How many skincare products can you use in your skincare routine before your skin says “enough is enough”? In the old days, it was just cleanse, tone and moisturise. But in the past couple of years, I’ve seen women’s skincare routines get out of control.
Korean skincare encourages you to use 10+ products morning and night. The Ordinary gives you powerful actives at cheap prices – but only one per bottle. If you want to get them all, you’ll end up slathering 30 serums on your skin. Why not? Isn’t more the merrier?
Not always. If you’ve got super dry skin, using 3 or 4 moisturising products may help you heal it faster. But using 3 exfoliants in the same skincare routine like I’ve seen women do more and more often? That’s asking for irritation. But how do you know what the limit is? Here’s how many skincare products it’s safe to use:
How Many Skincare Products Can You Use At A Time?
There isn’t a definite number. That’d be too easy, wouldn’t it? Truth is, it’s not a matter of how many skincare products you can use in your skincare routine. It’s how many layers your skin can tolerate.
To function, feel, and look its best, your skin needs more than just one ingredient. It needs:
- Emollients and humectants, like shea butter and hyaluronic acid, to hydrate it and keep it soft and supple.
- Antioxidants, like vitamins A and C, to prevent and treat premature wrinkles.
- Skin-identical ingredients, like ceramides and cholesterol, to keep its protective barrier intact and prevent dryness.
- Exfoliating acids, like glycolic and salicylic, to remove old dead cells and prevent breakouts.
- Sunscreen agents, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, to protect against UV damage.
- Skin-lighteners, like niacinamide and hydroquinone, to reduce dark spots and discolourations.
- Soothing ingredients, like allantoin and oats, to reduce inflammation.
Just to be clear, YOUR skin DOESN’T need all of them. Sure, everyone can use emollients, antioxidants and UV filters. But skin-lighteners? They’re only for you if you need to fade dark spots.
I can’t stress this enough: it’s NOT about using every IT product of the moment. It’s about figuring out what YOUR skincare woes are and finding products that can fix them.
If you’re dealing with several problems – let’s say wrinkles and acne – look for multitasking products that can deal with both. Sure, you could spend hours debating whether you need The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic 3%, The Ordinary EUK 134.1% or The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% and then decide that – what the heck – you’re gonna get them all. Or just go for a Paula’s Choice antioxidant serum that already has 10+ antioxidants. Your choice.
My point is: listen to your skin, not to marketing hype. Bring in extra products when your skin needs them, not when the same skincare product pops up all over your Instagram feed (if that’s what’s happening, the brand’s paying for those mentions).
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The Dangers Of Using Too Many Products
Having said that, there IS a limit to the amounts of products you can use. But, this limit is not set at a specific number. It’s not like you can use 10 products without problems, but when you add the 11th, all hell breaks loose.
You can use 5 products and have all hell break loose if they all have rich textures. Rich textures are very moisturizing, but, they can also clog pores. If you have sensitive skin, any extra ingredient (let alone product) you add to your routine increases your chances of getting a negative reaction. The simpler your routine is, the better.
“When you’re starting to get dry skin patches, acne breakouts, flaking, dry skin patches on the face, or other irritation, there’s a good chance you’re using too many products,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Anna H. Chacon. I’ve also seen this with clients. Most of the problems they’re experiencing, be they dryness or wrinkles that look 10 times deeper overnight or random breakouts, are caused by them using too many products every day.
How Do You Streamline Your Skincare Routine?
Three well-formulated products can give you better results than a 10 step regime that features every IT ingredient you’re seeing on IG right now. It’s not just my opinion. Literally every dermatologist I’ve talked to over the past 3 decades recommends a 3-step routine.
“Most people’s skin doesn’t need six products in the morning and six in the evening,” Dr Cachon confirms. “Your skin is absorbent, but it has its limits. Using fewer products ensures better absorption and effectiveness of the ingredients you’re putting on your skin.”
Consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite shares the building blocks of any skincare routine can be narrowed down to just three products: cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. Pretty much every dermatologist I’ve spoken to confirms that. And when your skin needs some anti-aging or skin-lightening product, they simply add a Vitamin C serum in the morning and a retinoid or glycolic acid in the evening. Minimal and effective.
When I started my journey in skincare back in my teens, I’d use everything under the sun. Since taking skincare seriously and talking to hundreds of dermatologists, my skincare routine has been streamline. My morning routine is only 3 steps long. I cleanse, apply Vitamin C serum, and follow up with sunscreen. That’s it. At night, it’s a little longer. I cleanse, alternative retinol and glycolic acid, follow it up wit a hyaluronic acid serum and finish it off with moisturiser. My skin has never looked better.
BEST CLEANSERS
- Cerave Hydrating Cleanser ($16.99): One of my fave cleansers for dry and sensitive skin, it’s loaded with ceramides to moisturise skin. Plus, it does a good job at cleansing skin, too. Oh, did I mention the bottom is so huge, it’ll last you forever? Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Look Fantastic, Sephora, Ulta and Walmart
- CeraVe Foaming Cleanser ($14.99): A pH-balanced foaming cleanser for oily skin. It removes excess oil and makeup without disrupting the skin’s protective barrier. Available at Sephora, Ulta and Walmart.
- Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser ($21.00): A fragrance-free, pH-balanced cleanser for oily skin that remove excess oil, dirt, and makeup. Available at Boots, Sephora, Kiehl’s, Nordstrom, SpaceNK and Ulta.
BEST MOISTURISER
- CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion ($15.99): One of my fave moisturisers, it has ceramides and niacinamide to strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and make every skin type soft and smooth without clogging pores. But it’s not anti-aging. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, and Ulta.
- EltaMD PM Therapy Facial Moisturizer ($44.00): A niacinamide-based moisturiser to brighten and hydrate dry skin. It works, but it’s the most basic formula on this list. Available at Dermstore, Look Fantastic, and Skin Store.
- Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Broad Spectrum SPF 45 Hyaluronic Cloud Moisturiser ($52.00): I know this is more expensive, but it’s a wonderful super hydrating formula that has both hyaluronic acid and sunscreen for plumper, younger-looking skin. Available at Cult Beauty and Ulta
BEST SUNSCREENS
- Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36.00): A tinted mineral sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection. Most suitable for dry skin. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora, and SpaceNK
- EltaMD UV Pure BroadSpectrum SPF 47 ($25.00): A wonderful, lightweight formula for oily skin that provides broad-spectrum protection without leaving a greasy, white mess. Available at Dermstore and Walmart
- La Roche Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Dry Touch Face Sunscreen SPF 60 ($19.99): Ideal for oily skin, this lightweight sunscreen provides broad spectrum protection and absorbs excess oil for a matte finish. Available at Boots, Dermstore, La Roche Posay, and Ulta.
Related: 9 Soothing Tips To Care For Sensitive Skin
How Do You Know When Your Skin Has Reached The Limit Of Skincare Products It Can Tolerate?
If you plan to use a ton of products, they’d better have a lightweight texture. It’s why the Korean skincare routine works so well. Korean women may use 10+ products, but they’re all so lightweight, they can penetrate skin easily without leaving a greasy residue behind.
But, Western products usually have richer and creamier textures. So, how do you know when you’ve reached your limit? “When one product just doesn’t seem to set”, says Dr Schultz, “or seems to be sliding off your skin, because you have so many others underneath, then you’ve probably reached your limit.” Until then, you can use as many products as you feel your skin needs.
Related: What’s The Correct Order To Apply Skincare Products?
Warning: Don’t Use Too Many Products With Harsh Actives
Let’s be clear: by harsh actives I mean retinoids and exfoliants. Gone are the days when you were scrubbing your face with apricot kernels. Now, acids are having a moment. You’ve heard that glycolic acid boosts collagen, salicylic unclog pores and lactic hydrates and thought, “why not use them all and get ALL the benefits?” Now you’re wondering why your skin’s so dry and flaky. It hurts like hell too.
I can’t stress this enough: you only need ONE exfoliant. And that includes Clarisonic, Foreo Luna, washcloth or whatever you use to exfoliate. Here’s the deal: those dead cells on the surface of the skin are there for a reason. Their job is to protect the newer cells underneath that aren’t ready to come to the surface yet.
When you use ONE exfoliant, you remove enough dead cells to make your skin smoother and brighter BUT not enough to expose the raw skin underneath. But when you use more than one exfoliant? That’s when you remove TOO MANY dead cells. That’s not gonna give you the dewy glow and smoother skin you crave. It’s just gonna irritate your skin like hell.
Same deal with retinoids. Retinoids are forms of vitamin A, like retinol, tretinoin and Differin. Using one is gonna help you reduce those pesky wrinkles. Using two or three will just irritate your skin.
The more isn’t always merrier. When it comes to exfoliants and retinoids. Pick your fave and stick to it. And don’t stress about making the wrong choice. If something doesn’t work, you can always switch. That’s nowhere near as harmful as using all the exfoliants together and irritating your skin like hell.
BEST EXFOLIANTS
- Paula’s Choice Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA ($39.00): This super-concentrated exfoliating cocktail contains Glycolic, Lactic, Malic, and Salicylic Acids to smoothen out imperfections, fade away dark spots, and treat acne. Available at Cult Beauty, Dermstore, Paula’s Choice, Selfridges, and SpaceNK.
- The Inkey List Beta Hydroxy Acid (£9.99): A simple, no-frills salicylic acid exfoliant for people on a budget. Available at Cult Beauty and Sephora.
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution: A simple, no-frills Glycolic Acid exfoliant that brightens the complexion and fades away dark spots. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta.
- The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% ($8.90): A simple Lactic Acid exfoliant enriched with Hyaluronic Acid to exfoliate and hydrate skin at the same time. Available at Beauty Bay, Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK, The Ordinary, and Ulta.
BEST RETINOIDS
- Paula’s Choice Resist Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum ($42.00): An anti-aging serum with 0.1% retinol. It also includes antioxidants, like Vitamin E, to prevent premature aging, and soothing ingredients to reduce irritations. Available at Paula’s Choice and Sephora.
- Skinceuticals Retinol 0.3 Night Cream ($62.00): This cream contains only 0.3% retinol but it packs an anti-aging punch. It comes in a moisturising base, but you need to use a separate moisturiser to counteract the dryness of retinol. Available at Dermstore and Skinceuticals.
- Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65.00): A micro encapsulated 1.5% retinol serum in an oily, moisturising base to fight wrinkles and fade away dark spots. Available at Beauty Bay, Cult Beauty, and Peter Thomas Roth.
Related: What’s The Best Exfoliator For Your Skin Type?
The Bottom Line
Don’t add new products to your skincare routine just cos. You don’t need every IT ingredient out there. You need to listen to what your skin needs and find products that can address that. When you’ve gone too far, your skin will let you know.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
