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

By 2 months ago

If 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 possibly really feel such as you’re alleged to be utilizing each serum and energetic ingredient below the solar for that elusive “greatest pores and skin ever.” It’s no shock, then, that individuals 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 personal bespoke routine by mixing numerous serums collectively earlier than making use of them. At first, it would look like an excellent thought. In any case, there are such a lot of high-performance skincare elements on the market today, why not add a few of them collectively to provide 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 greatest outcomes—try to be rotating separately as an alternative. Hold scrolling to be taught why layering and mixing aren’t the best way to go, rotate your serums, and which elements it is best to by no means combine.

First, What Is a Serum?

A serum is a concentrated skincare product with energetic elements. They’re usually light-weight and water or lotion based mostly as a result of this permits them to penetrate deeper into the pores and skin the place they’ll create essentially 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 considerations 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 really want one?

Ought to You Layer Serums?

As I stated earlier, there are such a lot of wonderful energetic skincare elements obtainable that it looks like utilizing multiple would maximize outcomes. However What truly occurs while 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 slightly 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 grow to be. 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 elements, your pores and skin can solely soak up a lot. Consider it as a sponge; sooner or later, a sponge has absorbed all it will possibly and water will simply pour over it. This occurs together with your pores and skin as nicely. Belief me, by utilizing the whole lot without delay, you’ll simply find yourself throwing your cash down the drain. 

One other concern is that many serums embody very energetic elements. If you apply too many robust elements to your pores and skin without delay, you run the danger of irritation. That can solely trigger harm and undo all the great you had been making an attempt to do together with your serums. 

In case you’re intent on layering, I don’t recommend greater than two serums—one with an energetic 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 slightly 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 the whole lot collectively to create on super-serum? Hate to burst your bubble, but it surely doesn’t work this fashion both. 

Even when the elements in two totally 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 by way of 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. 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 will actually mess with the efficacy of a serum. It’s greatest to use a serum, let it dry down or get cheesy for a number of 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 simply’ll get the best profit by utilizing quite a lot of energetic elements, so right here’s one of the best 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 will provide you with one of the best 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 method.

Btw, in the event 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 selected order isn’t new, however the viral #skincycling pattern has introduced larger 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 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 excellent blueprint to observe, however know that skincycling can look totally different for everybody. For instance, not everybody makes use of a retinol serum, and that’s okay! It’s vital to make use of the elements 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 slightly and determining what works greatest for you. Or, in the event 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. 

The best way to Rotate Your Serums

Pores and skin is exclusive (that is the complete philosophy my model is predicated 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 direction of—in the event you’re beginning retinol for the primary time you’ll need to work your manner 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 can be being pushed out by the retinol. This can 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 sort and particular person wants. To search out out which sort you want, you may 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 possibly relaxation and restore.

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

Search for a Serum With A number of Helpful Substances

One other sneaky method to get a number of advantages with out utilizing a number of merchandise is to discover a serum that has multiple useful ingredient. What I recommend 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 elements like glycerin, allantoin, and aloe to assuage and hydrate, offsetting any doubtlessly 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 system, in addition to hydrating elements to make it simple to tolerate.

This fashion, you recognize the whole lot has been correctly formulated to work in tandem and can be capable of correctly make its manner into your pores and skin.

Which Serum Substances Ought to You NOT Mix?

Some elements play very nicely with others whereas different elements very very similar to to be the star of the present. 

Vitamin C (unstable kinds like Ascorbic Acid and L-Ascorbic Acid) + Retinol = not advisable. They’ve totally 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 sorts. Proceed with warning. 

Vitamin C (secure 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 advocate utilizing vitamin C within the morning and AHAs at night time. Try the right morning routine.)

Retinol + Benzoyl Peroxide = not advisable. Benzoyl peroxide oxidizes simply. Retinol does as nicely, 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 have interaction your retinol receptors to do their job. If 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 elements that may have a optimistic impact on our pores and skin, it may be tempting to make use of them unexpectedly. However, this isn’t one of the best ways to maximise outcomes on your pores and skin (or your pockets). First, be aware that your pores and skin can solely soak up a lot at one time. Second, keep in mind that layering too many serums or mixing them can dilute their efficacy. Mixing elements at residence shouldn’t be like mixing elements in a lab! (This is similar 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 can permit the serum to work as successfully as doable with out interference so that you simply get the utmost profit. It’s all about discovering the serums that concentrate on your particular pores and skin considerations and making a schedule that works for you.

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