How to Apply a "Pea-Sized" Amount

Learn how to apply the tiniest amount of product evenly over your skin |



Almost every topical prescription product (especially retinoids) will instruct you to apply a pea-sized amount. I know what you're thinking. A pea–sized amount? Is that enough to cover my whole face? Is that even enough for the product to work?

The answer is yes, yes, and yes. Applying a pea-sized amount will ensure that you have a thin layer of product spread on your skin, but not so much that it causes any irritation.

Follow these tips to get the most out of applying a pea-sized dollop of product:


  1. Put a blob of product the size of a pea on your index finger.

  2. Start lightly dotting the product evenly around your face. I like to put three tiny dots on my forehead, three on each of my cheeks, one on my chin, and one on my nose.

  3. Smear the dots together and into your skin. You have to be fast when you’re dotting and spreading or else the product will dry up and you won’t have enough to cover your whole face.

If you find that a pea-sized amount is really not enough for your face, you can use a bit more. Just try to use the smallest amount possible that is still enough to spread thinly and evenly over your skin.


Back « How To's



Last updated: February 6, 2011


Share |


Related articles: