Serum Cocktailing? Yes, You Can!

By Shammi Mondal

Skincare is a delicate art, while playing mix and match and combining various products, like serums, might seem quite tempting, it is wise? Should you really mix or layer your serums? We asked celebrity dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad and listed the do’s and don'ts of this delicate craft. 

What are serums? 

Though packaged in tiny bottles, serums are a potent blend of active ingredients that offer power-packed skincare solutions. Each serum is formulated to target a specific skin issue. “Ideally one must not layer or mix serums together,” says dermatologist Dr Jaishree Sharad, but adds that it can be attempted in a mindful way. Here are some dos and don’ts to follow:  

Do: Start with the light to get it right 

As a rule of thumb, prioritise the order of your skincare based on the texture of the products. Begin layering with the lightest serum first.  

“For instance, you might love your hyaluronic acid serum, but when using it with vitamin C, use your Vitamin C serum first,” says Dr Jaishree. 

Don’t: Aggravate the actives  

Two negatives make a positive, but two actives might cause an unwanted reaction. “You shouldn’t combine two active ingredients like a retinoid and AHA or retinol and BHA as they can over-exfoliate your skin and cause a reaction,” says Dr Jaishree. However, you can use them separately on alternate days but not together.  

Do: Layer for the night 

Some ingredients like retinol could make your skin sensitive when exposed to the UV rays, make sure you’re using your serum cocktail during the nights as this allows the ingredients to work and repair you skin sync with your night-time beauty sleep. 

Do not: Ghost your sunscreen 

If you like applying your serum mixture during the day, then make sure you do not skip your sunscreen. When you apply a combination of serums, your skin, if exposed to the sun without sunscreen, becomes more susceptible to sun damage.

Better together: wholesome combinations recommended by Dr Jaishree Sharad  

1) Vitamin C + Hyaluronic acid 

2) Vitamin C + Niacinamide  

3) Aha + Hyaluronic acid/ Niacinamide 

4) BHA + Hyaluronic acid/Niacinamide 

5) Retinol + Hyaluronic acid