. It has a sweet and mild pumpkin smell.

Skincare benefits of pumpkin powder

Pumpkin powder is a great source of vitamins (A, Bs, C, and E), trace minerals (iron, potassium), beta-carotene, antioxidants, and folate.

The ingredient can potentially strengthen the skin barrier, protect against free radicals, and promote a healthy glow.

Where can I buy pumpkin powder?

You’ll find pumpkin powder online, for example, on Amazon or in the supplement section of whole food stores and some supermarkets. Pet supply shops sometimes offer pumpkin powder, too.

Although a bit pricy, I like this organic pumpkin powder. For a more affordable option, try this freeze-dried pumpkin powder or this pumpkin powder.

When purchasing, ensure the product is 100% pure pumpkin powder without any additional ingredients or filler materials.

Pumpkin spice essential oil blend

The body wash is scented with a symphony of aromas: warmth from copaiba oleoresin, sweetness from vanilla extract, the spiciness of cinnamon leaf, and the pucker of tangerine. Here are the ratios:

• 50 drops copaiba oleoresin 
• 35 drops botanical vanilla extract 
• 15 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil (omit for sensitive skin) 
• 10 drops tangerine essential oil 

Instead of using individual oils, you can fragrance the body wash with this pre-made pumpkin spice essential oil from Plant Therapy. Their oil is stronger than my blend, so only add 50 drops.

You can also use this blend to scent aromatherapy shower steamers!

How to make pumpkin body wash

While this DIY requires a few special ingredients, you can’t complain about the process. It’s super simple and doesn’t require more than 15 minutes active prep.

Step 1: Infuse pumpkin water

• Fill the distilled water into a glass jar.
• Add the pumpkin powder and stir to combine the 2 ingredients. You can sift the pumpkin powder to remove large lumps, but I find that stirring is enough to break up any clumping.
• Let sit for 10 to 20 minutes to allow the pumpkin to infuse the water.

Step 2: Filter pumpkin-infused water

• Pumpkin powder doesn’t dissolve completely in water. Small granules will remain. I recommend filtering them out to enjoy a smooth product.
• Line a strainer with a coffee filter and place it upon a large measuring cup to catch the liquid. Pour the pumpkin infusion through the filter. Discard the solids and save the filtered water for the next steps.

Step 3: Combine surfactant phase

• Add the coco glucose, glycerin, vitamin E, and essential oils into a glass jar.
• Gently stir with a glass stirrer or spoon until everything is well combined.
• Do not whisk the mixture to avoid suds and bubbles.

Step 4: Mix body wash

• Pour the surfactant mix from step 3 into the pumpkin-infused water from step 2.
• Swirl the 2 phases together until the mixture looks well combined. Again, stir the mixture in slow, circular motions and try not to aerate the shower gel too much.

Step 5: Preserve

• Stir in the preservative until thoroughly distributed throughout.

Step 6: Adjust pH and thicken

• Add the lactic acid, a few drops at a time, and stir after each addition. The lactic acid activates the surfactant and causes a thickening action.
• I used 40 drops lactic acid. You may add more or less depending on your desired consistency.

Step 7: Package and store

Once you have achieved your desired texture, transfer the body wash into an airtight bottle and store sealed in a dark, cool location.

Pumpkin shower gel variations

Pumpkin spice latte body wash

For a delectable pumpkin spice latte body wash, replace 4 tbsp distilled water with 4 tbsp strongly brewed coffee and 1 tbsp milk powder. Pumpkin spice latte shower gel smells absolutely delicious, and the caffeine offers skin-tightening properties. I recommend this version only for morning showers.

Pumpkin spice milk body wash

To make a creamy pumpkin spice milk body wash, dissolve 3 tbsp milk powder in the body wash solution. The texture will turn out thicker. Milk provides extra nourishment and has a gentle exfoliating effect.

How to use pumpkin body wash

You use this pumpkin spice shower gel like you would use any other body wash. It’s easy:

1. First, wet your skin in the shower.
2. Release a walnut-sized amount into the palm of your hand.
3. Rub your hands together to create lather.
4. Gently apply over your entire body. You can also use a washcloth or loofa for this step.
5. Rinse off and pat dry with a towel.
6. Apply body lotion, like this homemade pumpkin spice body lotion.

Another idea is to use the product as pumpkin spice hand wash and have it near a sink.

Storage, packaging, and shelf life

• Packaging: A pump dispenser is the easiest way to store and use your pumpkin body wash. A sturdy plastic pump bottle is a good choice. I’m not a fan of using glass vessels as they can fall and break in a slippery shower, and the splinters can cause injuries.
• Storage: You can keep the body wash in the shower or in a bathroom cabinet if not in use. Room temperature is fine. Just keep it out of direct sunlight because essential oils will break down under UV exposure.
• Shelf life: The pumpkin spice shower gel will last for 6 months.

Pumpkin spice body wash FAQ

What is coco glucose?

Coco glucose is a concentrated cleansing agent and natural surfactant blend made of 4 different surfactants. A surfactant reduces the surface tension in liquids and helps things become clean, meaning it helps wash away oil and dirt from the skin.

The cleanser is very gentle, produces a dense foam and rich lather that rinses off nicely.  The material also acts as an emulsifier and helps to disperse the essential oils in the pumpkin body wash.

Coco glucose is derived from coconut oil, non-GMO, sulfate-free, ECOCERT and COMOS approved, and suitable for vegan skincare products.

Where can I buy coco glucose?

Coco glucose is also sold as Plantapon SF. In the UK, I also found it called Natural Surfactant Blend.

To ensure you’re getting the correct product, check the INCI name: Water, sodium cocoamphoacetate, glycerin, lauryl glucoside, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate

You can buy coco glucose/Planatpon SF here: US, US*, UK, UK, Spain**, Germany**

*These shops offer international shipping.

** Ships to EU countries.

Coco glucoside, another surfactant, is quite different from coco glucose, so be sure to buy the correct one.

Can I make the body wash recipe without pumpkin powder?

Yes. You can omit the pumpkin powder and still create a pumpkin spice-scented body wash.

Can I scent the shower gel with ground spices instead of essential oils?

Yes, stir up to 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon into the formula. Just note that the pumpkin spice sent won’t be as potent as with essential oils.

The spice particles will sink to the bottom after a while. Simply give the bottle a good shake, and you’re good to go.

I don’t recommend spices for sensitive skin and skin conditions like eczema or skin inflammation.