Introduction
Mary & May may not have the instant name recognition of the legacy giants, but among skincare enthusiasts the Seoul based label enjoys a reputation for thoughtfully formulated products that put ingredient integrity front and center. I have admired their quiet confidence for a while, so when the Blackberry Complex Glow Wash Off Pack landed on my desk I was more than ready to see if the buzz matched the benefits.
The mask’s title is a mouthful, bordering on poetic, and its promise is equally ambitious: blackberry extract by the bucketful for antioxidant punch, a blend of clays to vacuum out debris and a dose of hydrators to keep skin from feeling chalky. In short Mary & May touts it as a spa level detox and glow booster suitable even for sensitive skin. I dedicated a full two weeks of twice weekly sessions to find out whether this clay fruit cocktail actually delivers or merely sounds delicious enough to eat.
What is Blackberry Complex Glow Wash Off ?
This product is a clay based wash off mask, meaning it is applied to clean dry skin, left in place for several minutes then rinsed away with water. Wash off masks are designed to give the skin a short but intensive treatment, making them a useful middle ground between a daily cleanser and a leave on serum. They typically target concerns such as congested pores or dull texture without the commitment of an overnight formula.
Mary & May positions Blackberry Complex Glow Wash Off in that category. The mask combines several clays (Canadian glacier soil, Amazon white clay, French green pink clay) that can bind excess oil and surface debris. Alongside the clays sits 10,000 ppm of blackberry extract which is naturally high in anthocyanins, a group of antioxidants linked to environmental defense and a more even tone. Humectants like glycerin and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, plus the soothing agent allantoin, are included to counter the drying feel that clay masks often leave behind. The formula is vegan certified, has completed a skin irritation test and is marketed as suitable for sensitive skin.
In practice it functions as a twice weekly reset: massage a thin layer onto the face, allow it to dry for ten to fifteen minutes, then rinse. The idea is that impurities are lifted, dead cells are loosened and the skin is left clearer and better prepped for subsequent steps.
Did it work?
In the name of science I benched my usual wash off mask for three full days before starting the Blackberry Complex Glow routine, a move that felt very lab coat of me even if the only witness was my bathroom mirror. Two weeks of testing, with sessions every third evening, struck me as a fair window to judge results without straying into placebo territory.
First application: the mask spread easily and set within the promised ten minutes. I half expected the familiar clay tightness but it never crossed into cracking territory. Rinsing took a bit of patience yet my skin emerged comfortably matte rather than parched. There was an immediate tonal evenness that made my post rinse serum absorb in record time, although the so called glow was more polite than showy.
By the fourth day my T zone looked calmer with fewer midday blotting papers sacrificed to excess sebum. However congestion around my chin held its ground and a small hormonal blemish proceeded on schedule. The softening effect from the almond shell powder became noticeable around week one; makeup sat a little smoother and the slight flakiness near my nostrils that haunts me every winter receded.
Sessions five and six told the fuller story. Hydration held up surprisingly well for a clay forward formula and there was no itching or redness even along the delicate cheekbones. Still, the complexion boost plateaued. Pores appeared fractionally clearer but not dramatically tighter, fine lines under my eyes looked exactly the same and the elusive lit from within radiance that marketing copy dreams of never fully materialized. I liked the balanced feel it gave, I just did not love it.
After 14 days I can confirm the mask delivers on gentle detox and keeps dryness at bay, which is no small feat, yet it stops shy of the transformative glow implied by its name. For me that lands in the respectable middle of the performance spectrum: a pleasant pick me up rather than a must have. I will finish the jar in rotation but I am not penciling it into my permanent lineup. If your skin leans combination and you crave a kinder clay experience this could still earn a spot in yours.
Main ingredients explained
At the heart of this mask sits 10,000 ppm blackberry extract, celebrated for its anthocyanins. These flavonoids function as antioxidants, essentially helping to neutralize free radicals before they chip away at collagen reserves and brightness. While berries alone will not rewind the clock, a regular topical dose can quietly support a more even tone over time.
The cleansing muscle comes from a trio of mineral clays: Canadian glacier soil, Amazon white clay and French green pink clay. All three are rich in silica and magnesium, which gives them the ability to adsorb (think: magnetically lift) oil and pollutant residue from pores. Because kaolin is the gentlest of the bunch it tempers the slightly stronger bentonite, keeping the drying risk low enough for combination or mildly sensitive skin.
Humectants round out the formula so the clays do not leave that dehydrated paper mask feeling. Glycerin and hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid pull water toward the upper epidermis, while beta glucan and allantoin calm any post-mask tightness. Skin that leans reactive often appreciates this pairing because it replenishes moisture and reinforces barrier comfort in the same step.
Exfoliation is supplied in the most literal sense by sweet almond shell powder, a micro-ground physical scrub that sloughs away loosened keratin. It is fine enough not to scratch provided you keep the massage gentle. If acne is a frequent visitor you may want to limit mechanical friction and rely on the clays to do the heavy lifting instead.
Tocopherol (vitamin E) appears further down the list, operating as both an antioxidant team-mate and a stabilizer for lipophilic ingredients. It does carry a mild comedogenic rating, meaning it can occasionally encourage pore blockage in very oil-prone skin, so patch testing is still the smartest first move.
The remaining support act features skin-conditioning ferment filtrate, soothing seaweed extract and a standard mix of safe synthetics like xanthan gum and butylene glycol for texture. There is added fragrance; it smells pleasantly berry-adjacent but may be worth noting if you are extremely scent sensitive.
No animal-derived components are present so the mask is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. As for pregnancy, none of the ingredients are known teratogens yet topical products can behave unpredictably during hormonal shifts, so it is prudent to seek medical clearance before adding any treatment mask to a prenatal routine.
One final ingredient footnote: the inclusion of iron oxides gives the mask its muted mauve tint. These pigments are inert and non-sensitizing but can stain light washcloths, an easy fix if you rinse directly over the sink with bare hands.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick breakdown after two weeks of use.
What works well:**
- Glides on smoothly, stays comfy while drying and rinses off without that chalky afterfeel
- Noticeably curbs midday shine and leaves makeup sitting more evenly on textured spots
- Humectant blend keeps skin soft enough that no emergency moisturizer top up is required
- Vegan, fragrance is mild and I experienced zero redness or stinging
What to consider:**
- The radiance boost is modest so results may feel underwhelming if you want a big wow moment
- Ground almond shells add physical exfoliation that can be too abrasive for active breakouts
- Takes a bit longer to rinse than some clay masks which can be a hurdle on busy nights
My final thoughts
Blackberry Complex Glow Wash Off earns a respectable 7/10 from me. It sits comfortably in that nice-to-have space: dependable enough to keep combination skin balanced and politely brighter yet not quite the transformative powerhouse its berry-studded name suggests. I appreciated the way it tempered oil without siphoning moisture and the absence of irritation feels worth applauding. Still, if you rely on a mask to blitz stubborn congestion or deliver an unmistakable glass skin sheen you may crave a louder effect. I would recommend it to friends who want a kinder clay session, especially those new to wash-off masks or easily spooked by dryness, but power-users chasing dramatic resurfacing might find it underwhelming.
For anyone compiling a clay mask wardrobe I have road tested plenty of contenders and a few alternatives deserve mention. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask remains my one-and-done staple: it exfoliates, clears pores, brightens and refreshes without bias toward any skin type and the price makes repeat purchases painless. Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask offers a bit more muscle on sebum while still rinsing clean. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask delivers a quick clarity hit that flatters dull mornings. If you enjoy a slightly science-geek approach NIOD’s Flavanone Mud layers antioxidant tech over deep cleansing for a noticeable reset in just ten minutes. Each of these has lived on my shelf long enough to prove their mettle so consider sampling according to your skin goals and budget.
Before pressing checkout remember the basics: patch test behind the ear or on the wrist, however boring that sounds, to rule out surprises. Consistent use is what maintains results so treat any mask as upkeep rather than a one-time miracle. Apologies for sounding like an over-protective parent but your face will thank you.