Too Cool For School is one of those playful Korean exports that skincare enthusiasts rave about while the uninitiated wonder what all the doodled packaging is about. The brand has a knack for turning quirky concepts into solid formulas, and its cheekily named Pumpkin Sleeping Pack is no exception. According to the company, this overnight treatment sweeps away dead cells with fruit enzymes and AHAs, floods the skin with pumpkin powered hydration then sends you off to dreamland so you wake up smoother, brighter and a little less crumpled.
I spent two full weeks slathering a thin layer on before bed, rinsing it off in the morning and noting every glow, tingle and hiccup. The goal was simple: work out if this autumnal sounding mask deserves a spot on your nightstand or just a cute cameo on your feed.
Disclosure: this review is not paid or sponsored. All thoughts stem from my personal experience and results can vary depending on your skin’s individual quirks.
What Is Pumpkin Sleeping Pack?
Pumpkin Sleeping Pack is an overnight treatment, which means it is applied as the final step of your evening routine and rinsed off the next morning. Overnight treatments are popular because they work while the skin is in its natural repair mode, giving active ingredients several uninterrupted hours to do their job without daylight stressors like UV or pollution.
This particular formula relies on pumpkin extract, a source of fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids, to dissolve dead surface cells and encourage fresh ones to rise to the top. It also contains vitamin A, beta carotene and humectants to draw in moisture so skin feels plumper when you wake up. In short, the mask aims to combine gentle exfoliation with hydration in a single step, making it a convenient option for anyone looking to brighten a dull complexion without adding extra stages to their routine.
Did It Work?
I benched my usual overnight treatment for the first three nights of testing – very scientific of me, I know – and felt that a 14 day run would offer a fair glimpse of what this sleepy pumpkin could do. Each evening I smoothed a grape sized blob across my face after cleansing and skipped any heavier creams to let the pack take center stage.
Nights 1 to 3 were mostly about texture. The gel cream sinks in fast, leaving only a soft silicone veil that never glued itself to the pillowcase. I woke up with skin that felt velvety but looked pretty much the same. A faint citrus pumpkin scent lingered yet caused no irritation, and aside from a mild tingle around the nostrils on night one there were no fireworks.
By night 5 the subtlety started to feel intentional. Fine flakes around my chin had eased up, and makeup glided on without catching the way it sometimes does after a lazy cleansing day. Still, the radiance claim was playing hard to get. I caught myself tilting toward the bathroom light hoping to see that glass skin gleam Instagram teases us with only to be met by a gentle, respectable satin finish.
The middle stretch, nights 6 to 10, showed the most movement. My forehead lines looked slightly blurred in the morning, and there was a plumpness along my cheekbones that survived the afternoon slump. On the flip side, deeper congestion on my jawline stayed put which told me the AHAs here are more polite than powerful.
By the final four nights my results plateaued. Skin felt supple and nicely hydrated yet no brighter than it appears after a decent sheet mask. I never experienced peeling or sensitivity which is a win for anyone scared of strong acids, but those chasing major retexturising will likely crave something punchier.
So did the Pumpkin Sleeping Pack deliver? Sort of. It softens, lightly exfoliates and hydrates enough to keep the complexion comfortable. What it did not do, at least in two weeks, was grant the noticeable glow that would earn it a permanent residency on my shelf. I will happily finish the tube on lazy self care nights however when it empties I will probably return to my usual overnight MVPs.
Pumpkin Sleeping Pack’s Main Ingredients Explained
First up is the star of the show, Cucurbita Pepo fruit extract. Pumpkin is naturally rich in enzymes plus gentle alpha hydroxy acids, so it nudges off dead cells while serving a buffet of vitamin A and beta carotene that helps the skin look a touch firmer the next morning. Because the AHA content is on the mild side, you get smoothing without the tingling side effects aggressive peels sometimes bring.
Glycerin and sodium hyaluronate appear high on the list and together act like tiny water magnets, pulling moisture into the upper layers so skin wakes up bouncier. Squalane follows, offering a lightweight oil-like cushion that reinforces the lipid barrier. If you are acne-prone you can relax: squalane scores a big fat zero on the comedogenic scale, meaning it will not clog pores. The formula does however rely on several silicones such as cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone. These are largely non-comedogenic too, yet some people find that the silky film they leave can trap existing grime and trigger bumps if cleansing is lax.
Plant extracts play supporting roles. Centella asiatica soothes, licorice root brightens overtime and aloe leaf juice calms any post-exfoliation grumpiness. Bromelain and papain, enzymes from pineapple and papaya, give the pumpkin an extra exfoliating buddy system. There is also soluble collagen, which helps with surface hydration but is usually sourced from fish or bovine tissue. Because of that, the mask cannot be considered vegan and strict vegetarians may want to skip it.
The formula is free from pure retinoids and high-dose salicylic acid, so on paper it sits in the pregnancy-friendly category. Still, every obstetrician has different guardrails and even seemingly gentle exfoliants can create sensitivity during hormonal swings. If you are expecting, run the ingredient list past your doctor before slathering anything new on your face.
Two final notes. Fragrance is present halfway down the deck, which gives the mask its faint spicy-sweet scent but could annoy very reactive skin. Yellow 6 and Red 33 lend the peachy tint; they are certified colorants yet can stain white pillowcases if you apply a heavy layer. Keep it thin, cleanse well the next morning and you should dodge any dye drama.
What I Liked/Didn’t Like
After two weeks of nightly use here is the straightforward rundown.
What Works Well:
- Light gel cream texture sinks in fast so there is no sticky pillow situation
- Gentle enzyme and AHA blend smooths flaky spots without triggering redness which makes it friendly for sensitive nights
- Hydration combo of glycerin hyaluronic acid and squalane leaves skin comfortably plump until morning
What to Consider:
- Results top out at a soft glow so those chasing dramatic brightening may want a stronger exfoliant
- Silicone heavy finish can trap grime if you are not diligent with cleansing
- Contains fragrance that might not suit very reactive skin types
My Final Thoughts
Finding a keeper in the crowded world of overnight treatments is a bit like speed dating in the dark; you rely on texture feel and how you look the morning after. Two weeks in I can say Pumpkin Sleeping Pack and I had a pleasant time but we will probably stay friends. The formula kept my skin hydrated and faintly polished yet never quite delivered the bright fairy lights promised in the marketing copy. That is why it settles at a solid 7/10 on my scale: competent like a dependable lab partner, just not the charismatic valedictorian.
If your complexion is easily rattled by potent acids or you want a one step buffer between cleansing and the pillow this mask makes sense. If you already flirt with stronger resurfacing treatments or crave dramatic tone correction you may feel underwhelmed. I have rotated through everything from retinal creams to lactic acid gels and believe I gave this pumpkin a fair shake.
Should I recommend it to a friend? I would but with caveats: stick to thin layers keep your cleansing game strong and do not expect a full blown transformation by Friday.
For anyone window shopping alternatives a few tried and loved options spring to mind. Nocturnal Revive Cream by Deascal is an excellent all rounder that covers hydration barrier support and mild brightening at a wallet friendly price and all skin types I have tested it on seem to get along famously. Those who want a featherlight water cream vibe might lean toward LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask which soaks in fast yet leaves skin dewy by dawn. If barrier repair is top priority BIOSSANCE Squalane + Ectoin Overnight Rescue blankets the face in a comforting cushion that calms post retinoid grumbles. Finally when I am chasing a stronger exfoliation hit I reach for Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum a blend that practically sweeps the slate clean after two nights though it does flirt with mild sting territory.
Important housekeeping before you run off to buy any of the above: patch test on a discreet spot first and give your skin at least 24 hours to complain if it is going to. Sorry to sound like an over protective parent but irritation is never cute. Also remember that any glow you earn is on loan; keep using the product regularly or the benefits will quietly pack their bags and leave.