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

Once 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 strain to have an in depth skincare routine is actual, and generally it will probably really feel such as you’re alleged 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 marvel if they need to be layering serums. What number of do you have to 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 would appear to be an amazing concept. In spite of everything, there are such a lot of high-performance skincare substances on the market nowadays, why not add a few of them collectively to offer your pores and skin as many advantages as potential?

Fortunately, although, the reply to all that is refreshingly easy. Mixing and layering your serums gained’t provide the finest outcomes—you have to be rotating separately as an alternative. Hold scrolling to be taught why layering and mixing aren’t the way in which to go, learn how to rotate your serums, and which substances it’s best to by no means combine.

First, What Is a Serum?

A serum is a concentrated skincare product with lively substances. 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 zits, dehydration, discoloration, or indicators of getting old—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 actually need one?

Ought to You Layer Serums?

As I stated earlier, there are such a lot of wonderful lively skincare substances accessible that it looks like utilizing a couple of would maximize outcomes. However What truly 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 is going to most likely additionally depart somewhat 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 substances, your pores and skin can solely take in a lot. Consider it as a sponge; sooner or later, a sponge has absorbed all it will probably and water will simply pour over it. This occurs together with your pores and skin as effectively. Belief me, by utilizing every thing directly, you’ll simply find yourself throwing your cash down the drain. 

One other concern is that many serums embody very lively substances. Once you apply too many robust substances to your pores and skin directly, you run the danger of irritation. That may solely trigger harm and undo all the nice you had been making an attempt to do together with your serums. 

In case you’re intent on layering, I don’t counsel greater than two serums—one with an lively ingredient like retinol or exfoliating acids, and one which’s purely a hydrating serum. These are likely to play properly with others and may add somewhat additional 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 thing collectively to create on super-serum? Hate to burst your bubble, however it doesn’t work this manner both. 

Even when the substances 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 system could also be designed to penetrate through a sure mechanism. One other product could not have the identical penetration enhancers. You might be making them chemically much less environment friendly, by disrupting their meant processes. Principally, it’s such as you’re complicated the serums by mixing them collectively.

Lastly, I by no means advocate mixing water-based merchandise with oil or emollient-based merchandise. I do know some individuals 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 by utilizing a wide range of lively substances, so right here’s one of the simplest ways to include a number of serums into your routine.

As a substitute of Layering Your Serums, Rotate Them 

Consider your serums like a exercise routine—selection provides you with the perfect outcomes, however you wouldn’t need to do all of your exercises on the identical day or it will result in fatigue. The identical goes for serums. By specializing in separately as an alternative 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 development has introduced larger consciousness to this idea. Because it’s one thing many people estheticians have been preaching to our shoppers for years, I couldn’t be happier that it’s gaining traction. 

In case you don’t already know, skincycling is a information to rotating serums in your nighttime routine. A serum schedule, if you’ll. It’s an amazing blueprint to observe, 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 substances that help your skin type and your skin goals. Those that do use retinol could not have the ability to tolerate the identical frequency of use. It’s all about experimenting somewhat and determining what works finest for you. Or, in case you’re confused, I at all times advocate searching for 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 complete philosophy my model relies on), so not everybody can observe 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 method up slowly. 

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

Night time three is an exfoliating acid serum. The explanation I counsel 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 are being pushed out by the retinol. This may assist handle the floor dryness generally related to retinol use. Once more, the kind of exfoliating acid serum you employ will rely in your pores and skin sort and particular person wants. To search out out which kind you want, you’ll be able to take this Skin Type Quiz. 

On the finish of the week, a hydrating serum plumps and nourishes these recent new cells which have been revealed by the combo of retinol and exfoliation. It additionally provides your pores and skin a relaxation from actives in order that it will probably 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 Components

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 helpful ingredient. What I counsel 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 embody substances like glycerin, allantoin, and aloe to appease and hydrate, offsetting any probably irritating results from the acids. Or, you possibly can search for a retinol serum that features anti-aging peptides to reinforce the general firming impact of the system, in addition to hydrating substances to make it simple to tolerate.

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

Which Serum Components Ought to You NOT Mix?

Some substances play very effectively with others whereas different substances very very like to be the star of the present. 

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

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

Vitamin C (steady varieties 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 advocate utilizing vitamin C within the morning and AHAs at evening. Try the proper morning routine.)

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

Retinol + Retinol = not advisable to double dose. In case you’re utilizing a well-formulated retinol serum, it ought to interact your retinol receptors to do their job. Once 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 substances that may have a constructive impact on our pores and skin, it may be tempting to make use of them . However, this isn’t one of the simplest ways to maximise outcomes in your pores and skin (or your pockets). First, be conscious that your pores and skin can solely take in a lot at one time. Second, keep in mind that layering too many serums or mixing them can dilute their efficacy. Mixing substances at house will not be like mixing substances in a lab! (This is identical motive I’m not a fan of DIY skincare recipes!) 

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

Movie star Esthetician & Skincare Skilled
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 professional has created a real-world answer — merchandise which are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get precisely what it must appear and feel its finest. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives across the globe, her huge real-world data and fixed analysis are why Marie Claire calls her “probably the most passionate pores and skin practitioner we all know.”