I used to collect lipglosses. Now I collect serums.
My bathroom cabinet is full to the brim with them. You’ll find the occasional cleanser or sheet mask in there, but you’ll have to wade through the sea of serums to get to them.
I have one for everything. Retinol for wrinkles. Antioxidants for prevention. Vitamin C for brightening. Hyaluronic acid for hydration. You name it, it’s there.
Why the obsession with serums? They’re packed with active ingredients that get the job done. Plus, their lightweight textures sink deeply into the skin, delivering those goodies where they need to be to work their magic.
Serums are so good, I just can’t use them one at a time. More like two, or three. Here’s how I get the most out of them:
Why Should You Layer Serums?
Why not use just the one? Well, you can totally do that. Sometimes, I do, too.
In summer, when my skin is soft and plump, I just use an antioxidant serum in the morning and alternate between a vitamin C and a retinoid serum in the evening.
But, in winter, my skin gets drier. I have to add a hyaluronic acid serum to the mix to keep my skin hydrated. Otherwise, it dries up, flakes and looks downright horrible.
If you’re trying to fix more than one skin woe, 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.
Related: Why Serums Are The Workhorses Of Your Skincare Routine
Don’t know which serums and ingredients you can safely use together without compromising their effectiveness? Download your FREE “How To Combine Actives Like A Pro” to find out:
How Many Serums Can You Layer At One Time?
There isn’t a definite answer. But, I’d stop at 3. If you add more than that, you’re just throwing money away. Plus, it’ll take you an hour to finish your skincare routine.
If you have lots of different skin woes to fix, I recommend you go for a multi-tasking serum and then add an extra one or two to address your most pressing problem.
Let’s say, you want to reduce wrinkles, hydrate your skin, and fade away your dark spots. I’d opt for a hydrating retinol serum (the multi-tasker) and then add a hydroquinone serum to help fade the dark spots even faster.
If you have sensitive skin, I don’t recommend you use more than one serum at a time. There’s only so little your skin can take, so don’t go overboard!
Related: How Many Skincare Products Is It Safe To Use At A Time?
What’s The Best Way To Layer Serums?
As a general rule, the order depends on the texture. The lightest-textured serums go first and the thickest-textured serums go last.
But I also like to take into consideration the type of active ingredient your serum has. Retinoids, vitamin C and anything that targets dark spots should be applied on clear skin to better be able to penetrate it.
Let’s say that it’s winter and I’m using a hyaluronic acid serum to drench my skin in moisture and a retinol serum to treat wrinkles. Unless the retinol serum has a far thicker texture than the hyaluronic acid serum, I go in with the retinol first.
My reasoning is simple: wrinkles are, for me, a more serious concern that dehydration. I want that retinol to be the first thing that hits my skin after cleansing so I know that nothing stands in its path to the deeper layers.
Hyaluronic acid works well even when left on the surface of the skin (in fact, only some types of low molecular weight hyaluronic acids penetrate skin anyway), so it makes sense to apply it later.
To make it easier for your serum to penetrate your skin, apply it after cleanser and exfoliating (only if you’re exfoliating that day – don’t do this every time!) but before moisturizer.
Your moisturizer has a much thicker texture that makes it difficult for serums to get through it. If you apply your moisturizer first, you’re sabotaging its effectiveness.
What Are The Best Serums Out There?
Here are a few of my favourites:
For exfoliating skin: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum ($90.00)and Alpha Skin Care Intensive Rejuvenating Serum ($18.99)
For fading dark spots and brightening skin: Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution ($88.00) and Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum ($80.00)
For hydrating skin: Niod Multi Molecular Hyaluronic Complex ($25.00) and Skinceuticals Hyaluronic Acid Intensifier ($98.00)
For preventing wrinkles: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic ($163.00) and Paula’s Choice Resist Ultra-Light Super Concentrate Serum ($38.00)
For soothing skin: Niod Modulating Glucosides (£17.00) and Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Repairing Serum ($34.00)
For treating wrinkles and sun damage: Peter Thomas Roth Retinol Fusion PM ($65.00) and Paula’s Choice Resist Wrinkle Intensive Retinol Repair Serum ($42.00)
The Bottom Line
You can totally layer all the serums you need. Just make sure you apply those with the lightest texture and most important actives first.
thanks Gio, since reading your blog for a over year i have changed my skincare quite dramatically, now apart from making my own oil cleanse (doing this cleanse suits my skin type) my routine now also includes layering serums, just as I have read on your blog! Myself, I don’t have much to spend but I try to find the most generic I can afford. Even like on a tight budget I see that my skin is improved so much, which is very cool to see a little bit go a long way. I can say with honesty your blog is so useful for me, please keep it up! Thank you so much for all your hard research. I really love reading the science side of your blog, because you effectively explain it in laymans terms, it’s so interesting!
Julina, thank you! So glad to hear that my little blog has helped your skin. You really don’t need to spend a fortune to have great skin. The trick is to understand what your skin needs and give it to it. Have you tried The Ordinary? Their products are so cheap but very effective.
hi,
i found you blog researching ‘the ordinary’ line of products, and saw a picture of their retinoid above. sadly, you did not mention anything about the product and did not list it as one of your favorites. why bother with a picture if you have nothing to say about the product (good or bad)?
thanks for writing your blog. seems very informative,
js
Js, thanks for your comment and your kind words. I didn’t mention the product here because this is a post about how to layer ingredients, not a review. And yes, I did consider adding it to my favourites, but I could only add so many. In the end, this serum didn’t make the cut cos it is a bit more advanced. With retinoids, I think it’s best to start with a lower dose.
You can find my review here: http://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/the-ordinary-advanced-retinoid-serum/
Hi Gio, i would like to say I truly appreciate the information and your enthusiasm. Would you be able to go a bit more into detail as to layering of products? i use a separate sunscreen (SPF 100, chemical, not mineral) and i think it always throws a wrench in the works as most layering how-tos include the sunscreen within the moisturizer. I cleanse, use a toner, sunscreen, then moisturize in the morning. Where is the most effective place to add in a serum in my morning routine? for mor einformation, i’m in my late twenties with oily skin.
for a night routine, should serums and a retinol product be used together after toner? Which should be applied first? My thinking was cleanser, toner, serum, retinol, moisturizer?
Thank you for all your help
Julie, thanks for your kind words. When layering anything there are two rules: Lighter textures first and actives first. So, in the morning, use the serum after toner and before sunscreen. Sunscreens have thicker textures than serums and that can prevent the latter from sinking properly into the skin.
At night, go with retinol first and serum later. Retinol is one of the most potent actives used in skincare so, to reap its benefits, you want to apply it on freshly cleansed skin (toners are very liquidy, so you can still apply retinol after that and it won’t hinder absorption). Or you can get a retinol booster (Paula’s Choice makes a good one) and mix it with your moisturizer.
I’ve got so many great serums and totally confused on AM and PM layering. I know thin to thick and do not mix C and retin-A. .I have copper peptide, Matrixyl, hyurolinic, niacinamide,,and buffet. Plus C e Feurulic and retin-A please help me use all these for am and pm routine. Id
Jill, are they all from the Ordinary? Can you tell the name of the products so I have a better idea how to put a routine together?
Hi Gio, I have 4 serums from The Ordinary and would love your advice on what to use AM and PM. My serums are: Buffet, Niacinamide + zinc, Salicylic 2% and Hyaluronic. In addition, I use a toner with salicylic and Glycolic, and a moisturiser with vitamin A. Oh and sometimes the Go To face oil on top of all that. I’m definitely in need of guidance!
Hi Chelsea, in the morning use Buffet and Niacinamide + Zinc. In the evening, salicylic acid (or the toner with salicylic and glycolic), hyaluronic acid and moisturiser. You can add the oil if you feel your skin needs the extra moisture in the morning or evening.
Im so excited I ran into your blog. just bookmarked it. I will like to ask a question about my routine and how ro best layer them, its pretty confusing. This is what i currently use.
AM: Toner (BHA liquid) – The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – Timeless Vitamin C + E Ferulic Serum – Moisturiser (Stratia Liquid Gold) – Sunscreen.
PM: Toner (BHA liquid) – Exfoliant (Paula’s Choice Advanced Smoothing Treatment 10% AHA) – The Ordinary 1% Retinol in Squalene + Stratia Liquid Gold. I will like to know if this is a good routine. Also I want to start using Hyaluronic Acid and will like to know when best to use, AM or PM? What do you advise?
Yewande, it’s a pretty good routine but I’d make a couple of changes. In the morning, apply Timeless before The Ordinary Niacinamide.
In the evening, ditch Paula’s Choice AHA. You’re already exfoliating with BHA. Adding AHA will just dry out your skin in the long run. instead, apply BHA, retinol and hyaluronic acid serum followed by Liquid Gold.
Hi gio. I apply my vit c in the morning as along with all the good stuff it helps with free radicals and helps sunscreen with uva uvb protection. Why do u use it at night?
Elissa, I’ve starting using (and recommending) it in the morning too for the same reasons you mentioned. But there’s another school of thought that believes it makes skin more photosensitive and is best used at night.
Hi! Mys skin is dry so I want to add the Ordinary’s HA serum to my routine. I understand your skin has to be damp prior to application. So do spritz water, apply HA, then proceed with my serums? Or do I put on all my skincare and then spritz and apply the HA. Thank you!
Lauren, I don’t think skin has to be damp, but this trick can certainly help make the most of HA so it’s a good habit to have. It really depends on what serums you’re using. HA should always go after retinol/vitamin C/anything that needs to penetrate skin to work.
Wonderful article! I use products from The Ordinary, Synchroline and Oil of Olay´s Regenerist product line (I think that line is amazing). Have rosacea AND oily skin and am starting to get saggy skin and some lines. I still look young, though, for being 47 and I don’t have dark spots and no deep wrinkles. My throat is kind of ugly, though. I use The Ordinary Niacinamide+Zinc, Hyaluronic Acid, Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion and The Buffet. I also have and sometimes use the pure Squalane oil. I also sometimes use another brands Jojoba Oil (I kind of like it better than the squalene). I have also used Lancomes Genifique Advanced Sensitive Serum and I really liked that in the mornings. I find all the serums to “sticky” for me to use under my primer and my foundation in the morning except the Hyaluronic Acid which i mix with whatever day moisturiser I am using (I vary my daily moisturiser- sometimes Estee Lauder’s DayWear Matte Oil-Control Anti-Oxidant Moisture Gel Creme, sometimes a zinc moisturiser from Simple, sometimes the aforementioned Lancome Genifique and sometimes NUXE Nuxellence Eclat). Now for my questions: 1. How should I use the Ordinary ones that i mentioned for my night time routine or do I use them correctly by combining and alternating the mentioned ones? 2. Is it ok to use the Hyaluronic Acid mixed with my day cream in the morning? 3. I am wary of vitamin C products because of my rosacea- is there one you could suggest that you know is ok for sensitive skin? Thanks a million!
Pia, I think you should use only the products your ski needs. But if you want to use them all, I’d use buffet + niacinamide and zinc in the morning and Granactive Retinoid + hyaluronic acid mixed to your moisturiser in the evening.
Yes, it’s ok to mix hyaluronic acid with cream in the morning. I suggested you use it at night so you don’t overwhelm skin with too many products but you can use buffet + hyaluronic acid in the morning and Granactive Retinoid followed by niacinamide in the evening, if you prefer.
Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C Brightening Skin Corrector has only 10% vitamin C so your skin may be able to take it. But ask for a sample if you can first because with rosacea you never know!
Hello. I would also like some help with the lineup of my serums. I recently have bought a few new ones.. as follows: The Ordinary niacinmide serum, the ordinary Lactic acid 10% and the ordinary glycolic toner. Then I also ordered the timeless vitamin c serum 20%, the timeless matrixal sythe 6 serum, and the timeless CoEnzyme q10 serum. I already had there vitamin c serum and have been using it every morning after cleanser then my tatcha water cream. At night I use cureolgy prescription. Which includes tretnion, and azelic acid and clindamycin. If you can give me advice on best way to add these new ones in I’d appreciate it. Thank u.
Brittany, I think you will find this post helpful: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/skin-care-routine-order/
This is a good article! I’m just mad for serums. Since using them my 66 year old skin looks amazing. After cleansing and Toni g in the am I do Vitamin C serum then a moisturizer with hyalauronic acid. All CeraVe products. Then in the pm after cleansing and toning I do retinol alternating with glycolic, hyalauronic acid, then rose hip oil then finally pm moisturizer. My skin feels like satin in the morning! And hey, I’m a sun bunny in the summer and have ZERO crows feet! I’m totally sold on serums.
Hey! Came across your blog when trying to figure out if my routine is okay. I have very tolerant skin, there’s only one product I’ve tried that has made my skin tingle (the ordinary’s aha and bha peel), except when I’ve added serums on after dermarolling (not a good idea lol) which I do once a week. Anyways, after doing research, going thru debunked myths, figuring out my skin’s issues, going thru different products, this is my routine:
AM-
1. Ole Herikson truth cleanser
2. The Ordinary glycolic Acid toner
3. Strivectin- D concentrated wrinkle eye cream
4. Philosophy’s time in a bottle
5. The Ordinary’s niacinimide serum
6. Keihl’s Rosa Artica lightweight cream
7. Bare Minerals’s complexion rescue tinted spf
8. Makeup
PM-
1. double cleanse with Clinique cleansing balm(to take off my mAkeup) and Ole Herikson truth cleanser
2. Hyaluronic Acid toner (some K-beauty brand)
3. Strivectin-d concentrated wrinkle eye cream
4. Peter Thomas Roth PM retinol fusion
5. Philosophy’s time in a bottle
6. The Ordinary niacinimide
7. Kiehl’s Rosa Artica lightweight moisturizer
8. Laneige lip mask
I was also doing some spot treatment with The Ordinary’s Azelaic Acid, but it was causing pilling so I had to stop.
My skin does “pill” overnight, but that might be lint or something from my pillow, but probably not lol. I do use a lot of moisturizer, which I didn’t realize that you can use too much of that, and I also use The Ordinary’s AHA and BHA peel (red liquid) a few times a week. I usually use a gentle hydrating mask every day (Bliss’ marshmallow mask, Peter Thomas Roth’s cucumber gel mask etc). I also use rapid brows on my eyebrows, the L’Oréal Paris Lash Serum on my lashes, twice a day for both.
Can you please judge my routine? I get zero irritation, I am not acne prone (never have been) with a normal to slightly dry skin type (my skin doesn’t flake at all, not sensitive, but no blotting tissues would stick to my face). I have super dark circles, always have, and just an overall dull skin tone. Well at least it was, it’s starting to improve with my new routine.
My major question is, are any of these products being mixed together, cancelling eachother out? Is this too much?
Danielle, thank you for your comment. I’d love to help you create the best skincare routine for your needs. You can book your consultation here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/skincare-consultation/
Hello Gio, I am thankful for your articles. I recently started using The Ordinary Products and this is what was recommended. I truly value your opinion and I would like to know what you think. Also, my skin has reacted very well to the Medik8 retinol and I am looking to use a stronger strength in the near future. What would recommend. Thank you!
AM
1. Murad 4 in 1 Cleanser
2. 7 Skins with Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner
3. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
4. The Ordinary “Buffet” OR Argireline
5. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
6. The Ordinary Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%
7. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA
8. Sunscreen
PM
1. The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser
2. 7 Skins with Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner,
3. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG
4. The Ordinary “Buffet” OR Argireline
5. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5
6. Medik8 Retinol 6TR Serum
7. The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
8. The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors + HA (if needed)
Veronica, wow! That’s a lot of products for one routine. Do you need to use everything every day? If you’d like my help to streamline the routine, you can book a consultation here: https://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/skincare-consultation/
Hi, Gio. Thank you for the blog! It’s clear and informative. You talk about layering serums. Drunk Elephant likes to recommend what they call smoothies, basically putting a few drops of several serums in your hand, rubbing your palms together and smoothing it all on at once. Any thoughts on this method vs one at a time, assuming they all seem to be of roughly similar texture/weight? To be specific, in the mornings, after cleansing, spot treating acne with Effaclear Duo and using Clinique Acne Solutuons Clearing Cleansing Gel (BHA) on the areas prone to breaking out, I put a couple of drops each of DE C-Firma, DE B-Hydra, TO Niacinamide 10% and Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus* in my hand, mix it up and smooth it on. Then moisturizer. * I do not understand exactly what this product is or why it works, all I know is that my skin looks brighter and clearer when I use it. I’d love to see you review it, just because I’m curious about exactly what it is. Thanks!