Other serum combinations that compliment each other
• Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol: Separately, each of these ingredients are great for anti-ageing and hydration respectively. Pair them together and you have a dreamy combination, with Hyaluronic Acid combatting any potential drying effects of Retinol.
• Niacinamide and Vitamin C: This is a powerful pairing to help create a brightened and smoothed complexion.
Serum combinations to avoid
Not all skincare ingredients complement each other, so when it comes to serums, tread carefully with these combos:
• Vitamin C and Retinol: These ingredients tend to be too much for the skin when used together, so it’s preferable to use them at opposite ends of the day.
• Retinol and AHAs: Retinol is fantastic for promoting skin cell turnover but can make skin sensitive to AHAs and vice versa - so space out this pairing and avoid using in the same serum routine.
Now you know which serums pairs to reach for and which to avoid, you might have questions about how to layer serums to customise your skincare routine.
How many serums can you layer?
While layering face serums can help you get the most out of each of your skincare products, it’s important not to overdo it. There’s no set limit to how many serums you can use in your skincare routine but using too many can result in diminishing returns. We suggest layering up to a maximum of three serums that work in conjunction with each other.
If you’re looking for just one skin supporting serum, we can’t go past Hyaluronic Acid. Try the Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum.
What’s the ideal serum layering order?
The order in which to layer serums depends on the key ingredient in each product, and a good general rule is to start with the thinnest consistency serums and build your way to thicker formulas. Apply serums with more potent ingredients (like Vitamin C or Retinol) at different times of day and pair them with gentler serums to support and comfort the skin. For example:
• AM: Apply Revitalift Vitamin C Serum to clean, dry skin to brighten and smooth texture, then follow up with a hyaluronic acid serum for hydration.
• PM: After cleansing, apply the Laser X3 Pure Retinol Face Serum to dry skin and allow to sink in. For first-time retinol users it is recommended to apply a hyaluronic acid serum to your skin first as it acts as a barrier. Once it has soaked in and dried, retinol can be applied. Revitalift Filler 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum can also be applied after retinol for added hydration.
• Finally, lock in your serums with a Moisturiser.
When should you apply serums?
Understanding how to layer serums is important, but so is knowing when to use them. Some serums can be used at any time of day, but others will give optimal benefits when applied either AM or PM. Here are our suggestions for when to apply each product:
• Hyaluronic acid pairs well with most other skincare ingredients, so it’s perfect for all-day hydration.
• Vitamin C can help protect against free radicals caused by external aggressors like sun exposure and pollution when used in the AM.
• Retinol can help promote skin cell turnover, but increases sensitivity to sun exposure, so apply in the PM.
• Niacinamide is a gentle but powerful ingredient proven to reduce the appearance of dark spots. It pairs well with most other ingredients so can be used in the AM or PM.
If you loved this article and want more ways to level up your skincare, explore our beauty magazine for more skincare tips and how-to guides.
