How do you choose and combine facial serums?

With an extremely high concentration of active ingredients, our facial serums are exceptional skincare products that fit perfectly into every skincare routine. Blemish-combatting, anti-dark spot, moisturising, firming or complexion brightening: each of our facial serums has specific properties to respond to all skin problems. Which serum or serums should you choose? How should they be used? How should you combine them? Let our experts guide you so you find the right facial serum for your skincare routine.

By The Aroma-Zone editorial team

Updated on 5/26/2026Reading time: 0 min.

What is a serum?

A serum is an aqueous or oily product with a runny consistency that is concentrated in active ingredients, enabling it to penetrate the skin quickly and release its active ingredients deep down. A true skincare elixir, a facial serum is applied daily, a few drops at a time, to clean, make-up-free skin. It prepares the skin to drink in all the benefits of your day or night cream and boosts their effectiveness. Ultra-concentrated, a facial serum provides a highly effective response to specific skin problems, such as acne, brown spots, redness, wrinkles and loss of firmness and elasticity. A serum can also be used as part of a 4-week course of treatment, like our 10% Glycolic Acid & AHA Serum Concentrate, for a genuine "new skin" effect that smoothes and regenerates.

How do I choose a facial serum?

Feel like adding a facial serum to your skincare routine? The question is which serum to choose. We've summarised the properties of each of our facial elixirs here, so you can choose the one that's perfect for your skin type and specifically meets your needs. Whether you're looking for an anti-ageing or blemish-combatting effect, a soothing facial serum or one to combat blemishes, for every skin problem, there is a solution, and for every skin type, there is a serum!

Why is it more effective to include 2 serums in a facial routine?

Targeting multiple issues: Skin can have multiple needs at the same time. For example, it may be both dehydrated and prone to blemishes. By combining a hydrating serum with an anti-blemish serum, you can treat both problems at the same time.
Adaptability: Skin doesn't always have the same needs. It can be drier in winter and oilier in summer. The combination of serums allows you to adjust your skincare routine according to your skin's changing needs.
Maximising the effectiveness of active ingredients: Some serums have very high concentrations of active ingredients. By combining them, you can provide your skin with a higher dose of beneficial ingredients.

However, there are a few precautions to take:

Compatibility of ingredients: Some ingredients don't work well together or may even neutralise each other. It is therefore essential to ensure that the serums you wish to combine are compatible.
Skin sensitivity: Using multiple products together can increase the risk of irritation, especially if these products contain powerful active ingredients.
Product overload: Applying too many products can lead to the opposite effect, where the skin becomes congested or blocked.

Which facial serums should I use and how?

Serum combo for combination, oily or blemished skin with uneven tone

Steps:

In the morning: apply your Niacinamide Serum Concentrate
In the evening: apply your 3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

What are the effects?

For an blemish-combatting, brightening, anti-dark spot and moisturising effect.

Bonus: antioxidant effects and a flawless complexion.

Discover our Niacinamide Serum Concentrate

Discover our Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

Serum combo for mature, wrinkled, normal to dehydrated skin lacking radiance, with spots

Steps:

In the morning: apply your Vitamin C Serum Concentrate
In the evening: apply your 3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

What are the effects?

For an anti-ageing, brightening, anti-dark spot and moisturising effect.

Bonus: combats brown spots and boosts collagen synthesis.

Discover our Vitamin C Serum Concentrate

Discover our Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

Serum combo for dehydrated skin with signs of ageing

Steps:

In the morning: apply your 3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate.
In the evening: apply your Bakuchiol Serum Concentrate

What are the effects?

For anti-ageing, anti-wrinkle, firming and moisturising effects.

Bonus: blemish-combatting and anti-dark spot effects, thanks to the powerful 'retinol-like' properties of bakuchiol.

Discover our Bakuchiol Serum Concentrate

Discover our Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

Serum combo for combination to oily skin, with blemishes, acne, blackheads, open pores

Steps:

Morning: apply your Niacinamide Serum Concentrate
In the evening: apply your 3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

What are the effects?

Combats blemishes, tightens pores, regulates sebum secretion, moisturising, anti-wrinkle and plumping.

Bonus: reduces redness and helps spots heal.

Discover our Niacinamide Serum Concentrate

Discover our Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

Serum combo for mature, wrinkled skin lacking firmness, with uneven skin tone and spots

Steps:

In the morning: apply your 3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate
In the evening: apply your Optimised Retinal Serum Concentrate

What are the effects?

For a firming, anti-wrinkle and anti-dark spot effect.

Bonus: Reduces the signs of fatigue and skin stress.

Discover our Optimised Retinal Serum Concentrate

Discover our Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

Serum combo for mature skin lacking firmness, elasticity and radiance

Steps:

In the morning: apply 3.5% Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate
In the evening: apply 1.5% Vegan Collagen Serum Concentrate

What are the effects?

Nourished, firmer skin with increased elasticity and deep hydration.

Bonus: Reinforces the skin barrier.

Discover our 1.5% Vegan Collagen Serum Concentrate

Discover our Hyaluronic Acid Serum Concentrate

Is there a maximum number of serums that can be used at the same time?

The basic rule with serums is to use just one serum. If you want to treat multiple problems at the same time, simply follow one of our skincare rituals shown above.

Which serum combinations are not recommended?

Our 10% Glycolic Acid & AHA Serum Concentrate, Bakuchiol Serum Concentrate and 10% Niacinamide, Copper and Zinc Serum Concentrate all have high concentrations of very powerful active ingredients, so it's advisable to avoid using them one on top of the other. However, it is perfectly possible to use them at different times of the day: for example, apply the Bakuchiol Serum Concentrate in the morning, and use the 10% Glycolic Acid & AHA Serum Concentrate in the evening.

Complete your skincare routine

If you want to complete your skincare routine, you can opt for one of our natural elixirs or oils:

Our lavender elixir is perfectly suited to damaged, irritated and sensitive skin thanks to its soothing action.

Discover

Helichrysum elixir is specially adapted for damaged, dry and sensitive skin. Its concentrated action treats dark circles and puffiness, redness and rosacea, as well as sagging skin. It facilitates cell microcirculation and deeply nourishes the skin.

Discover

Roman chamomile elixir is best suited to irritated, dry and sensitive skin, thanks to its soothing and nourishing properties.

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Damask rose elixir, a highly soothing elixir, is particularly recommended for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. It is therefore ideal for mature skin.

Discover

Finally, our Organic Precious Facial Oil is perfect for treating mature and/or dry skin thanks to its various actions: anti-ageing, antioxidant, anti-spot, nourishing and repairing. This oil effectively treats brown spots, sagging skin and fine lines and wrinkles.

Discover

Find out more

Using a serum before a cream offers a number of benefits for the skin. Firstly, serums are formulated with high concentrations of active ingredients, making them more effective at targeting specific skin issues, such as hydration, radiance or firmness.

By applying the serum before the cream, you allow these active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin, offering more visible, longer-lasting results.

What's more, serums are generally lighter and less occlusive than creams, making them ideal for use under other moisturisers without overloading the skin.

The ideal time to apply a serum to the face is after cleansing and toning the skin, and before applying other moisturising or protective products, such as a day or night cream. This allows the serum's active ingredients to penetrate the skin effectively and deliver their benefits before being sealed in by other products. It is recommended that you use the serum morning and night for optimal results, depending on your skin's specific needs and the product recommendations.

To apply a facial serum, start by cleansing and toning your skin according to your usual routine. Next, take a few drops of serum in the palm of your hand or directly on your fingers. Then spread the serum all over your face using gentle upward movements. For glycolic acid, azelaic acid and vitamin C serums, avoid the eye area.

Gently massage the serum into the skin until it is completely absorbed. You can then follow with your daily moisturiser or sun protection, depending on your skincare routine.