You’re here because you’ve heard the rumors about mixing foundation with moisturizer, and you’re unsure whether it’s a great idea – right?
Well, let me be the one to tell you that it’s an excellent one! You can whip up homemade moisture-based foundation in no time.
All it takes is a little experimentation with products and voila! You’ll be rewarded with gorgeous glowy skin.
In this detailed guide, I’ll let you in on the benefits, tips, and how-tos of mixing moisturizer and foundation.
Why You Might Want to Mix Foundation With Moisturizer
Who doesn’t want an all-in-one makeup base? For starters, you don’t have to carry around as many products as you would in case you travel a lot.
Additionally, if you’re always on the run, a tinted moisturizer helps cut down on time spent in front of the mirror putting on your glam.
Maybe you’re not a fan of putting on a lot of products. Perhaps it causes you to break out later or irritates your skin.
By mixing your foundation and moisturizer, you’re reducing the stress on your skin when applying makeup.
3 Things to Consider When Mixing Foundation With Moisturizer
Unfortunately it’s not quite as simple as ‘grab your foundation and moisturizer then hand mix them and apply that to your face’.
Consider a few things first so you don’t harm your skin in the process and can ensure the perfect glam.
Skin Type
Different foundations work for different skin types. The same thing goes for moisturizers.
For instance, oily skin benefits the most from an oil-free foundation that’s also non-comedogenic.
Dry skin, on the other hand, needs hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Finally, combination skin requires only a balanced formula that’s not so greasy.
As for moisturizers, choose water-based ones if you have oily skin and heavier, creamier ones if you have dry skin.
Those with normal skin should opt for a lightweight formula, and those with combination skin should pick aloe vera-based or hydrating moisturizers.
Moisturizer and Foundation Consistency
The consistency of each product makes or breaks the final result. You end up with a caked or separated foundation if you’re not careful.
As a rule of thumb, I always recommend using silicone-based, liquid products and avoiding powdered ones.
In my experience, powder is more difficult to work with and leaves more room for error.
With liquid foundation and moisturizer, however, you can easily adjust as you go for the perfect texture.
Moisturizer and Foundation Compatibility
Much like any ‘binding’ relationship, you have to make sure your two agents are compatible.
Otherwise, you’re putting your skin at risk of irritation, over-exfoliation, or an allergic reaction – to name a few.
So, I tell my friends to check the ingredient list on both your foundation and moisturizer before committing them to each other!
They shouldn’t have conflicting ingredients, like Retinols and AHAs/BHAs for instance.
They also shouldn’t have similar ingredients, such as salicylic acid. When mixing, you’ll increase the percentage of this ingredient, potentially causing your skin to burn, peel, or redden.
5 Benefits of Mixing Your Foundation With Moisturizer
With proper precautions and technique, you can reap the following benefits from mixing your foundation with moisturizer:
1. Customization Magic
You’re in control here, and there’s nothing better than that.
If you have sensitive skin or just prefer to know what’s in your product, making homemade tinted moisturizer allows you to customize the product to your skin type and daily routine.
2. Natural, Glowy Finish
We all want it and will do anything to get it. Luckily, tinted moisturizer helps you to effortlessly achieve that natural glow.
You can adjust the coverage to your liking as well.
3. Locked-In Moisture
With such a strong base, a foundation-moisturizer mixture locks in moisture all day unlike most retail products out there.
For the rest of your day, your skin will feel less dehydrated and have a plump, quenched shine.
4. Makeup That Lasts
This is by far the best benefit! We all know the struggle of continuing to fuss over and retouch our makeup as we go.
A homemade tinted moisturizer will hold down the fort so you can go about your day without worrying about retouching your face.
5. Healed Skin
If you’re an everyday makeup wearer, you’re no stranger to the strain it can put on your skin.
Mixing your moisturizer and trusty foundation protects your skin from pollutants and heals it as you go about your day.
How to Mix Your Foundation With Moisturizer
Alright, now it’s time to show you how to properly mix foundation and moisturizer.
Start by mixing equal parts moisturizer and foundation; no more than a pea-sized amount. This is a quick test to check for consistency, color, texture, and skin reaction.
After blending with a brush, go over your list of needs and see if the resulting product checks off all the boxes. If not, consult my tips below:
- Aiming for heavy coverage? Increase the ratio of foundation to moisturizer by 2:1 then blend.
- Is the moisture-based foundation too sheer? Add less moisturizer to maintain your foundation’s color or you can buy a foundation that’s a shade darker so it evens out.
- Want sheer, skin-like coverage? Blend in two parts moisturizer to one part foundation.
How to Apply Your Mixed Foundation and Moisturizer
While you can mix foundation and moisturizer with a clean finger, I wouldn’t recommend using it to apply the product to your face.
If you used liquid formulas as I suggested, opt for a beauty blender or your trusted foundation brush to apply your tinted moisturizer.
Alternatively, if you decide on a powder formula, a brush is better than a blender to apply it.
Are you sold yet? Take my word for it; once you mix your foundation and moisturizer, you won’t look back.
Upgrade your makeup and skincare routine now and watch the magic unfold! Use my handy guide to help you as you take your first steps into mixing foundation and moisturizer.