Are you Team Pat or Team Rub? No, it’s not a new reality show. I’m talking about how you apply your skincare products. Pat or rub? Should you rub them in or pat them on? I used to be a rubber. Once that cream was in my hands, I’d scoop up a tiny bit and automatically rub it all over my skin. It was as natural as brushing my teeth. Only… worse. Turns out, rubbing ain’t all that good for your skin. Patting your moisturizer in, like you’d pat your cat, is a much more skin-friendly way to go about it. Why? Here are three science-backed reasons why patting your skincare on is better than rubbing it in:
1. Patting Is Gentler On The Skin
I made the switch to patting when I realised rubbing gives you wrinkles. For real. Rubbing stretches the skin. All those extra movements ain’t good for it. They break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and elastic. Without them, skin can’t snap back to its original, smooth place as easily as before. So, it wrinkles and sags.
That’s even more true for the eye area. The skin there is so thin, you have to be ultra delicate. Any rubbing there is a no-no. And let’s be honest, most of us aren’t applying eye cream with the gentleness of a spa esthetician. It’s more like a rushed smear before bed. That quick swipe could be silently sabotaging your under-eyes.
Related: 8 Science-Backed Ways To Replenish Lost Collagen
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2. Patting Enhances Penetration (But Not In The Way You Think)
It’s not like if you pat it on, the cream gets through and if you rub it in, it stays on top. Skin doesn’t work that way. Skin is a trusted friend that never lets much enter through its doors (unless it’s broken – then anything can get in). If it lets something in, it’s because it’s small enough or cos it has the extra help of a penetration enhancer, like alcohol or propylene glycol.
But skin couldn’t care less if you pat or rub your moisturizer in. If an ingredient doesn’t fulfill its entry criteria, it won’t get in. So, how can patting enhance penetration? Here’s the thing: have you ever rubbed something in so hard or for so long, you’ve actually rubbed it off your face rather than in? If half your moisturiser won’t stay on your face, not many of its goodies will get in.
Patting fixes this. It’s much harder to pat something off your face. The goodies stay on your skin, slowly sinking in. Bonus: patting also helps your skin absorb the product more evenly. Think of it like watering a plant. Pour it all in one spot and the soil floods, but gently mist it around and every root gets a sip.
Related: 4 Ways To Help Skincare Products Better Penetrate Your Skin
3. Patting Is A Multi-Tasker
When you gently pat your moisturizer in, you’ll get that moisturizer all over your skin AND still leave enough of it on your hands. See how soft those are too, now? And wirhout compromising its application on your face. Win win.
Also, patting is less likely to cause pilling (when your skincare balls up and rolls off your face like wet tissue). This usually happens when you’re layering too fast or rubbing too hard. Patting keeps everything in place.
Related: How To Deal With Skincare Pilling
But Doesn’t Patting Take Longer?
It sounds slower, but here’s the plot twist: it’s not. You’re not giving yourself a 10-minute face massage. It’s a quick, tap-tap-tap around the face. Once you get the hang of it, patting feels natural and you won’t waste time reapplying product that rubbed off onto your palms, your towel, or your pillow.
What About Serums and Toners? Should I Pat Those Too?
Yes. Especially yes. Serums are the MVPs of your routine-packed with active ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or peptides. You want as much of that to stay on your face as possible. Patting them in helps them sit on your skin evenly so they can do their job without being swirled away. Same goes for hydrating toners or essences. Pour a bit into your palms and press it into the skin instead of using a cotton pad. You’ll waste less product and your skin gets more of the good stuff.
Are There Any Times You Should Rub?
Kind of. If you’re applying an oil-based cleanser or balm to melt off makeup, a gentle rub is actually helpful. Oils work by breaking down oil-based debris (like sunscreen and foundation) and a little circular motion helps that along. But even then, it’s not an aggressive scrub. Once the cleansing’s done, you rinse and switch to patting for the rest of your routine.
The Bottom Line
Rubbing your moisturizer in is so automatic, but your skin doesn’t like it. Pat it in with love and tender care: it keeps wrinkles off your face and makes your lotions and potions work much better. Once you start patting, you’ll wonder how you ever did it any other way.
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.
