Introduction
AXIS-Y might not yet be a household name on every vanity, but among skincare devotees the Seoul based collective has built a quiet reputation for formulas that put calming botanicals first and fast results a close second. Their New Skin Resolution Gel Mask arrives with a title that sounds like it should come wrapped in a motivational poster, promising nothing less than a personal glow up.
The brand describes it as a gel that delivers brightness, hydration and barrier support in one quick rinse off session, leaning on heartleaf to soothe angry complexions and a solid 2 percent hit of niacinamide to dial down dullness. A supporting cast of 13 plant extracts is said to keep irritation, blemishes and random itchiness from crashing the party.
I spent two straight weeks slotting the mask into my evening routine to see if this cheery list of claims actually plays out on real skin, and whether it deserves a place in the weekly rotation or simply a polite round of applause from the sidelines.
What is New Skin Resolution Gel Mask?
This is a wash-off mask, meaning it is applied to clean skin, left to sit briefly then removed with water rather than absorbed like a leave-on treatment. Wash-off formulas appeal to anyone who wants quick results without committing to overnight wear because they deliver a concentrated hit of actives in a short window and then exit before they can overwhelm the skin.
The mask itself is built around two headline ingredients: heartleaf, known for calming redness and irritation, and 2 percent niacinamide, a vitamin B3 derivative that can help even tone and strengthen the moisture barrier. Backing them up is a roster of thirteen plant extracts that offer varying degrees of hydration, antioxidant support and additional soothing.
Axis-Y positions the gel as a multi tasker that brightens, hydrates and keeps sensitivity in check. The suggested routine is simple: smooth on a thin layer after cleansing, wait five to ten minutes, massage lightly then rinse. Oily skin can use it up to four times a week while drier types may prefer two or three sessions or even spot treating specific areas.
In short, New Skin Resolution Gel Mask sits in the rapid-fire segment of skincare where you trade a few minutes at the sink for an instant refresh, aiming to leave skin calmer, clearer and a touch more radiant once it is washed away.
Did it work?
In the name of very scientific research I benched my usual wash-off mask for a few days, then committed to a neat two weeks with New Skin Resolution Gel Mask. Fourteen days feels like a fair window to spot real change without blaming the moon cycle or a rogue takeaway for every blemish.
I followed the brand’s oily-skin guidance and reached for the gel every other night, clocking seven sessions in total. Each time I smoothed on a thin layer after cleansing, let it chill for the full ten minutes then gave it a quick rinse. The gel felt pleasantly cool and carried a faint herbal scent that disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. Immediate payoff was consistent: redness from a long day at a computer softened and my face looked a touch plumper, as if it had gulped down a glass of water. That post-mask glow, however, tended to fade by breakfast.
Midway through the fortnight my cheek irritation from a recent retinol experiment had calmed noticeably. The mask seemed to take the sting out of that flare without leaving a tight film behind. I did not spot any dramatic brightening though; a couple of sun spots stayed exactly where they were and general tone looked marginally more even at best. On the upside there were zero breakouts, no stinging around the nose and my combination skin never felt stripped.
By day fourteen the cumulative effect was clear enough: smoother texture, fewer angry red patches and a temporary dewy finish after each use. What I could not check off the list was long-term luminosity or a meaningful fade in hyperpigmentation, which sits high on my personal wish list.
So did it work? Partially. It excels at calming and hydrating in the moment but stops short of delivering the full brightening promise. I will happily finish the jar when my skin feels cranky yet I will not rush to repurchase. Still, as a soothing pit stop in a routine heavy on actives it is a pleasant one to have on standby.
Main ingredients explained
Heartleaf (Houttuynia cordata) sits at the top of the soothing roster. This herb is loved in K-beauty for its quercetin content which helps temper redness and heat while offering mild antioxidant support. At 2 percent niacinamide, the mask supplies a proven multitasker that can strengthen barrier lipids, shrink the look of pores and dial down uneven tone without the sting of stronger brighteners.
The calming theme continues with centella asiatica extract, madecassoside and beta glucan, a trio that encourages repair and keeps irritation at bay. A light mix of humectants such as glycerin, betaine and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid draws water into the skin so the gel never feels tight once rinsed. Ceramide NP and hydrogenated lecithin then lend a little lipid reinforcement to slow that water from escaping.
The botanical buffet stretches to fig, calendula, mugwort and seaweed which chip in extra polyphenols and minerals, though at the concentration typical for wash-off masks their role is more supporting act than lead singer. Essential oils of lavender, grapefruit and rosemary provide the herbal scent and a dose of aromatic terpenes. Sensitive noses should note they can be minor irritants if left on too long, so the mask’s short contact time is a smart safeguard.
On the pore-clog front the formula is largely low risk. Sunflower seed oil and cocoa seed extract appear but in rinse-off amounts that rate 0-1 on the comedogenic scale, meaning they are very unlikely to trigger blackheads or closed comedones. (Comedogenic simply means an ingredient has the potential to block pores and spark breakouts.)
No animal-derived ingredients are listed and both ceramides and hyaluronic acid can be sourced synthetically, so the recipe reads as vegan and vegetarian friendly, though only Axis-Y can confirm production practices. Pregnancy wise the mix avoids retinoids and high-level exfoliating acids yet it does contain essential oils. Many doctors prefer patients skip fragrant topicals while expecting, so err on the side of caution and clear any new mask with your healthcare provider.
Last quick note: the formula is free of drying alcohol and heavy silicones which helps the refreshing gel texture rinse clean without a waxy afterfeel. If your skin loves a calming pit stop between stronger actives these ingredients make a convincing case, even if the brightening claims overshoot reality a touch.
What I liked/didn’t like
After a fortnight of trial runs here is the quick tally of highs and lows.
What works well:
- Instant cooling feel that visibly calms redness within minutes
- Leaves skin hydrated and smoother without any lingering film or clogged pores
- Short contact time fits easily between stronger actives, making it a reliable soothing step on busy nights
What to consider:
- Brightening effect is subtle and may not meet expectations for fading dark spots
- Essential oils lend a light herbal scent that sensitive skin could find problematic
- Benefits seem to taper off quickly, so regular use is needed to maintain the post mask glow
My final thoughts
After seven carefully timed sessions I can confirm that New Skin Resolution Gel Mask sits squarely in the dependable middle ground of wash off treatments. It calms flare ups quickly, lends a fleeting bounce and never tips my combination skin into oil slick or desert territory. Where it loses ground is in the brightness department; two percent niacinamide simply cannot compete with leave-on serums when it comes to lifting stubborn marks. For anyone who mainly battles redness, mild irritation or the tight feeling that follows stronger actives this gel is a comforting pit stop and worth its 7/10. If you are chasing significant pigment correction or a once-a-week wow moment you may feel underwhelmed.
Would I recommend it to a friend? Yes, but only the friend who complains about sensitivity more than dark spots. Someone determined to tackle melasma or deep sun damage will do better pairing this mask with a targeted brightening serum, or skipping straight to something with acids or vitamin C.
Speaking of options, a good wash off mask wardrobe usually features a few styles. Pink Clay Glow Mask by Deascal is my no-brainer allrounder: gentle clay that lifts dullness, clears pores and polishes away dead cells in one tidy step, all at a price that feels kindly. When I need deeper pore control I reach for Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask which tightens without that chalky aftermath. On breakout weeks The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque gives me budget friendly exfoliation plus a mild antibacterial nudge, while NIOD’s Flavanone Mud remains my pick for a true skin reset thanks to its clever antioxidant complex. I have rotated all four alongside the Axis-Y gel and can vouch that each brings something unique to the shelf.
Before you dive in remember the usual safety briefing: patch test on your wrist or behind the ear, especially if essential oils have irritated you in the past. Results from any mask are temporary and depend on steady use so think of them as maintenance, not magic. Sorry to sound like an over-protective parent but your face will thank you.