Our 10 Best Moisturizers to Layer Under Makeup

Can you wear moisturizer under makeup and foundation? Absolutely. In fact, you should moisturize before putting on makeup, so that your products don't apply unevenly to dry areas of skin. Before you can begin to apply color corrector, foundation, concealer, blush, and any other face makeup products, you’ve got to work your way through your skin care routine. And the last step in your skin care routine is, of course, moisturizer. But which under makeup moisturizer should you use pre-makeup application? Not just any old one will do! The trick is, you want a moisturizer that won’t sit on the surface of your skin, causing your makeup to shift around throughout the day.

Below, find our 10 best moisturizers to wear under makeup. We’ve got picks for oily skin, dry skin, and everything in-between. Plus, stick around until the end for tips on applying face makeup over your moisturizer to avoid makeup pilling (aka when your foundation balls up as you apply it post-moisturizer). Read on to find your moisturizer match.

#1. L’ORÉAL PARIS REVITALIFT TRIPLE POWER DAY LOTION SPF 30

Let’s be honest—who isn’t a fan of knocking out two steps in one? If you want to take care of two skin care must-haves, consider applying a moisturizer with SPF under your makeup. This is also one of the best ways to wear sunscreen under makeup. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30 will not only hydrate your skin, but it’ll also protect it from the sun’s harmful rays—not to mention it’s specifically formulated to layer well under makeup. Just make sure to reapply every two hours!

Editor’s note: Keep in mind you’ll also want to take other sun protection measures. According to the Food and Drug Administration, in addition to applying and reapplying sunscreen, you should limit your amount of time in the sun, seek shade, and cover up exposed areas with long sleeves, pants, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses.

#2. L’ORÉAL PARIS REVITALIFT TRIPLE POWER ANTI-AGING MOISTURIZER

To reap anti-aging benefits whilst you go about your day, consider turning to one of our best moisturizers for under makeup that has an anti-aging formula: the L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Anti-Aging Moisturizer. The formula helps to reduce to appearance of wrinkles, firm, and brighten skin, all while wearing beautifully under your makeup look.

#3. L’ORÉAL PARIS REVITALIFT ANTI-WRINKLE + FIRMING MOISTURIZER

Another anti-aging option is our L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle + Firming Moisturizer. Formulated with Pro-Retinol and centella csiata, this moisturizer works to fight wrinkles and firm skin. It has a non-greasy texture that won’t have your makeup sliding every which way.

#4: L’ORÉAL PARIS HYDRA GENIUS DAILY LIQUID CARE - NORMAL/OILY SKIN

If you have oily skin, then you know that finding the right moisturizer for your skin type is key. Looking for one that has a matte (aka non-shiny) finish is a particularly good idea. In normal and oily skin, external factors such as pollution, UV rays, and excessive cleansing can damage the skin’s moisture barrier, causing loss of moisture and an increase in oil production. As a result, your complexion can end up looking unbalanced and overly shiny. To combat these effects, try the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Oily Skin. This water-based moisturizer, which is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water, helps provide long-lasting hydration with a matte finish.

#5: L’ORÉAL PARIS HYDRA GENIUS DAILY LIQUID CARE - NORMAL/DRY SKIN

Dry skin making your complexion look a little duller than you’d like? Sounds like you need to use a moisturizer that will keep your skin hydrated! Normal and dry skin faces external factors such as pollution and UV rays that can damage the skin’s moisture barrier, increasing loss of moisture, and causing it to become drier. As a result, skin loses its glow, becoming dull-looking. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Dry Skin has a formula with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration and improve the look of skin’s radiance.

#6: L’ORÉAL PARIS HYDRA GENIUS DAILY LIQUID CARE - EXTRA DRY SKIN

Real talk: Extra dry skin can feel quite uncomfortable. Drier than dry skin has a very fragile moisture barrier that can be easily damaged by external factors such as pollution and UV rays. Skin consequently loses its ability to retain moisture, becoming easily dehydrated, feeling tight and uncomfortable. It can also become extra pronounced when you apply foundation on top unless you seek out the best moisturizer to wear under makeup. The L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Extra Dry Skin is formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe vera water to help provide long-lasting hydration and comfort to extra dry skin.

#7: L’ORÉAL PARIS AGE PERFECT CELL RENEWAL ROSY TONE MOISTURIZER

Remember when nothing sounded better than growing up? Well, getting older does have its perks—but it isn’t all fun and games. As skin matures, dead skin cells can build up on its surface, causing your complexion to appear dull. Thankfully there’s an under makeup moisturizer that can help! The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Cell Renewal Rosy Tone Moisturizer is an intense, daily moisturizing cream enhanced with rosy pigments to help revive the look of skin’s rosy tone. The rich, non-greasy formula smooths gently over skin to nourish it with moisture.

#8: L’ORÉAL PARIS REVITALIFT BRIGHT REVEAL BRIGHTENING DAY MOISTURIZER SPF 30

It isn’t wrinkles alone that can make your skin look older; an uneven skin tone can have the same effect. Since sun damage is a major source of uneven skin (and other skin concerns), wearing sunscreen is a must. To keep things simple, try a moisturizer formulated with SPF. The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Bright Reveal Brightening Day Moisturizer SPF 30 is a hydrating moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen that can help make skin appear more radiant. Apply it before heading outside for the day—and remember to reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. Toss the bottle in your tote so that you can reapply on the go.

#9: L’ORÉAL PARIS REVITALIFT CICACREAM FACE MOISTURIZER PRO RETINOL & CENTELLA ASIATICA

Show your sensitive skin some love! The L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Cicacream Face Moisturizer Pro Retinol & Centella Asiatica is a lightweight, protective cream formulated with Pro-Retinol. This moisturizer strengthens and repairs the skin barrier to help resist visible lines, loss of firmness, and other signs of aging while also hydrating your skin.

#10: L’ORÉAL PARIS AGE PERFECT HYDRA NUTRITION MANUKA HONEY ALL OVER BALM - FACE/NECK/CHEST/HANDS

The L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition Manuka Honey All Over Balm - Face, Neck, Chest and Hands is an all-over balm formulated with manuka honey and nurturing oils that helps relieve mature, very dry skin. The balm wraps skin in soothing moisture, leaving it looking more youthful with a healthy glow. This multi-use moisturizer can be used on your face, neck, chest, and hands.

4 TIPS FOR LAYERING MOISTURIZER UNDER MAKEUP

When it comes to layering makeup over moisturizer, it’s not solely about picking out the best moisturizer to wear under makeup. There are a few other tips to keep in mind that can help you perfect your look. Follow our advice for your best makeup look yet!

1. START AND END YOUR DAY WITH A CLEAN FACE

The first step in your morning and evening skin care routines should be cleansing. Seriously, don’t skip this simple step! Sleeping in your makeup is a definite skin care faux pas. That’s because when you snooze in your makeup, it can mix with the dirt and oils on the surface of your skin, which can lead to clogged pores—and clogged pores can lead to breakouts. If you find that this is one skin care step you always seem to forget about, leave a no-rinse cleansing option on your bedside table so that it’s there for easy access. Looking for recommendations? Consider one of the following no-rinse cleansers.

Option #1. Micellar water. Powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin, micellar water cleanses without requiring rinsing or harsh rubbing. Try the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof – All Skin Types. All you have to do is saturate a cotton pad with your micellar water of choice and wipe the pad across your face. Easy!

Option #2. Cleansing wipes. Cleansing wipes are ultra-popular for a reason: they’re so easy! If you have a pack of the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes nearby, you can be clean in hardly any time at all, without a trace of makeup left behind.

2. PRIME YOUR SKIN BEFORE APPLYING FOUNDATION

Once you’ve moisturized, don’t immediately move on to applying face makeup. Before digging into your makeup bag, apply a primer to help create an even canvas. The L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets™ Professional Magic Perfecting Base helps smooth the look of lines, pores, and imperfections. The silky, lightweight formula, which offers a matte finish, glides onto skin. Apply it dot by dot over your whole face or to targeted areas (like under your eyes, your nose and cheeks, or your T-zone) before blending out using a gentle circular motion.

3. PICK THE RIGHT FOUNDATION FOR YOUR SKIN TYPE

You know how you chose your under makeup moisturizer—along with the rest of the products in your skin care routine—based on your skin type? You should do the same with your face makeup. If you have oily skin, for example, you may want to consider using a matte foundation and powder. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation and L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder. Meanwhile, if you have dry skin, radiant finish products, are likely to be a better fit. In that case, try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Glow Foundation. Regardless of your skin type, if you’re using a liquid foundation, bounce and blend it onto your skin with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender for a seamless finish.

4. USE PRODUCTS WITH SIMILAR INGREDIENTS

To avoid makeup pilling, it’s important to use a moisturizer and foundation that have similar ingredients. Think about water and oil—these two liquids repel each other. If you use a moisturizer and foundation with conflicting ingredients, you’ll find your foundation will ball up as you apply it. If you’re using a water-based moisturizer like one from the Hydra Genius line we talked about earlier, be sure to pair it with a water-based foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Super Blendable Makeup.

Want more help locating the best moisturizer for your skin? Check out our article on Our Best Moisturizer for Every Skin Type.