Introduction
Clearstem is one of those quietly influential skin care houses that skin-savvy circles swear by yet can still manage to fly under the casual shopper’s radar. Known for merging breakout-friendly actives with decidedly glow-centric formulas, the brand has earned a reputation for products that do the heavy lifting without the drama.
Their latest release, aptly named Pregame, comes with a wink and a promise. The title suggests a quick prep session before the main event and Clearstem echoes that spirit by touting a five-minute AHA mask that teams up with influencer Jess Clarke Higgins. They say it instantly brightens, smooths and leaves you camera-ready as if you just stepped out of a medium-strength facial.
I gave Pregame a solid two-week test drive, folding it into my weekly routine to see if the promised lit-from-within glow holds up in real life and, more importantly, if it is worth carving out those precious few minutes and dollars.
What is Pregame?
Pregame is a wash-off mask, meaning you smooth it onto clean damp skin, let the formula work for a set amount of minutes then rinse it away completely. Masks in this category are popular because they give concentrated treatment without leaving a residue that might interfere with the rest of your routine. Clearstem positions this one as a five-minute mini facial that uses alpha hydroxy acids for chemical exfoliation and finely milled bamboo powder for a light physical polish. In practical terms that translates to a quick resurfacing step you slot in once a week after cleansing when you want brighter smoother skin but do not have time for a full spa appointment.
The blend is described as medium strength so it aims to sweep away dead cells faster than a mild daily acid toner while still staying shy of the intensity you would get in a professional peel. Clearstem specifically calls out its use before events or makeup sessions since freshly exfoliated skin tends to reflect light better and allows foundation to sit more evenly. Because the mask relies on AHAs it does increase sun sensitivity, so the brand recommends diligent sunscreen for at least a week after each use.
Did it work?
In the name of pure science I benched my usual weekly wash off mask for the entire 14 days, applauding myself for the rigorous methodology while secretly missing my comfort product. I ran Pregame exactly as instructed: once a week on freshly cleansed, still damp skin, gently massaged it on face neck and upper chest, left it for five minutes the first round then crept up to eight on the second, and always chased it with a hydrating serum and SPF the following morning.
The very first application let me know the acids were awake. There was a polite tingle, not a burn, and after rinsing my skin felt almost glassy slick. That night my complexion caught the bathroom light in a way that said “good filter” even though none was there. By morning the effect was still present though softer, mostly visible in how foundation glided instead of clinging to the usual dry patches along my jaw.
Fast forward to the second week. My skin acclimated so the tingle dialed down but the immediate post rinse smoothness persisted. What I did not see was a cumulative brightening beyond that initial 24 hour window. Hyperpigmentation from an old breakout lingered at its usual pace and by day thirteen a couple of new blemishes surfaced on my chin, likely unrelated but still worth noting. I also caught a hint of tightness on the nights I stretched the wear time beyond five minutes which reminded me this is a medium strength exfoliant and not a hydrating mask.
Overall Pregame delivers on the promise of quick smoothness and better makeup prep, perfect when I wanted to look fresher for a video call. It did not, however, revolutionize tone or texture long term. For those instant payoff moments I can see why fans rave, yet I am not convinced it earns a permanent slot in my already crowded lineup. That said if you crave a five minute facial effect before a big night out this mask absolutely shows up for the occasion.
Pregame’s main ingredients explained
At the heart of Pregame is a cocktail of alpha hydroxy acids sourced from fruit extracts like lemon, pineapple and grape. These water-soluble acids loosen the bonds between dead surface cells so they rinse away more easily, which is what delivers that immediate “glass skin” smoothness. Because AHAs also thin the outermost layer a bit they can make skin more sun sensitive, so SPF is non-negotiable the morning after.
Clearstem pairs the chemical exfoliation with bamboo stem powder for a soft physical polish. The particles are rounded rather than jagged so they do not leave microscopic scratches, yet they are gritty enough to sweep away any loosened flakes before they can reattach. Used once a week this dual approach gives a mini facial effect without the downtime a spa peel might require.
Turmeric root extract brings an antioxidant punch and a whisper of anti-inflammatory calm, good news if your skin tends to get blotchy after acids. Niacinamide tags in to support barrier resilience and help even tone over time, while alpha arbutin quietly works on lingering spots by slowing excess pigment production. Both ingredients are considered pregnancy friendly in small topical amounts but, as always, anyone expecting should run the complete formula past their doctor before diving in.
The supporting botanicals read like a green market roster: passionflower for soothing, arnica to temper redness and holy basil for extra antioxidant cover. Aloe flower extract offers a hydrating buffer so the mask does not leave skin feeling stripped. Synthetic fluorphlogopite and a touch of iron oxides lend a pearlescent stamp that helps the product look fancy when applied yet they rinse off cleanly so they should not interfere with pores.
On the comedogenic front nothing here ranks high on the pore-clogging scale. There is no coconut oil or heavy ester, glycerin and propanediol score a reassuring zero so breakout-prone users can breathe easy. (Comedogenic simply means an ingredient has a tendency to block pores and trigger blemishes.) The formula is also free of animal-derived components which makes it suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Worth noting: acids and botanicals can still irritate very sensitive complexions so patch testing is smart. If your barrier is already compromised or you are on prescription exfoliants you may want to limit contact time or skip physical massage altogether to avoid overdoing it.
What I liked/didn’t like
Here is the quick hit list after two weeks of use.
What works well:**
- Noticeable smoothing and light-reflective glow within the promised five minutes
- Dual exfoliation (AHA plus bamboo powder) delivers a spa-like polish without leftover grit or redness
- Breakout-minded formula skips heavy pore-cloggers so it slots into acne-prone routines
- Botanical calmers like turmeric and passionflower keep the tingle from tipping into sting territory
What to consider:**
- Results peak in the first 24 hours so weekly use is needed to maintain that fresh-faced look
- Medium strength acids may not suit very sensitive or prescription exfoliant users
- Raises sun sensitivity which means extra diligence with SPF and shade time
My final thoughts
Pregame does what it says on the tin: it grants a fleeting boost of radiance and a makeup-ready smoothness that feels luxurious when you are short on time. After two full rounds of use I am comfortable giving it a 7/10. It excels as a once-a-week tune-up for normal, combination or mildly breakout-prone skin that can handle a medium AHA without flinching. If you are chasing an overnight miracle for stubborn hyperpigmentation or deeper textural woes, you may be underwhelmed; the brightness crest fades within a day and you will still need your regular retinoid or vitamin C to tackle long-game concerns. I would recommend it to a friend who wants a reliable pre-event polish but I would steer anyone with reactive or prescription-thinned skin toward gentler territory.
As someone who has rotated through more masks than I care to admit, I cannot ignore the crowded field of worthy alternatives. Deascal’s Pink Clay Glow Mask remains my favourite one-and-done workhorse; it exfoliates, clears pores and brightens in one step, suits every skin type I have tested it on and punches well above its price tag. If you crave a more botanical sensorial experience Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Mask offers a flower-powered enzyme glow without physical grit. Budget shoppers wanting a clarifying kick can reach for The Ordinary’s Salicylic Acid 2% Masque which pairs BHA with clay to keep pores honest. And for those who like their masks to feel just a tad volcanic Innisfree’s Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask mops up oil while giving a gentle smoothing effect that rivals Pregame’s immediate payoff.
Whichever route you take remember that a wash-off mask is a supporting player, not the whole cast. Patch test first (sorry for sounding like an over-protective parent) and respect the time limit. Consistent weekly use and diligent sunscreen are non-negotiable if you want to keep that freshly buffed look on repeat.