I’m sure you’ve seen makeup or skincare videos where people are applying much more than the required amount of products. You see them dripping serum or oil on their face for 5 seconds long? Or squirting moisturizer out of the tube like an angry child emptying toothpaste? And that’s only two examples. Is it just me that cringes and screams “please stop” in my head with the over-usage of products just because it looks cool for a video? I mean, if that’s their typical routine, then that’s a different story – and I’m still screaming, but to each their own. There’s a correct amount of skincare products to apply and over-usage can just be ineffective and adds to wastage. Which also means you need to spend more money to buy more often for no reason.
So What Is The Correct Amount Of Skincare Products To Use?
First off, I will say that I think it really depends on the product and its thickness, spreadability, and drying time. Always read the instructions on the product or packaging it came in first! But here’s a general guideline you should be following on how much of each skincare product you should be applying to your face. But of course, gauge if you need a little more or a little less product depending on its consistency as well. Some formulations are harder to spread and some are more watery which means you don’t need to use as much product.
Cleanser
A nickel to a quarter size. Sometimes, one pump is enough, especially for foaming cleansers. Cleansing is the foundation of a good skincare routine. This allows you to remove dirt and impurities from the environment, makeup, dead skin cells, and more. It also helps you have a clean surface to work with to better absorb your other skincare products.
Exfoliator/Scrub
Dime size or a raspberry. You don’t want to over exfoliate especially if it’s a physical scrub as you can break the skin with too much abrasion or cause irritation.
Toner
5-6 drops (enough to soak a cotton pad) or a couple spritzes if it’s a spray. Toners help balance the pH of your skin after cleansing as well as give a little hydration back to your ski. It also further removes any leftover makeup or impurities.
Serum
2-3 drops or a pea-sized amount. Serums have a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to your face cream so it’s important not to overuse as they can be very potent. Serums are used to target specific skin concerns and penetrate deeper than a moisturizer.
Eye Cream
A pea size amount for both eyes. Too much eye cream can cause eye irritation and little bumps under the eye from excess oil. This has happened to me when the eye cream was too heavy for my skin.
Moisturizer
A raspberry or almond size amount. I like rubbing my moisturizer and warming it up with my hands before applying it to my face, but you can also apply it as dots on the face before smoothing it out. If your skin still feels a little dry or tight after applying your moisturizer, you may need a thicker formulation for dry or dehydrated skin. If it feels like you still have a layer on your skin and looks shiny and oily and it isn’t absorbing well, it might be too heavy for you. In that case, you may need to look for a lighter or oil-free formulation.
Face Oil
3-4 drops. Some oils are thicker than others and you don’t want to use too much as that can cause breakouts due to clogged pores. You can also mix it with your moisturizer and slightly lessen the amount needed if you have oilier skin. Those with combination/oily skin may be scared to use face oils at first – I was! – but it actually helps lessen the amount of oil your face produces as it’s already being “fed” and even helps reduce the amount of acne and blemishes. Your skin won’t overcompensate by producing more oil.
Sunscreen/SPF
A grape size amount. You want to be able to protect your entire face, your ears and neck.
What Will Over-Usage Of Skincare Products Do?
Too much of anything may seem satisfying at first, but it’s not always good. There’s a reason why there’s a guideline to the correct amount of skincare products to apply. It depends on what skincare product you’re using, but over-usage can cause irritation, break outs, clogged pores or even counteract the benefits of using the product. Especially ones with active ingredients, such as salicylic acid for example. When you use too much, it can cause redness and even peel your skin. Everyone can react differently to a skincare product, so if you don’t know your skin well enough, always do a patch test or build up to the amount you feel safe to use.
Overuse of cleansers and exfoliators/scrubs can strip the skin and cause irritation including redness and stinging. Overuse of skincare products such as serums, eye creams, moisturizers and face oils can clog your pores and cause breakouts. Do your best to not overuse your skincare products as that can cause another skincare problem that you’re going to have to fix! I know I’ve been guilty of that and I’ve learned my lessons!
How Do You Know If You’re Using Too Much Product?
See how your skin is reacting! (Refer to the eye cream section above for one example). I’ve also had instances with certain face creams where it was just so heavy that my face was shiny for hours and it just sat on top of my face in an oily layer. When this happens, I sometimes prefer to redo parts of my skincare routine since it is a little difficult to just remove moisturizer on its own and I want to make sure I don’t wake up with unwanted pimples. You can also blot it out with blotting papers (you can see which ones I use in my What’s In My Everyday Makeup Bag post). And you’ll have better peace of mind that you won’t wake up with acne bumps all over your face and that your makeup will apply smoothly and not “melt” during the day.
How Do You Know If You’re Using Too Little Product?
Your skin will not feel clean and your pores will still be clogged. You also won’t be seeing the results you expect. If you use too little, you probably won’t even be able to spread it across all the areas you need. But, less is more, so start off with less as it’s better to under apply than over apply. At least if it’s not enough you can add more, and slowly build up your tolerance and see how much your skin really needs.
Sometimes, determining the right amount of skincare products to use depends on trial and error with the product and its formulation. As you try different products and see what’s best for your skincare needs, you will get the hang of knowing the right amount to use. I admit it is tempting to overuse skincare products as you might think it will be more effective, but try to refrain from doing so as it may be counterproductive! Use the above guidelines for the correct amount of skincare products to use to help you get started!
You can read about my own skincare journey to see how I started as well as my trial and errors along the way! Here is also How Long It Takes It Takes For Skincare Products To Show Results.