"I'm obsessed with how it made my skin feel": 14 women review the serum hailed as the ultimate skin hydrator.

Fact: knowing the distinct differences between skin types is important for treating your skin’s needs. Also, fact: those distinctions between different skin types aren't always as straightforward as they seem. 

Oily versus dry skin appears pretty self-explanatory at first. You're seeing that oil on your skin, so you must have oily skin, right? Not always! Turns out oil production can be a bit more tricky, as what you’re dealing with could *actually* a side effect of your skin’s dehydration.

A quick refresher.

Dry skin produces little to no oil, so the impact tends to be skin that's dry and flaky. And oily skin? She produces oil like Harry Styles produces bangers. Oily skin generally looks shiny, greasy and has larger pores. 

Now, dehydrated skin isn’t necessarily overly dry skin.

Dehydrated skin is actually a condition (not a skin type!), where the skin lacks water content. A beauty with oily, combination or normal skin type can have dehydration, and lead to skin looking dull, tight and overproducing oil to compensate for the lack of moisture.

Sound familiar to you? Then opting for skincare products containing humectants (ingredients that attract moisture from the environment into the skin to keep it supple and ~juicy~) is a must.

Some products, like the Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum from esmi Skin Minerals, promise to do some serious heavy lifting for us by combining several humectants – hyaluronic acid, allantoin, aloe barbadensis leaf extract – into one glorious formula to help defend moisture loss.

The result? A quick-absorbing hydrating serum delivering plump skin, minimising lines on the face, and boosting radiance. Basically like a big drink of water for your skin.

YES PLEASE.

We had 250 women from our Mamamia You Beauty Panel put esmi's Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum to a 4 week test, and investigate if it's actually the ultimate skin hydrator we've been promised.

(The serum is Aussie made, vegan and cruelty-free, and contains plant-based ingredients along with actives for ultimate results on all skin types... so we had high hopes!)

The Panel scored it an average of 4.2 out of 5, with 80 per cent of women wanting to repurchase (and 91 per cent saying they'd recommend it!).

Here's what some of our Panellists reported back to us.

Amelia, 31: "I've noticed a significant reduction in acne."

"The biggest difference this serum has made is that my skin feels smoother and more hydrated. I've noticed a significant reduction in acne too, which I was hyperaware of, being that breakouts around the chin area are one of my biggest skin concerns. Big yes to repurchasing and recommending this product!"

Annabelle, 33: "I've already recommended it to friends."

Annabelle. Image: Supplied.

"My main skin concern is hydration and I'd happily give this product a 4 out of 5 on that front! I loved that this Australian brand delivers on its promise and is packed with great ingredients. I would purchase again and I've already recommended it to friends."

Kelly, 29: "Very hydrating, and feels quite luxurious when applying."

"With ageing, fine lines and dehydration being my main skin concerns, I'm committed to finding the glow! I found the product to be very hydrating, and feels quite luxurious when applying. I would definitely purchase with my own money."

Amanda, 36: "Noticeable improvement in my skin hydration, texture and tone."

"I saw a noticeable improvement in my skin hydration, texture and tone during the trial period. It worked well with all other products I currently use too. Texture/scarring are my biggest skin concerns, and I'm very happy with the results of this serum. Keen to purchase again and try others in the range!"

Yadi, 29: "I noticed a clear difference with my skin after consistent use."

Yadi. Image: Supplied.

"My skin is mainly dry and dull, so it was lovely to trial a product I had seen so much on Instagram, used and loved by skincare influencers! It felt quite luxe, and I noticed clear differences with my skin after consistent use. I felt the consistency was a bit sticky, but it was truly everything you want in a hydrating serum. And the packaging was beautiful!"

Rachel, 30: "A staple in my beauty bag."

"I have always used other hydrating serums but after hearing lots about (and now trying) esmi, it is definitely going to be a staple in my beauty bag. I have dry/combination skin, and it left me with super smooth skin. My mum asked me if I had gotten Botox! I told her no... I have just started using esmi products!"

Bec, 47: "The biggest benefit in my skin was hydration."

"Ageing and fine lines are the main skin concerns I'm always looking to target. After trying this serum, the biggest benefit to my skin was hydration! I would happily recommend this product, I quite liked the results and will continue to use and repurchase."

Jesseca, 36: "Upped my hydration and glowy skin factor!"

Jesseca. Image: Supplied.

"I mainly found this product upped my hydration and glowy skin factor! My biggest worries with my skin are definitely dehydration and dullness, so that's why I'd definitely recommend this product after using it consistently myself! I would happily purchase again."

Ally, 30: "It delivered most on hydration, which made my skin plump and glowy."

"This product delivered most on hydration, which made my skin plump and glowy – and the added niacinamide in the serum aided my skin throughout the day with oil control. I loved trialling this esmi product! It lives in my skincare fridge and I've been using it every morning. 

"It's so refreshing and works great under makeup too."

Simone, 29: "It sat really nicely under other skincare and makeup."

"I was using a different brand of hydrating serum, however I prefer the esmi one! Absolutely loved this product. Packaging was so pretty, it looked great in my bathroom, but more importantly: it worked! My skin felt instantly plump and hydrated, and it sat really nicely under other skincare and makeup."

Amy, 37: "Will be purchasing again!"

Amy. Image: Supplied.

"I found that this serum was great for calming my skin and keeping it hydrated.

"It's a gorgeous serum that hydrates and calms my skin. I found it great to apply before my retinol to help keep my skin from freaking out. Will be purchasing again!"

Stephanie, 35: "I rate this serum 5 out of 5."

"I rate this serum 5 out of 5. Really great product! I will definitely be repurchasing. Love that I can use this around my eyes too, which saves my money and time. Love that this has Vitamin B5 in it too – also so a great multi-tasker for a good price!"

Ursula, 33: "My skin felt plumper, and I had less flaky skin."

"I found that my skin felt healthier in general. My skin felt plumper, as if I had just drank 8 glasses of water. I found that I had less flaky skin. However, I wouldn’t use the product on its own, I felt it worked well with other products to enhance my complexion."

Ursula. Image: Supplied.

Tessarne, 31: "I am obsessed with how it made my skin feel."

"Hello hydration!! I have quite dry skin so this was a saviour in adding hydration to my skin and making it feel smooth and plump. I am obsessed with how it made my skin feel."

Want to try it for yourself? Shop esmi Skin Minerals Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum, the ultimate skin hydrator to help plump skin, minimise lines on the face, and boost radiance.

Use code MAMAMIA15 for 15 per cent off site wide.

Code valid until May 31, excludes gift cards & cannot be used in conjunction with other offers.

Feature Image: Mamamia/Supplied.