Double serum - Find your serum bestie
What is double serum and how do you optimize serum combinations?
Serums often contain a higher concentration of ingredients and are smaller molecular, allowing them to penetrate deeper into the skin. Serums are often called a catalyst for future skincare!
It is important to adapt your serum to your current skin condition to achieve a good balance in the skin. Conditions are something that all skin types can experience and can change depending on various external factors such as climate stress, hormonal changes or lifestyle. It can also sometimes be about overactivation of products that has resulted in a reduced skin barrier and sensitivity.
Some common skin conditions that you may experience include sensitivity, surface dryness, or acne.
If you want to know more about how you can think about serums and skin conditions and find some selected serums there, you can read more in our previous post.
Adapt your serum to your skin condition.
There has been a recent trend of layering products and using double serums to maximize your skincare routine. As always, skincare is individual and you should adapt your routine to your skin and needs.
How should you think about layering serum (double serum)?
Double serums work great if you want to target multiple skin conditions in your routine. The rule of thumb is to apply the thinnest texture first. If a serum has a similar consistency, you can just choose the one you want closest to your skin first.
1. Cleanse the skin (preferably with double cleansing).
2. Use a hydrating toner all over your face
3. Apply a few drops of your first serum to allow the skin to absorb it.
4. Follow up with the second serum with a thicker consistency
5. Lock in all the moisture and nourishment with a moisturizer (in the morning, finish with sunscreen).
If you want to work with double serums in your skincare routine, we recommend sticking to the same two serums morning and night. This is because it is easy for the skin to become overstimulated and can otherwise result in conditions such as skin sensitivity.
Feel free to introduce new products one at a time in case there is an ingredient your skin doesn't like. Also give your skin time to adjust to the product before adding another step to your routine.
Find your serum bestie!
Not all ingredients are compatible with each other and it can sometimes be tricky to know which ingredients can be applied together and which cannot. Below we mention some do's and dont's. As always, it is individual so start from your own skin and condition for the best match and optimal effect.
Dose
1. Smoothing and moisturizingVitamin C + Hyaluronic acid = Freshly juiced vitamin drop + Safe me relief watery ampoule
2. Balancing and repairingNiacinamide + Panthenol (Vitamin B5) = Own vegan calming serum + Hydrium centella aqua soothing amoule
3. Nourishing and brighteningTocopherol (Vitamin E) + Vitamin C = Rice serum + Radiance boosting C-Capsule serum
5. Collagen & Elastin boosting Peptides + Antioxidants (e.g. Green tea) = Midnight blue youth activating drop + Fundamental watery oil drop
6. Barrier strengthening and moisturizingCeramides + Squalane = Serumide + Rice serum
7. Soothing and strengtheningVitamin K + Centella asiatica = Plc Liposome oil ampoule + Hydrium centella aqua soothing ampoule
8. GLOW Duo! Propolis + Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract = Royal vita propolis 33 ampoule + Rich moist soothing serum
Some ingredients should not be combined and are often better off separately in their own routine. Different routines mean either in your morning or evening routine and that you divide it up over the days of the week so that it is not too stressful for the condition of your skin. This is because the compositions and pH values of the products can clash but also because the risk of irritation and impaired barrier is greater. There are certain products that combine, for example, two acids with each other, but then with the intention that the composition of the product works in symbiosis with each other.
According to the Korean skincare routine, acids and other active ingredients should primarily be applied in the evening and it is important to adapt your active ingredients to your condition and needs to reduce the risk of impaired barrier and sensitivity in the skin.
Below we list some general don'ts to keep in mind when working with layering different serums & products from different brands.
Don'ts
- Vitamin A & Acids = Can result in impaired barrier/irritation
- AHA & BHA = Risk of irritation
- Prescription Products (Tex Tretinoin) + Other Active Ingredients = Powerful Combination
- C Vitamin + C Vitamin = Unnecessary repetition of using two C Vitamin serums in the same routine or two other serums with the same function
- Active ingredients on an already compromised barrier = Big no - don't use anything active on an already compromised barrier. Only work soothing, strengthening and moisturizing
If you have questions and concerns about your ultimate serum duo for your skin and condition, we are happy to help you further with this <3 and you are always welcome to contact us for detailed help from our skin therapists at info@glowid.se where we respond within 24 hours every weekday, via DM on Instagram and chat via our website.
Hugs to you!
Lisa, authorized skin therapist
