Layering: In what order should you apply your serums?

What is Layering?

"Layering" in cosmetics is a technique that involves applying several skincare products in successive layers to maximize their effects on the skin. As for the order of serum application, this largely depends on the ingredients and texture of each product.

If you want to know more about the steps of Layering, you can read our article: The steps of Layering

In what order should you apply your serums?

Generally, you should apply serums from the thinnest to the thickest, allowing each product to fully absorb before applying the next. Here's an example of the order in which you can apply your serums:

Water-based serum: First, apply a water-based serum containing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or niacinamide, which help hydrate, brighten, and strengthen the skin.

Oil-based serum: If you use an oil-based serum, apply it after the water-based serum. Oil-based serums contain ingredients such as vegetable oils, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids to nourish and protect the skin.

Hyaluronic acid-based serum is generally applied first because it is applied to damp skin, then the skin is allowed to dry. Hence the need to use fast-absorbing serums like those from the French Filler brand. Then continue with serums that are applied to dry skin.

If you have several hyaluronic acid-based serums in your routine, the lightest should be applied first.

Which serums to apply to damp skin?

Generally, serums can be applied to clean, dry skin. However, some serums can be applied to damp skin to improve their absorption and effectiveness.

Serums containing hyaluronic acid are often recommended to be applied to damp skin. Hyaluronic acid is a hydrating ingredient that attracts water and helps retain moisture in the skin. By applying a hyaluronic acid serum to damp skin, you can help retain extra moisture, which can help deeply hydrate the skin and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles. This is the case for French Filler hyaluronic acid-based serums.

Other serums can also be applied to damp skin, including serums containing ingredients such as glycerin, urea, or allantoin, which are all moisturizing ingredients.

It is important to note that if you apply serums to damp skin, you should let them dry completely before applying other products to prevent the products from mixing and altering each other.

The order of serum application is still a personal choice. For example, some will use Vitamin C serum in the morning at the same time as hyaluronic acid serum, while others will prefer to apply vitamin C in the evening (for example, in summer). It is therefore preferable to establish your own routine (validated and optimized by a dermo-cosmetic expert) and the most important thing is to stick to it.