The Art Of Layering Serums

It’s hard not to love serums. Why wouldn’t someone love highly concentrated formulas that solve every skin concern - small or big?

Simply put, serums are like oasis in the dessert, even a little can do a lot! These are tiny bottles of potent and effective active ingredients that work overtime to solve all your skin woes.

But you’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed with all the different active ingredients and have no idea how to layer them.

Here’s a simple, no-nonsense guide on how to correctly mix different serums and what not to do.

So let's get started - first how to layer serums, and then how to mix serum together.

(Photo by Amplitude Magazin on Unsplash)

HOW TO LAYER SERUMS

We all know a general rule of thumb in skincare: thin/lighter textured products first, thickest/heavy textured products last.

To make your serum easily penetrate your skin, apply it after cleanser and exfoliating (only if you’re exfoliating that day – depending on your skin type once-twice a week is enough!) but before moisturizer.

You can read more in our previous blog about "How To Layer Your Skincare Like A Pro".

If you apply your moisturizer first, you’re sabotaging its effectiveness. Moisturisers are thick and seal in all the goodness of the serums that are applied before them.

WHY LAYER SERUMS

Serums should be chosen according to skin concerns and not according to skin type. But what should you do if you have more than one skin concern?

If you’re trying to fix more than one skin woe, then using more than one serum makes sense. Some serums are multi-taskers, but sometimes, you just need something more powerful. That’s when you use two (or three) separate products.

There must be days when you want to mix an anti-aging serum with a brightening one or a hydrating serum with an anti-aging one. In these instances, you could go ahead and mix a few drops of different serums for a more diverse approach to treating your skin issues. Plus, why stop at one benefit when we can get many.

HOW MANY SERUMS CAN YOU LAYER AT ONCE

A lesser known fact is that skincare products work 10 times better when paired with other ingredients. However, it’s best to limit your routine to 2 serums per routine. It is very tempting to layer more serums but using more than 2 serums might hinder the true effectiveness of the active ingredients.

Alternating serums is a strategy here. If you have many serums that you like, use one to two in your morning routine and two different serums in the evening. Of course it is fine to use the same one consistently but by alternating you can effectively use many different serums.

Also, take into consideration the type of active ingredient your serum has.

VITAMIN C SERUM

WHEN TO USE VITAMIN C SERUM

• Vitamin C Serum can be used in both AM and PM skincare routine.
• Anything that targets dark spots (such as Vitamin C Serum) should be applied first on clear skin to better be able to penetrate it.

You can check out Vya Naturals Vitamin C Serum here.

HYALURONIC ACID SERUM

WHEN TO USE HYALURONIC ACID SERUM

• Hyaluronic Acid Serum can be used in both AM and PM skincare routine
• This thin serum is great for hydration, anti-ageing and improving skin texture and should be applied over Vitamin C serum.

You can check out Vya Naturals Hyaluronic Acid Serum here.

NIACINAMIDE SERUM

WHEN TO USE NIACINAMIDE SERUM

• Recommended for PM skincare routine.
• This wonder serum helps to do everything from improve your skin’s barrier function to fade acne scars and even help reduce and regulate sebum production.
• Should be applied over hyaluronic acid serum.

You can check out Vya Naturals 5% Niacinamide Serum here.

You can check out Vya Naturals 10% Niacinamide Serum here.

WHAT'S THE BEST ROUTINE TO USE YOUR SERUMS

MORNING:

Apply Vitamin C Serum and follow it up with Hyaluronic Acid Serum.

OR

Apply Hyaluronic Acid Serum and follow it up with Vitamin E.

EVENING:
Apply Hyaluronic Acid Serum and follow it up with Niacinamide Serum.

OR

Apply Niacinamide Serum and follow it up with Retinol.

(Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash)

HOW TO MIX SERUMS FOR SENSITIVE SKIN

Sensitive skin needs some special precautions when it comes to mixing active ingredients.

Do You Have Sensitive Skin? If Yes, These 6 Skincare Steps Are For You

The combination of Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid will work perfectly for people with sensitive skin.

If your skin is easily irritated and is prone to allergies or redness, then alternate your Niacinamide serum and Vitamin C either day to day or apply Niacinamide in the night and Vitamin C in the morning.

But if your skin is not particularly sensitive, go ahead give this combo a try, but don’t forget to do a patch test!

CONCLUSION

Cocktailing your serums can be an easy and fun way to cut your routine but still maintain the effectiveness of the active ingredients! It helps you customize and alleviate your skincare game! It’s time to get onto this habit.

What are your favorite serums and how do you layer them? Tell us in the comments below!