Is It Okay to Combine and Layer Completely different Skincare Serums?

Whenever you open TikTok or Instagram, it looks like each “Get Prepared With Me” video options somebody slathering on layer after layer of fancy skincare serums. The stress to have an in depth skincare routine is actual, and typically it will possibly really feel such as you’re speculated to be utilizing each serum and lively ingredient underneath the solar for that elusive “finest pores and skin ever.” It’s no shock, then, that individuals surprise if they need to be layering serums. What number of must you be utilizing? What sorts are you able to combine collectively? There are even “recipes” on-line for creating your personal bespoke routine by mixing varied serums collectively earlier than making use of them. At first, it’d look like an important concept. In spite of everything, there are such a lot of high-performance skincare elements on the market nowadays, why not add a few of them collectively to present your pores and skin as many advantages as doable?

Fortunately, although, the reply to all that is refreshingly easy. Mixing and layering your serums gained’t provide the finest outcomes—you ought to be rotating one after the other as a substitute. Preserve scrolling to be taught why layering and mixing aren’t the way in which to go, easy methods to rotate your serums, and which elements you need to by no means combine.

First, What Is a Serum?

A serum is a concentrated skincare product with lively elements. They’re sometimes light-weight and water or lotion primarily based as a result of this enables them to penetrate deeper into the pores and skin the place they will create probably the most change. The place a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer are the constructing blocks of a strong routine, you attain for a serum to focus on particular issues and create tangible change. Be it pimples, dehydration, discoloration, or indicators of ageing—there’s a serum for that. 

A serum ought to at all times be utilized after you’ve cleansed and utilized toner, then adopted up with moisturizer.

Learn what’s a serum, and do I really want one?

Ought to You Layer Serums?

As I stated earlier, there are such a lot of superb lively skincare elements out there that it looks like utilizing a couple of would maximize outcomes. However What really occurs if you layer serums on high of each other? 

Let’s say you begin by making use of a niacinamide serum then layer a vitamin C serum on high of that. The primary serum goes to penetrate the pores and skin because it’s meant to, however it’s going to most likely additionally go away a bit of residue behind on the pores and skin’s floor. This implies the second serum has a little bit of an impediment and may not have the ability to penetrate as successfully. The extra serums you add, the extra diluted they develop into. To return to our instance, this might imply the vitamin C serum you apply is now half as efficient because it’s meant to be.

Whereas it’s tempting to load up on a number of merchandise and elements, your pores and skin can solely soak up a lot. Consider it as a sponge; in some unspecified time in the future, a sponge has absorbed all it will possibly and water will simply pour over it. This occurs together with your pores and skin as nicely. Belief me, through the use of every part directly, you’ll simply find yourself throwing your cash down the drain. 

One other concern is that many serums embrace very lively elements. Whenever you apply too many sturdy elements to your pores and skin directly, you run the danger of irritation. That may solely trigger injury and undo all the great you have been making an attempt to do together with your serums. 

For those who’re intent on layering, I don’t recommend greater than two serums—one with an lively ingredient like retinol or exfoliating acids, and one which’s purely a hydrating serum. These are inclined to play properly with others and might add a bit of further layer of moisture if that’s what you’re in search of.

What About Mixing Serums?

So layering is all good, however what about mixing every part collectively to create on super-serum? Hate to burst your bubble, but it surely doesn’t work this fashion both. 

Even when the elements in two completely different serums can technically be mixed, you continue to run into the difficulty of dilution. Once more, you’d be losing your cash by not getting full advantages from the product. 

Let me additionally make this level. Not all serums are equal. Chemically talking, one method could also be designed to penetrate by way of a sure mechanism. One other product might not have the identical penetration enhancers. You could be making them chemically much less environment friendly, by disrupting their meant processes. Mainly, it’s such as you’re complicated the serums by mixing them collectively.

Lastly, I by no means suggest mixing water-based merchandise with oil or emollient-based merchandise. I do know some folks like to combine their serums into moisturizer, and I’m not a fan since this may actually mess with the efficacy of a serum. It’s finest to use a serum, let it dry down or get cheesy for just a few seconds, then apply a skinny layer of moisturizer on high. 

How Can You Get All of the Advantages With out Layering Serums?

It’s true that you just’ll get the best profit through the use of a wide range of lively elements, so right here’s the easiest way to include a number of serums into your routine.

As an alternative of Layering Your Serums, Rotate Them 

Consider your serums like a exercise routine—selection provides you with the most effective outcomes, however you wouldn’t need to do all of your exercises on the identical day or it might result in fatigue. The identical goes for serums. By specializing in one after the other as a substitute of layering your serums, you’ll get the utmost profit with none interference for a well-rounded strategy.

Btw, in case you’re studying this and pondering to your self, “This sounds an terrible lot like skincycling,” you’re completely proper! The idea of rotating your serums in a particular order isn’t new, however the viral #skincycling pattern has introduced larger consciousness to this idea. Because it’s one thing many people estheticians have been preaching to our purchasers for years, I couldn’t be happier that it’s gaining traction. 

For those who don’t already know, skincycling is a information to rotating serums in your nighttime routine. A serum schedule, if you’ll. It’s an important blueprint to comply with, however know that skincycling can look completely different for everybody. For instance, not everybody makes use of a retinol serum, and that’s okay! It’s essential to make use of the elements that help your skin type and your skin goals. Those that do use retinol might not have the ability to tolerate the identical frequency of use. It’s all about experimenting a bit of and determining what works finest for you. Or, in case you’re confused, I at all times suggest in search of the recommendation of a skincare skilled. Our virtual consultation program makes this accessible to everybody. 

How you can Rotate Your Serums

Pores and skin is exclusive (that is the whole philosophy my model is predicated on), so not everybody can comply with the very same schedule. That stated, that is the final information I developed as a blueprint. Bear in mind, that is one thing to construct in the direction of—in case you’re beginning retinol for the primary time you’ll need to work your approach up slowly. 

For nights one and two, use a retinol serum just like the Advanced Resurfacing Serum.

Evening three is an exfoliating acid serum. The explanation I recommend that is that it takes about 48 hours for retinol to extend cell turnover from inside and push the outdated pores and skin cells to the floor. The exfoliating acid serum will assist shed these dry, expired cells which can be being pushed out by the retinol. This may assist handle the floor dryness typically related to retinol use. Once more, the kind of exfoliating acid serum you utilize will rely in your pores and skin kind and particular person wants. To search out out which sort you want, you may take this Skin Type Quiz. 

On the finish of the week, a hydrating serum plumps and nourishes these contemporary new cells which were revealed by the combo of retinol and exfoliation. It additionally offers your pores and skin a relaxation from actives in order that it will possibly relaxation and restore.

And once more, that is only a common information! Every serum schedule ought to be tailor-made to your distinctive pores and skin.

Search for a Serum With A number of Useful Substances

One other sneaky approach to get a number of advantages with out utilizing a number of merchandise is to discover a serum that has a couple of useful ingredient. What I recommend in search of is a well-rounded serum that may in the end profit your pores and skin in additional methods than one. For instance, these exfoliating acid serums embrace elements like glycerin, allantoin, and aloe to appease and hydrate, offsetting any probably irritating results from the acids. Or, you might search for a retinol serum that features anti-aging peptides to boost the general firming impact of the method, in addition to hydrating elements to make it straightforward to tolerate.

This manner, every part has been correctly formulated to work in tandem and can have the ability to correctly make its approach into your pores and skin.

Which Serum Substances Ought to You NOT Mix?

Some elements play very nicely with others whereas different elements very very similar to to be the star of the present. 

Vitamin C (unstable kinds like Ascorbic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid) + Retinol = not really useful. They’ve completely different pHs that may battle with each other.

Vitamin C (unstable kinds like Ascorbic Acid and L-Ascorbic acid) + AHAs = can be utilized collectively however might trigger irritation for delicate pores and skin sorts. Proceed with warning. 

Vitamin C (steady kinds like Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbyl Methylsilanol Pectinate, and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate) + AHAs = can safely be used collectively with out the danger of irritation. (However I do suggest utilizing vitamin C within the morning and AHAs at evening. Try the right morning routine.)

Retinol + Benzoyl Peroxide = not really useful. Benzoyl peroxide oxidizes simply. Retinol does as nicely, and it may make them each much less efficient.

Retinol + Retinol = not really useful to double dose. For those who’re utilizing a well-formulated retinol serum, it ought to have interaction your retinol receptors to do their job. Whenever you layer on one other retinol serum, in an effort to extend the outcomes, you’ll wind up with pointless and undesirable irritation.

The Backside Line

With a plethora of serums and elements that may have a constructive impact on our pores and skin, it may be tempting to make use of them . However, this isn’t the easiest way to maximise outcomes on your pores and skin (or your pockets). First, be aware that your pores and skin can solely soak up a lot at one time. Second, do not forget that layering too many serums or mixing them can dilute their efficacy. Mixing elements at house will not be like mixing elements in a lab! (This is identical motive I’m not a fan of DIY skincare recipes!) 

As an alternative, rotate your serums and attempt to use only one every evening. This may enable the serum to work as successfully as doable with out interference so that you just get the utmost profit. It’s all about discovering the serums that focus on your particular pores and skin issues and making a schedule that works for you.

Celeb Esthetician & Skincare Knowledgeable
As an esthetician skilled in beauty chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching pores and skin, educating her viewers, and constructing an award-winning line of merchandise. Her hands-on expertise as an esthetician and trusted skincare knowledgeable has created a real-world resolution — merchandise which can be formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get precisely what it must feel and appear its finest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world information and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”