Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed that doing your skincare nowadays can make you feel like you're performing an elementary school science experiment? With brands constantly pushing the envelope to create innovative products that deliver results in unique ways, you can achieve a whole new level of fun while taking care of your skin. From powdered cleansers that activate with water, to face masks that you remove with a magnet, getting ready at the bathroom sink everyday might just have your inner child squealing with delight. While this list certainly isn't an exhaustive one, here are four of my current favorite weird and wacky (yet entirely effective) skincare products.
First is a pretty little jar of watermelon-scented magic. After testing this product out at Generation Beauty NY, I couldn't resist picking it up from my local Sephora. The Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask ($45) is an overnight facial treatment that provides essential moisture and gentle exfoliation to your skin. If your face is looking a little flaky, dull, or congested, you can channel your inner Sleeping Beauty, slather this on at bedtime, and wake up glowy and refreshed.
Due to the nature of the formula, you first need to stir up your jar of heavenly-scented pink goo until it's reached an even consistency (yes, it comes with a spatula). Then you apply a generous amount to your clean face, which will leave it feeling cooled and wet to the touch. I've never had a problem with this mask affecting my pillows or sheets, but you may still want to give it some time to dry down before you jump into bed. When you wake up in the morning, the product rinses off easily with water, and leaves your skin feeling baby soft. The ONLY downside I've noticed (especially if you shower in the evenings) is that sometimes the product will flake off a little during the night into my hairline. It'll come right out with a little bit of water, but I can still see that being potentially annoying to some.
As someone that has an oily complexion with lots of blackheads and texture, this product has been an awesome pick-me-up (especially after wearing makeup several days in a row). It's gentle, but effective, not to mention the fact that it smells flippin' fantastic. And if the $40+ price tag has you feeling a little uneasy, it looks like Sephora is now carrying a travel-friendly 1 oz version for only $22!
For the daytime, I've been low-key obsessing over this H2O+ Beauty Rapids Probiotic Sorbet Moisturizer ($38). Again, as any fellow oily-skinned people know, the struggle of finding a moisturizer that provides hydration without simultaneously making you look like a grease ball after a few hours is entirely too real. And when you do manage to find a product that plays well with your makeup and doesn't increase the shine factor, it feels like a small miracle.
This new launch from H2O+ Beauty is formulated with probiotics and Yuzu extract to help rebalance the skin, reduce the appearance of blackheads and clogged pores, and give you a more youthful, radiant look. What's even cooler, though, is its texture. They call this a "Sorbet" Moisturizer for a reason, after all. When you scoop the product out of the jar you'll notice it's a straight up solid, almost like a cleansing balm. However, as soon as you start to rub it into your skin it breaks down into droplets of moisture, transforming into a water-light gel on your face. It's kind of trippy, yet entirely satisfying. Not only does it feel refreshing, but the smell is pretty wonderful too. It's clean with an ever-so-slightly fruity undertone. Needless to say, if you understand my oily skinned struggles, or want a product that feels extremely hydrating without a heavy, greasy feel, this might be something you need to check out.
And then you have the Dermalogica Daily Superfoliant ($58), a powdered cleanser and exfoliant that activates with water. Not only is this leak-free formula super travel friendly, but its also amazing at smoothing and detoxifying your skin. You just sprinkle a little of this charcoal infused powder into your hands, add a few drops of water, and massage in into a foamy, frothy paste. Its blend of AHAs, enzymes, and "anti-pollution technology" help to deep clean pores, slough off dead skin, and leave your complexion looking brighter and clearer. I will say, while its name has the word "daily" in it, I would suggest starting out using this product a few times a week, especially to see how your skin reacts. It's a pretty intense treatment, and those with sensitive faces might find daily use to be a bit too aggressive. If this is a concern for you, you may want to start out with the travel-sized version before investing in the full size. With regular use I've definitely noticed my skin looking smoother and less congested, so I'm really happy to have incorporated this into my skincare regimen!
And perhaps I've saved the weirdest yet most oddly satisfying product for last. The Dr. Brandt Magnetight Age-Defier Skin Recharging Magnet Mask ($24) is an iron-infused mask that you remove from your skin with a powerful magnet. If your reaction to hearing that statement is anything like mine was, its about half skepticism, and half intrigue. The idea is that the iron particles attach to dirt and debris on your skin, and that as the magnet pulls the iron away, it takes all that gunk along with it. The iron is suspended in a blend of oils and other skin-loving ingredients that are left behind to nourish and firm with no need to rinse. Now, the claims of this mask also include creating"electro-magnetic interactions" and a "force-field effect" that tightens your skin over time, both of which I think are probably a load of marketing bologna. That being said, this mask did leave my skin feeling incredibly smooth, and was highly enjoyable to use.
Having learned a few things after trying this out for the first time, I'll share a few tips for any one who gets curious and decides to give this product a try. The spatula is great for getting product out of the jar without contamination, but your fingers are way more effective at actually spreading the mask out on your face. Also (since I didn't mention it before) you aren't going straight in with the magnet alone. You wrap the magnet in a tissue to act as barrier. That being said, the balmy texture of the mask will start to break down the tissue if you don't re-wrap the magnet to a fresh section often enough. If the mask actually comes in contact with the magnet, the iron particles are near impossible to wipe off, so its important to not let the mask soak completely through. That being said, watching this stuff magically jump off your face onto the tissue as you gently pass it across is SO satisfying. In a lot of ways its a lot less messy than other masks I've used, and most certainly a lot more entertaining.
What do you guys think about these strange, yet innovative skincare products? Have you or would you be curious to try any of them out? Do you have any recommendations for other weird or wacky products that I should check out next? Let us know in the comments below!
What innovative skincare products have you used lately?
