The first step is cleansing, every morning, evening and both before and after a workout. And then comes toner — our Crystal Clear clarifying pads are a true hero product — followed by an eye cream, like our Eye Sculpt. Next up? Serums.

If you truly want to invest in your skin, serums are the way to go. Sure, they're a more expensive aspect of your skin care routine. But you're paying for higher potency and a higher concentration of active ingredients – aka, you're getting more for your money. (It is an investment, after all!) Plus, with serums, a little goes a long way. It's all about consistency of use, not quantity.

When using serums, apply them after cleansers and toners, but before heavier items like moisturizers. They complement the other steps of your skin care routine and can intensify your results. Serums are also super versatile – you can mix them with your moisturizer or SPF for an even more custom routine. Two of our favorite combos are Night Watch + Face Whip and Glow Factor + 100% Mineral Tinted SPF.

Ready to give serums a go? Here are our three favorites, what they're best for and how to use them.

Glow Factor is our holy grail brightening and firming serum.

Packed with antioxidants, it's great for all skin types and is guaranteed to brighten your skin and protect you from free radicals all day long. Ferulic acid and vitamins C and E help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, too.

Check out @skin_pharm on Instagram for how to combine your Glow Factor! Once combined, gently massage a 1/2 dropper onto face and neck every morning. Our providers recommend using after your Youth Serum for more efficacy. May tingle upon application. Allow product to fully absorb, then follow with lotion or cream if extra hydration is needed.

Skin tip: Apply Glow Factor prior to your favoriteSkin Pharm SPF for extra dewy coverage – an additional sun protection!

ON THE BLOG: If You're Over 25, You Should Wear Glow Factor Every Day >

Youth Serum is hydrating and will give you visibly plumper skin.

It's ideal for all skin types and those wanting lightweight hydration for aging skin. It has hyaluronic acid, peptides and niacinamide to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it instantly plumps and firms. (Think of it like Botox in a bottle!) You can even use it as your daily moisturizer, too.

Dispense a 1/2 dropper into hands, then massage onto face, neck and décolletage with upward strokes. Use morning and night after cleansing and toning, and before other skin care.

Get both Youth Serum and Glow Factor with our Glowing Duo!

ON THE BLOG: 8 Great Things About Youth Serum >

Night Watch contains our favorite ingredient to work magic on your skin.

These gentle retinol drops work for all skin types — and especially those concerned about aging skin. They're formulated with pure retinol, bisabolol and vitamin C to refine the skin’s surface without causing irritation. They'll reduce fine lines and pore size, boost collagen production and balance oil production, too.

Apply a 1/2 dropper to clean face and neck, and leave on overnight. Allow product to fully absorb (3 to 5 minutes), then follow with a moisturizer. Use every other night.

Skin tip: If new to retinol, when first starting use, mix Night Watch with Face Whip to calm any anticipated reaction.

All in? Get Youth Serum, Glow Factor and Night Watch with our Serum Trio!