What is the single best thing you can do for your skin?Quite simply - wear sunscreen. Ultraviolet radiation damages the skin and can lead to wrinkles, premature aging, age spots, and cancer. Take extra precautions to make sure your skin is not exposed to the sun's rays. Use a natural sunscreen, or a moisturizer that contains sunscreen (at least SPF 15) everyday.

Drink lots of water. That means at least 8 glasses of water a day. Drinking water is one of the best ways to keep your skin healthy. Water helps to hydrate the skin and move waste and nutrients through the system.

Ways to combat the dry skin that comes with age.Older skin has fewer sweat and oil glands than younger skin. Dry skin may be caused by frequent baths, certain cosmetics or medications. Avoid using harsh soaps when bathing, and if possible, cut back on the number of baths or showers each week. A sponge bath with warm water may help to clean and revive skin without stripping the skin of its valuable moisturizers. When you do use soap, try using a natural very mild soap that does not contain any dyes, parabens or perfumes. Follow up the bath with a moisturizing lotion concentrating on problem dry areas. A good all natural moisturizer is one of the foundations for a healthy skin care regimen. Continue moisturizing throughout the day to keep skin healthy. Your hands and face are particularly susceptible to daily damage, and may need to be moisturized several times.

Dark spots (hyperpigmentation) are caused due to past sun damage from your childhood and your teens that shows up in your 20's and 30's . Try a 2 percent hydroquinone cream and see if they fade. It should take a couple of months for you to see results. If you don't see results you can get your dermatologist to prescribe a 4 percent cream. Please note that hydroquinone is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women.

They are two different products and serve different purposes. A moisturizer hydrates the skin with humectants and prevents water loss.
A serum contains high concentrations of specific ingredients like antioxidants that helps maximize absorption. Serums aren't designed to be moisturizing although some contain a humectant like glycerin so check the ingredients on your serum. Otherwise you will need both - the serum first and then the moisturizer.