Skincare Before Makeup: The Perfect Prep Routine

It is important to know that every good makeup starts with good skin and thus the skin care before makeup is very important in order to achieve a perfect look. Skincare before makeup is not just a trend but it is very important as it forms the basis of how your makeup will look like and how it will stay throughout the day. Whether you want to have natural shine or chameleon effect, you have to first prepare your skin and then your makeup will go on smoothly and will also last long.

In this blog, I will share with you the right method of doing skin care before applying makeup, the reasons behind these steps and the products that I suggest for you to use in order to get that perfect smooth skin that is ready to have makeup on it.

Why Skincare Is Essential Before Makeup

Skincare is the basic routine that you have to follow to set the stage for your makeup. If you do not take the time to properly prepare your skin, your makeup may not go on smoothly, it may settle into fine lines, or it may fade quickly. This is why it is crucial to have a proper skincare routine before putting on makeup:

• Smooth Application: This means that the skin is well hydrated and exfoliated thus enabling the makeup to be applied smoothly with no bumps or uneven surfaces.
• Long-Lasting Makeup: Having a good skin regimen will go a long way in helping you maintain your makeup as it will not easily peel off thus minimizing the times you will have to reach for your makeup mirror.
• Flawless Finish: Skincare helps in reducing spots, patches of dry skin, and oiliness thus preparing the skin to act as a canvas for the foundation.
• Healthier Skin:Personal skin care routine is a way of taking care of the skin in the right way thus making it healthy in the long run.

The Perfect Skincare Prep Routine for Makeup

The following is a simple skincare routine that you should follow before putting on makeup. Each step is important in order to keep your skin well hydrated and flawless for the makeup.

1. Cleanse Your Skin

The first thing that you have to do to prepare the skin is to cleanse it. Cleansing removes dirt, oil and other debris that may be present on the skin including those that may have been left on the skin the previous day. This is because is a clean surface that is suitable for application of makeup.

• Tip: If you have dry skin, choose a hypoallergenic moisturizing facial cleanser, and if you have oily skin, use an oil-free product that will mattify your skin. One should not use soap or cleansers that are very strong to avoid stripping the skin of its natural oil since this will cause the skin to peel or become irritated.
• Recommended Products:

                       ○    CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (for dry skin)

○   La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser (for sensitive skin) ○   Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash (for oily skin)

2. Exfoliate (2-3 Times a Week)

Exfoliating removes dead skin cells from the surface, which can create a smoother texture and prevent makeup from clinging to dry patches or flaking skin. However, don’t exfoliate daily—2-3 times a week is enough to maintain soft, smooth skin without over-exfoliating.

• Tip: Choose a chemical exfoliant like AHA or BHA for gentle exfoliation. Avoid physical exfoliants with large granules, as they can cause microtears in the skin.
• Recommended Products:

○    The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (for gentle chemical exfoliation)

○    Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant (for oily or acne-prone skin)

                       ○         Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads (for all skin types)

3. Apply Toner

Toners help balance your skin’s pH levels after cleansing and exfoliating. They can also add extra hydration or target specific skin concerns, like pore size or redness. A toner helps prep the skin to better absorb serums and moisturizers, ensuring your skincare products work more effectively.

• Tip: Choose a toner that suits your skin type—hydrating toners for dry skin, pore-refining toners for oily skin, or soothing toners for sensitive skin.
• Recommended Products:

                       ○    Klairs Supple Preparation Unscented Toner (for sensitive skin)

○   Thayers Witch Hazel Toner (for oily or acne-prone skin) ○        Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Facial Toner (for dry skin)

4. Apply Serum

Serums are packed with concentrated active ingredients that address specific skin concerns. Whether you’re aiming to brighten, reduce fine lines, or fight acne, there’s a serum for every skin type and concern. Applying serum before moisturizer allows the ingredients to penetrate deeply into the skin, providing more targeted treatment.

• Tip: If you have multiple concerns, consider layering serums. Apply the thinnest (like vitamin C) first, followed by thicker serums (like hyaluronic acid).
• Recommended Products:

                       ○    The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% (for blemishes and oily skin)

                       ○    Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (for hydration and anti-aging)

                       ○    SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic (for brightening and anti-aging)

5. Moisturize

It is important to moisturise the skin regardless of the skin type. Oil skin also requires hydration to maintain the proper skin balance. A provides good a moisturizer smooth is surface used to to apply hydrate make the up skin on. and If also you have oily skin, ensure that you get a light, non-greasy moisturizer while if you have dry skin, get a richer formula.

• Tip: It is also advisable to wait for some time before applying the makeup after using the moisturizer. This is because the skin is able to fully hydrate and there is no pilling when the makeup is worn.
• Recommended Products:

                       ○    Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel (for oily skin)

                       ○    CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (for dry skin)

                       ○    First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (for sensitive skin)

6. Apply Sunscreen

It is very important to never miss sunscreen no matter how short the time you will be spending outside. Sunscreen helps to protect the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays that cause wrinkles, sunburns, and dark spots. Go for a broad spectrum SPF of 30+ and make sure that you apply it as the last step of your skin care routine.

• Tip: Choose a sunscreen that also has the properties of a primer so that you get an extra layer of protection as well as smoother skin.
• Recommended Products:

○    EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 (for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin)

○   La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Sunscreen Milk SPF 60 (for dry skin) ○ Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 (for all skin types)

The Final Touch: Primer

Although it is not strictly a part of the skincare regimen, a good primer is a great link between the skin care and the makeup routines. It prepares the skin, makes it smooth, reduces appearance the of pores and helps the makeup last longer. Select a primer which suits your skin type and the type of makeup that you wear. For instance, there are hydrating primers for dry skin, mattifying primers for oily skin and pore filling primers for large pores.

        ●    Recommended Products:

                       ○    Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer (for a smooth base)

                       ○    Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer (for a mattifying effect)

                       ○    Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer (for pore-filling and hydration)