Introduction
Pestle & Mortar may not have the shelf dominance of some heritage giants yet seasoned skincare devotees know the Irish brand for its clean formulations and no-nonsense approach to actives. I have long admired its knack for marrying science with sensorial comfort, so when the cheekily named Glow Up Mask landed on my desk I was eager to see if it could live up to such a self-assured title.
According to the brand this wash-off treatment leans on a blend of glycolic and salicylic acids supported by a fruit enzyme cocktail to whisk away dullness while keeping hydration intact. Pestle & Mortar positions it as a quick fix for lackluster tone, uneven texture and enlarged pores, promising a radiant complexion without the sting often associated with peel masks.
Armed with curiosity and a mildly congested T-zone I committed to a full two weeks of twice-weekly sessions to find out whether the Glow Up Mask delivers results worthy of your skin care budget.
What is Glow Up Mask?
Glow Up Mask is a resurfacing treatment that belongs to the wash off mask category. Wash off masks are leave-on formulas that sit on the skin for a short window and are then rinsed away, making them a practical middle ground between a daily cleanser and an intensive in-clinic peel. They can give a targeted boost without the commitment of sleeping in a product and without the downtime that sometimes follows stronger exfoliation methods.
This particular mask combines two well studied chemical exfoliants, glycolic acid and salicylic acid, with a mix of fruit enzymes sourced from papaya, apple, grape and other botanicals. The aim is to loosen the bonds of dead surface cells, clear pore buildup and encourage a more uniform skin tone. To counterbalance potential dryness common to acid formulas, the brand has included hydrating elements such as sunflower seed oil and glycerin, alongside jasmine extract and vitamin E for antioxidant support. The formula is water based and designed for use one or two times a week, left on the skin for up to fifteen minutes then removed with warm water or a damp cloth.
In simple terms Glow Up Mask is meant to be a quick radiance boost for dull, textured or uneven skin. It promises smoother skin than a standard cleanser can achieve yet claims to be gentler than peel pads or high strength acid toners.
Did it work?
In the interest of rigorous dermatological science I benched my usual wash off mask for three whole days before starting, which felt terribly professional and only slightly over the top. Fourteen days seemed a fair window to judge results so I slotted Glow Up Mask into my evening routine every fourth night: cleanse, pat dry, paint on a thin layer, set a timer and scroll.
The first application brought a soft prickle that never tipped into sting territory. After ten minutes and a warm cloth removal my skin looked a touch brighter, almost as if I had just finished a gentle exfoliating scrub. By breakfast the effect had mellowed yet a subtle smoothness lingered along my cheekbones.
Session two arrived with the same mild tingle but also a faint flush across my nose that faded within the hour. I did notice one stubborn clogged pore on my chin come to a head the next morning, which I mentally filed under “possible purge” rather than irritation.
Midway through the fortnight my complexion felt consistently even to the touch, especially across the textured patches near my temples. However the promised pore refinement stayed modest; enlarged dots around my nose looked only slightly less obvious under bright bathroom lighting.
By the final use I could confidently say that the mask delivers a quick glow and a smoother canvas for makeup the next day. What it did not provide was a transformative change in tone or clarity beyond what my regular low level acid toner already achieves. Hydration levels remained stable which I credit to the inclusion of sunflower oil and glycerin, and I never experienced the tightness that stronger peels can provoke.
So did it work? Yes in the sense that it offers an immediate radiance uptick and gentle resurfacing without irritation, making it a safe entry point for acid novices. For my routine, already stocked with more potent weekly treatments, the performance did not justify permanent real estate. I will finish the tube gratefully after late nights or before events but I would not rush to repurchase, though I would happily recommend it to friends seeking a kinder alternative to harsher peels.
Glow up mask’s main ingredients explained
The star player here is glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid with the smallest molecular size in its family so it slips through the outermost skin layers quickly to unglue dead cells and push fresh ones to the surface. At the low-to-mid percentage Pestle & Mortar tends to use, it delivers a visible smoothness without the sting that can follow stronger peels. Sitting alongside is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that dives into oil-filled pores to dissolve the clogs responsible for blackheads and the odd hormonal blemish. Because both acids are buffered by the brand’s “Illuminating Resurfacing Complex” you get exfoliation that feels measured rather than aggressive.
Supporting the duo is a medley of fruit enzymes from papaya, apple, grape and the more niche Japanese plum. These natural proteases nibble away at the protein links between surface cells, offering a gentler chemical polish that complements the acids. Think of them as tiny Pac-Men giving the formula an extra refining edge.
To keep the complexion calm there is sunflower seed oil, rich in linoleic acid that helps reinforce the skin barrier, plus glycerin for water magnet duty. Tocopherol (vitamin E) lends antioxidant backup by mopping up free radicals generated during daily life in a city. A polymer-based gel network (hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer) gives the mask its cushiony glide so it spreads evenly without dripping into your hairline.
On the safety front the ingredient list is free of animal derivatives so vegans and vegetarians can use it without hesitation. None of the listed components carry a high comedogenic rating; sunflower seed oil is generally rated 0-2 which means it is unlikely to clog pores though very acne-prone users might still want to patch test first. (Comedogenic simply refers to an ingredient’s tendency to block pores and trigger breakouts.) The mask does contain jasminum officinale extract which brings a mild botanical aroma yet it is not a synthetic fragrance blend, something sensitive noses may appreciate.
Pregnancy is a different conversation. While low-dose glycolic and salicylic acids in rinse-off products are usually viewed as low risk, dermatologists vary in their advice. If you are expecting or nursing it is best to run the full ingredient list past your doctor before slathering on anything exfoliating, this mask included.
One final note: the formula is water-based which means no heavy silicones or mineral oils, and the pH is calibrated to let the acids work optimally without nuking your barrier. Coupled with its balanced blend of actives and hydrators, the mask sits in that sweet spot of noticeable yet measured exfoliation that most skin types can slot into a weekly routine.
What I liked/didn’t like
After eight rounds of slather, wait and rinse, here is the simple rundown.
What works well:
- Immediate surface glow that lasts through the next day so makeup sits more evenly
- Balanced acid mix gives a gentle tingle but never tips into redness even on my reactive cheeks
- Skin feels hydrated post rinse thanks to glycerin and sunflower oil so no tight follow up moments
- Vegan friendly formula with no added parfum makes it easy to recommend to scent sensitive friends
What to consider:
- Results plateau if you already use stronger weekly peels so it may feel redundant in an advanced routine
- Price sits in the mid to upper bracket for wash off masks which could be hard to justify for the occasional user
- Requires consistent sunscreen diligence given the exfoliating acids which may not suit more casual skincare habits
My final thoughts
Glow Up Mask occupies that pleasant middle ground between entry level exfoliation and more assertive peels. After eight uses I landed on a solid 7/10: it gave me smoother texture, quelled some dullness and never threatened my moisture levels, yet it stopped short of delivering the pore refinement the marketing drumbeat implies. If your routine is light on acids or you dislike the spicy sensation of stronger blends this is a considerate option. On the other hand seasoned glow chasers armed with multistep acid arsenals might find the payoff incremental rather than impressive.
In terms of audience, I would happily point normal, dry or combination skins with mild congestion toward it, especially those seeking a once or twice weekly polish that feels plush rather than punitive. Persistently oily or breakout prone complexions may prefer something with a heftier salicylic percentage. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, with the caveat that they know what they are buying: a friendly resurfacer that brightens quickly but will not rewrite their skin story overnight.
For readers weighing up alternatives, a few tried and tested contenders spring to mind. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is an excellent allrounder that multitasks as exfoliator, pore vacuum and radiance booster at a wallet friendly price. Caudalie’s Instant Detox Mask tightens the look of pores in ten minutes flat and leaves the skin comfortably matte without overstripping. The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque is a fuss free staple when breakouts loom, offering deeper pore decongestion at a fraction of most prestige price tags. Finally Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask earns its cult status for sucking up excess oil while sneaking in gentle micro exfoliation so the complexion feels fresh, not parched. I have rotated through each of these enough times to vouch for their merits and they sit at varying strength and price points to suit different needs.
Before you slather anything new, spare a moment for housekeeping. Acids can sensitise so patch test behind the ear or along the jaw first, yes I know that sounds like an over protective parent but your future self will thank you. Keep SPF front and center the morning after and remember that glow is a moving target; continued use and an overall well built routine are what keep results ticking along.