Skin types: which serum and moisturiser to use

Updated: 16 August 2026 · Reading time: 8 min · Category: Skincare guides

The most useful way to choose a serum and a moisturiser is not to follow trends but to watch how your skin behaves throughout the day. If it feels tight, flaky or uncomfortable, it likely needs more hydration and barrier support. If shine appears quickly or rich textures feel heavy, lighter formulas usually make more sense. And if your skin feels broadly balanced but you want to improve radiance, firmness or the look of fine lines, the decision is usually more about visible goals than about piling on products.

A serum usually brings a lighter texture and a more targeted role. A moisturiser helps seal in comfort, support the skin surface and complete the routine. Used together, they often work better than either step on its own.

How to tell what skin type you have

You do not need a complicated diagnosis to make a smart cosmetic choice. In daily skincare, it is often enough to observe clean skin without makeup or products for a few hours.

Common signs

• Normal skin: generally balanced, without obvious tightness or excess shine.
• Dry skin: often feels rough, tight or lightly flaky, especially after cleansing.
• Combination skin: usually shows more shine through the T-zone and more comfort or dryness on the cheeks.
• Oily skin: tends to look shinier, feel slicker and become overloaded more easily by rich textures.
• Sensitive skin: may sting, burn or react easily after certain products. Sensitivity is not always a standalone skin type; it can sit alongside dryness, oiliness or a disrupted barrier.

If your skin stings, reddens or becomes irritated often, a simpler routine and professional advice may be the most sensible next step.

What a serum does and what a moisturiser does

A serum does not always replace a moisturiser, and a moisturiser does not do exactly the same job as a serum.

The role of a serum

A serum is usually the step you choose for a specific visible goal in a lightweight format: hydration, radiance, the look of expression lines or a firmer appearance. That makes it useful when you want a more focused step without adding too much weight.

The role of a moisturiser

A moisturiser helps keep water at the skin surface, improve comfort and make the routine feel more complete, especially when skin tends to become dry or less supple. Combination and oily skin can still benefit from a moisturiser, but usually in a better-controlled amount and texture.

What to choose for normal skin

Normal skin often does well with a simple routine. Here, the choice is driven more by the finish and skincare goal than by a strong texture restriction.

If you want lightweight hydration and a fresher-looking complexion, Hydra Hyaluron Serum can work well as a first layer thanks to its hyaluronic-acid-led profile. Day Antioxidant Cream can then complete the morning routine with a more nourishing feel and sustained comfort.

At night, you may keep the serum and only switch to a more restorative cream when skin feels drier or looks more tired.

What to choose for dry or dehydrated skin

It helps to separate two ideas here. Dry skin produces fewer lipids. Dehydrated skin lacks water. They can overlap, but they are not identical.

When water loss or tightness is the main issue, a hydrating serum is often the logical first step. Hydra Hyaluron Serum fits especially well when skin feels dull, tight or less flexible. A cream with a more cushioning texture can then help hold onto that comfort. In the current Y5 catalogue, Day Antioxidant Cream is the clearest daytime match, while Repair Night Cream makes more sense at night when you want a richer finish.

If your skin becomes dry easily, consistency usually works better than aggression. More layers do not automatically mean more benefit. In many cases, a hydrating serum and a well-chosen cream are enough.

What to choose for combination or oily skin

Combination or oily skin does not always need stripped-back formulas. It needs balance. Over-cleansing or relying on overly harsh products can increase discomfort and may encourage the skin to produce more oil in response.

This skin profile often does best with lightweight serums and moisturisers used in the right amount. Hydra Hyaluron Serum can be a good fit when you want hydration without heaviness. If your priority is brighter-looking skin and a less dull tone, C-Antioxidant Serum is the most coherent alternative in the current catalogue.

With moisturiser, the goal is not necessarily to remove it altogether but to adjust the texture and amount. Day Antioxidant Cream may suit combination skin more easily than very oily skin, especially when used sparingly or only where extra comfort is needed.

What to choose when firmness or visible lines are the priority

Sometimes the main question is not skin type but firmness, elasticity or the look of visible lines. In that case, the serum is often the step that most changes the routine.

Glicano Firming Serum fits a routine aimed at a firmer-looking complexion and a progressive cosmetic tightening effect. Wrinkles B-Tox Effect is positioned more clearly towards the look of expression lines, especially in an evening routine. If skin also feels drier, more mature or less supple, Repair Night Cream can pair well with either serum as the final night step.

Realistic expectations matter here. A cosmetic product may improve hydration, texture and visible skin quality, but it does not replace medical treatment and it will not deliver identical results for everyone.

How to build a simple routine without overwhelming skin

A useful routine does not need to be long.

Morning

• Gentle cleanse if needed.
• Serum based on your main goal.
• Moisturiser if your skin needs more comfort.
• Broad-spectrum sunscreen.

Evening

• Gentle cleanse to remove sunscreen, makeup or daily buildup.
• Serum chosen for hydration, radiance or firmness.
• Finishing cream if skin feels dry, tight or in need of a more restorative feel.

If you introduce a new product, do it one at a time over several days. That makes it much easier to understand what suits your skin and what does not.

When professional advice makes sense

A guide like this can help with cosmetic choices, but it cannot diagnose skin conditions. It makes sense to seek professional advice if you have ongoing itch, persistent redness, painful breakouts, heavy flaking or repeated reactions even to gentle products.

It is also worth reviewing your routine if you are using stronger actives and your skin becomes increasingly reactive. Sometimes the issue is not too little skincare, but too much.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a serum without a moisturiser?

Yes, sometimes, especially if you have oily skin or live in a humid climate. Even so, many skins feel more comfortable when a serum is paired with a moisturiser suited to their needs.

Does oily skin still need hydration?

Yes. Hydration is not just for dry skin. Oily skin can also be dehydrated and may respond well to lightweight formulas that do not feel heavy.

How do I know whether I am dealing with dryness or dehydration?

Dryness is usually linked to a lack of lipids and often feels rougher or flakier. Dehydration is more often associated with tightness, reduced bounce and a duller look. The two can happen together.

Which comes first, serum or moisturiser?

In a simple routine, serum usually goes first and moisturiser second. That order lets you apply the lighter texture before the more cushioning step.

Should I use a different moisturiser in the morning and at night?

Not always. If your skin feels balanced, one moisturiser may be enough. If skin feels drier at night or you want a richer finish, a separate evening cream can make sense.

Conclusion

Choosing well is less about owning many products and more about matching texture and purpose honestly. If your skin needs water, start with a hydrating serum. If it needs comfort, choose a moisturiser that helps hold onto it. If your priority is radiance or firmness, adjust the serum before complicating the rest of the routine. A short, consistent and well-matched routine usually does more than a crowded one.