How Much Product is Too Much? Your Skincare Usage Guide

We like to think of our skincare routines as self care: 5-10 minutes when nothing matters other than massaging our faces and wiping the day away (or, you know, getting the day started). But as therapeutic as our skincare regimens may be, there’s also a science to the process. If you’re not using the right amount of each product, you may not get the results you want. Because not all skincare is created equal and each product requires a different method, we decided to break it all down, step by step, and share just how much to use. Read on to get your skincare routine in tip-top shape for #selfcaresunday … or just tomorrow morning (whichever comes first!).

How Much Cleanser to Use

As the first step in your routine, cleansing is very important to master. You need just enough to create a clean canvas, without stripping your skin of natural oils. For gel or water-based cleansers, a raspberry-sized amount should do the trick. But if you’re double cleansing with an oil-based formula, like OIL OBSESSED Total Cleansing Oil, you’ll need about two pumps. If your cleanser is made with powerful, skin-loving ingredients, like our PURE PLUSH Gentle Deep Cleansing Foam, you shouldn’t need anything more to get a good lather and have the ingredients do their thing. 

How Much Face Mask to Apply

Contrary to the typical image of masking you might think of, caking on a face mask won’t make the product more any more effective. All you really need is a cherry-sized amount spread evenly in a light layer. “I would recommend using a mask brush so you don’t use too much,” says Lee Etheridge, our Executive Director of Global Education and Consumer Experience. “The key here is that less is more.” And for those who enjoy multi-masking with our CLAYMATES Mask Duos, the same rule applies: a half a cherry for your cheeks and a half for your T-zone (or however you’re choosing to divide up your masks).

How Much Exfoliator to Use

With exfoliators, there’s always a chance that too much product could do more harm than good. If you’re using a physical exfoliant, like sugar or clay, Lee advises using the same amount as your cleanser: a raspberry-sized dollop. But if you’re all about the chemical exfoliants, like AHAs or BHAs, use a cotton pad to gently wipe one thin layer across the skin. “You don’t want to overdry your skin by over-exfoliating,” adds Blass Laner, Learning Design Manager, Global Education at bareMinerals. So resist the urge to rub or wipe more than once.

How Much Serum to Apply

Because serum formulas can differ depending on the skin concern you’re addressing, closely follow the instructions written on the bottle. But when in doubt, go for about 2-3 pomegranate seeds of product. If you’re using a good-for-skin formulation, like our best-selling SKINLONGEVITY Vital Power Infusion, using more won’t do anything to help or hurt its effects — but it is wasteful. The best way to get the most out of your serum? “Cleanse properly,” Lee recommends. “Then the skin pH is balanced so your serum and moisturizer will work best on the skin.”

How Much Eye Cream to Apply

As the most sensitive part of the face, the eye area should be treated with extremely gentle care — and that includes minimal product. Just a single pomegranate seed-sized scoop of eye cream will do all the work. Divide the small portion between both eyes, and use your ring finger to tap the product around your orbital bone, avoiding the tear duct. To simplify your routine, Lee suggest gel formulas, like our SKINLONGEVITY Vital Power Eye Gel Cream, for both morning and night.

How Much Moisturizer to Apply

For hydration that truly lasts all day or night, you’ll need a decent helping of moisturizer — a raspberry-sized dollop is ideal. Simply dot it on the face, gently massage to distribute, and spread the excess down your neck. Keep in mind: if you’re using a moisturizer with mineral SPF, like our SKINLONGEVITY Vital Power Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, you’ll want to take your time massaging it in so you don’t get a white cast.

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