HOW TO APPLY & LAYER SKINCARE SERUMS
We all know that serums are the powerhouses of any skincare routine, helping target everything from wrinkles and sunspots to hydration and skin texture. Learn how to apply serum and layer different ingredients in our guide below.
It’s safe to say that most of us have more than one skin concern we’d like to manage, which leads to the question of ‘can you use multiple serums?’. Learning how to apply face serums and what ingredients layer well is the most effective way to help maximise the potential of your facial serums and to achieve real results.
Serum layering can definitely be done, although there are certain considerations and rules you need to follow to help ensure you’re getting the most benefits and avoiding any less-than-ideal ingredient interactions. Learn how to layer skincare serums with this serum layering guide to teach you all the essential dos and don’ts of how to apply serum on the face. Make serum layering easy with our standout new offerings from our Bye Bye serums.
What is a Face Serum
First of all, you may be wondering what exactly a face serum is. Serums are a lightweight skincare product which deliver a high concentration of active ingredients to your face. They usually use targeted formulas specific to a skin concern which then can be layered with other serums or skincare products to create the ultimate routine customised to the needs of your skin.
What are the Benefits of a Face Serum?
Facial serums have many benefits for the skin. The high concentrate formula of facial serums allow you to tackle skin concerns with the use of specific ingredients in a much more targeted way than other skincare products. Serum layering also allows you to create a customised skin routine, through layering complimenting ingredients in a way that enhances their effectiveness. IT Cosmetics face serums use potent ingredients tested by dermatologists which can be used by itself or with a complementing serum to perfectly target your skin concerns like fine lines, pores and breakouts.
How To Apply Serum on Face
Before we answer the question 'how to layer skincare serums', let’s nail down the basics of how to use serum in the first place. Face serums should play an integral role in your morning and night skincare routine. Always begin your routine by using a cleanser to clean your complexion and create a blank canvas for your products to absorb. To apply face serum, use 2-3 drops or a pea sized amount of serum, depending on the ingredients and consistency. Gently press and massage the serum into your skin to help it sink in and boost circulation. Follow with a moisturiser to help seal in moisture and keep skin hydrated.
Can You Use Multiple Serums?
Using multiple serums on your face allows you to target several different skin concerns in the one routine, so it’s something we recommend integrating as part of your skin regime.
When it comes to the rules of layering serums, ‘less is more’ applies. We recommend using two or a maximum of three serums at a time to help ensure you’re getting the most out of all the ingredients. Anything more and you start to lower the chance that each serum & oil will properly penetrate. Order of application also makes a difference. Apply your serums in order of thinnest to thickest consistency for best results.
Serum Ingredients that Layer Well
Understanding how to layer skincare serums means knowing the dos and don’ts of serum ingredients that work together for even more skin loving benefits. Here are some ingredients that form great matches.
Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol
If fine lines and wrinkles are a skin concern of yours, retinol and hyaluronic acid may be the perfect serum pairing for you. Retinol serums like our Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream act to increase skin cell turnover and collagen production to help visibly minimise the appearance of wrinkles. When combined with Hyaluronic Acid, skin can appear clearer, smoother and more hydrated.
To layer, first apply the Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid serum, and follow with the Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum.
Salicylic Acid & Niacinamide
Salicylic Acid is known for its abilities to fight breakouts, reduce pigmentation and prevent future acne. However, when used with Niacinamide their synergistic benefits will banish breakouts while strengthening the skin barrier and reducing pores.
Avoid layering these ingredients together, and instead use Niacinamide in the morning and the Bye Bye Breakouts Salicylic Acid serum at night.
Vitamin C & Hyaluronic Acid
Vitamin C serums are great multitaskers thanks their brightening benefits, antioxidant protection and collagen stimulating properties. Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid both exist naturally within the skin, so they both absorb well when applied at the same time for a brightening and hydrating boost.
Apply a vitamin C serum first, directly onto cleansed skin to maximise antioxidant protection. Then follow up with hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture.
Retinol & Niacinamide
You’re already familiar with the wrinkle minimising benefits of retinol, but did you know niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3) can complement this ingredient? Niacinamide targets pigmentation while comforting the skin and supporting the skin barrier which works well with retinol’s stimulating properties.
Apply our Bye Bye Dark Spots Niacinamide Face Serum first, wait a couple of minutes for it to absorb, then follow up with our creamier textured Hello Results Wrinkle-Reducing Daily Retinol Serum-in-Cream.
Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum
Plumps & Smooths - Anti-Ageing - All Skin Types
Salicylic Acid & Hyaluronic Acid
Together, these two complimenting ingredients help to reinforce their benefits to skin. Salicylic Acid can help decrease inflammation and breakouts, while Hyaluronic Acid boost hydration to keep skin balanced. Using Hyaluronic acid before applying Salicylic Acid can also help ease some irritation that may be caused when introducing Salicylic Acid to skin.
Apply the Bye Bye Lines Hyaluronic Acid first, then layer with the Salicylic Acid serum.
Vitamin C & Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a super versatile ingredient that works well with many others, including vitamin C. These ingredients both work to brighten and target pigmentation in different ways, so using both can create impressive benefits.
Apply your vitamin C serum first, followed by niacinamide.
Glycolic Acid & Hyaluronic Acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) known for its antibacterial properties, gentle exfoliating properties and ability to help minimise pores. Our Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Face Serum is suitable for all skin types including sensitive skin, but layering this ingredient with a hyaluronic acid serum is also a good idea for added comfort and moisture.
Our Super Smoother Glycolic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid Serum Set features both serums. We recommend using glycolic acid first then following up with the hyaluronic acid.
Glycolic Acid & Niacinamide
Layering glycolic acid and niacinamide can be your solution to a brighter and smoother looking complexion. Combining these two ingredients as part of your nightly skincare regime targets discolouration and dark spots while also helping minimise your pores.
Opt for our Complexion Refresher Serum Glycolic Acid and Niacinamide Serum Set and apply the niacinamide first followed by glycolic acid for optimal benefits
Vitamin C & Glycolic Acid
Instead of layering these two ingredients directly, glycolic acid and vitamin C work best as a day and night pair. Apply your vitamin C serum in the morning to help protect against environmental aggressors during the day, then your glycolic acid at night to exfoliate while you rest.
Serum Ingredients to Avoid Layering
Now you know how to use serum and layer multiple ingredients, it's time to learn what not to mix.
Glycolic Acid and Other Hydroxy Acids
Glycolic acid is a gentle type of AHA often used in conjunction with other AHAs and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs). However, we recommend sticking with just glycolic acid for your exfoliation needs if you have sensitive skin to minimise the chances of experiencing discomfort.
Ingredients with Different PH
Different skincare ingredients work best at different PH levels and layering serums with different PH can disrupt their benefits or sometimes cause discomfort. For example, vitamin C requires a low PH level to work best, so should not be layered with higher PH ingredients.
Shop All Our Serums
Create your perfect combination of serums! We have an array of serums with various key ingredients.
