As a beauty editor, if I were ever to have children, I’d bestow upon them one piece of advice: Hydrated skin is the basis for everything. Choosing that as my legacy over “be yourself” or “be the change you want to see in the world” might seem questionable, but they can get that advice from a children’s novel—and as a vain person, I’d rather leave them with something a little more practical.
Hydrated, well-prepped skin becomes even more important when you’re applying a full face of makeup. The skincare you use—especially the moisturizer you prep with—can be the difference between makeup that looks fine and makeup that earns you a “your skin is so glowy” compliment—I need, at least, one to six of these compliments a month to maintain the will to carry on.
The best moisturizers essentially double as primer, doing the heavy lifting so your makeup can focus on accentuating your features. Below, 11 options for smooth, hydrated, makeup-ready skin that won’t pill.
DRY SKIN
Dry skin is basically asking for one thing: more: more moisture, more help keeping all that hydration from escaping. It can feel tight, rough, flaky, or generally like it has beef with the concept of winter, so look for formulas that hydrate deeply while helping support the skin barrier.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream
For some, Charlotte Tilbury starts and ends with Pillow Talk, but there’s some real magic hiding in its skincare collection, starting with Magic Cream. For dry skin types, hydration and a healthy moisture barrier are key, which is where this cult favorite comes in. Recently reformulated to include even more peptides, it now claims clinical improvements (so they can’t lie) in basically everything you’d want improved, from hydration and glow to firmness, elasticity, wrinkles, fine lines, and even neck lines. It sinks in particularly well under makeup, giving you that radiant, glowy finish. Oily skin might find it a little rich, but the brand also makes a water-cream version, so pick your poison.
YISE Xtremely Quenched Peptide Plumping Moisturizer
For dewy skin prep, this moisturizer does exactly what its name promises. It instantly plumps and quenches skin, adding glow without tipping into overly shiny territory—I personally do not want a single Edward Cullen allegation. For dry skin types, it’s a great option, as it’s packed with four types of hyaluronic acid (father), peptides (son), and ceramides (holy spirit). You don’t need much to get the full effect, so use it sparingly to avoid going overboard. And if this paragraph hasn’t convinced you to try it, perhaps founder Molly Sims’ Paris Fashion Week diary will. Kinda chic.
OILY SKIN
Oily skin tends to produce more sebum than it needs, which can leave skin looking shiny and make clogged pores and breakouts more likely. The goal isn’t to strip your face of every last ounce of oil—your skin will simply retaliate like a scorned ex—but to find lightweight formulas that hydrate without adding unnecessary oiliness.
Biodance Pore Perfecting Cream
If K-beauty is what you’re after, Biodance is for you. No flight to Seoul required—although I am open to traveling if anyone wants to buy me a flight. This collagen-packed moisturizer is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and doesn’t pill or leave behind a greasy or sticky finish, which is especially nice for oily skin types. It leaves skin looking hydrated and smooth, and with consistent use I’ve noticed my overall skin tone looks more even too. At just under $30, it’s an easy one to add to your cart without remorse.
Point Of View’s Beauty Chill It Water Gel
Regardless of where you land on the love/hate spectrum with Mikayla Nogueira, the influencer’s brand POV Beauty makes skincare with makeup in mind. Chill It is a weightless water gel that’s especially good in the summer: It doesn’t pill and layers well under both SPF and makeup. If you have drier or more mature skin, there’s also Whip It, a richer formula.
BALANCED SKIN
Balanced skin is the low-maintenance friend of the group: It generally has a, well, balanced amount of oil and moisture. How does it feel being the universe’s favorite?
Isla Beauty Face Base
Whether you wear a full face of makeup every day or just a swipe of concealer and mascara (congrats for not being like other girls, I guess), this lightweight option protects skin from blue-light damage, which happens even while you’re scrolling TikTok or reading this article. It’s also deeply hydrating, with organic rose water, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, beeswax, and a blend of macadamia, jojoba, desert date, and baobab oils. If you don’t have any major skin concerns and just want to keep things balanced, this is a worthwhile addition to your routine.
Innbeauty Project Extreme Cream
For drier or more mature skin, this is a great option thanks to peptides, bio-retinol, and ceramides, which help visibly reduce the appearance of sagging and wrinkles while supporting the skin barrier. While I’m still “young”—depending on who you ask—I reach for it in the winter, both as a preventative measure and because it gives skin the loveliest sheen before makeup. (But if you ask where my glow comes from, I prefer to lie and say it’s just genetics.)
SENSITIVE SKIN
Sensitive skin tends to have a lower tolerance for a lot of things: products, weather, fragrance, And worry not: You hereby have permission to tell everyone your skin is just. so. sensitive. as often as you want.
Eminence Organic Skin Care Calm Skin Chamomile Moisturizer
If redness or rosacea is your primary concern before makeup, a calming moisturizer can make a big difference. Think of this one as a salve for your face, with ingredients—like chamomile and aloe vera juice to soothe skin, and shea butter to soften and replenish the barrier—you probably know from the tea aisle and your kitchen. A little goes a long way, so there’s no need to slather it on. But if you’re someone who can’t practice restraint, c’est la vie.
Aunu Manuka Moisturizer
Like all of Aunu’s products, this moisturizer uses patented good-for-your-skin mānuka honey alongside heavy hitters like ceramides, squalane, and jojoba. One or two pumps gives you the fresh, cherub-y glow they say money can’t buy (it can). If you’re in New York City, you can also pick it up at Hotel Chelsea and Ställe Studios.
Rhode Glazing Milk
Packed with ceramides, this hydrating essence is more than just a product to post on Instagram to prove you’re in the know. Yes, I know an essence isn’t technically a moisturizer, but for some people—not me—this provides enough hydration that they don’t need a separate one. You can always add one if you want, though—I’m not here to police you. It’s lightweight, never greasy or heavy, and fragrance-free, making it especially nice for sensitive or easily irritated skin. It leaves behind a dewy, glowy base. If you suffer from dull skin syndrome™, consider this your prescription.
MATURE SKIN
Mature skin naturally becomes drier and less elastic over time, which can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. The key here is looking for formulas that prioritize hydration and barrier support to make it look like it got eight hours of sleep.
Skinbetter Science Trio Rebalancing Moisture Treatment
Shayna Goldberg, the makeup artist behind stars like Riley Keough and Sarah Pidgeon, counts this among her favorites. “I’ve noticed the biggest difference in my skin’s texture when I apply makeup after this treatment—it feels bouncy and smooth without any evidence of the product sitting on top,” she says. “While the formula is a lightweight emulsion, it packs a punch when it comes to barrier support. My skin personally loves urea, and the combination of hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerin, and caffeine works beautifully together.”
U Beauty The Super Hydrator
At $168, this is a splurge, but it’s clinically tested to increase the appearance of deep hydration in just 15 minutes. It’s lightweight but still gives skin that luxurious, cushy feel, thanks to five types of hyaluronic acid, peptides, and a blend of argan, avocado, and grapeseed oils. It’s a great option for mature or sensitive skin, but really works across skin types. And if you’re staring at that price tag wondering if it’s really worth it, start with the mini.
Photo via ITG