Am I Using Too Much or Too Little? How to Know You're Applying Skincare Right

So if you've ever wondered whether you're doing it right, you're not alone. In fact, you're in very good company.

The good news? It's much simpler than you think. And once you know these basics, you'll feel the difference in how your skin looks, how your products perform, and how much you actually enjoy your routine.

How much product should you actually use?

This is probably the most common question, and the answer is almost always: less than you think.

Here's a simple guide:

Moisturiser  About the size of a pea, maybe two peas for larger faces or for applying down your neck. That's it. 

Serum  4 or 5 drops, or roughly the size of a five pence coin. Serums are concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Cleanser  A small squeeze or pump, around the size of a hazelnut. You don't need a big lather to get your skin clean.

SPF  This is the one exception. SPF needs a generous application to actually protect you, about half a teaspoon for your face, or two finger lengths of product.

Using too much product can sometimes clog pores, cause congestion, or make your makeup sit unevenly. Using too little means you're not getting the benefit you paid for. It really is about finding that middle ground for you. 

Here's something to remember though, If you like the feeling of being a little more generous with your skincare (🤚 Guilty)  and you aren't experiencing any problems like breakouts, or it pilling (rolling up into little balls on the skin) then keep doing it. These are just guides, not rules. The most important thing is that your routine performs and feels good for YOU. 

Should you let each product absorb before applying the next?

Yes, but not for as long as you might think.

You don't need to stand at the bathroom sink for 20 minutes waiting between each step. A general rule: let each product feel dry to the touch before moving on. For most people, that's around 30 seconds to a minute.

Why does this even matter? When products are applied on top of each other too quickly, they can pill (that's when they ball up on your skin), and the active ingredients don't get a proper chance to absorb. A little patience between steps makes a real difference to how everything performs.

If you're in a rush, the most important pause is after your serum and before your moisturiser. Give that one a full minute if you can.

Are you being too rough with your skin?

Honestly, I am guilty of this one myself, especially when I am in a rush. Skincare isn't like scrubbing a pan, your skin doesn't need friction to absorb a product. In fact, tugging and rubbing can irritate skin, break down collagen over time, and actually work against the results you're after.

Instead, try this:

1.     Dot your moisturiser or serum across your face first, forehead, both cheeks, nose, chin.

2.     Then use your fingertips to press and smooth the product in, gentle upward and outward movements.

3.     Around the eye area especially, use your ring finger and pat very lightly. No pulling.

Think of it less like rubbing in a hand cream, and more like pressing a warm cloth gently to your face. Slow, soft, and intentional.

A simple order to follow

If you're unsure about layering, here's a straightforward rule: go from thinnest to thickest. Products with a watery or light texture go on first; richer, thicker products go on last.

So a basic routine would look like this:

cleanser first, watery texture exfoliators next, then any light serums, then moisturiser, then SPF in the morning.

That's the full thing. You don't need more than that to have a proper, effective skincare routine.

You've probably been doing better than you think

Small adjustments like using a little less product, pausing between steps is all you need. 

Skincare doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler and more consistent your routine, the better your results tend to be. Trust the basics, be gentle with your skin.

If you're looking for a straightforward place to start, our Hydra-Smooth Moisturiser and Hydra-Firm Serum were both designed with exactly this in mind, effective, simple, and kind to sensitive skin. 

Much Love