I’ve been wondering about this, and I think someone asked me about it once. Can we use 2 different serums on our skin at the same time?
Well, my honest answer is “I don’t know” but I do. Sometimes.
I have been using 2 different serums on my skin for a while now to address 2 different concerns and thus far, it works for me 😀
The first serum I usually use is a whitening serum or essence for my dark spots and to even out skin tone.
The second will usually be a moisturizing or anti aging serum.
Thus far *touch wood* nothing drastic has happened and it seems to work just fine for me. Of course, I don’t slap it all on at one go. I usually try it only after I’m very sure that neither serum breaks me out to start with. Then, I have a 2 week observation period when I use them together. If nothing happens i.e. breakouts, then I consider it a success.
The serums that play well for me thus far are:-
- Clinique Derma White Brightening Essence and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
- Clinique Derma White Brightening Essence and Dior Capture Totale One Essential
- Dior Capture Totale One Essential and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
- Diorsnow D-NA Reverse Night Serum and Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate
- Diorsnow D-NA Reverse Night Serum and Estee Lauder Hydrationist Serum
Based on something I read once somewhere (darn these failing brain cells) the one you put first on your skin will deliver the best benefit. So because I’m vain that way, I put the whitening essences first because I want to reap the most benefit out of that one. Then, I follow up with a hydrating or anti-aging serum because I haven’t quite seen the ravages of time hit very badly… yet 😉
So, that’s me. This is of course a non clinical point of view since I’m no dermatologist. It just works for me.
Have you done anything like this? Do you only use one serum at any one time or do you mix them up as I do? 🙂
Paris B
Shay says
Yes, I use the cellnique sebum gel first. Then follow by whitening serum.
ParisB says
Nice! So many of us are using 2 serums 😀
mitzy says
hi, i’m a 15 year old asian girl, could u recommend me some good anti aging products to use? thanks!
ParisB says
15 is too young to be using anti aging products. Wait another 10 years.
Seline says
What about sunscreen and serum, which one goes on first? I always read conflicting theories as to which one to be applied onto the skin first. Read somewhere that the first product you apply onto your face after being cleansed will have the most impact on your skin. Protecting the skin from further damage (UV rays) should be the main concern, so sunscreen first. Yet some say apply sunscreen after serum and moisturizer. What about you, Paris?
ParisB says
I apply sunscreen last because if there’s physical blockers in it its the first line of defence. Also because i was always told to do so.
Rowena says
Ah – I want to do this because I have so much new skincare to play with but I don’t know what pair together.
I tried recently to pair Rodial night serum with Chanel Sublimage – mistake! My skin peeled like crazy. Yet when I use them alone, they’re ok.
So now I’m a bit scared what to use together next…
ParisB says
Gosh! That was a bad reaction! Glad you managed to isolate the cause.
Reni says
MY DERMATOLOGIST told me there’s no problem layering serums because they are meant to be absorved very quickly and sink in the skin. For this reason you can layer serums with success. The watery first and then the creamy one after more or less 5 min. What is not advised is to layer creams and moisturizers because they are meant to stay on the top of the skin for a while… if you layer 2 moisturizers you are just rubbing each other off, mixing the two and having TOO much creams on the skin… results: breakouts!
Candy says
ParisB, have you ever use Estee Lauder ANR & Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate one after another?
ParisB says
Hi Candy, yes I have and I even mix them together to get wonderfully glowing skin! 😀 Here’s my post on that https://www.mywomenstuff.com/2011/01/05/save-and-splurge-night-repair-anti-aging-serums-and-a-recipe-for-glowing-skin/
Simonne says
I’m doin that all the time, too many skincare to apply ^__^ what to do. Just listen to your skin. If too much of acidic (usually happen) then cut down on acidic skincare
AM: Cellnique sebum gel, Estee Even skin Illuminator, Olay Regenerist, Loreal Uv Perfect
PM : PC BHA 1% lotion(not daily), Estee ANR, PC antioxidant, Eucerin night cream
Raquel M. says
I am so glad I found this! I’ve been using two serums too lately… and I always wear the brightening one first too ahah x)
But I’m happy to know that one won’t cancel the other out :p x