In the case of skin care products, you CAN have too much of a good thing. It’s time to bust a few myths about how much product you need!
- Myth #1: If you layer on more SPF products, you’ll have more protection. Alas, no. Sun protection isn’t cumulative. Your total protection is only as high as the highest SPF product you’ve used. So if you have an SPF 30 sunscreen and an SPF 15 moisturizer, you’re still only getting the protection of SPF 30.
- Myth #2: Blobbing on more of a product will make it work even faster. Actually, using too much of some products can actually do you harm. Some active ingredients can be super-irritating to your skin in high quantities, like vitamin C, retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and alpha hydroxy acids. With these potential irritants, follow the instructions on the label to the letter.
- Myth #3: You need to use the entire line to reap the benefits. Don’t believe the hype at the make-up counter — you don’t need to use an entire product line in order to see improvement in your skin. In fact, you may be better off picking and choosing different parts of your skin care routine from different makers. Ask around for free samples so you can try products before shelling out your hard earned money.
- Myth #4: Different parts need special products. Take eye creams, for example. The skin there is the thinnest skin on your body! So it needs a special (expensive) eye cream, right? Actually, it doesn’t. Any hydrating face cream will do just fine on the skin around your eyes — just make sure you don’t get it IN your eyes. I use one lotion for my face and body — no separate face cream and hand cream here!
One thing that isn’t a myth: skin care products — just like makeup — can expire. A general rule of thumb is to toss products a year after opening them. (A year is the shelf life of many preservatives in beauty products.) To help remember when you popped the top on your latest skin care product, take a marker and jot down the month and year on the bottom!