How Much Product To Use & When To Use It: Stop Wasting Money!

One of the most commonly practiced skin care mistakes is using too much product. I’ve had many clients and customers come to me to discuss their skin care routine, and a common theme is going through a lot of product because they aren’t using the correct amounts. It is important to note that when it comes to your skin care products, sometimes less is more. In fact, over-use can actually reduce the effectiveness of a product, or even worse be harmful to healthy balanced skin, counter acting what your are trying to accomplish.

For instance: over-cleansing can strip your skin of natural oils, or over moisturizing can clog your pores. I think it’s very important to understand how certain products work best, in an effort to get beautiful results without going to excess. This is especially beneficial if you are like me, and enjoy using high-quality spa and medical grade natural skin care products. These products are of higher concentration than drugstore or department store brands, so you don’t need to apply a lot.

Scrubs & Exfoliants – These are probably the most commonly over-used products. People often think they can scrub away blemishes, scars, or wrinkles, but this is simply not true. The purpose of a scrub or exfoliant is to remove the layer of dead skin cells and help aid in the cellular-turnover process by promoting circulation in the face and body.

A side benefit to exfoliation is that it stimulates collagen production too, hence why your skin looks so plump after microdermabrasion.

How to use: Apply a dime size amount of your scrub or exfoliant during your second cleansing or after your second cleansing of your skin 2-3 times a week in the pm. Use circular motions for about a minute or two and do not press hard. If you are using a Clarisonic system or Foreo, I suggest using a scrub or exfoliant 2 times a week. You can also activate your scrub with a few drops of water using your fingertips; esthetician trick is using the middle and ring finger of both hands, gently apply it to your face in circular motions.
When to use: The evening is the best time to exfoliate your skin, because your skin goes into recovery mode while you are sleeping, which aids in the exfoliating process.
How long should this product last: Epicuren’s Fine Herbal Facial Scrub 2.5oz and other spa and medical grade skincare scrubs like this size will last you at least two months when used properly.

Read more about the benefits of exfoliating HERE.

Serums – With serums, a little goes a long away. A serum is supposed to provide a light layer on your skin before it absorbs into your skin, which is where it’s effectiveness comes in.

How to use: Serums work best when applied to freshly cleansed skin. Allow your serum about 15 seconds to absorb into your skin before applying your moisturizer. Typically all serums are highly concentrated and only require 1-2 pumps for your whole face.
When to use: The best time to apply a serum is after cleansing and before your moisturizer. A good rule of thumb is to apply your products thinnest to thickest to have them work effectively.
How long should this product last: Rhonda Allison’s Hyaluronic Serum 1oz. and other comparable spa and medical grade serum products should last one month if used twice a day or one two months if used once a day When used properly.

Moisturizers – The more moisturizer you apply the more moisturized your skin will be, right?! Unfortunately this is not true; it’s more about the ingredients in the formulation that are effectively moisturizing your skin.

How to use: use a nickel size for the face, or quarter size for your face, neck and decollete. I recommend using a variety of different ingredients for your skin. A serum with hyaluronic acid and moisturizer with Vitamin C and emollients for all skin types is a great way to keep your skin hydrated and combat free radicals which cause aging.
When to use: Using a moisturizer day and night is crucial to healthy skin. In general a lighter moisturizer is ideal for AM use and a slightly heavier moisturizer with anti-aging or repairing ingredients for PM use.
How long should this product last: 2.5oz used twice a week will last roughly 2 months. Remember purchasing a larger size will save you money in the long run. The smaller sizes are best for travel, occasional usage in your skin regime or if you are trying a new product.

I am often asked: what is the best product for my skin?

I encourage my clients to think of skincare like food. There are a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, minerals and so forth we need to maintain a healthy internal body. The same goes for your external skincare. Antioxidants, Vitamins, peptides, stem cells, essential oils, hylaronic acid, and the list goes on. Each ingredient brings something unique to the table. Using a variety of ingredients appropriately for your skin will maintain health and balance in your skin.

Remember, with quality skin care products a little goes a long away. Yes, they may be a little more costly, but it’s well worth the price to see effective results that are noticeable on your skin.

Using more doesn’t mean you’ll notice results faster or increase the functions of the ingredients – often it’s the opposite and over-use will cause more damage to your skin.
Regardless of the product, reading the ingredients and following the recommend directions is crucial. Always ask a licensed esthetician who has been trained on the specific product line you have questions on! If you notice any irritation on your skin stop using the product immediately.
When applying your skin care products, start with the thinnest consistency and work your away to the thickest one, allowing time for each product to absorb into the skin.