Introduction
Three Ships is one of those quietly confident indie brands that has been winning over skin care enthusiasts with uncomplicated formulas and a refreshing dose of transparency. If the name has somehow drifted under your radar, consider this your cordial heads up that its products deserve at least a spot on your wish list.
Enter its latest mouthful of a launch, the Superfruit Lactic + Multifruit 8% AHA Exfoliating Mask. The title alone sounds like it could double as a smoothie order but the brand promises a gentle yet effective resurfacing experience powered by rice powder polishers, fruit based AHAs and a splash of aloe for good measure. According to Three Ships this wash off treatment is designed to whisk away dullness, tackle hyperpigmentation and leave skin smoother and visibly brighter after just a few minutes of sit time.
I spent a solid two weeks working the mask into my nighttime routine, timing it to the recommended five minute window and monitoring everything from the first tingle to the morning after glow. The goal was simple: find out if this multitasking cocktail earns its price tag or if it should just stay on the menu as a very pretty sounding idea.
What is Superfruit Lactic + Multifruit 8% Aha Exfoliating Mask?
This product sits in the wash-off mask category, meaning it is designed to be applied, left on the skin for a short window then rinsed away. Wash-off masks can serve as a convenient middle ground between a quick cleanser and an overnight treatment. They let active ingredients do their job without remaining on the skin long enough to risk irritation, making them a practical option for people who want visible results yet prefer a controlled contact time.
Three Ships positions this particular mask as a gentle chemical and physical exfoliator. The formula combines fruit-derived alpha hydroxy acids at an 8 percent concentration with finely milled rice powders. The acids, including lactic, bilberry and sugar cane extracts, work on the surface of the skin to dissolve the bonds that keep dull, dead cells hanging on. The rice powder provides a mild manual polish to sweep those loosened cells away. Aloe vera is included to temper potential sting and to help the skin hold onto water during and after use.
The mask targets concerns like hyperpigmentation and overall dullness. When used two to three times a week, the brand suggests leaving it on for up to five minutes, or two minutes if your skin leans sensitive. A brief tingle and flush can happen while the actives settle in; this is typical of low-level acid formulas rather than a sign of malfunction. As with any exfoliant, patch testing and strict eye avoidance remain best practice.
In short, Superfruit Lactic + Multifruit 8% AHA Exfoliating Mask is a rinse-off treatment that blends chemical and physical exfoliation in one step. Its aim is smoother, brighter skin achieved within a controlled five-minute session that slots easily into a standard evening routine.
Did it work?
In the name of objective journalism I pressed pause on my usual wash off mask for a few days prior to testing this one, which felt wildly scientific for someone who still counts on TikTok to remember their retinol nights. Fourteen days struck me as a reasonable stretch to judge results, so I slotted the mask in every third evening, always after cleansing and while my face was still damp as instructed.
The first session delivered the promised tingle right on cue, though it never crossed into sting territory. Five minutes later I rinsed, patted dry and noted a faint flush that settled by the time I brushed my teeth. The next morning my skin looked a touch brighter, like I had slept an extra hour. Encouraging, if not life changing.
By the end of week one I had logged three uses. Texture felt smoother to the touch, especially around my nose where tiny bumps tend to camp out. Makeup glided on with less fuss and there was a subtle sheen that friends politely labeled “healthy” rather than “oily,” which I counted as a win. Hyperpigmentation spots, however, looked almost identical to day one, suggesting the acids were more of a surface level cheerleader than a deep correcting coach.
Week two followed the same rhythm. I kept the full five minute window, massaging in light circles to let the rice powder get its moment. The mask never caused dryness or post use tightness, a perk I credit to the aloe and squalane. Still, each reveal felt like hitting the same plateau: pleasant softness, a temporary glow, no dramatic fade in dark spots. I tried a two minute stint once to see if sensitivity would change the outcome; it did not.
After six total applications my verdict is that the mask lives up to its gentler promises of smoothing and short term brightness but falls short on the bolder claims of tackling stubborn discoloration. I appreciate the balanced formula and would recommend it to beginners or anyone wary of stronger peels, yet for my own routine I will stick with higher potency acids that move the needle faster. That said, Three Ships deserves credit for creating a product that delivers quick radiance without the usual post exfoliation sulk, and I would happily reach for it on days when my skin needs a lighter touch.
Superfruit Lactic + Multifruit 8% AHA Exfoliating Mask’s main ingredients explained
The headline act is an 8 percent blend of alpha hydroxy acids led by lactic acid. Lactic is a larger-molecule AHA, which means it exfoliates a bit more gently than glycolic yet still nudges dull surface cells to loosen their grip. Supporting extracts from bilberry, sugar cane, orange, lemon and sugar maple supply naturally occurring AHAs that round out the chemical side of the exfoliation. Used at this level they lift tone and texture without diving so deep that most skin types will complain.
Physical polishing comes from finely milled rice powder. The granules are small enough to avoid the sharp edges that can create micro tears yet still add a satisfying slip when you massage the mask in. Think of it as the broom sweeping away the dead cells that the acids have already unglued.
Squalane and meadowfoam seed oil step in as lightweight emollients that refill the skin’s lipid pool after exfoliation. Both ingredients score low on the comedogenic scale so they are unlikely to clog pores. (Comedogenic simply means pore-clogging potential.) Shea butter shows up further down the list and can be pore-clogging for some acne-prone users so keep an eye on how your skin responds if breakouts are a recurring issue.
Aloe vera juice takes care of soothing and hydration while willow bark supplies salicin, a beta hydroxy predecessor that offers a mild anti-inflammatory nudge. Humectants like glycerin and sodium phytate help bind water so the skin does not feel tight once the mask is rinsed away.
The formula leans almost entirely on plant-derived ingredients so it checks the box for vegans and vegetarians. Essential oils of yuzu, lemon and spearmint give the mask its fresh scent yet they can be sensitizing for very reactive skin. If you know fragrance and essential oils leave you blotchy consider a patch test behind the ear first.
Pregnancy safety is a tricky subject. Although lactic acid is generally considered one of the milder acids, any active exfoliant has a theoretical risk. Those expecting or nursing should get the green light from a medical professional before adding this product to a routine.
No added synthetic dyes or parabens appear on the deck and preservation relies on a gentle pairing of caprylhydroxamic acid and glyceryl caprylate which keeps the formula stable without tipping into harsh territory. Overall the ingredient list balances exfoliation, comfort and a skin-friendly pH, making the mask a sensible option for newcomers to acids as long as they respect the five-minute rule.
What I liked/didn’t like
After six sessions some clear highs and a few caveats emerged.
What works well:
- Provides an immediate smooth feel and soft glow without post-use tightness
- Gentle 8 percent AHA blend is friendly to newcomers and played nicely with my pigmentation-prone yet reactive skin
- Balanced mix of humectants and lightweight oils keeps skin comfortable so no extra hydrating mask was needed afterward
What to consider:
- Surface brightness aside, deeper hyperpigmentation showed little change over two weeks
- Essential oils and rice granules may not suit very sensitive or strictly chemical-exfoliant fans
- Results plateau quickly so seasoned exfoliant users might crave a stronger formula or higher acid concentration
My final thoughts
After half a dozen dates with Superfruit Lactic + Multifruit 8% AHA Exfoliating Mask I feel confident saying it is a solid 7/10 performer. If you are looking for a dependable wash-off option that smooths texture, gives an overnight boost of radiance and never leaves skin feeling stripped this is a safe bet. It shines for beginners who find stronger peels intimidating and for seasoned exfoliant users who want a lighter mid-week pick-me-up. Where it falls short is depth: persistent dark spots and rough patches barely budged which means those chasing dramatic tone correction may wish to keep a higher strength acid in rotation.
I have run through more resurfacing masks than I care to admit so I do think I gave this formula a fair shot. It behaved consistently, never surprised me with post-use dryness and slotted neatly into my routine without forcing me to rearrange other actives. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, assuming that friend wants gentle consistency over fireworks. For the thrill seekers I would steer them elsewhere.
Speaking of elsewhere, a few alternatives I have used and loved deserve a mention. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask is my top all-rounder: it vacuums pores, lightly exfoliates and leaves skin looking freshly steamed at a price that feels almost too kind. Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque is fantastic when congestion is the main enemy while Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask offers a quick reset for combination skin on humid days. Finally, Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask brings a more active enzyme hit for those craving a stronger glow without tipping into peel territory.
Before you slather anything new on your face remember a few ground rules. Patch test behind the ear or on the jawline, listen to your skin and ease in slowly - sorry if that sounds like an over-protective parent. Results from any exfoliating mask are temporary and maintenance is the name of the game so keep expectations realistic and the sunscreen close by.