Here's the truth: your makeup is only as good as your skin prep. Even with the best products and the perfect technique, skipping the prep makes it nearly impossible for your makeup to look its best. Want foundation that glides on smooth, highlighter that always catches the light and concealer that stays put? It all starts with proper prep. Not to mention good skincare is key to overall skin health.
Now, we get it. You already have a whole makeup routine ahead of you — now we're adding learning how to prep skin for makeup to the list? Don't worry. It's not as complicated as it sounds. A few simple steps and a little skin type know-how are all you need for an everyday makeup routine that helps you look and feel your best.
Understanding Your Skin Type
Before you start, it's essential to understand that not all skin prep is equal. While the basics are the same, your products and techniques depend on your skin type. Here's a quick skin type refresher.
Dry Skin
Dry skin produces less sebum, leading to dryness, flakiness and rough texture.
Oily Skin
Oily skin overproduces sebum, often causing shine — especially in the T-zone — and clogged pores.
Combination Skin
Just like it sounds, combination skin is characterized by mix of dry and oily areas, often with an oily T-zone and dry patches on the cheeks.
Sensitive Skin
Sensitive skin is defined by its reactivity, not its sebum production. If you tend to experience irritation, redness or burning after using products, you might have sensitive skin.
Normal Skin
Normal skin tends to be balanced and low-maintenance, with no excessive oiliness or dryness.
Skin Type Testing
For help identifying your skin type, try this: Cleanse your skin as usual, skip any other products, pat dry and wait about 30 minutes. Then, check your skin. Does it feel tight or look flaky? You likely have dry skin. Does it feel greasy or look shiny, especially in the T-zone? It's likely oily. A mix of both? Combination.
What To Do Before You Put On Makeup: Your Step-by-Step Skin Prep Routine
Once you know your skin type, you can move on to how to prep skin for makeup. Regardless of the type, most people can benefit from the following steps when using products suited for their skin's needs.
1. Cleanse
Choose a cleanser for your skin type, like a non-comedogenic, oil-free formula for oily skin or a gentle cleanser with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid for dry skin. Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Gel Cleanser With Hyaluronic Acid is perfect for dry, sensitive and acne-prone skin, featuring a dermatologist-tested, non-comedogenic formula that effectively removes dirt, oil and makeup without stripping the skin. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, it's clinically tested to be gentle on even the most sensitive skin.
2. Tone
Toning helps balance your skin's pH and absorb the rest of your products better. Don't skip this step, even if you have dry skin! Use a gentle, alcohol-free toner like Neutrogena® Alcohol-Free Daily Toner to gently remove impurities without tightness, dryness or stinging.
3. Moisturize
Hydration is key no matter your skin type. Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Water Gel is ideal for dry, sensitive and acne-prone skin. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and natural moisturizing factors, it provides weightless hydration clinically proven to hydrate skin for 48 hours.
4. Protect From the Sun
Yes — even if you're applying makeup on top of it. Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30+ that layers well under makeup. Try a multitasking serum like Neutrogena® Invisible Daily Defense Face Serum SPF 60+. This formula acts as skincare, sun protection and a makeup primer with a weightless, clean finish that's invisible on all skin tones.
Addressing Specific Skin Concerns
Another benefit of skin prep? It's the perfect time to address any concerns. For every skin type, you can do a few simple things before you start applying makeup to get your skin in tip-top shape.
Dry Skin
If your makeup tends to look cakey or uneven, add a hydrating primer to your routine for smoother application. Try Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Grip Primer. Infused with hyaluronic acid, this gel-based primer has the power to grip your makeup while giving skin a soft-focus effect for a smoother complexion. Designed to leave your skin with a dewy finish while extending the wear of your makeup, you can't go wrong with this one.
Oily Skin
Controlling shine and keeping makeup intact is key for oily skin, so use a mattifying primer to help keep things under control. Neutrogena® Mattifying Primer Shine Control is ideal for oily, shiny skin. This primer can do it all: blur the look of pores, help reduce shine and smooth skin texture for a soft matte finish.
Acne-Prone Skin
Makeup can be tricky when you're fighting acne breakouts, but the right prep makes all the difference. Treat blemishes before you apply your makeup with products containing acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. A targeted treatment like Neutrogena® Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel can start to reduce redness and size in just two hours, creating a better base for makeup.
Sensitive Skin
If your skin is easily irritated, stick to fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products. These formulas minimize exposure to common irritants, helping ensure your skin stays calm and comfortable underneath your makeup.
Try a primer like Neutrogena® Healthy Skin Invisibly Radiant UV Primer, which contains mineral-based SPF and doesn't include fragrances, parabens, phthalates, sulfates or alcohol. This antioxidant-rich formula glides onto skin and absorbs quickly, making it the perfect last step of skincare and first step of your makeup routine.
Makeup Application Tips
If you made it this far, congrats! Your skin is prepped and ready for makeup. Now, let's ensure your application is just as flawless as your prep. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind.
Start With Primer
All skin types can benefit from starting their makeup routine with a primer. Primer helps your makeup look smoother, last longer and stay flawless throughout the day.
Let Products Absorb
After skin prep, allow your skincare products to fully absorb (try at least five minutes) before applying makeup. Patience here is key. Your makeup will be better for it!
Set the Right Foundation
Foundation sets the tone for your makeup routine, so choose one that works well with your skin type. Try Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Hydrating Tint for dry skin or Neutrogena® Clear Coverage Flawless Matte CC Cream for oily or acne-prone skin. Apply with a clean foundation brush or sponge for best results!
Add Dimension
A good highlighter brings dimension to your makeup, and it doesn't have to be overly shimmery or light to do it. Opt for a buildable, blendable product like Neutrogena® Healthy Skin Glow Perfector Pen. This sheer brightening pen concealer creates a radiant, shimmer-free highlight, infused with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E to brighten darkness and dullness for a natural-looking glow.
Prep Your Lips
Your lips need just as much TLC as the rest of your skin. Well-hydrated and exfoliated lips look great on their own and even better under lipstick. Try Neutrogena® Hydro Boost Lip Oil in light pink for hydrated, nourished, fuller-looking lips or opt for Neutrogena® High Shine Glossy Lip, the perfect balm, gloss and lipstick hybrid to finish a flawless routine.
Always Remove Makeup
Flawless makeup starts with healthy skin, which means never sleep with your makeup on! Keep Neutrogena® Fragrance-Free Makeup Remover Cleansing Wipes nearby to quickly cleanse and remove your makeup.
Healthy Skin = the Perfect Canvas
Whew! We know that was a lot, but you've got this! To simplify: cleanse, tone, moisturize, protect with SPF and add a primer if you're feeling fancy (or use a multitasking primer with SPF to combine these steps). The key is to use the right products for your skin type. Hydration for dry skin, shine control for oily skin, a mix of both for combination skin and gentle care for sensitive skin. Good luck, and may your skin glow and your makeup stay flawless!
