Review: GlamGlow YouthMud Tinglexfoliate Treatment

Full Review

Exfoliants are a great way to keep your skin looking bright and acne-free. Depending on the type of exfoliant they either slough off or “unglue” dead skin cells (more on this later) that makes skin look dull and traps acne-causing bacteria.

I have a love-hate relationship with this mask. I love it for when my skin has been dull or flaky. It shrinks the look of pores and makes your skin positively GLOW.

But when they say “Tinglexfoliate”, they mean BURNS like a mofo. Seriously. I wish GlamGlow would re-release this as just an exfoliating mask without the “tingle” because everything about the mask is amazing, but the tradeoff is a not-pleasant burning sensation until it dries.

BUT! The burning sensation is only when the mask is wet, and goes away when the mask dries. And there isn’t any redness or irritation to my skin after I rinse it off, so it appears to be ok (for my skin).

All that being said, I still think this is a worthwhile physical exfoliator (which I talk about more below) to try out, but I’ve outlined some steps to take to get the most out of this mask:

1. Patch Test

Because a burning sensation is expected with this mask, it becomes even more important to patch test it to make sure that the burning you feel is a part of the mask, and not an adverse reaction. As I said earlier, the burning sensation should go away once it dries. If it doesn’t, you’re probably experiencing a reaction and should not use it.

2. Apply with a brush

I got this mask as part of a holiday gift set that came with a travel size SuperMud and a brush with a spatula on the end, which ended up being a GODSEND. Applying a thin, even layer of this mask dramatically reduces the burning sensation down to a vaguely uncomfortable feeling, which makes the mask actually worthwhile. You also don’t need the specific GlamGlow brush to apply it; any flat foundation brush will work, or this silicone applicator from Elf.

3. Let the rinsing step exfoliate for you

Part of the reason why I like this mask so much is that it provides gentle physical exfoliation that only happens when you rinse it off. The masking portion of this product tightens your skin and shrinks the look of pores, and in the process of rinsing it off, you exfoliate your face. No guesswork needed, no worry about overdoing it. Just rinse off this mask the way you would any other, and it will exfoliate for you.

And while we’re on the subject of exfoliation…

I mentioned above that this is a physical exfoliant, as opposed to a chemical exfoliant. If you’re unfamiliar with the differences, a physical exfoliant contains particles that scrub your skin as a way to remove dead skin cells. A chemical exfoliant (a peel is a chemical exfoliant, for example) will “unglue” dead skin cells from the live ones in order to remove them.

This chart gives you an idea of the pros and cons of each:

So which type is better?

The type that works best for your skin.

I typically alternate between physical and chemical because I like the effects I get from both. Chemical exfoliants tend to make my skin look brighter and more refreshed, and physical exfoliants tend to make my skin softer and give me a nice glow (although there’s a good amount of overlap). By testing out both physical and chemical exfoliators, you can decide which one works best for you.

Overexfoliation

Another important note about using exfoliators is to not overdo it. You should only be using exfoliators three times a week maximum, but only if you really need it. People with sensitive skin may only be able to tolerate weekly exfoliation.

Signs of overexfoliation:

• Red, itchy, or burning skin
• Skin that feels too tight or dry (can also look shiny)
• Breakouts either stay the same or get worse

If you think you’ve overexfoliated your skin, it’s important to take a break from exfoliation to repair your skin barrier. Avoid any irritating products and focus on rehydrating until your skin goes back to normal (this process normally takes a week or two). Products with ceramides can help repair a damaged skin barrier, along with sheet masks and facial oils to rehydrate dry skin.

Getting back to the review…

Overall I think this is a pretty solid mask with a bit of a learning curve, but if you like physical exfoliators, you will probably like this one. This is a great all-purpose mask too. It incorporates french sea clay, which pulls out impurities and shrinks the look of pores, but it also has a long list of plant extracts that soothe the skin and return some moisture, so this mask doesn’t feel drying after using it.

Disclaimers: I purchased this product 100% myself. This post contains no affiliate links.

Where to buy

Amazon (~$42, price varies) | Sephora ($69, full size) | Sephora ($22, travel size)