Serums feel serious, so it is easy to think more must be better. With reactive skin it is usually the opposite. A short, well ordered routine does more for your complexion than a shelf full of bottles. The goal is not a longer routine. It is skin that feels calm.
Thinnest to thickest
Apply your serums from the thinnest, most watery texture to the thickest, letting each one settle for a minute before the next. Watery first, creamy last, is the simple rule. That way each layer can sink in rather than sitting on top of the one before it. If a texture feels tacky, give it another minute before you add the next one.
If you are short of time in the morning, one serum and a moisturiser is enough. Save the second serum for the evening, when you can take an extra minute and let each layer settle properly.
Two at most
Two serums is plenty for reactive skin. A common pairing is Niacinamide Clear Serum for the look of blemishes and Hyaluronic Dew Serum for moisture; the two sit happily together. If you want to add more, add it slowly, one product at a time, and give skin a week to adjust. More than two rarely adds anything except irritation.
Pairs that work, and pairs to space out
Barrier Repair Serum goes with almost anything, so it is a safe second serum. Keep Vitamin C Glow Drops for the morning and Bakuchiol Night Serum for the evening, rather than stacking them in one go. If your skin is new to any of them, start with every other day and build up from there. There is no prize for using everything at once.
Signs you are doing too much
Tightness, stinging or flaky patches mean it is time to strip back to the three-step routine for a week: cleanse, one serum, moisturise. Let skin settle, then reintroduce one product at a time. If it keeps reacting, book a free consultation at a studio and we will help you simplify. Usually the fix is fewer products, not more. You can also reply to hello@mallowskin.co.uk.
