How much to use
How much product should I use?
Please remember that cosmeceutical skincare products are different from high street skincare as they contain potent ingredients, so you do not need to use as much of the product.
When it comes to how much product you should be applying size does matter for example too much of one product could cause breakouts or blocked pores and of course wasting products by overusing means you are going through tubes and bottles much quicker than you should be. This is not good for your bank balance or the environment.
Also remember that applying more product does not mean it will work better or that results will be achieved quicker.
Then there is the problem of using too little of a product so your skin will not benefit fully from any active ingredients or worse than that, will under protect you from external aggravators like UV rays and pollution which may end up causing long term damage.
We often see words like apply a drop or a dollop but what does that mean?
Here is a better guide and explanation.
We need to just quickly cover application technique – to dot, to dab, to rub or to pat?
Serums, creams. Lotions and gels tend to absorb better using a patting technique, so that is the answer to most of the products in your skincare regime – especially your Lip & Eye renewal creams as these are particularly sensitive areas. Pat & smooth.
The ‘pat’ technique is gentle because it is not pulling on the skin or causing friction, and it aids blood circulation, and offers even distribution – start from the inner areas of the face (especially the delicate eye area) and move outwards.
Save your Rubbing for cleansers; this helps to achieve a foaming action and get into all the nooks and crannies.
CLEANSER
With your cleanser of choice put a small amount the size of a hazelnut or no smaller than 5 pence piece no bigger than a 1 pence piece. Add water, Rub both hands together and rub onto your face in small circular motions, remember to get into all the nooks and crannies and spend 1-2 minutes doing so, the massaging action will help your skin and it allows the ‘actives’ in the product to start working.
Whether you choose a gel or a cream cleanser the size of a hazelnut amount is all you need. A 200ml bottle should last between 4-5 months uses twice daily, our Skin Geek Salicylic cleansing wash is 200ml. The CLINICCARE concentrated cleansing foam at 100ml has at least a minimum of 150 uses in it.
Double cleanse in the evening as one cleanse rarely removes the pollution, sweat, dirt or makeup from the day. In our house we use coconut oil as our first oily cleanse of the evening to remove the surface grime of the day and then the teenagers use Skin Geek Salicylic Cleansing Wash & Himself and I use CLINICARE concentrated cleansing foam – ensuring the active cleansers in your second cleanse are applied and massaged into all the nooks and crannies for 1-2 minutes before removing with warm water, ideally using the skin geek cleansing mitts which we are absolutely loving at Ohh!
LIP & EYE RENEWAL CREAM
Size of a grain of rice for each eye & again a grain of rice for around the lips– do not scrimp but do not overuse, gently apply with ring finger in a patting application then smoothing motion under the eye area along the bone & then the brow bone, avoiding eyelids. Your 30ml CLINICARE Lip & Eye renewal using twice daily applied to Lip & Eyes should last approx. 3 months with correct use.
MOISTURISER
Size of a 5 pence piece for a full face & neck application. A 5O ml jar or tube should last you 3-4 months – if your skin is feeling dry after using the correct amount then we need to look at boosting your Hyaluronic acid perhaps with a different formula of moisturiser or apply a serum, your CLINICARE 100ml Liquid Moisturises have at least a minimum of 150 uses in each 100ml.
SERUM/ESSENCE
Only 3 – 4 drops. With oily based serums you need less than water-based ones, A 30 ml bottle should last around 3 months using once per day. The CLINICCARE serums and essence are all 50 ml, a wee pump onto back of hand is sufficient. Apply to the forehead and the cheeks first and using fingertips move to the rest of the face.
SPF
¼ of a teaspoon for just the face or ½ teaspoon for the face & neck.
RETINOL
A pea sized amount is required with Retinol products a 30 ml tube will last around 3-4 months used once per day (either day or night retinol). The CLINICARE retinol day cream is 300ml. Now you understand why we say its long lasting.
Retinol can cause irritation start by building up retinol use slowly to help the skin to adapt. Use a retinol cream every 3rd day for a week, then alternate days for a week, before going for daily use. Retinol may cause increased sun sensitivity so you must wear sunscreen (should always wear sunscreen anyway! Yes even in Scotland & on cloudy days) but it is a must when using any product containing retinol.
FACE MASKS OR PEEL PRODUCTS
Your CLINICCARE Instant painless peel for example.
Size of a 10 pence piece
PLEASE READ
Please remember if starting out in pharmaceutical/cosmeceutical grade skincare, it may need to get worse before it gets better. The skins optimal natural pH is between 4.7 and 5.75. A pH of 7 (that of water) is considered neutral. Anything below that is acidic and above that is alkaline, so skins natural pH is mildly acidic. It is likely that you have been keeping your skin alkaline and therefore have made it unhappy and reactive/sensitive. We need to reset the skin and kick start its metabolism. The skin cycle is approx. 28 days in younger skin and more delayed as we age so let us strip it right back to basics and stick with your new skincare regime. and ensure you Stay Fabulous!
