Is too much Skincare a Problem?

Is there such a thing as too much skincare? What happens if you over use product? Can this be harmful to your skin? With the draw of Korean skincare systems being used today with multiple steps of this, that, and the other. It seems that some people may be using too much product in their current skincare routine. So, if we are using too much product, how much is too much, and is it bad for the skin?

There are some sources that say you can’t use too much skincare where others say you can use too much and using more does not always equal better. Some even say “But apparently, there are pitfalls in using both too much and too little of your favorite products” Zoe Weiner says. “Underusing products will give you a less than ideal result in terms of desired effect,” says Connecticut-based dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. “Overusing can create irritation and redness, and it in some cases can cause a filmy or oily residue on your face.”

So according to Zoe Weiner she has a list of recommended use for products that we use on our faces daily. Now, you also have to take into consideration we all have different skin, different face shapes, different face sizes. So, some of these amounts may vary, but just slightly.

How much of each skin-care product should you use?

Cleanser: Pour a nickel-sized amount into your palm and massage into your skin.
Serum: Because serums are so emollient, all you need is a pea-sized amount
Moisturizer: For lotions and creams, you’ll need nickel-sized amount for only your face, but should up it to a quarter if you’re going to be including your neck (which, FWIW, you should be!).
Mask: Depending on the type of mask, use anywhere from a dime- to a quarter-sized dollop—or rather, an amount that will allow you to cover your face.
Physical exfoliator: All you need is dime or nickel-sized amount.
Eye Cream: Use a dab the size of a pea, split between both eyes.

Now; if we want to get into some specifics, you can actually over use eye creams, and the overuse of such products can cause harm later on down the line to the under eye region such as bags, swelling, buildup of product and so much more. Loreal Paris wrote an article talking about eye creams specifically. You would think that since the eye area is just a small area on our face you would not need a lot, which that is true. But, is using too much eye cream harmful? Does it work better if we use too much or just the right amount? But, also can we apply it at a specific time during our routine that deems our eye cream ineffective or not as useful? ‘One easy rule of thumb to keep in mind is that usually, you should apply products based on thickness. If your eye cream is richer and heavier than your moisturizer, it should go on top. If it’s lighter than your serum, make sure it goes under your moisturizer.” Says Loreal Paris USA. They also recommend applying your eye cream via the instructions on the packaging, and onto damp or wet skin.

The other things we may not think about is if you cleanse your face twice daily do you also apply your other steps twice daily? Sources have claimed that if you wash your face twice a day you should be applying your other products, like eye creams, twice a day too. Also, once you have completed your skincare, if you wear makeup, you should let your skin rest in between your skincare process and makeup application. This will allow your skincare to absorb in and your skin to settle before you start your next steps.

It seems like there are a lot of rules when it comes to skincare, but knowing what to use when can be such a big help, as well as how much of what to use on your face. Going overboard with anything really isn’t a good thing. Think of it this way, you make a cake, it smells delicious, you don’t sit down and eat the entire cake in one sitting, you have just a slice. Think like this when it comes to skincare. Sometimes the experience is just so wonderful you want to make it last longer by either using more of a product, or working that product in too long. Some products should only stay on your skin their recommended amount of time. The reason for this is, some products can actually lose potency on the skin after a certain time period, for example a mask, or applying too much of another product it could spread further than you intended.

Another point that Loreal Paris made was to not apply eye cream too close us to your eye. There are several factors that work out here and mostly its because you can get eye cream in your eye, and for people who wear contacts I am sure you know what it is like when that happens. You end up with blurry eyes for a bit, have to wash your contacts out, and it’s your skin that needs the cream, not your actual eyes.

References:

This is *exactly* the right amount of each of your skin-care products to use, By Zoe Weiner December11, 2018 ,https://www.wellandgood.com/good-looks/right-amount-every-skincare-product-to-use/. Pulled a graphic from here too.

https://www.lorealparisusa.com/beauty-magazine/skin-care/skin-care-concerns/avoid-these-common-eye-cream-mistakes.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1mj-qmXJxteYtJMZojlnUFJx4Z1w4wH7ZsP2-O4wIYb4D5bYxhPlDQEQk

Lacey Gattis https://intothegloss.com/2014/04/how-to-apply-eye-cream/?fbclid=IwAR0i5P5gij1tG0-BGhmPSNOhdOILpyDdH_ZTaaeuPk2GDmTNjJBf3zq3H2g