The term “skincare smoothie” has exploded all over TikTok recently, which refers to the process of mixing together two or more skincare ingredients at once in order to save time. But before it got a name, many of us were mixing together products from a young age just because we realized it improved the experience. One such example is mixing foundation with moisturizer. Those who stan this hack say that it helps to create a more dewy, hydrated look with foundation. Those who are opposed say it can rock the stability of products, thus making them less effective.
To find out what’s really going on when you mix foundation with moisturizer, we spoke with licensed medical aesthetician Carley Jamison for the scoop.
About the Expert:
Carley Jamison is a licensed medical aesthetician at PureMD.
Can You Mix Your Foundation With Moisturizer?
“Mixing foundation with moisturizer creating a tinted moisturizer allows you to customize the coverage and finish,” explains Jamison. It can help the wearer feel like their skin is more quenched and less dehydrated. “However,” she explains, “you need to be mindful of the formulas. Mixing a moisturizer and a foundation could possibly alter the stability of the product and lead to unwanted reactions or diminishing the properties of one of one of the products.”
To avoid your skin having a bad reaction, Jamison says you could always do patch test and see how your skin reacts. It’s also important to note that “if your moisturizer contains SPF, mixing it with foundation may dilute the sun protection, which is essential in preventing damage from harmful UV rays,” she says.
The Benefits of Mixing Foundation and Moisturizer
How to Mix Foundation and Moisturizer
1. Start with clean hands: Wash your hands and dry thoroughly to ensure you’re not spreading bacteria across your skin.
2. Consider your ratio: Jamison says you can start with equal amounts of both products and adjust from there, or, depending on your coverage needs, add more of one product than the other. “As a general guideline, you can use a 1:1 ratio for sheer coverage or a 2:1 ratio for medium coverage,” says Jamison. “However, these ratios serve as starting points and can be further adjusted based on personal preference.”
3. Blend together: “You can do this by taking your finger, a beauty blender, or a kabuki brush and applying the mixture to the skin and building coverage as needed.”
4. Apply your products!
What to Avoid When Mixing Foundation and Moisturizers
Remember, if you’re ever concerned about mixing two products together, you should always consult your aesthetician and/or dermatologist before trying this out. Nowadays, foundation products are loaded with skincare ingredients, so you want to make sure you’re not doubling up on ingredients when you add a moisturizer into the mix.
“You should check for compatibility and avoid conflicting ingredients,” says Jamison. “For instance, a foundation containing active ingredients like salicylic acid or retinol shouldn’t be mixed with a moisturizer containing similar ingredients, as that could lead to irritation or over-exfoliation.”
Jamison also says that acne users should beware, as foundation and moisturizers could contain ingredients that cause breakouts. “Make sure both are non-comedogenic to start,” she says. “Heavy oils or silicones in either product should be avoided to prevent congestion or acne flare-ups.”
If you have rosacea, you also want to be mindful of irritants. “Rosacea manifests as redness, flushing, and sometimes even papules or pustules, indicating a tendency towards inflammation and irritation,” explains Jamison. “It's also really important to steer clear of products containing fragrances, alcohol, menthol, or harsh exfoliants, as these could trigger or exacerbate symptoms.”
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FAQs
Consider your ratio: Jamison says you can start with equal amounts of both products and adjust from there, or, depending on your coverage needs, add more of one product than the other. “As a general guideline, you can use a 1:1 ratio for sheer coverage or a 2:1 ratio for medium coverage,” says Jamison.
Is mixing foundation with moisturizer good? ›
The major benefit to mixing foundation with moisturizer is one of getting everything you want for your skin in one product application. The result is less makeup on your face while getting a base layer that provides you with a smooth, even canvas for the rest of your makeup.
Which moisturizer is best to mix with foundation? ›
Moisturizer and Foundation Consistency
As a rule of thumb, I always recommend using silicone-based, liquid products and avoiding powdered ones.
What to mix with foundation to make it dewy? ›
According to TikTok, mixing your hydrating serum with full-coverage foundation, concealer and liquid blush is a fail-safe way to achieve a dewy, natural-looking complexion.
What is the best oil to mix with foundation? ›
If you are currently using a face oil, you can add a few drops of it or use argan oil. Loaded with antioxidants and super hydrating properties, argan oil makes your foundation sheerer to give a natural and dewy finish. You can also use a foundation that comes mixed with the goodness of argan oil.
How long to leave between moisturiser and foundation? ›
After applying moisturizer, it's generally recommended to wait about 1 to 2 minutes before applying foundation. This allows the moisturizer to absorb into the skin, creating a smooth base for the foundation application.
How do you mix the perfect foundation? ›
TIP: Stick to the same consistency
There's no right or wrong way to experiment like this, but I do get better results when I stick to mixing products with very similar consistencies and coverage. For example, I won't mix a thick, full-coverage creamy foundation with a sheer, watery tinted moisturizer.
What moisturizer to use under foundation? ›
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream absorbs quickly like a gel but has staying power for all-day hydration. It's one of the best moisturizers for dry skin under makeup. Cetaphil Rich Hydrating Cream deeply hydrates your skin and helps restore your natural skin barrier, making it ideal for dry and aging skin.
What goes first foundation or moisturizer? ›
Moisturizer does two very important things: First, it smoothes skin's surface for a more even foundation or concealer application and can even help makeup to stay on longer. Second, hydrating skin underneath makeup will help skin to look less dull. Applying foundation on dry skin can cause it to look cakey.
How to get flawless foundation? ›
8 Tips for Flawless Foundation
- Start with a clean canvas. ...
- Take the time to prime. ...
- Choose how much foundation to use. ...
- Decide where to put foundation. ...
- Dab, don't rub. ...
- Don't forget your ears! ...
- Set it and forget it. ...
- Stack concealer only where needed.
A: The most likely reason your makeup looks dry is that your skin is dry. If you're skipping the exfoliating or moisturizing step in your skincare routine, your skin could be drying out. Makeup will cling to dry, flaky patches – especially if you're using drying formulas like matte liquids and powders too.
How do I stop my foundation from clinging to dry skin? ›
While brushes are great (and essential) tools in any makeup bag, foundation for dry skin is often best applied with a damp makeup sponge. The moisture can help ensure everything applies and blends smoothly and reduces the chance of your makeup settling into fine lines or clinging onto dry patches.
What does mixing foundation with moisturizer do? ›
“Mixing foundation with moisturizer creating a tinted moisturizer allows you to customize the coverage and finish,” explains Jamison. It can help the wearer feel like their skin is more quenched and less dehydrated.
How do you make flawless dewy foundation? ›
Ace Your Base
Smooth the long-wear foundation onto skin using a tapered brush for precise application or use a slightly damp sponge if you want to achieve an even dewier finish. Build coverage where needed, tapping a little extra under your eyes and around your nose. Instantly, your skin will look effortlessly radiant.
How do you get the perfect dewy makeup look? ›
How to create a dewy makeup look
- Step 1: Skincare is key. It's often said that a good base is the key to your whole makeup look. ...
- Step 2: Apply a luminous base. ...
- Step 3: Blush and highlight with creamy formulas. ...
- Step 4: Add shine to your lips. ...
- Step 5: Seal it with setting powder.
Mixing foundation with moisturizer is a great way to customize the coverage you get from your foundation. For example, if you use a liquid foundation and want more of a matte finish, mixing it with a moisturizer will help create that effect. It's also a good idea to mix both types of foundations: liquid and powder.
Can you put moisturiser on top of foundation? ›
It can be applied on your face after make up. You can use it either way with or without make up.
What can you mix with foundation to make it thinner? ›
Mix & Match
As a general rule of thumb, go two parts foundation to one part moisturiser so you still get good coverage. You can also mix your base with an illuminating primer or an SPF – like Beauty Pie's Lightweight SPF50 Primer. This will thin everything out slightly, and give great glow, too.”
Does moisturiser make foundation lighter? ›
I typically mix foundation and moisturizer to make it lighter in terms of weight which in turn usually makes the coverage a little lighter as well. But if it's working to make the color lighter for you then that's definitely okay, too.
