It’s no secret that we at Reviva Labs are big proponents of layering skin care products to increase their effectiveness. But there’s only so much your skin can absorb in a single application. So it’s best to apply, allow to dry, then layer your next product. Layering offers the opportunity to spot treat problem areas along with applying multiple doses of key ingredients to infuse more benefits into your skin.
Fact: Serums are usually formulated with a higher concentration of ‘active’ ingredients or substances that directly effect changes in the skin
Guideline: Choose a serum with active ingredients that best address specific skincare needs or concerns:
• Hyaluronic Acid – retains & binds moisture
• Antioxidants – prevent free radical (environmental) damage to the skin
• DMAE – supports firming and toning
• Peptides – provide anti-aging benefits
Serums are a favorite of skin care lovers. They absorb quickly and carry intense “payloads” of key ingredients. They’re also usually the first to be applied, since they’re less dense than creams and gels. But what happens if you’re layering multiple serums? How do you determine which to apply first, second, third, etc. Well, honestly, there’s no one size fits all ordering – it’s generally about what works best for your skin. As long as you allow each serum to absorb between applications you’ll be fine.
Fact: Serums should be applied on clean & toned skin so the active ingredients can penetrate deeply into the skin
Guideline: Massage 2 to 3 drops onto entire face. Allow it to absorb and follow with another serum or moisturizer.
Order for applying high potency serums
But of course our chemists, aesthetician, and director of training and education all have strong opinions. So we put together this quick guide to help you layer our serums effectively – per their suggestions. But keep in mind… adjust as you see fit, making sure to let things absorb before applying the next serum.
Discoloration, Dark Spots, or Uneven Tone
- Peptide Facial Skin Prep #314 Energizes cells, supports better absorption of all follow up products
- Dark Spot Brightening Serum #593 Brightening complex of Kojic Acid, Alpha Arbutin and Bearberry combat current & future skin discoloration & spots
- Brown Spot Night Gel #585 Used at night to brighten brown spots and address discoloration
Firming, Smoothing Fine Lines & Wrinkles
- Peptide Facial Skin Prep #314 Energizes skin cells, supports better absorption of all follow up products
- DMAE Concentrate #301 Helps skin appear tighter & firmer
Maintaining Healthy Skin – Protect, Improve, Prevent
- Peptide Facial Skin Prep #314 Energizes skin cells, supports better absorption of all follow up products
- Dual Source Vitamin C Serum #233 Brightens, boosts collagen & protects skin
- Swiss Apple Stem Serum #310 Powerful antioxidant protection
Dry, Sensitive, or Dehydrated Skin
- Peptide Facial Skin Prep #314 Energizes skin cells, supports better absorption of all follow up products
- Hyaluronic Acid Serum #369 Helps retain & bind moisture to the skin, increases hydration
- High Potency Collagen Serum #307 Plumps skin as it smoothes complexion, reduces appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
Fact: Incorporating 2 or more serums into a daily regimen is easy. The most common way to do this is to use one serum in the morning and another at night
Guideline: Alternatively, layering serums on top of each other can be very effective. Simply apply the lightest or thinnest serum first (typically a gel serum).
Reviva Labs has a lot of Serums, so this might not be a complete list. Nor is this meant to be the ultimate guide: you can layer our serums in lots of different ways. So have fun, experiment, and create your own layering routine And feel free to share your favorite layering combination in the comments below.