How to Prep Your Skin Before Makeup

Your skin care routine and skin condition directly affect how makeup looks and wears. Common issues like dryness can cause foundation to cling to flaky patches, while excess oil can break down makeup and create shine. Uneven texture can also make makeup appear heavy, and pimples can be harder to conceal if the skin around them is inflamed or not properly prepped.

The good news is that with the right routine, you can minimize these challenges and have smooth, flawless makeup. Here are general skin care tips to help prep your skin before applying makeup for a smooth, “glass skin” finish. 

Always start with clean skin, and wash using the right cleanser for your skin type. This step will set the stage for the rest of your routine. Oily or acne-prone skin types can do well with foaming cleansers, which help to remove excess sebum, or oil, from the skin’s surface. Salicylic acid cleansers can also be a good choice for oily, acne-prone skin.

Dry types, on the other hand, should use moisturizing cleansers that do not foam, since foaming cleansers can dry out the skin even more. Using a hydrating cleanser can help to add hydration and combat dryness and flaking, which can otherwise cause makeup to apply unevenly.

Exfoliation helps to remove the layer of dead skin cells and debris from the surface of your skin, revealing the fresh, smooth layer underneath. Otherwise, flakes of skin can cause an uneven makeup application and can prevent light from reflecting off your skin, giving it a dull, lackluster appearance.

The frequency that you exfoliate will depend on your skin type. Sensitive skin types should typically not exfoliate more than 1 to 2 times per week and should use chemical exfoliants like low-pH cleansers with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) instead of physical exfoliants like scrubs. Some sensitive subtypes, like those with rosacea, may not tolerate AHAs well and should skip this step. Resistant skin types may be able to tolerate more frequent exfoliation.

Benefits of exfoliation include:

• Removes dead skin cells

• Smooths skin texture

• Promotes cell turnover

• Enhances product absorption

• Brightens dull skin

• Helps to unclog pores

• Reduces appearance of fine lines

• Improves makeup application

• Evens skin tone

Keeping your skin properly hydrated is a crucial step when it comes to achieving a smooth, flawless makeup application. When the skin is properly moisturized, foundation won’t settle into fine lines or emphasize a dry, rough texture. Instead, it blends seamlessly and looks more natural.

Choose the best moisturizer based on your skin type. Sensitive skin types, for example, generally do well with moisturizers that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. If you are a dry type, you will benefit from a barrier repair cream to strengthen and repair your skin’s natural barrier layer. Oily and acne-prone types should look for moisturizers that do not contain pore-clogging ingredients.

Some of the best barrier repair moisturizers to use under makeup include:

If you have very dry skin, you can also use a facial mist in combination with your moisturizer for added hydration – just make sure you let the mist dry on your skin before applying sunscreen or makeup.

Even if you are using a foundation with SPF in it, you still need to apply a standalone sunscreen first. This should always be the last step in your skin care routine. Give sunscreen a few minutes to dry on your skin before applying makeup over top. Some people worry that sunscreen will make their skin greasy under makeup, but newer formulations are often lightweight, matte, and makeup-friendly. The key is to find a sunscreen that works for your skin type and personal preferences so you will want to use it every day. Some of our favorites include:

If you are going to be outdoors for long periods of time, you will need to reapply SPF every two hours. Some people prefer to use sprays or mists for this application, or you can dab lotions into your skin without disturbing makeup too much. Additionally, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to keep your face protected from UV damage.

Primer is optional, but these products can help your makeup to last longer and look more polished. They work by creating a thin, uniform layer between your skin and makeup, creating a smooth surface for the makeup to sit on top of. Some primers also contain hydrating ingredients to further combat dryness and flaking under makeup. Mattifying primers help to control shine for oily skin, while pore-blurring primers use silicone-based ingredients to minimize the look of pores and fine lines.

If you choose to use primer, apply it after sunscreen, once your SPF has had time to set. Then you can apply foundation and other cosmetic products on top.

If you are going for the trending “ glass skin” look, here are a few more tips to keep in mind:

• Apply foundation with a damp makeup sponge for a smoother, dewy finish.

• Use powder sparingly and only on areas prone to shininess to avoid drying your skin.

• Use color-correcting makeup to help neutralize redness and conceal pimples before foundation.

• Stay consistent with your skin care routine and not just right before an important event or special makeup day.

Prepping your skin before makeup is just as important as the makeup application itself when it comes to getting a smooth, flawless finish. Remember to choose your skin care products based on your skin type to avoid unwanted effects like dryness, shininess, redness, or irritation. If you don’t know your skin type yet, take the quiz below to find out and receive customized skin care recommendations.

1. Baumann L. Antiaging Ingredients in Ch. 37 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
2. Baumann, L. Ch. Cosmeceuticals and cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)
3. Brown, B. (2023). Sun-Proof Your Makeup: Protect your skin without sacrificing your beauty routine. Prevention, 75(7), 28-30.
4. Li, W., Zhai, Z. H., Pang, Q., Kong, L., & Zhou, Z. R. (2013). Influence of exfoliating facial cleanser on the bio-tribological properties of human skin. Wear, 301(1-2), 353-361.
5. Hawkins, S., Dasgupta, B. R., & Ananthapadmanabhan, K. P. (2021). Role of pH in skin cleansing. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 43(4), 474-483.