What are the best ways to make skin care products last longer? We’ve rounded up our favorite hacks below.
I don’t know about you, but when I spend my hard-earned money on a pricey skin care product, sometimes I don’t even want to use it. It’s crazy, but since it cost so much money, I want to cherish every little drop of it. Of course, I do use the product, but each time I do, I make sure to apply it in the most economical way so I can save as much product as possible.
Maybe I’m a little paranoid, but if you also want to preserve your skin care,, check out the best tricks I’ve gathered through the years:
Use your hands to apply products as much as possible
There are definitely times when your product might work better when you put it on a cotton pad (like when you’re using more of a “cleansing toner” (like the Acwell Licorice pH Balancing Cleansing Toner) or a true cleansing water, but for the most part, you should skip the cotton balls and pads and simply pour your toner into the palms of your hands and pat them into your skin immediately.
I do this with almost all my toners and essences, especially the Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner and the Neogen Real Ferment Micro Essence. The consistency of these products is a bit thicker so it allows for controlled application, meaning less product slipping through your fingers and more getting onto your skin.
Alternatively, if your serum comes in a bottom with a dropper, apply the serum directly from the dropper onto your skin.
Or use a silicone makeup sponge to apply watery toners and essences
One reason why I love the Asian Beauty subreddit is that it gives me amazing ideas on how to make better use of my products. As I mentioned above, it’s always best to try to avoid applying your essences and toners with cotton pads to get more out of your products, but what about when your essence or toner is especially watery? Sometimes putting these types of toners on your hands causes the product to slip and drip off onto your sink and then it’s really a complete waste.
One genius Reddit commenter came up with this idea: You know those silicone makeup applicators that are starting to become just as popular as Beautyblenders? Forget using them for your foundation (or do that if you’d like) and use them for applying your thin toners and essences. They help control the product and manage to get it on your face better. Test this with watery toners like the Son & Park Beauty Water and the Missha First Treatment Essence.
Actually use the little spatula that comes with your jarred products
I used to throw away that little spatula that would come in the box my jarred eye cream. How foolish! That spatula is there for a reason. First off, it helps you take out the right amount of eye cream or moisturizer so you’re not applying excessive product. Secondly, it’s way more sanitary. Even if your fingers are clean when you dig them into your jar, that spatula is probably cleaner and you won’t be mixing any of the products you put on before with your hands with the cream inside the jar.
Finally, if you have nails, you should always use a spatula to apply your jarred creams. This prevents cream from getting stuck under your nails. Not only is that disgusting, it’s a total hassle to dry and dig out that cream from under your nails.
Make sure your skin is damp when you apply products
We’ve talked about this a lot, but it’s worth repeating: Start practicing the three second moisturizing rule and by all means, do not dry your face with a towel after you complete your double cleanse so you can practice the three second moisturizing rule, which calls for starting to apply skin care products within three seconds of washing your face. The reason we stress doing this is because products seep into skin so much better and work more efficiently when skin is damp.
So, when your skin is still damp, immediately start patting in your first treatment essence. Better yet, decant your essence into a spray bottle and spritz your face when it’s still damp after cleansing to create an ideal wet canvas for your products. Make sure to apply a couple more spritzes in between steps if your skin starts drying up.
Squeeze every last drop out of your sheet masks
Nothing makes me more sad than seeing someone slap on a sheet mask, wear it for 20 minutes, peel it off, and throw it away in the trashcan. What a waste! Once you’re done using the sheet mask on your face, peel it off and apply it on your elbows, then your knees, and then wherever else until the sheet is completely dry. Also, make sure you find that extra essence in the pouch and slather that all over your neck and chest area.
For more sheet mask hacks, click here.
+ What are your favorite ways to make skin care products last longer? I’d love to read your tips in the comments!
