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

While 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 might 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 folks marvel 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 individual bespoke routine by mixing numerous serums collectively earlier than making use of them. At first, it would look like an excellent thought. In spite of everything, there are such a lot of high-performance skincare substances on the market today, 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 an alternative. Hold scrolling to be taught why layering and mixing aren’t the way in which to go, how you can rotate your serums, and which substances you must 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 pimples, dehydration, discoloration, or indicators of growing older—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 superb lively skincare substances obtainable that it looks like utilizing a couple of would maximize outcomes. However What really occurs while you layer serums on prime of each other? 

Let’s say you begin by making use of a niacinamide serum then layer a vitamin C serum on prime of that. The primary serum goes to penetrate the pores and skin because it’s meant to, however it’ll in all probability 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 be capable of penetrate as successfully. The extra serums you add, the extra diluted they turn 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; in some unspecified time in the future, a sponge has absorbed all it might probably and water will simply pour over it. This occurs along with your pores and skin as effectively. Belief me, through the use of all the things directly, you’ll simply find yourself throwing your cash down the drain. 

One other concern is that many serums embrace very lively substances. While you apply too many sturdy substances to your pores and skin directly, you run the danger of irritation. That may solely trigger injury and undo all the nice you have been attempting to do along with your serums. 

In the event you’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 likely to play properly with others and might add somewhat additional layer of moisture if that’s what you’re searching for.

What About Mixing Serums?

So layering is all good, however what about mixing all the things collectively to create on super-serum? Hate to burst your bubble, however it doesn’t work this fashion 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 formulation could also be designed to penetrate through a sure mechanism. One other product could not have the identical penetration enhancers. Chances are you’ll be making them chemically much less environment friendly, by disrupting their supposed 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 individuals like to combine their serums into moisturizer, and I’m not a fan since this will actually mess with the efficacy of a serum. It’s finest to use a serum, let it dry down or get cheesy for a number of seconds, then apply a skinny layer of moisturizer on prime. 

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 quite a lot of lively substances, so right here’s the easiest way 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 one of the best outcomes, however you wouldn’t wish to do all of your exercises on the identical day or it will result in fatigue. The identical goes for serums. By specializing in one after the other as an alternative of layering your serums, you’ll get the utmost profit with none interference for a well-rounded method.

Btw, when you’re studying this and considering to your self, “This sounds an terrible lot like skincycling,” you’re completely proper! The idea of rotating your serums in a selected order isn’t new, however the viral #skincycling pattern has introduced higher 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. 

In the event 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 excellent 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 necessary to make use of the substances that assist your skin type and your skin goals. Those that do use retinol could not be capable of tolerate the identical frequency of use. It’s all about experimenting somewhat and determining what works finest for you. Or, when you’re confused, I at all times suggest searching for the recommendation of a skincare skilled. Our virtual consultation program makes this accessible to everybody. 

Find out how to Rotate Your Serums

Pores and skin is exclusive (that is the complete philosophy my model relies 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 direction of—when you’re beginning retinol for the primary time you’ll wish to work your approach 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 rationale 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 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 utilize will rely in your pores and skin kind and particular person wants. To seek out out which kind you want, you possibly can 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 offers your pores and skin a relaxation from actives in order that it might probably relaxation and restore.

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

Search for a Serum With A number of Helpful Elements

One other sneaky strategy 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 recommend searching for is a well-rounded serum that can in the end profit your pores and skin in additional methods than one. For instance, these exfoliating acid serums embrace substances like glycerin, allantoin, and aloe to appease and hydrate, offsetting any probably irritating results from the acids. Or, you could possibly search for a retinol serum that features anti-aging peptides to boost the general firming impact of the formulation, in addition to hydrating substances to make it simple to tolerate.

This manner, all the things has been correctly formulated to work in tandem and can be capable of correctly make its approach into your pores and skin.

Which Serum Elements Ought to You NOT Mix?

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

Vitamin C (unstable kinds like Ascorbic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid) + Retinol = not beneficial. 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 could trigger irritation for delicate pores and skin varieties. 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 night time. Try the proper morning routine.)

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

Retinol + Retinol = not beneficial to double dose. In the event you’re utilizing a well-formulated retinol serum, it ought to interact your retinol receptors to do their job. While 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 unexpectedly. However, this isn’t the easiest way to maximise outcomes on 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, do not forget that layering too many serums or mixing them can dilute their efficacy. Mixing substances at dwelling shouldn’t be like mixing substances in a lab! (This is identical cause I’m not a fan of DIY skincare recipes!) 

As a substitute, rotate your serums and attempt to use only one every night time. 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 concentrate on your particular pores and skin issues and making a schedule that works for you.

Celeb Esthetician & Skincare Skilled
As an esthetician educated 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 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.”