Are you one of those people whose skin care routine consists of only washing your face and putting moisturizer on it? Until very recently, I was also one those people. I thought that my face did not need much, except to be clean, moist, and smooth. 

As I had mentioned earlier on the blog, I receive Ipsy beauty bag every month. Only $10 for five beauty products sounds like an awesome deal, right? :) I have written reviews on the September and October glam bags, and if you are interested in learning more about this online service, definitely check out those posts!

So last month, I received a hydrating serum in my Ipsy bag. This serum is by Eau Thermale Avene. I heard about serums before from Carli Bybel, but I still had no idea what the hell it would do to my skin. I read the label on the tube, and I saw the word "hydrating", so I just started using this serum instead of my moisturizer. I know, I know, I should have done my research prior to using it, but hey, here I am helping you figure out the purpose behind this serum thing. After using it a couple of times, I decided to turn to the internet, and determine if I was using it the right way.

Nope, I was not! So the first rule to using serums is that you have to apply it after cleansing your skin, and before using a moisturizer. Yes, you still need to use a moisturizer because serum on its own does not contain protective properties like creams or moisturizers do. 

Why use a serum?

Serums contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, which means that they will help buff in all these ingredients directly into your skin, and will also help do the same for other products that you will put on top. This means that a serum will amplify the power of other products, and it will help get quicker results. It firms, brightens, and regenerates your skin. Serums also help repair your skin overnight to achieve a luminous look. 

Is it better for dry or oily skin?

Both! Serums formulated with a water base will work for those who have oily skin. Serums formulated with oils are suited better for dry skin. Always read the section where it explains the ingredients of a serum to determine which one is best for you. 

Although serums tend to be on the pricier end of products, I think that it is a good idea to try it out, and see if it produces faster results than just using other products on their own. Another tip is that you do not need to use a lot at once, because it is comprised of smaller molecules and is very concentrated. If you need more information on serums and their uses, check out this short article, which gives you different options that you may want to try out. 

Have you used serums yet? What is your experience like? Let me know in comments! :)