Skincare 101: How Much Product Should You Use?

After every scoop of cleansing balm and squeeze of moisturiser, it can feel like your favourite products are disappearing faster than those chocolates you stashed in the cupboard, so we want to help clear things up with a foolproof guide.

Cleanser
Your cleanser does an important job - it sloughs away dirt, impurities and can even remove your makeup. So, of course, you need to be using enough for it to do its job properly. But using too much can dry out your skin as too many natural oils are stripped away. Whether you prefer a gel, cream or balm - you ideally need to use a dollop the size of a 50p piece for each cleanse (we recommend double cleansing - more on that here).

Serum
Great for targeted skincare, the goal of a serum can vary (anti-ageing, moisture-boosting or even skin-repairing) but the amount you use doesn’t. The powerful formulas mean that a 5p-sized blob should be plenty. Too much can actually do the opposite of what you want and irritate your skin!

SPF
Applying an ample amount of SPF is important as harmful rays can lead to sun damage and premature ageing. Most people tend to use too little as a way to avoid the dreaded sticky feeling (although if you’re using the right SPF, this shouldn’t happen! We help you pick the right SPF here. But if you’re doing things properly, you want to squeeze out the size of a £2 coin to give your face and neck enough coverage.

Eye cream
A little goes a looooong way when it comes to eye cream. Formulas tend to be highly concentrated, meaning you’ll see great results even if you only use a teeny tiny bit. We recommend you stick to a pea-size spread between both eyes to make sure you’re not irritating the sensitive area.

Moisturiser
Between the upcoming icy temperatures and stuffy offices, most of us could do with a hydration hit. Moisturisers can transform stubbornly dry skin, but too much can also clog your pores and leave your skin with a greasy film. The best way to avoid that? Scoop out a £1 coin-sized amount, and make sure you’re massaging all the way down your neck. If you’ve got a little extra time, you can always work it in with a jade roller (we explain how here).

Now you know how much to use, why not discover the right order to apply your skincare?