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Skin Care Obsessions: Hydration & Makeup Prep
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items Getting ready that starts before the concealer. Makeup will always look and wear best when applied to healthy, moisturized, and prepped skin. I’m a former makeup artist, and I love skincare that keeps my skin comfortable and helps makeup sit beautifu...
Sections
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Hydration & Makeup Prep
Exfoliating Options: Choose Your Format
Hydration & Makeup Prep
Start with a face wash, then choose the moisturizer texture you enjoy: cream, milk or gel. Compare the richer beauty-counter picks with the straightforward everyday options. Serums and makeup-prep products fill different roles, so choose for the fini...
This cream plumps up my skin and makes it feel smooth. It makes my makeup look better too, which is why it earns a place in my skincare routine. Choose this moisturizer when you want a dewy skin finish; compare the Dewy Milk beside it if you prefer s...
The Dewy Skin Cream Replenishing and Plumping Moisturizer
Light texture, lovely hydration. This moisturizer absorbs quickly and leaves my skin velvety soft and protected, especially from the dry air in winter. I would put it on the shortlist if you like the idea of Tatcha but prefer a milky texture over a d...
The Dewy Milk Moisturizer Lightweight Glowing Hydration
I like how this serum absorbs into my skin quickly. I use this as a hydrating layer under makeup and in my nighttime routine. This is one to consider for the smooth texture and hydration, with realistic expectations about what a cosmetic serum can do...
Advanced Night Repair Serum Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Kiehls is a face cream to consider when softness and hydration matter. The squalane oil in this formula makes this moisturizer a personal favorite. This facial cream is especially nice for the winter, when my skin needs extra protection from cold and dry air.
Ultra Facial Cream with Squalane | Face Cream
If you don't enjoy the feel of a thick cream moisturizer, Clinique Moisture Surge is lightweight and oil-free, and it behaves well under makeup. This lightweight formula delivers comfortable hydration without making the prep step feel heavy.
Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
The Bobbi Brown Face Base combines a moisturizer and primer in one product, so it belongs on the shortlist if you want fewer separate layers during your skin prep routine. This is a high-quality cream that professional makeup artists often lean on to...
Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer
Winter is coming - check out this dry-skin comfort pick. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream is worth considering when a lightweight gel is not enough and dry patches are the main frustration. I choose this for the moisturizing benefits, then keep th...
Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
For someone who enjoys a rich body oil, this is the castor-oil option on my beauty shelf list. This oil is very thick and can be mixed with a thinner body oil to reduce the stickiness of the castor oil. It's messy, but there are many benefits of usin...
QUEEN OF THE THRONES Organic Golden Castor Oil 8.4oz
For the temporary smoothing effect around the eyes, this is an option to compare with Peter Thomas Roth Instant Firm Eye. Application makes a difference with this kind of product, so follow its directions and check how it layers with your concealer. ...
L'Oreal Revitalift Triple Power Eye Bag Eraser
Choose this moisturizer when hydration is what your skin needs. This Daily Facial Moisturizer is not sunscreen, so keep sun protection as a separate step in your routine. It absorbs quickly and is not sticky.
Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer 3oz
CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser is a non-foaming, fragrance-free face wash for normal to dry skin. I chose it as an everyday cleansing option. This hydrating cleanser doesn't lather on your skin, so it is a different experience than many people are ...
8.0 oz Hydrating Facial Cleanser - CeraVe | Ulta Beauty
Exfoliating Options: Choose Your Format
Compare a treatment, a powder, a toner and ready-to-use pads. These are different ways to add an exfoliating step, not a four-product routine. Choose one approach that suits your skin and follow its directions, including sun-protection guidance.
Try this lactic-acid treatment option smoother skin. Be sure to read the instructions for your skin type before using it, especially if you already use other exfoliating products. Exfoliated skin is wonderful, but there is such a thing as too much he...
Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment
Use this rice-powder option when you prefer an exfoliating step that rinses away easily. Its format is what sets it apart from the leave-on treatment and toner in this section. Follow the mixing and use directions on the bottle, and get ready for ski...
Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator Smooths & Brightens Skin
This is an alcohol-free toner that exfoliates without over-drying my skin. That is my experience, and the reason this Farmacy pick stays on my list. Deep Sweep is a 2% BHA option, in a liquid format for someone who prefers a toner to a powder or read...
Deep Sweep Pore Cleaning BHA Toner
Ready-to-use exfoliating pads for someone who prefers a quick, contained step over measuring out a powder or treatment. I would compare these with the other exfoliants by convenience and skin tolerance. Use after cleansing as directed; they are not a...
Dynamic Resurfacing Facial Pads