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How to Layer Your Facial Serums for the Best Results

Learn how to layer face serums in the correct order in to maximize efficacy and achieve skincare results.


Article Overview

  • Layering serums from thinnest to thickest consistency ensures optimal absorption and effectiveness, starting with antioxidant serums like C E Ferulic® to protect against environmental damage.
  • Following with moisturizing serums targets specific skin concerns and helps lock in moisture for enhanced results.
  • Vitamin C and retinol should not be combined to avoid reducing their effectiveness and causing skin irritation.
  • Alternating the use of AHA exfoliating serums and retinol on different days or times maximizes benefits while minimizing potential irritation.

As a key step in your daily skincare routine, serums deliver a concentrated dose of active ingredients that target specific skin concerns. Layering serums allows you to address multiple skin concerns simultaneously and enhance the effectiveness of your skincare regimen. By understanding the proper order to layer serums and which ingredients to avoid combining, you can achieve optimal results and achieve your skin goals.

Why Should you Layer Your Serums?

There are several benefits to layering facial serums:

  1. You Can Target Your Specific Skin Concerns: Different serums are formulated to address different skin concerns, such as aging, hyperpigmentation, acne, dryness, and more. By layering serums, you can create a customized skincare routine that targets your unique skin concerns and needs.
  2. Layering Enhances Product Effectiveness: When you layer serums, you increase the concentration of active ingredients on your skin, which can enhance their effectiveness. By applying serums in the correct order, you can ensure that each product is able to fully absorb and be effective.

What is the Proper Order to Layer Serums?

The general rule of thumb for layering serums is to apply them from thinnest to thickest consistency. This allows each serum to absorb properly and prevents pilling or a sticky feeling on the skin.

The Thinnest or a Water-Based Like Antioxidant Serums Should be Applied First

Start your serum routine with a thin, water-based serum, such as an antioxidant serum. Antioxidant serums, like C E Ferulic®, Phloretin CF, and Silimaryn CF, are formulated with powerful antioxidants that help protect the skin from environmental damage and signs of premature aging. These serums are typically lightweight and are absorbed quickly, making them ideal for applying first.

After Applying the Thinnest or Water-Based Serums, Finish your Routine with Moisturizing Serums

After applying your antioxidant serum, follow with a thicker, moisturizing serum that targets your specific skin concerns. This could include a hydrating serum like Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan, a brightening serum like Discoloration Defense, or an anti-aging serum like P-TIOX. These serums are typically more emollient and help to lock in moisture and deliver a concentrated dose of active ingredients.

What Not to Layer Together

While layering serums can be beneficial, there are certain combinations that you should avoid:

  • Avoid Combining Vitamin C With Retinol Products: Vitamin C and retinol are both powerful ingredients, but they can interact with each other and cause irritation or reduce their effectiveness. Vitamin C should be used in the morning while retinol can be used at night.
  • Avoid Pairing Retinol With AHA Exfoliating Serums: Retinol and AHA exfoliating serums (such as glycolic acid or lactic acid) can both cause irritation when used together. It's best to use retinol on one day and AHA exfoliating serums on another day, or use them at different times of the day.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

When selecting serums to layer, it's important to choose products that are formulated with the right ingredients for your skin type and concerns. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Prepare the skin with a cell renewal accelerating serum like an AHA/BHA serum to amplify anti-aging results
    Start your serum routine with a cell renewal accelerating serum containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). These serums help to exfoliate dead skin cells and promote cell turnover, which can enhance the effectiveness of your other serums. Cell Cycle Catalyst is an ideal option for this step.
  • Start by applying antioxidant serums first
    Antioxidant serums are essential for protecting the skin from environmental damage and premature aging. Apply an antioxidant serum, such as C E Ferulic®, Phloretin CF, or Silimaryn CF, during the day, and Resveratrol B E at night.
  • Follow with corrective serums to target specific skin concerns
    After applying your antioxidant serum, follow with a corrective serum with key ingredients to target your specific skin concerns. For example, use a hyaluronic acid serum such as Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier Multi-Glycan for hydration, a tranexamic acid-based serum such as Discoloration Defense to target skin discoloration or a salicylic acid serum like Blemish + Age Defense for acne-prone skin. By following these guidelines, you can create a serum layering routine for your unique skin concerns and helps you achieve maximized anti-aging results.

To discover the ideal skincare routine that targeted treatments for your unique skin concerns, use our online Routine Finder, visit one of our SkinCeuticals SkinLab locations, or schedule an appointment with a SkinCeuticals Skincare Professional for a one-on-one consultation.

Next: What is Facial Volume Loss

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About Gretchen Wobensmith

Gretchen Wobensmith is a licensed aesthetician with 27 years of experience. She has been training professionally for large global brands for the last 20 years. Gretchen brings her skill set of having a deep understanding of skin histology and ingredient technology to the SkinCeuticals Global Education Team as their Product Lead. Gretchen shares her passion for mentoring skin care professionals, to elevate their knowledge and skill set in the medical skin care industry.

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