How to layer your serum & cream

A copper peptide routine is about as low-effort as skincare gets. The whole thing takes under a minute, twice a day. Here's the order that makes the most of it, plus what to pair it with and what to keep apart.

The order, start to finish

1. Cleanse. Start with clean, dry skin, morning and night.
2. Serum to treat. Three to four drops of your copper peptide serum, pressed gently over face and neck. Give it a few seconds to absorb.
3. Cream to seal. Follow with the copper peptide cream to lock in moisture and keep everything comfortable.

That's it. Serum treats, cream seals. The thinnest products go first, the richest last, which is exactly how this duo is designed to layer.

How much, and how often

You don't need to drown your skin. A few drops of serum is plenty, a thin layer of cream over the top. Both, morning and night, is ideal. If you can only manage once a day, make it the evening. With copper peptides, consistency beats intensity every time, the look of results comes from showing up daily, not from piling product on.

What plays nicely

• Hyaluronic acid — a hydrating layer under your cream is a great match.
• Niacinamide — generally a friendly companion for an even-looking tone.
• Sunscreen — your last morning step, always. Daily SPF protects the look of your skin more than almost anything else you can do.

What to keep apart

Copper peptides are easygoing, but a couple of pairings are best spaced out rather than layered in the same moment:

• Direct vitamin C — copper peptides and a strong vitamin C don't love sitting on top of each other. Use them at opposite ends of the day (one AM, one PM).
• Strong acids and retinol — no need to avoid them, just don't apply them at the exact same time as your peptides. Alternate evenings, or use peptides in the morning and your retinol at night. More on that in copper peptides vs retinol.

A simple AM / PM template

Morning: cleanse → copper peptide serum → copper peptide cream → SPF.

Evening: cleanse → copper peptide serum → copper peptide cream. (Slotting retinol in on alternate nights? Use it in place of the serum that night and keep the cream.)