Should You Use Makeup with Skincare Ingredients?

There has been a recent trend toward simplifying skincare routines and taking a minimalistic approach to makeup application. This has sparked a rise in popularity of including skincare in makeup products, which attempt to combine the benefits of skin care ingredients with cosmetics like foundation, concealer, blush, and even eyeshadows for a two-in-one approach.

While there are some brands that have effectively added skincare in makeup to achieve this dual goal, others are not formulated as well or do not use high-quality ingredients and therefore do not have the same level of effectiveness. Before trying skincare-infused makeup, take a look at this guide to know what to look for and what to avoid so you don’t waste your money on products that are unlikely to work.

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Skincare-infused makeup are cosmetic products that combine traditional makeup formulations with beneficial skincare ingredients. For example, some foundations contain mineral sunscreen ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to add a level of sun protection to the foundation. The goal of including skincare in makeup is to provide not only a cosmetic benefit, but to also add therapeutic benefits that contribute to better skin health over time.

Many brands are coming out with products that include skincare in makeup products. However, the best products that use skincare in makeup must be formulated, manufactured, and stored properly in order to maximize the benefits of the therapeutic ingredients they contain.

Some of the best brands that effectively use skincare in makeup products are Jane Iredale, Colorescience, and Osmosis Beauty.

When skincare-infused cosmetics are formulated properly, they can impart a variety of benefits on your skin.

• Improved hydration. Many skincare-infused makeup products contain moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which help to maintain skin hydration throughout the day. These ingredients can also help cosmetic products apply more smoothly to your skin, potentially reducing irritation and skin flaking.
• Improved skin texture. Hydrating ingredients can also help to make your skin look and feel smoother and more even. Some brands that include skincare in makeup also use ingredients like peptides to improve skin texture and overall appearance. However, most peptides do not effectively penetrate the skin and therefore won’t give you long-term benefits when used in cosmetics – but they can temporarily make your skin look and feel smoother before they are washed off.
• Added sun protection. Many skincare in makeup brands add SPF ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide that offer extra sun protection for your skin. However, in most cases, I do not recommend relying on SPF makeup products as your only form of sun protection, since most people do not apply enough makeup to get adequate sun protection. These products can be great for an extra boost of SPF, however, especially in areas like the delicate eyelids and lips.
• Reduced redness or breakouts. Some cosmetic products contain therapeutic skincare ingredients like chamomile, green tea extract, or salicylic acid to help reduce redness, inflammation, and clogged pores.

While some makeup products that contain therapeutic skincare ingredients can be beneficial, there are some drawbacks to note about skincare in makeup products:

• Limited efficacy. The concentration of active skincare ingredients in makeup tends to be lower than in dedicated skincare products, which can reduce their effectiveness.
• Short-term benefits. Similarly, many skincare ingredients used in makeup cannot efficiently penetrate the skin, which means that some benefits like skin-smoothing and added hydration are only temporary until the makeup is washed off the skin.
• Potential for skin issues. Makeup products that contain comedogenic, or pore-clogging, ingredients like beeswax or coconut oil can still cause skin problems like acne or inflammation. Make sure you are using cosmetic products with ingredients that are approved for your skin type.
• Should not replace regular skincare. While skincare-infused cosmetics can be a great addition to your regular skincare routine, they can’t completely replace a consistent, customized skincare routine designed for your skin’s specific needs.

Some skincare ingredients work better than others when combined with a cosmetic product. Some of the best therapeutic ingredients to look for in makeup include:

• Hyaluronic acid (HA). This ingredient is a powerful humectant that draws moisture from the environment into your skin. As a skincare in makeup ingredient, HA can help to make your skin look and feel hydrated, dewy, and plump throughout the day.
• Niacinamide. Also known as Vitamin B3, niacinamide can help to reduce inflammation and improve skin texture while also improving the skin’s barrier function.
• Ceramides. These lipid molecules help to restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, preventing moisture loss and protecting against environmental stressors.
• Zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. These minerals provide physical sun protection by reflecting UV rays away from the skin, adding extra SPF to your regular routine.
• Peptides. As noted earlier, peptides in makeup can help to temporarily smooth the skin and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.

Properly formulated skincare in makeup that uses high-quality ingredients can be worth adding to your regular beauty routine. However, these products generally shouldn’t replace your regular skincare routine, as there are limitations to the effectiveness of many therapeutic ingredients when used in a cosmetic product. Think of skincare in makeup as a good add-on to your regular customized skincare regimen.

If you don’t know your skin type, take the quiz to find out and learn more about which skincare in makeup products will be best for your skin’s unique needs.

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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. L. T. V. T., & Williams, S. (2016). Clinical efficacy of niacinamide-containing cosmetic products in treating hyperpigmentation and improving skin texture. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 38(1), 1-10.
4. Ma, Y., & Chen, S. (2018). Therapeutic potential of peptides in dermatology: A review of clinical trials and applications. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 17(4), 585-591.
5. Papageorgiou, P., & Kafiri, D. (2017). Efficacy of hyaluronic acid-based topical treatments in therapeutic cosmetics: A systematic review. Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 28(2), 125-130.