How adventurous are you when it comes to skin care? Do you play it safe and stick to tried-and-true products that you’ve come to know, or do you charge boldly unto the epidermal breach, always ready and willing to try new things? Inquiring minds want to know.
I’m usually up for trying new things when my combo skin is behaving, but when I’m breaking out or going through a bad bout of dry or oily or otherwise sensitive skin, I go back to the basics I know and love — the things that I know will clear up said situation (for breakouts, it involves a combination of a benzoyl peroxide product with one containing salicylic acid, coupled with doing the other things I know I should be doing anyway, like drinking enough water, getting to bed at a decent hour and eating my dark leafy greens).
If I’m not breaking out, then yeah, I’ll try new things, especially face masks!
GURL, don’t even get me started on the masks, because we’ll be here for days.
Unless you want me to get started on the masks. 🙂 Because then I will. Because I just tried a new one by Clinique called the Even Better Brightening Moisture Mask ($36), and I like it very much.
Masks, why do I love thee so much? Is it because of the instant gratification?
Yes, I think it is. That, and the whole spa angle. A good masks taps into that part of my brain that makes me feel like I’m treating myself to a spa.
I have a section of shelf dedicated to them, and I wear them so often that El Hub doesn’t even comment anymore when I walk into the room wearing a thick layer of goo all over my face, haha! He’ll be like, “Hi, babe. Do you want to rent a movie tonight?”
Tell me, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the skin-care equivalent of Indiana Jones, what’s your skin care adventure quotient? How adventurous are you when it comes to skin care?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Happy hump day, my friend! 🙂
Kiss & Make-up says
Probably 0 at the moment. I used to try everything and didn’t even look at the ingredient list. Now I am much more careful. I always do my research before I buy/apply.
jaclyn says
I wear sunscreen everyday and take my makeup off at night but that’s it! I don’t even know where to start with the whole skin care thing. A “skin care guide for dummies” post would really help me out! Hint hint. 😉
Agata says
I am quite adventurous or I was, I should say. After La Roche Effaclar trio messed up my skin I am super careful and sticking to a very simple routine. But I always like trying new things in general.
That Clinique mask sounds good!
Kwmechelle says
Totally a ten. Mind you, my skin is pretty clear & I don’t battle breakouts that often. When I do, I use the tried & true old faithful (Aztec Indian Clay Mask). That stuff is the Jump. Off. I mix mine with apple cider vinegar & I love the results + the instant gratification. African Black Soap (either by Shea Moisture or the ones you get from the Asian beauty supply store) is another staple. Lastly, I use Dickinson’s witch hazel. These three cheap products keep my skin at its best. Still on the hunt for the perfect exfolliator. Currently testing out one by Giovanni but the results are making me do back flips. The hunt continues….
Kwmechelle says
*aren’t* making me do back flips
Bella says
I’m a 1. My skin freaks out at everything and anything, so when I find a regime that works I stick to it for YEARS…basically until my skins needs change and I need something else. I just recently went through a terrifying change from Everything La mer to Everything Sisley/Sisleya ;).
Lulle says
Ready to try new things but not really adventurous. I always do my research before I try something new, and I don’t try something just because it’s getting a lot of buzz (like Egyptian Magic or Bio Oil – no way).
Remi says
If there were negative numbers on the poll, I would have used those. My skin is so dry and sensitive that if you LOOK at it wrong I will break out and flake up.
Allison C says
11! I’ll try anything. I review so much skincare it’s a joke. But I’ve found some really great products out there so it’s worth experimenting 🙂
Anastassia says
Very adventurous! 10 definitely.
Kim says
Wow – quite a few of us “7”ers. I’m almost always up for trying a new eye cream but I’m a bit more cautious about masks, scrubs and exfoliators. I feel like I break out pretty easily so I won’t usually try something new unless I know I have nowhere even remotely important to be over the next few days. 🙂 Also, I wouldn’t rate myself higher because I tend to shy away from anything that’s not designed to deep clean/minimize pores. That is an even bigger concern for me than anti-aging.
Rachel says
I will try new things but I usually look up reviews online first, I love the Internet! If I can get a good deal on beauty stuff at Tjmaxx, I’ll get it there, and lately I’ve gotten into the more natural/organic beauty brands with fewer ingredients. I also love masks and my generic clairsonic from oil of Olay!
Lisa says
10! there’s pretty much nothing i won’t try. i do have to confess that i base most of my routine on proven ingredients (like, scientific research backed), but there’s always room for the latest snail cream from South Korea, toner that’s banned in the EU, sunscreens i buy from Japan, sheet mask with bee venom, you name it…
and yes, i have pretty tolerant skin – but i also break out sometimes from my experiments. that part sucks, but i’m still not stopping 🙂
Lily S. says
I haven’t changed my routine in 25yrs… when you get in your 50’s you won’t even have acne to worry about because menopause stops it!
Catherine says
I’ve had acne in the past and now that my skin is clear again I’m not willing to risk trying new things – I stick to the tried and tested routine I developed over the last couple of years.
Shannon says
Since I found something that works so well (oil cleansing, and using that same oil to moisturize) and has been treating me pretty well for.. gosh, about 4 years now, and is so outside the current range of thinking, I don’t find myself drawn to new skincare products or trends very often. Every once in a while I’ll think “ooh, I want to try that!” but usually only because it’s pretty or fancy or smells nice – not because it solves a problem I’m having with my skin 🙂 haha! the biggest changes I’ll make is switching from jojoba oil, to avocado oil, to coconut oil…
It’s kind of nice to have a “section” of beauty schtuff that doesn’t drain my wallet, since I adore high-(ish)end makeup and hair products. But it still pulls at me every once in a while! However, I have noticed that oils are making their way into the public eye… so I might actually have some products to check out over the next couple years 😉
Allison says
I would have probably said about a 1 before but I’m slowly climbing the ladder! LOL. Just noticing a few things about my skin at 31 that I hadn’t before (some fine lines, a few areas of pigmentation). Granted the past year’s stress has also put some age on my skin. Thus my new found interest in skin care.
I’m on a bit of a Korean skincare thing right now… They have like a 10 step skincare process that is kinda nuts, but I do some of the steps every night and find it very relaxing and pampering. Have any of you tried Laneige? They are a company under Amore Pacific, and I have to say I’m slightly addicted. Even better the products are now at Target! They have this great starter set that has most of the line in it for about $30… Really moisturizing, comforting to the skin, and smells great! Oh yeah, I would say I have fairly sensitive skin and occasionally breakouts, and this has been helping with both.
Metta says
I love my skincare sessions almost as much as my makeup app. sessions. You can catch me in a Glamglow mask every other day(BTW their new face washes are amazing!) and every now and then I’ll do a origins charcoal mask, throw in a little Ole Henriksen serum and can’t forget about my Skyn eye gels( for my sleepless nights) and some Neutrogena hydro boost moisturizer or Ole Henriksen. But I’m with you on the breakouts every now and then, I’m finally learning all pimples can’t be treated the same some need benzoyl peroxide or salycic acid and others need Sulphur. So I switch between clean and clear and Mario badescu spot treatment. If you have better recs please share!
LindaLibraLoca says
I went for 8, because I love slathering everything on my face BUT always check the ingredient list first. i know by now what gives me breakouts, so I´ll try and avoid that.
Fancie says
I’m like a 7. I love trying new products but I have sensitive skin so I have to be careful what I try. If I like what I try I’ll more than likely use it up but afterwards I’m on the next lol
Erin says
I’ll try a lot but I know my limits. Snail goo, no. Nightengale poop, no. Fish pedicures, no. Horse “essence” F*CK no. I’m looking at you Asia 🙂
That being said, I’ve used stem cell stuff, I’d do a vampire facial if I had the money, and I’m fine new ingredients that aren’t animal or human derived. I know a lot about skincare, I will even read medical dermatology journals. Skin is my obsession!
Stacey says
I’d say I’m about an 8. I’m definitely up for trying new products as long as my skin is behaving. When I have acne pop up I stick to the classic solutions such as a good clay mask and some benzoyl peroxide acne cream. That usually does the trick although it does temporarily turn my skin from combo to dry. However that just gives me an excuse to try different products that I normally would pass over.
Carla N. says
I guess I’m about a six – not adventurous, but not fossilized, either.
I’m 51, and still have extremely oily skin that is on the sensitive side and breaks out occasionally.
I keep my routine fairly simple: I use an alcohol-free toner two to three times a day, a gentle cleanser morning and evening, a clarifying serum twice a day, a moisturizer and a BHA serum at night.
Once a week, I use an exfoliating gel.
I’m picky about what I’ll use; it has to be non-irritating and non-oily,and it *has* to be cruelty-free.
Fortunately, the strong “organic” trend has made it fairly easy for me to find suitable products, and as long as what I’m using is working for me, I’m quite loyal to my favorite brands, like Andalou Naturals, Aubrey Organics, Earth Science, and Shikai.
Ruta says
I WISH I could be adventurous and all but I have THE FEAR of facial products. The though of trying a radical new moisturizer (i.e. not clinique) practically makes me break out in hives. A body shop vitamin E moisturizer triggered 2 month break out is to blame but I nearly make the sign of the cross anytime a store attendant goes ‘can I try this foundation/bb cream/treatment/moisturizer on your face?’
That said, if i didn’t make the leap of faith that one time I’d have never discovered UD’s beauty balm so I guess brave moments pay off 😀
Chelsea says
I LOVE trying new skincare products and always want to try new things. However, my skin hates a lot if things, and is very easily irritated or broken out, so I’m non-adventurous by necessity.
Iris says
I voted a 5. I like to try new product lines but stay within a “zone” with skincare techniques. I’ve never tried a peel and tend to be reluctant to try products with new to me ingredients (like AHA or lactic acid).
Paris B says
I used to be a 10 – Indiana Jones territory until I was flattened by that rolling stone from Temple of Doom (can you tell I’m a fan? LOL!) These days I’m somewhere between a 7-8. Adventurous enough, but sticking to safe and established brands. No more heading to uncharted territory. My skin is too precious!
Karen says
Hi, Paris! Me too. I LOVE the Indiana Jones movies. I’m also really looking forward to seeing Harrison Ford again in another Star Wars.
I hope you’re doing well and having a great week so far.
Megan says
I WANT to be adventurous with skin care, but my skin is .. sensitive isn’t strong enough of a word. Two hours of the wrong product can cause eczema flare up/rash/cystic acne .. all which are time consuming and sometimes painful to clear up. Unfortunately I play it safe but gave myself a three because I do try things now and again after HOURS and HOURS of research and reading ingredients.
EM says
I love tinkering with skincare in theory, but the reality is, my skin looks so good now I really don’t see the point. But I just can’t stop LOOKING…..
EM says
Plus, you know what REALLY kicked my skin into high gear? Fish oil tablets and berry smoothies. Who woulda thunk.