Introduction
DRMTLGY may not enjoy the same household recognition as some legacy skincare giants, yet beauty insiders know the brand for quietly turning out formulas that punch well above their weight. Its latest launch, Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, arrives with autumnal flair and some rather grand ambitions.
The name alone sounds like something you would find in a bakery rather than on a bathroom shelf, but DRMTLGY insists this “mask that does it all” is more than seasonal novelty. According to the brand it exfoliates, hydrates and minimises the look of pores while a gentle self warming effect and a whiff of pumpkin lend spa level relaxation at home. Enzymes, jojoba beads plus a cocktail of clay, peptides and colloidal silver are meant to tackle dullness, congestion and early signs of aging in a single ten minute session.
I spent two full weeks working this multitasker into my evening routine to see if the promises translate from press release to mirror reflection. Consider the following pages my candid report on whether Pumpkin Enzyme Mask earns a steady spot in your skincare budget.
What is Pumpkin Enzyme Mask?
Pumpkin Enzyme Mask belongs to the wash off mask category, a type of treatment that sits on the skin for several minutes then gets rinsed away. Unlike sheet masks that rely on a fabric layer or leave-on exfoliants that stay overnight, wash off formulas give you a controlled window of active contact, making them a practical option for people who want noticeable yet temporary intensity without committing to all-day wear.
This particular mask is a three-in-one blend of enzymatic and physical exfoliants suspended in a self warming base. Pumpkin enzymes dissolve surface buildup while jojoba beads activate with water to polish rough spots. Mineral-rich kaolin clay helps draw out excess oil and debris, and the mix of peptides and colloidal silver supports anti aging and clarifying routines. The brand positions it as a single step that can brighten, smooth and hydrate in about ten minutes.
Using it is straightforward: apply a generous layer to clean, dry skin, massage until the initial warmth fades, let it rest for ten minutes, then re-massage with damp hands before rinsing thoroughly. The directions cap frequency at one or two sessions per week so it sits comfortably alongside other exfoliating or retinoid products without crowding the schedule.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual wash off mask for three whole days before introducing Pumpkin Enzyme Mask, which felt wildly professional given my bathroom lab credentials. Fourteen days and four applications later I feel that is a fair stretch to see what this gourd flavored number can actually do.
Application one set the tone: a quick flash of warmth, a subtle bakery whiff and a fine grit from the jojoba beads that dissolved almost too quickly to offend sensitive skin. Rinsing revealed a definitely smoother surface and the kind of short lived glow that has you double checking the mirror under different lights just to be sure. By the next morning my face still felt soft though the radiance had dialed down to a polite hum.
I slotted the mask into my routine every fourth night which meant two uses per week. After the second round texture along my cheeks looked a touch more even and a couple of tiny clogged pores on my chin had flattened. Hydration was decent but I still needed my regular moisturizer to avoid the tight feeling that clay based formulas often leave behind.
Midway through the trial I noticed that any improvement in pore appearance peaked about twenty four hours post mask then gradually returned to baseline. The enzymatic polish is real yet fleeting, a bit like a Snapchat filter that times out. On the upside I experienced zero irritation, no redness and no surprise breakouts even when layering retinol on off nights.
By day fourteen my verdict was clear: Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is a pleasant pick me up that brightens and smooths on cue but it stops short of delivering lasting pore refinement or monumental softness. I enjoyed the spa like ritual and the instant gratification however the results are too temporary for me to justify making it a permanent resident in my lineup. Still, if someone handed me a fresh jar I would happily reach for it when my skin feels dull and needs a quick autumn flavored reset.
Pumpkin enzyme mask’s main ingredients explained
The star of the formula is pumpkin fruit extract, an enzymatic exfoliant that works like a gentle Pac-Man on dead cells, loosening the glue that keeps them stuck to the surface so fresh skin shows through. Because enzymes act only on the uppermost layers they offer a kinder alternative to stronger acids, making the glow more about refinement than sting.
Kaolin follows as the hard-working mineral clay that vacuums up excess oil and debris. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores, and gives the mask that familiar post-rinse clarity. Colloidal silver joins the mix for its antimicrobial reputation. While the data on topical silver is limited, it can help keep opportunistic bacteria at bay although anyone with metal sensitivities should patch test first.
The physical polish comes from time-released jojoba esters. These biodegradable beads start out as smooth spheres then soften as you massage with water, providing a brief, low-abrasion scrub that suits most skin types. Jojoba esters score low on the comedogenic scale so their chance of congestion is minimal.
The hydration team is led by glycerin, a classic humectant that pulls water into the skin, and a trio of synthetic ceramides that help fortify the moisture barrier. Palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 and palmitoyl tripeptide-5 round things out with signal peptides that encourage a plumper, more elastic look over time. These are short sequences of amino acids so vegans and vegetarians can use the product with peace of mind, though the brand does not carry a formal vegan certification.
A few supporting players deserve a quick mention. Glyceryl stearate can be mildly comedogenic for some (anything above a 2 on the 0-5 comedogenicity scale means a potential to clog pores in very oily or acne-prone skin). Fragrance sits toward the bottom of the list so the risk of irritation is lower yet still present for sensitive noses. Talc and iron oxides provide color and texture and are inert for most users.
Pregnancy safety is an ever-evolving topic, and while this mask is free of retinoids and high-dose salicylic acid it does contain peptides and colloidal silver that have limited data on fetal exposure. Expectant or nursing parents should consult their physician before adding any new topical, including this one.
Overall the ingredient list balances immediate gratification with barrier support. Its few red flags revolve around potential fragrance sensitivity and the moderate comedogenicity of glyceryl stearate, neither of which posed issues for me but are worth noting if your skin is reactive or extremely breakout prone.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick rundown of highs and lows after two weeks of use.
What works well:
- Instantly smoother feel and a fresh-looking glow that shows up after each rinse
- Self warming phase and light pumpkin scent turn a routine exfoliation step into a mini spa moment
- Enzymes plus soft jojoba beads offer noticeable polish without provoking redness or breakouts
- Plays nicely with retinol and other actives thanks to the once or twice weekly schedule
What to consider:
- Refined pores and brightness fade within a day or so which may make the cost per use feel steep
- Clay base can leave skin craving extra moisturizer especially on drier complexions
- Contains added fragrance that may not suit very sensitive noses or reactive skin types
My final thoughts
After four uses I can comfortably say Pumpkin Enzyme Mask sits in the solid middle ground of the wash-off crowd. It delivers the instant polish I look for before an event or after travel and the ritual itself is pleasant, yet the lift fades quickly and the hydration boost is modest. In my books that nets a 7/10: good enough to keep on hand for quick wins but not the transformative weekly staple the brand’s copy hints at.
A decade of testing everything from charcoal muds to honey enzymes makes me picky, so I feel the two-week trial was more than fair. This formula is best for normal to combination skin that craves a gentle resurfacing moment without the downtime of acids. If you are extremely dry you will want to follow with a richer cream and if you are hunting long-term pore minimising you may be underwhelmed. I would recommend it to a friend who enjoys sensorial masks and short-term glow, but I would also flag the temporary nature of the results so expectations stay realistic.
If pumpkin is not your produce of choice there are excellent alternatives I have rotated through. Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal is an efficient all-rounder that sweeps away dullness, decongests and leaves skin bright at a price that feels like a small victory. For a budget chemical-meets-clay option the Salicylic Acid 2% Masque by The Ordinary keeps oily zones calm without stripping. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask offers a deeper detox on days when blackheads look determined while the Resurfacing Mask by Tata Harper leans into fruit enzymes for a plush post-facial finish. Each has earned repeat status in my cabinet and serves a slightly different need, proving there is room for more than one mask in a well-rounded routine.
Before you slather, remember the basics: patch test on the jawline, add sunscreen the next morning and keep in mind that any newfound glow sticks around only if you keep up the habit. Apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent, but your face will thank you.