Skincare Cocktailing: How to Mix & Match Ingredients for Max Results

If you’ve ever stood in front of your bathroom mirror wondering, “Do I put this serum on before or after my moisturizer?” — well you’re not alone.

Between vitamin C, retinol, glycolic acid, and about a hundred creams and toners, it can feel like skincare chemistry class — but with less instruction and more trial-and-error.

As a nurse practitioner but mostly a skincare-obsessed mom who’s tested more serums than I can count, I’m here to simplify it for you. Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated — it just needs to be done in the right order so your products actually work.

Let’s talk about the correct order, what not to mix, and when to use those powerhouse actives like vitamin C, glycolic acid, and retinol.

✨ The Golden Rule of Skincare Layering: Thin to Thick

Think of it like stacking pancakes — you start light and finish heavy.
Every step should go from the thinnest, most watery product to the thickest, most moisturizing one.

Here’s your cheat sheet:

1. Cleanser

2. Toner (optional)

3. Treatment/Serum (Vitamin C, Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, etc.)

4. Moisturizer

5. Sunscreen (AM only)

Let’s break it down...

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing is non-negotiable. It’s how you remove dirt, oil, sunscreen, and yesterday’s regrets. ;)

Morning and night, use a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin barrier.
If you wear makeup or SPF (and you should), consider double cleansing at night — start with an oil-based cleanser to melt away residue, followed by a mild foaming or cream cleanser.

My favorites:
👉 Click here for affiliate link: “CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser” It starts off as very creamy but then it creates a soapy foam so your skin feels very clean after you rinse. This is for those who need to see bubbles to feel clean.

👉 Click here for affiliate link: Clinique Foaming Facial Soap Very moisturizing for dry skin!

👉 Click here for affiliate link: The TULA Cult Classic This creamy probiotic cleanser is a fan-favorite for a reason—it effortlessly washes away dirt and makeup without stripping your skin. It leaves your face feeling perfectly clean, refreshed, and balanced, ready for the next steps in your routine.

💦 Step 2: Toner (Optional but Helpful)

Toners used to get a bad rap (thanks to the alcohol-heavy formulas of the 2000s), but modern ones are actually great for prepping your skin.

A good toner:

• Balances your skin’s pH

• Removes leftover impurities

• Prepares your skin to absorb serums better

If your skin is dry or sensitive, stick with hydrating toners containing rosewater, aloe, or hyaluronic acid.
If oily or acne-prone, a gentle exfoliating toner with glycolic or lactic acid a few nights a week can help.

Try:
👉 Click here for affiliate link: BIOSSANCE Squalane + 2% BHA Pore Minimizing Toner: This toner uses willowbark (natural source of BHA)which has multiple benefits: skin-soothing, dead skin-dissolving, and texture-smoothing. The key to smaller looking pores. ;)
👉 Click here for affiliate link: TULA's clarifying tonic This alcohol-free tonic is perfect for a gentle daily refresh, effectively sweeping away dull surface skin cells and residue after cleansing. It works to smooth your skin's texture, even out tone, and prep your face to better absorb your favorite serums and moisturizers.

🌞 Step 3: Serums (Your Skin’s Power Players)

This is where the real magic happens. Serums are highly concentrated formulas that target specific concerns — like fine lines, dullness, dark spots, or dehydration.

Here’s the quick guide to when and how to use your actives:

Morning: Vitamin C

Vitamin C brightens skin, boosts collagen, and protects against free radicals (like UV and pollution).

💡 Tip: Apply vitamin C after toner but before moisturizer — and always follow with SPF.

Best for: Dullness, dark spots, uneven tone.
Avoid mixing: Vitamin C with retinol or exfoliating acids in the same routine (can irritate skin).

If you’ve ever seen “vitamin C + ferulic acid” on a serum label and wondered what all the fuss is about, here’s the scoop.

Vitamin C is powerful but fragile — it breaks down easily when exposed to light, air, or heat. That’s where ferulic acid steps in. This antioxidant helps stabilize vitamin C, keeping it potent longer and amplifying its brightening and anti-aging effects.

Together, they’re like peanut butter and jelly — better as a pair. Ferulic acid also enhances vitamin C’s ability to protect your skin from environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, and blue light, making it an ideal part of your morning routine (always followed by sunscreen, of course).

💡 Look for serums that combine L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) with ferulic acid for the most effective results — they work in harmony to brighten, firm, and defend your skin.

🔬 Science Corner: The Why Behind the Glow

Ferulic acid is a plant-based antioxidant found in grains and seeds that neutralizes free radicals before they can damage collagen and elastin. When paired with vitamin C and E, it creates a synergistic antioxidant trio that strengthens your skin’s barrier and prevents photoaging (aka sun-related wrinkles and spots).

In plain English? Ferulic acid helps vitamin C last longer, work harder, and keep your glow-getter skin protected from the world outside.

Try:
👉 Click here for affiliate link: e.l.f. SKIN Bright Icon Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Face Serum: This affordable vitamin C serum is non-greasy and fast absorbing and has all the right ingredients!
👉 Click here for affiliate link: SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care 20% Vitamin C Hyaluronic Acid Serum + CE Ferulic Acid: Another great option with hyaluronic acid which helps to plump your skin!

Night: Retinol

Retinol (a vitamin A derivative) is your go-to for anti-aging. It increases cell turnover, softens wrinkles, and helps fade dark spots.

💡 Tip: Start slow — 2–3 nights a week, and always pair it with a gentle moisturizer.

Best for: Fine lines, uneven texture, acne-prone or mature skin.
Avoid mixing: Retinol with glycolic acid or other strong exfoliants (can cause dryness or irritation).

Try:
👉 Click here for affiliate link: AHAVA pRetinol™ Cream Formulated with Dead Sea minerals and plant-based retinol precursors, this cream hydrates, smooths, and renews while you sleep.
👉 Click here for affiliate link: RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging + Firming Night Face Moisturizer helps smooth and firm the skin while you sleep. Over time, it can visibly soften deep wrinkles and improve overall radiance — a great option if you’re looking to add a proven retinol to your nighttime routine.

👉 Click here for affiliate link: TULA Wrinkle Treatment Drops Okay, so for a gentle anti-aging boost, grab the Wrinkle Treatment Drops Retinol Alternative Serum. It's basically your shortcut to smoother skin and a better glow, all without the worry of irritation that can come with regular retinol! Limited time: 25% off w/ code: TREAT25

🧴 Step 4: Moisturize (Seal It All In)

This is your skin’s blanket — it locks in hydration and seals your active ingredients so they can do their job.

If you’ve got oily skin, go for a lightweight gel moisturizer.
If you’re on the dry side (hello, Minnesota winters!), choose a thicker ceramide cream.

Bonus: If you’re using retinol at night, applying moisturizer before and after can help reduce irritation — a method called “retinol sandwiching.”

Try:
👉 Click here for affiliate link: Drunk Elephant’s Lala Retro Whipped Cream is like a cozy blanket for your face—rich, creamy, and full of goodness from six African oils. It brings dry, tired skin back to life and leaves you lookin’ fresh, soft, and downright glowy.
👉Click here for affiliate link: TULA's 24-7 Moisture Intense This is your new go-to for serious hydration that lasts all day and night! It's a rich, non-greasy cream that gives your skin a plump, dewy look and feel, keeping dryness away 24/7. As of 10/25/25: FREE So Pumpkin exfoliating sugar scrub ($36 value!) with orders $75+ in cart!

☀️ Step 5: Sunscreen (Your Morning Must-Have)

I cannot stress this enough — never skip SPF.
If you use vitamin C, glycolic acid, or retinol, your skin becomes more sensitive to the sun. Sunscreen protects all that hard work (and your future self’s face).

Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every single day, rain or shine.

Try:
👉 Click here for affiliate link: e.l.f SKIN Suntouchable Whoa Glow SPF 30: can be a primer but I use it as my spf & moisturizer and it definitely makes your skin appear dewy! Very affordable as well. :)
👉 Click here for affiliate link: ILIA Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 40: mineral sunscreen with light coverage, once you try this, you won't want any other tinted spf!

What Not to Mix

• Vitamin C + Retinol: Too acidic and too strong together → irritation.
  → Use Vitamin C in the morning, Retinol at night.

• Glycolic Acid + Retinol: Over-exfoliates skin.
  → Alternate nights.

• Vitamin C + Niacinamide: Can cause redness in sensitive skin.
  → Use separately or find a combo formula.

• Retinol + Benzoyl Peroxide: They deactivate each other.
  → Use on different nights.

• Anything + SPF: SPF always goes last!
  → Never layer actives on top of sunscreen.

Example Routine:

Morning

1. Cleanser

2. Toner (optional)

3. Vitamin C Serum

4. Moisturizer

5. Sunscreen

Night

1. Cleanser

2. Toner

3. Retinol (or glycolic acid, on alternating nights)

4. Moisturizer

🌙 Alternate Nights for Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is amazing for gentle exfoliation and glow — just don’t mix it with retinol.
Instead, use it on non-retinol nights to remove dead skin and help your other products absorb better.

Try:
👉 Click here for affiliate link: CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment Anti-Aging Face Serum is an easy win for anti-aging, using gentle AHAs to smooth and brighten your skin overnight while keeping your moisture barrier totally happy thanks to those essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and licorice root extract.
👉 Click here for affiliate link: Drunk elephant's T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial This powerhouse weekly mask smooths, brightens, and gently resurfaces your skin with a blend of AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). It’s like a mini facial in a bottle—leaving your skin baby-soft and glowing without a trip to the spa. ***Don't use more then once a week as this is very potent!***

Final Thoughts...

Layering your skincare isn’t about having a dozen products — it’s about using the right ones in the right order.

Once you get into the rhythm, it’s easy:
✨ Thin to thick.
✨ Gentle to strong.
✨ Protect every morning, repair every night.

Your skin will thank you — and glow like you’ve been sleeping eight hours (even if your kids had other plans).

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only share products I truly love and recommend. Thank you for supporting Biscuits & Blessings! 🤍

Thanks y'all!

XOXO,

SG