7 Moisturizers You Can Comfortably Wear Under Makeup
Makeup-friendly, all-day comfort.
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If you’re not into makeup primers, you probably rely on your moisturizer to help you create a smooth base for your makeup. And that makes a lot of sense. Moisturizers act as a hydration booster for your skin, creating an even, smooth canvas that helps your foundation glide on effortlessly.
Not only do they lock in moisture, but they also prevent your makeup from settling into fine lines and creases. A good moisturizer can even double as a face primer to prep your skin for makeup and prevent it from getting patchy later on.
On the flip side, if your moisturizer doesn’t sit well under makeup, it can separate your foundation, make it look patchy, and even cause pilling. So it’s more than understandable to want a moisturizer that wears well under makeup.
But no worries! I’ve tried moisturizers that worked so well under makeup that they made primer look redundant! Scroll down for the best moisturizers to wear under makeup for a flawless, long-lasting finish!
The Best Moisturizers To Wear Under Makeup
1. Fenty Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
This moisturizer is actually what made me change my whole outlook on sunscreens and moisturizers with sunscreen. This is such a wearable formula that it makes skincare and makeup easy and doable for all. First off, it’s a potent daily moisturizer rich in hyaluronic acid and packs skin-brightening niacinamide.
Secondly, it has chemical SPF 30, which reduces the number of products you need to put on your face under makeup. Lastly, it keeps the skin looking radiant and plump all day and is as good as a primer. It layers beautifully and doesn’t pill under your makeup. The formula is suitable for all skin types, including oily skin, and is one of the best moisturizers to wear under makeup.
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, watermelon extract
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Oil-free, vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, available in fragrance-free, recyclable, refill
2. Lancome Hydra Zen Glow Liquid Moisturizer
If you have a separate SPF and you’re not necessarily looking for an SPF-infused formula, this is my second recommendation. I don’t think I’ll ever stop raving about this moisturizer. This is a liquid moisturizer, and it doesn’t get any lighter than that!
It has a rich blend of amino acids to replenish skin and support the skin barrier. And it has a subtly dewy finish that freshens up your skin and makes it look radiant instantly. It absorbs really well and looks amazing under makeup, even if you’re wearing a matte foundation. I have sensitive skin from rosacea and I’ve never had any irritation from it.
Key Ingredients: Amino acid blend, peony extract, aloe
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Non-comedogenic
3. Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
This one is a celebrity-approved daily moisturizer you can use under makeup because it’s also a makeup artist’s favorite! It’s what Mario Dedivanovic, also known as Makeup by Mario, used on Kim Kardashian’s skin instead of a primer.
It gives long-lasting moisture and keeps the skin healthy under makeup. It has a texture that works great no matter your skin type. And it’s formulated with incredibly moisturizing goodies like squalane, avocado oil, and soybean oil. And lastly, it’s fragrance-free and sensitive skin-friendly, so you can comfortably use it.
Quick Tip: Using an eye cream is just as important as using face cream under makeup. If you’re also on the lookout for an under-eye moisturizer to use under your foundation, you absolutely can’t go wrong with Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment. The two are the perfect combo!
Key Ingredients: Squalane, avocado oil
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free
4. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
This is a foolproof, affordable, and effective option, especially if you have dry, dehydrated skin. People are intimidated by the texture and consistency of it but hear me out. Apply this moisturizer on damp or wet skin. That’s when it thins out considerably and becomes much more pleasant if you have combination skin or oily skin.
It doesn’t feel heavy or interfere with your makeup. It locks in moisture and keeps your skin smooth and soft under makeup. Alternatively, you can try CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion, which has a thinner texture if your skin is on the oilier side. Either way, these two, though they don’t offer any particular benefit in the form of anti-aging or skin brightening, get the job done and support your foundation.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, hyaluronic acid
Size: 12 oz/340 g
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic
5. Clinique Moisture Surge Intense 72H Lipid-Replenishing Hydrator
This is the thicker version of Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator. This has more of an emollient texture to it that looks and feels amazing on any skin type. It’s packed with skin-repairing squalane, hyaluronic acid, and amino acids.
It has soothing aloe and Centella Asiatica extract too. And even if the formula is made for people with dry skin, it’s oil-free and feels light on my oily/combination skin. So you get to take care of your skin and also keep your makeup flawless all day.
Key Ingredients: Centella Asiatica, squalane, aloe
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Oil-free, fragrance-free
6. Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
This is literally meant to both moisturize and prime your face. And as much as it has this balm-like, thick-looking texture, it actually takes only a few seconds to blend in with your skin and boost moisture while creating a soft feeling base for your foundation.
Plus, it’s madly rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B, as well as skin-plumping hyaluronic acid and squalane. It smells amazing, and no matter what type of foundation you’re using, whether it’s silicone-based or water-based, the makeup/skincare hybrid is worth every penny.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, vitamin E, squalane
Size: 1.7 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Gluten-free, non-comedogenic
7. Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer
If you’re looking for something with a major focus on skincare and you are dealing with dullness, dehydration, flaky skin, and fine lines, this can be the best thing that happened to your face! This a skin saver for dry winter skin all thanks to its madly moisturizing formula made with marula oil, and a rich blend of amino acids.
It also packs signal peptides, and plant-derived growth factors to improve the look of aging skin and give it a firmer, healthier, and brighter appearance. The texture first feels a bit thick but it just melts with the heat of your fingers like coconut oil would. All this and you don’t experience any pilling! So if you need all the moisture you can get under your foundation, this is it!
Key Ingredients: Peptides, growth factors, amino acids
Size: 1.69 oz/50 ml
Good To Know: Fragrance-free, silicone-free, vegan, cruelty-free, refill
So these are the best moisturizers you can wear under makeup. If you haven’t found what you’re looking for here, keep reading for your full guide on how to choose one.
How To Choose Moisturizers To Wear Under Makeup
Keep Your Skin Type in Mind
Obviously, moisturizers fall under the category of skincare so your skin type plays a major role in choosing a moisturizer even if your aim is to pair it with your foundation. So stick with oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizers if you have oily, acne-prone skin to avoid clogging pores and causing breakouts. And try to go for creamy, emollient moisturizers if you have combination or dry skin.
Go for a Light Texture
One thing to note here is that regardless of your skin type, it’s best to generally stick with moisturizers with a light texture. What I mean by that is that you don’t want moisturizers that are heavy in silicone content that sit on top of your skin because they’re very likely to pill, especially when you apply foundation on top. So go for moisturizers that are a bit runny with a light texture as they’re easier to blend and wear under foundation.
Look for Hydrating Ingredients
Also, the more hydrating ingredients your moisturizer contains, the plumper your skin will look. So look for several skin hydrators like amino acids, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and light plant oils. Additionally, if you want to get the most out of your moisturizer, you can look for additional ingredients. For example, you might want to opt for an SPF-infused option because that way, you can combine two products in one. You can also look for antioxidants and anti-aging ingredients if you have mature, aging skin or want to target signs of aging like wrinkles and dark spots.
Tips For Skincare Under Makeup
- Skin prep is the most important part of your makeup. So before anything else, make sure you properly care for your skin and remember that moisturizing is only one aspect of it.
- Never apply your makeup on dirty skin or half-clean skin. Always start with a freshly cleaned face. If you can, take the time to do a proper skincare routine and include an exfoliating toner to get rid of flaky skin.
- If you usually complain about dehydrated, dull, or flaky skin, add more steps to your skincare routine. Use a hydrating toner and try toner layering which is guaranteed to plump your skin.
- Take advantage of hydrating face serums before applying your moisturizer. This extra step ensures that your skin is plump and bouncy, which prevents your foundation from making your fine lines more noticeable.
- Wait between your skincare steps to allow your skin to absorb. Otherwise, you’re just stacking products and it’ll be really difficult to layer foundation on top.
- Don’t forget the under-eye area. If you have a separate eye cream, go for it. If not, use your face cream on the under-eye area to help your concealer apply more easily.
- And lastly, don’t forget to wear sunscreen. Try moisturizers with SPF or a standalone sunscreen before moving on to makeup application.
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