Maximizing Your Skincare: How to Get the Most Out of Your Products
One of the first things I tell my guests at The Lantern Skin Studio is that when it comes to skincare, less is more. High-quality professional productsâlike those found in esthetician studios, spas, and dermatology officesâare packed with potent, active ingredients. Unlike drugstore brands that often contain more fillers than actives, professional products are designed to be effective in smaller amounts.
So, if you're going through your skincare products too quickly, you may be using too much! Letâs go over exactly how much you really need for each step of your routine to get the best results without wasting a drop.
Cleansers:
A foaming cleanser should require no more than a pea-sized amount. The trick is to lather it up in wet hands before applying to your skin. If youâre wearing a lot of makeup, cleanse twiceâonce to remove makeup and again to cleanse your skin. For cream or lotion-based cleansers, aim for a dime-sized amount.
Toners:
If youâre using a spray toner, one to two spritzes should be plentyâjust enough for a light mist, not dripping skin. If youâre applying toner with a cotton pad, lightly dampen the pad instead of soaking it. If you can squeeze toner out of a cotton pad when you're finished using it, you're tossing away product. Skip cotton balls altogether. Those things can eat an entire bottle of toner!
Serums:
Serums are one of the most overused products in skincare. These formulas are highly concentrated, meaning you only need a few dropsâtypically 3-4 drops or a pea-sized amount if itâs a thicker consistency. Apply with your fingertips, not your whole hand, to prevent product from absorbing into your palms instead of your face. There are times when a specific amount is needed in order to be the proper strength for bringing about change in the skin. In those cases, use as directed, but in general, it takes very little of a given serum.
Moisturizers:
Many people slather on moisturizer when, in reality, most only need a thin layer. A pea- to dime-sized amount is usually enough. The key is choosing the right moisturizer for your skin type rather than piling on more product. Apply with your fingertips and dot it over your forehead, cheeks, nose, chin, jawline, and neckâthen blend from there. You should be slicking moisturizer over, not working hard to rub it in. If you have to work and work to "rub it in", you've used too much. Moisturizer is designed, and intended, to sit on the skin's surface as a protective shield.
Eye Creams:
If your eye cream takes a lot of effort to work into the skin, youâre using too much. A grain-of-rice-sized amount is enough for both eyes. Apply with your ring finger and gently pat it inâno tugging or rubbing.
Exfoliants:
For scrubs, a nickel-sized amount is plenty. Over-scrubbing can irritate the skin, so be gentle and use exfoliants sparingly. For chemical or enzymatic exfoliants (like peels or resurfacing masks), a thin, even layer is all you needâapplying more wonât make them work faster or better.
Masks:
Weâve all seen those spa-day selfies with thick, opaque masks slathered onâbut thatâs just wasting product. Unless itâs a rubberizing mask that peels off in one piece, most masks should be applied in a thin, even layer. You should still be able to see your skin slightly through the mask. Whatever isn't touching the skin is wasted product.
The Bottom Line:
Following these simple guidelines ensures you're getting the full benefit of your skincare without unnecessary waste. Using the right amount means your products last longer, making it easier to invest in high-quality formulations that actually work instead of constantly replacing drugstore products that donât pack the same punch.
So remember: less is more. Use the right amounts, apply with your fingertips, and stretch your skincare dollars further without sacrificing results!
You are a very smart person!