Once you begin slathering serums, it becomes almost impossible to follow your skincare regime without them. When your skin starts reaping the advantages of serums, you might consider applying more than one to enjoy greater benefits.
Serum is an all-encompassing term typically used to denote a moisturiser packed with specific ingredients that treat targeted problems. But with so many options out there, you might not want to limit yourself to a single formula. If you are wondering if more than one serum can be used at once—the answer is yes—serums can be layered.
However, applying multiple products together may not give you the best results or prove to be the most effective. The first few products that you apply on your face will get absorbed more effectively than the subsequent layers. It implies that the product you apply last might be least effective on your skin—unless you follow the rules of alternating and layering. Read on to learn more!
If you are using a harsh chemical-based mask or cleanser, choose your follow-up skincare products carefully. In this case, you should avoid serums infused with vitamin C and retinoids because they might cause irritation.
As recommended by experts, you should ideally commit to two serums per routine. It is essential to note that alternating skin care products is a strategy. If you like multiple serums, you can apply one or two serums in the morning and two at night.
By alternating, you can effectively use many different serums. You can pair retinoids with serums, especially if the latter is hydrating or soothing. Try to avoid using retinoids with very harsh face serums.
Vitamin C brightens the skin and eliminates sun damage while promoting the production of collagen. Using this ingredient during the daytime, followed by an effective sunscreen—will ensure broad-spectrum UV protection.
Serums yield the best results when applied close to the skin. Therefore, when using multiple serums, you should first apply the serum that you want to work most effectively. It will allow the ingredients of the first product to penetrate the skin. For instance, if your immediate skin concern is hydration, you should first apply a serum infused with hyaluronic acid.
When layering products on your skin, you should give a few minutes to each product to get fully absorbed before applying the next one. In addition, this simple technique will prevent pilling—which is common when multiple products combine and eliminate the benefits of the ingredients on the skin.
Specific skincare ingredients in serums can maximise our skin’s sensitivity to harmful UV rays. Ingredients such as retinol and hydroquinone yield the best results when used at night.
To reap the maximum benefits of your serums, gently massage your face after application. It will help improve blood circulation in your skin and boost oxygen.
It is vital to consider what ingredients you are combining when mixing two or more serums. You must know whether the ingredients of all the products are compatible with each other or not.
Some ingredients neutralise the effectiveness of others—like benzoyl peroxide and retinol. Conversely, some ingredients, when mixed, can cause skin irritation. Hence, before combining serums, do some research to make sure that the concoction will not damage your skin.
Remember that the ideal protocol is as much science as it is an art. While these are general guidelines and rules, it is ultimately a process of trial and error—and your skin’s reaction to the product ingredients will guide you to craft the perfectly tailored skincare regime.
