Known for their concentrated formulas and potent actives, face serums play an important role in any skin care regimen. “Serums have always been my go-to for skin care, but now they are hot! And for good reason, as they work well and are efficient to apply,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlessinger. If you’re starting to add them to your daily skin care routine, you might be wondering how to layer serums or which serums can be used together. With the help of Dr. Schlessinger, we’ll help you sort through all your serum-related questions, including:

• Can you mix serums?

• Can you layer face serums?

• What serums should I use?

• Which serums can be used together?

Can you mix serums?

If you’re pressed for time, you might be wondering if you can speed up your skin care routine by mixing one or more serums together and applying them at once. You might have seen the practice of serum cocktailing—which involves mixing drops of multiple serums together in the palm of your hand—on social media and are wondering whether it’s a good idea.

“Mixing serums is OK if it is from the same brand and part of a regimen, but I generally prefer to keep away from mixing multiple serums from different brands as it could cause irritation or even damage to the skin,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

How to layer face serums

If you want to use more than one facial serum in your skin care routine, consider layering serums one after the other. When it comes to how to layer serums, a good rule of thumb is to start with the thinnest formula first. After waiting a few minutes for the first serum to absorb, you can move onto the next.

However, not all serums play well together when it comes to layering. “I wouldn’t suggest layering two serums with strong exfoliating ingredients, such as glycolic acid and retinol, because you may overdo it on the exfoliation and end up irritating your skin,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Instead, you might try using those serums on alternating days.”

What serums should I use?

What face serums you want to use depends on your skin concerns and goals. There are serums formulated to address a variety of issues, including dry skin, discoloration, acne, early aging and advanced aging. For specific suggestions on facial serums to help treat popular skin concerns, you can find out how to choose the best face serum for you on the LovelySkin Blog.

There are some popular active ingredients that you’ll often see in serum formulas, and knowing what they are can help you navigate the many choices out there. Hydrating serums contain hyaluronic acid to help provide an immediate, temporary plumping effect by drawing moisture into your skin. Glycolic acid and salicylic acid are exfoliating ingredients that help improve acne, dullness and discoloration by sloughing away dead skin cells and encouraging cellular turnover. Vitamin C is a powerhouse ingredient included in antioxidant serums to help brighten skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is another multi-benefit ingredient that can help improve skin texture as well as tone.

Which serums can be used together?

Are you asking yourself, can I use vitamin C and hyaluronic acid together? What about glycolic acid and niacinamide? When it comes to how to layer serums, we have a few favorite match-ups to consider from SkinCeuticals, Vichy and La Roche-Posay. If you’re looking to double up on benefits in your routine and wondering which serums can be used together, these pairs are safe and beneficial to layer one after another during a single skin care session.

Serum pair #1: Vitamin C + hyaluronic acid

First: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum

In the morning after you’ve cleansed your face and waited a few minutes for your skin to dry, it’s time to apply this anti-aging serum with 0.5% ferulic acid, 15% vitamin C and 1% vitamin E. This antioxidant-rich formula helps neutralize free radicals in the upper layer of your skin to help prevent signs of visible aging from sun exposure and environmental aggressors. It also helps brighten skin and diminish fine lines and wrinkles over time.

Next: SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

This hydrating serum from SkinCeuticals has a unique gel texture, just right for applying after C E Ferulic has fully absorbed. It helps visibly firm and hydrate the surface of your skin with hyaluronic acid and tissue-repairing vitamin B5 to create a smooth canvas for makeup application.

Bonus: Another option for a vitamin C/hyaluronic acid pairing is Vichy Mineral 89 Hydration & Radiance Set, which pairs Vichy LiftActiv Vitamin C and Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Face Serum in one convenient set.

Serum pair #2: Hyaluronic acid + retinol

First: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Hyaluronic Serum

At night after cleansing and toning, apply three to four drops of this hydrating serum to your face and neck. A combination of pure hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 helps improve loss of volume by leaving your skin looking more plump and smooth.

Next: La Roche-Posay B3 Retinol Serum

After your application of Hyalu has had a few moments to absorb, it’s time to layer on this retinol serum. This formula includes pure retinol and time-released retinol to help reduce the appearance of premature sun damage, including discoloration, dull texture and fine lines.

Serum pair #3: Glycolic acid + niacinamide

First: La Roche-Posay Glycolic B5 Dark Spot Corrector

To help improve the appearance of dark spots and dull texture, you can use this facial serum once daily as part of your morning or evening skin care routine. It combines two powerful alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), glycolic acid and kojic acid, with vitamin B5 to help promote cellular turnover and prevent melanin production and improve the appearance of dark spots over time.

Next: La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum

The second step in a one-two punch against dark spots, this serum harnesses 10% niacinamide and an exclusive ingredient called Melasyl™ to bring out greater radiance. It delivers long-lasting results, and has even been tested on stubborn dark spots and post-acne marks.

Serum pair #4: Discoloration duo

First: SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Vitamin C Discoloration Serum

The first step in a two-pronged defense against discoloration, this antioxidant-packed anti-aging serum helps target uneven skin tone, fine lines and wrinkles with 10% vitamin C, 2% phloretin and 0.5% ferulic acid. In addition to applying this serum to your face, you can also dab it in your neck, chest and backs of your hands.

Next: SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

Created to layer with Phloretin CF, this face serum helps improve the appearance of discoloration types that can be notoriously hard to treat, such as post-acne marks and stubborn brown patches. A combination of niacinamide, kojic acid, tranexamic acid and HEPES work together to help reduce discoloration and promote a more even skin tone.

Bonus: The SkinCeuticals Discoloration Prevent & Correct Set includes these two facial serums along with a daily facial sunscreen, SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense Sunscreen.

Serum pair #5: Vitamin C + peptides

First: SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Serum

This all-star antioxidant serum contains 0.5% ferulic acid, 1% vitamin E and 15% pure vitamin C in the form of L-ascorbic acid to provide superior anti-aging results. These ingredients work together to help improve skin firmness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that have formed over time as a result of exposure to the sun and other damaging elements such as pollution.

Next: SkinCeuticals P-TIOX Wrinkle Modulating Peptide Serum

A brand-new addition to the SkinCeuticals serum lineup, P-TIOX features an advanced peptide complex (2% hexapeptide and 2% dipeptide) to help improve the appearance of nine types of contraction lines on your face. It also features a Glass Skin Complex (5% PHA, 5% niacinamide and 1% laminaria extract) to help boost radiance, maximize hydration and improve rough texture. This serum can be used in conjunction with injectable wrinkle relaxers or on its own as a standalone product.

Now that you know which serums can be used together from SkinCeuticals, Vichy and La Roche-Posay, take some time to check out the best tinted sunscreens from these three brands.