Mixing Foundation With Moisturizer (What To Know)
Finding the right foundation shade is hard enough. We’ve spent $100s buying different foundations only to find that the colour doesn’t match.
The texture is too cakey, or it oxidises into a dreaded orange shade.
The worst part is that many retailers won’t let you return foundation once it’s been used.
You may end up with a pricey product that isn’t a good fit.
But what if we told you there’s a beauty hack that can fix the shade, coverage, and texture of your foundation without you having to throw it out?
We’re talking about moisturiser, of course.
What does mixing foundation with moisturiser do?
We’re so glad you asked. It can do a lot – from giving you a more dewy look to correcting the tone of your foundation, and everything in between. When mixed in the right proportions, moisturiser can be a very effective tool for enhancing and improving the look of your foundation.
So, don’t throw away those liquid foundations just yet—you might still be able to use them.
In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about mixing your foundation with moisturiser to achieve various effects on your skin.
Why Mix Foundation With Moisturiser?
We touched on this a bit, but let’s get into the details of why you might want to mix your foundation with moisturiser.
There are a few ways that moisturiser can enhance your foundation:
Add Hydration
The most obvious reason is that moisturiser (we love this moisturising cream from CeraVe that melts right into your skin — it can add hydration to your foundation, making it more moisturising for your skin.
This is especially important for those with dry skin.
Some foundations work well on dry skin, but many can actually exacerbate the condition, making it even drier.
If you’ve got a new foundation and notice that it makes your skin look flaky and textured, it’s likely drying out your skin.
Some ingredients in foundation can be quite drying, such as fragrances, parabens, and alcohol. Unfortunately, most foundations contain one or all of those.
If you are concerned that your foundation is making your skin drier, adding a little moisturiser can really help.
However, you can also find hydrating foundations (like this one from Neutrogena).
If you’re happy with the shade and tone of your foundation, add only a small amount of moisturiser — about a pea-sized amount to each pump — so that you get the hydrating benefits without affecting the colour.
To Make Your Complexion Dewier
Matte skin looks are out, and natural, dewy complexions are in!
If your foundation makes your skin look flat and dimensionless, add a little moisturiser to achieve a subtle, healthy shine.
For best results, mix one part moisturiser with two parts foundation to achieve the prettiest, dewy look.
The best part about this method is that you can customise it to your skin type.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, opt for an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser.
If your skin is naturally dry, choose one with hyaluronic acid or other hydrating ingredients.
Regardless of the type of moisturiser you choose, the results will be radiant.
The only thing to keep in mind is that your foundation will have slightly less coverage, which is perfect for a “natural” look.
To Lighten The Foundation Colour
If you bought your foundation in the summer when you had a gorgeous tan, but now you’re wearing it in the winter, you’re noticing that the colour is too dark?
Don’t fret – adding moisturiser can help lighten the tone of your foundation.
This also works on foundations that oxidise while you wear them, adopting a freaky orange tint.
Mix in a few pea-sized dollops of moisturiser with the amount of foundation you’d typically use, and blend them in your palms.
Allow the mixture to warm up slightly before applying it to your face.
This can lighten your foundation by one or two shades.
You may need to experiment with the amount of moisturiser to achieve the perfect colour.
This is especially effective if your skin becomes lighter during the winter months – you can continue using the same foundation you use in the summer, with the added benefit of moisture for the colder months.
To Get Lighter Coverage
Sometimes you want your foundation to have lighter coverage.
For example, when you’re heading to a fun day outdoors or just running errands, wearing a full face of makeup can seem excessive.
We love this hack to achieve a “tinted moisturizer” look – use two parts moisturiser to one part foundation.
You’ll end up with light coverage, tons of hydration, and a dewy complexion.
The amount of foundation in this formula is sufficient to cover minor blemishes and even out your skin tone, without making you look overdone or unnatural.
Using a moisturiser with SPF is even better.
You end up with a 3-in-1 product that protects you from UV rays, provides hydration, and evens out your skin tone.
How To Mix Foundation With Moisturiser
When it comes to mixing your foundation with a moisturiser, there are several ways to approach it.
Mix In Your Hands
Mixing the two products right in the palm of your hand is one of the best ways to do it.
Right before applying the products to your face, pump them both onto your palms in the desired proportion, and gently rub them together.
The heat and friction from your hands allow for the best mixing of ingredients, resulting in a smooth and natural-looking finish.
Use A Makeup Blender
If you prefer using a makeup sponge or applicator brush to apply your foundation, you can still do so after mixing the two products in your hands.
Now that they’re well mixed and blended in the palm of your hand, you can dip your makeup applicator into the mixture and apply as usual.
You may need to use more product than you usually use because there is more surface area on your hands, and some of the product might get “lost” there.
But since you’re already mixing your foundation with a moisturiser, you probably won’t be using that much more of it in the end.
Use Your Fingers
If you’re not too keen on using a foundation brush or a Beauty Blender, no worries!
With moisturiser added to your foundation, it’s even easier to spread it on your face without needing a special applicator.
The moisturiser tends to make the foundation softer and more malleable.
The heat from your fingers makes it easier to blend on your face.
Another benefit of using your fingers is that you won’t waste any product.
You can easily transfer everything that’s on your hands onto your face by gently applying it with your fingers.
Use The Right Proportions
We already discussed what proportions you should use when mixing your foundation with a moisturizer, but here’s a quick summary:
- To add hydration to your foundation, apply a pea-sized amount of moisturiser on top of your regular foundation application.
- To make your complexion dewier, mix one part moisturiser with two parts of the foundation.
- To lighten your foundation colour, try adding a few pea-sized dollops of moisturiser to your foundation.
Your individual needs may vary depending on the darkness of your foundation tone. - To get lighter coverage, or the “tinted moisturizer” effect, mix two parts of moisturizer with one part foundation.
Of course, your individual needs may be different.
If your foundation contains hydrating ingredients, you may not need to add as much moisturiser to begin with.
The best advice we can give you is to rely on trial and error.
You can always build coverage if you mix too much moisturiser into your foundation by adding another layer of foundation on top with less moisturiser.
Try it out a few times and keep a record of what works for you.
You can refer to it next time, and eventually, you’ll have this down to a science!
For a visual tutorial, check out this video from Melissa Van Dijk on YouTube.
Things To Consider When Mixing Foundation With Moisturiser
Moisturize First
Don’t forget to use your moisturiser on its own before applying any makeup.
Even though you’re mixing some moisturiser into your foundation, you should still be using it as part of your morning skincare routine, just like before.
You likely won’t have to change anything about the way you moisturise, even though you’ll be adding the product to your makeup routine later.
Consider Ingredients
Before you begin mixing, review the ingredient lists for your foundation and moisturiser.
Ensure that there are no conflicting ingredients that could cause separation and streaking when mixed.
For example, if you have a silicone-based foundation, avoid mixing it with a water-based moisturiser.
Other conflicting combinations include oil and water or silicones and oil.
To determine the base of your foundation, pay attention to the first few ingredients listed on the back of your product.
The ingredients listed at the beginning of the ingredient list form the base of the product.
Once you are sure your moisturiser and foundation can be mixed without any ill effects, it’s time to start mixing!
Coverage
Another thing you should keep in mind is the amount of coverage you’ll get from your foundation when it’s mixed with moisturiser.
A good rule of thumb is that the more moisturiser you add, the lighter the coverage will be.
Light coverage is still buildable, so if you feel like you don’t have enough pigment to even out your skin tone, you can always build it up.
If, on the other hand, you are looking for less coverage and a more natural finish, add more moisturiser to your foundation to “thin” it out.
Can You Mix Powder Foundation With Moisturiser?
An essential factor to consider is what type of foundation you are using.
When writing this article, we focused primarily on liquid foundations because liquid mixes well with most moisturisers.
But what if you have a foundation that isn’t liquid?
Powder foundations are standard, and cream or mousse foundations are also pretty popular. Can they be mixed with a moisturiser?
That depends on what your foundation is made of.
Powder foundations can be made from mineral powders (such as talc, kaolin, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide), as well as non-mineral pressed powders that contain ingredients like silicone, wax, oil, and dyes.
Mineral powder foundation tends to mix very well with moisturiser, and there are many recipes available that can help you achieve the right amount of coverage and texture.
Regular non-mineral powders, however, tend to interact poorly with the ingredients in moisturisers.
They are more likely to end up in a clumpy mess and leave streaks on your face, so we wouldn’t recommend mixing them with a moisturiser.
As far as cream foundations and mousse foundations go, most of them are safe to mix with a moisturiser; however, you may need to experiment with the proportions.
Cream and mousse foundations are more pigmented than liquid foundations, so a little goes a long way.
Is It a Good Idea to Mix Foundation with Moisturiser?
Mixing foundation with a moisturiser is a good idea if you feel like you need it.
It gives you more control over how your foundation looks at different points in your life.
If it’s dry and cold out, add moisturiser to keep your foundation from drying you out.
If the colour is slightly off, add moisturiser to correct it. If you want a more glowy complexion, you guessed it, add moisturiser!
You get the picture. Depending on the day and on your skin, you can utilise the power of moisturiser to alter your foundation as needed.
It can also save you money. Mixing foundation with a moisturiser eliminates the need for multiple separate products, such as tinted moisturisers or BB and CC creams.
A good moisturiser, when mixed with your foundation, has the same effect as those other products.
Not to mention the money you’re saving by not tossing out every foundation you buy because of a slight tone mismatch or texture issues.
All in all, it’s perfectly safe to mix your foundation with a moisturiser.
The only downside is that it might take you a few tries to get the proportions right, but once you figure them out, it’s smooth sailing from there.
Final Thoughts
Using a moisturiser in your skincare routine is essential, and it should be incorporated into your daily routine.
But even if you’re moisturising religiously, adding a little more moisturiser to your foundation won’t hurt.
Beauty gurus have been mixing moisturiser into their foundations for years because of the versatility and control it provides, allowing them to achieve the right texture and complexion.
Trust us, your skin will thank you for the added hydration.
You’ll notice that your complexion starts to glow, and your makeup blends better than ever before.
We hope you find this article helpful as you experiment with this fantastic beauty hack.
Use our recommended foundation-to-moisturiser proportions as a guide, but don’t be afraid to experiment to find your perfect coverage recipe through trial and error.
