A Guide to Mixing Foundation with A Moisturizer: Get the Natural Glow You Deserve
Have you ever heard your friend or colleague say, I mixed foundation with moisturizer to achieve a specific look’
Or you might have seen social media influencers use moisturizer with their foundation in their tutorials.
It must be amazing; you might be thinking, “Why do we need to do that?”
Let’s discuss it and debunk the myth!
Why Should We Mix a Foundation with a Moisturizer?
Image source: freepik
Moisturizers are the products that we use to prevent dryness and dullness in our skin.
Now, our concern is about mixing it with foundation!!
Every skin type, including oily skin, needs a moisturizer. Oily skin can also look dull, and sensitive skin can be rough. To fix this, we use moisturisers. When applying makeup, people mix foundation with moisturizer for different reasons.
I will discuss some of these.
- To Prevent Dryness
Dry skin and oily skin both need moisturizer. Moisturizers make our skin softer, hydrated, and plumper. If your foundation is a little dry, you can add a good moisturizer.
When applied to the skin, it will not look patchy and worn out. It will blend smoothly, giving you an even look.
- Making Foundation Lighter
Sometimes you get the wrong shade or a shade that’s a bit darker than your skin, and you need to fix it. You can mix a moisturizer with your foundation to make it one shade lighter.
This makes your foundation blendable and ready to wear. Your skin will appear naturally hydrated.
- Getting Glowy Foundation
Some people prefer to have a little natural oil on their skin to achieve a dewy look. But foundations are sometimes matte, and they tend to dry. We can fix it by mixing a rich moisturizer into our foundation. This gives a dewy look while keeping us natural and beautiful.
We cannot mix a moisturizer into an oil-based foundation, as it will make our skin oily.
Always add moisturizer to a water-based foundation.
- Settling Fine Lines and Wrinkles
Not only are young women makeup lovers, but middle-aged women and those beyond are too. However, with age, our faces show fine lines and wrinkles.
Most people with dry skin have this issue, but oily skin also suffers.
The best way to make your skin appear younger is to conceal imperfections. Moisturizer hydrates the skin and reduces fine lines.
- For a Natural and Light Feel on the Skin
Many of us enjoy makeup, but we dislike how heavy foundation feels on our skin.
Adding a good moisturizer to your foundation not only hydrates your skin but also reduces the need for extra product. It helps us look more natural with a thin layer of makeup. It also helps prevent pores from clogging, which can cause fungal acne or breakouts.
To prevent fungal acne and get a fungal acne-safe foundation, check out our article.
How to Mix a Foundation and a Moisturizer?
Image source: freepik
A moisturizer contains hydrating agents, and an oil-based foundation already contains enough to hydrate oily skin.
It is essential to avoid mixing an oil-based foundation with a moisturizer.
But,
We can mix a water-based foundation with a moisturizer. This makes the foundation a little sheerer and lighter on your skin.
Your moisturizer’s hydrating power matters a lot. Because some moisturizers are light while others are rich, you will need less of a rich moisturizer and more of a light moisturizer. But don’t use too much, as it will make your foundation sheer. Your skin can look oily and very shiny.
Use fewer drops of foundation than usual, and apply a suitable amount of moisturizer.
Mix them well, then apply the foundation-moisturizer mix to your face. You can use your brush or fingers. Use a makeup blender to blend it well, but avoid being too rough.
How to Mix Powder Foundation with Moisturizer?
Image source: freepik
It is no different from mixing liquid foundation or stick foundation with your moisturizer.
Just follow the steps:
- Take a bowl and add equal amounts of moisturizer and powder foundation.
- Take a brush and mix them. Stir the mixture well to ensure there are no clumps of powder.
- When you make a smooth mixture, apply it to your face. Apply different amounts depending on the coverage you want.
- Use a light moisturizer for oily skin and a rich moisturizer for dry skin. Use a rich moisturizer.
- Use a beauty blender to blend it well.
It makes your skin look more natural. It extends your makeup’s longevity and keeps your skin hydrated for longer.
Your foundation will look even and smooth without turning into cakey fine lines.
Do Dry and Oily Skin Both Have Moisturizers and the Same Methods of Applying Them?
Many people have this question in mind. The answer is NO.
Makeup and cosmetics are formulated for each skin type. Dry skin requires different foundations and moisturizers, whereas oily skin needs an entirely different formula.
It also depends on your skin: how much hydration do you need? Sometimes skin is so dry that you need more moisturizer.
So there is no hard-and-fast rule; apply each tip wisely based on the situation.
Best Moisturizers to Mix with Foundation
Here, we have compiled a list of top-rated moisturisers suitable for different skin types.
Check them out!!
1. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream — Best for dry skin
We all love a moisturizer that doesn’t leave our skin oily or greasy.
CeraVe Moisturizer is ideal for dry skin because it deeply hydrates. It removes itchiness due to dryness. Its moisturizing power helps prevent flaking.
PROS
CONS
What customers say:
The CeraVe Moisturizing Cream has become an essential part of my skincare routine. This hydrating moisturizer has been a true game-changer for my dry skin, thanks to its effective and nourishing formula.
2. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 Moisturizing Cream — Best for sensitive skin
When you have acne-prone, sensitive skin, you may worry about choosing the right moisturizer.
We developed one of the best moisturizers for sensitive skin. You can mix it with your foundation and apply it for a natural-looking finish.
PROS
CONS
What customers say:
Has helped me to obtain ” glass skin.” Absorbs so beautifully! No waxy or gummy build-up. Absorbs into my skin without any problems…My skin drinks it up and results in a cool, well-hydrated, more youthful texture! Amazing results!
3. Cetaphil Face Moisturizer — Best for oily and combination skin
When it comes to oily skin, we often think it doesn’t need moisturizer.
But,
It isn’t true. Oily skin can also look dull and uneven. Cetaphil Face Moisturizer is best for oily or combination skin. It deeply hydrates and nourishes your skin.
It absorbs into the skin and creates a long-lasting moisture barrier, protecting your skin from UV rays. Its lightweight formula makes it easy to mix with foundation, making it smoother and easier to apply.
PROS
CONS
What customers say:
This is probably the best moisturizer I’ve used. It’s smooth and creamy and feels great on the skin. It also has SPF, which is vital, and gives my skin a dewy look and makes it very soft.
4. Revlon Illuminance Liquid Foundation — Best for nourishing skin
If you have acne-prone, mature, textured, or dry skin, you must be cautious of harmful chemicals that can cause breakouts and irritation.
So you need a fungal acne-safe foundation that not only covers your bumps but also minimizes them. Revelon Illuminane Liquid Foundation is ideal for this.
It contains hyaluronic acid, which is a skin-hydrating agent. That means it won’t irritate your skin and will have a soothing effect.
It helps alleviate the signs of aging and blemishes associated with acne. With Revlon Illuminance Liquid Foundation, you get a foundation and moisturizer in one, and it looks natural on your skin.
PROS
CONS
What customers say:
The quality is really good, and it has a thick, creamy texture, so a little bit of it will be enough. It blends well and dries down quickly, so it works better on people with normal to oily skin.
5. IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation — Best for blurring pores
Just think about your large pores. How do they irritate you?
Products tucking in there and causing blackheads and other issues like acne. But no more woes, because IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation is best for blurring pores and making them almost invisible.
This highly pigmented foundation contains peptides, hyaluronic acid, and silk. Hyaluronic acid hydrates your skin, making it look younger and plumper.
Peptides are healthy amino acids that make skin-friendly proteins to increase the skin’s elasticity and strength.
PROS
CONS
What customers say:
I love this makeup line! I got complimented today on how smooth my skin is, and I have to admit it’s because of this product. It goes on soft like a powder but covers like a full foundation. Takes less than 2 minutes to put on- the perfect go-to makeup.
6. LAURA GELLER Hydrating Foundation — Best for natural glow
When it comes to our skin, we all have different priorities. I like dewy makeup, and so I found this amazing hydrating foundation called Laura Geller Hydrating Foundation.
It is perfect for my skin and infused with intense hydrating properties to soothe the skin. When I tried it, I was surprised by how sheer the formula is, and it builds coverage.
It’s a perfect, go-to foundation for every skin type.
PROS
CONS
What customers say:
I’ve used dozens of tinted moisturizers and foundations, but this one goes on smoothly, builds up, hides imperfections, and feels lightweight. Highly recommended; lightweight and better than dermatology, IMO.
FAQs
Can I Mix Foundation with Moisturizer?
It is a popular technique. Yes, you can mix foundation and moisturizer for a more natural and hydrated look.
In this trick, using the right product is key.
Can I Mix Powder Foundation with Moisturizer?
Yes, you can mix powder foundation and moisturizer. Sometimes, powder can turn into fine lines and become cakey. To prevent it, mix them and apply the mixture to your face.
Can I Mix Tinted Moisturizer with Foundation?
Tinted moisturizer is a lighter, sheerer foundation than regular foundation. It’s often used to add coverage and color without looking too heavy.
You can mix tinted moisturizer with foundation to create a unique color or thin out your foundation’s coverage.
Concluding Remarks
We all experience skin issues for various reasons. But we always try to find a feasible solution for every problem. Dehydration is one of these common issues. Applying layers of cosmetics can damage the skin and create an artificial appearance.
Therefore, we seek a moisturizer that can be easily mixed with foundation.
This supports the idea that mixing foundation with moisturizer can be beneficial. Everything depends on your skin type, the type of foundation, and the moisturizer. You can mix and apply them wisely.









