Should You Apply Primer Or Moisturizer First?

Do you know the proper sequence of applying products to your face? It can be dizzying to figure out the best order to apply everything so it all works correctly, looks good, and lasts all day.

Do you use primer or moisturizer first? And what about sunscreen, how does that fit in? You should apply your moisturizer first, then after it dries apply your primer. If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, apply it before your moisturizer. But if it’s a mineral sunscreen, apply it after.

Continue reading below to understand why that order is best. Plus we’ll also help you differentiate a primer from your moisturizer.

---

Differentiating A Primer From A Moisturizer

What are the things that you do to your face before applying your makeup? For most people, applying a moisturizer is a very important step. It hydrates the skin and plumps it up.

That way, the makeup would look better because the skin is properly hydrated. Some people use a moisturizer and then proceed with their makeup. But did you know that there is another product you can apply to your face to further improve how your makeup looks?

That product is a primer. Using either a moisturizer or a primer before applying your makeup can help it look better. However, you can also use both to further enhance your makeup.

If you are wondering what’s the difference between the two, then read carefully. We are going to define them and help you understand what each of them does to your skin to improve your makeup.

Moisturizer

Let’s first start with a moisturizer. A moisturizer  is a product that’s part of your skincare routine. One of the best ways to make your makeup look great is to make sure you have a good base, which is your skin.

You need to take care of your skin through the skincare routine that you do. Using moisturizers is part of that. A moisturizer can come in various forms but the function remains the same and that is to replenish the moisture in the skin (cold creams are in many ways the OG moisturizers).

Moisturizers are great at preventing dryness of the skin so that you can avoid dry patches or cracks. Those dry, cracked patches get heavily emphasized by makeup.

Moisturizers are great at preventing dryness of the skin so that you can avoid dry patches or cracks. Those dry, cracked patches get heavily emphasized by makeup.

That’s why it is best to use a moisturizer to make your skin supple and soft before applying makeup.

The moisturizers can contain a variety of ingredients that can help hydrate or moisturize the skin. There are different formulations that could work with various skin conditions.

Whether your skin is oily, dry, sensitive, or a combination of all those, you’ll benefit well from using a moisturizer before using makeup.

Primer

A primer , on the other hand, is another beauty product that can be considered a cosmetic product rather than a skincare product.

Primers help prepare your skin before you use makeup on it. It can improve makeup by making your skin smoother.

Primers help prepare your skin before you use makeup on it. It can improve makeup by making your skin smoother.

Primers can help minimize the large pores. It blurs out the skin so your makeup doesn’t set in the larger pores and emphasize them.

Primers can also be used to help those who have oily skin. With too much oil on your skin, your makeup won’t last long. That’s why mattifying primers are quite useful in this situation.

If your skin is dry, there are also primers that have additional moisturizing properties to help keep your skin hydrated.

No matter what type of primer you use, it will help make sure that the makeup lasts longer and look better.

---

Should You Apply Primer Or Moisturizer First? And What About Sunscreen?

Both the primer and moisturizer are useful products to use before you apply your makeup. Although you can just use one of them, you can get better results if you use them together.

The only problem with combining them is knowing which one to use first. The moisturizer should always be used first before the primer. The moisturizer is a part of your skincare routine, but it is in some ways separate. It should be done before doing your makeup routine.

The moisturizer should always be used first before the primer.

Applying moisturizer helps hydrate the skin in preparation for the application of makeup. Whenever you apply makeup, make sure that your skin is clean and well prepped.

If the skin is dry and flaking, it may not be the best canvas — especially if you are applying foundation.

The dryness and flakiness could be more evident if you don’t moisturize the skin. A primer is added on top of the moisturizer to further help prepare the skin for your makeup.

Primers can also be moisturizing, but it would be best to apply a moisturizer before the primer.

Primers will help make sure that the makeup use adheres to the skin properly so it lasts longer. It can help smooth the skin and prevent it from getting too oily so that the makeup sticks.

It can be thought of as a layer between the skin and the makeup that helps make sure the makeup doesn’t slip off throughout the day.

Chemical Sunscreens

If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, it is designed to be absorbed into bare skin. You should apply it before you use your primer. However, these sunscreens are going out of fashion due to health concerns, so you should consider switching to mineral sunscreen regardless.

Mineral Sunscreens

Mineral Sunscreens are designed to sit on top of the skin, and they are not absorbed into the skin. They can leave a frustrating white cast, but if you keep working it in, that should go away. Apply these after primer, since again, they sit on top of the skin.

See How Long After Moisturizer To Apply Sunscreen for more details.

---

How Long To Wait Before Your Apply A Primer After Using A Moisturizer?

When applying the primer over the moisturizer, you don’t have to wait very long. You can apply your primer a minute or two after you apply your moisturizer.

You can apply your primer a minute or two after you apply your moisturizer.

Giving it a few minutes helps make sure that the moisturizer is properly absorbed first so that the skin is plump. Sometimes, if you are using a thicker moisturizer, you might have to wait a little longer so that the skin can soak it all in.

Regardless, you’d just be waiting for a few minutes, then you can apply your primer.

If you apply the primer right after applying the moisturizer, the primer may interact with the still-wet moisturizer and not sit on the skin as well. This could also affect the other products that you apply afterward.

Waiting for a few minutes for the skin to be hydrated is best because hydrated skin is a better canvas than dry skin. It’s just a few minutes of waiting but the results could greatly improve.

It is also important to note what kind of primer to use depending on the foundation or other makeup products you use. Make sure that they are compatible with each other.

It is also important to note what kind of primer to use depending on the foundation or other makeup products you use. Make sure that they are compatible with each other.

For example, if you are using silicone primer, a water-based foundation isn’t the best match for it. They could separate and make your foundation look not as nice as it should.

Remember this when choosing a primer to use before your makeup.

---

Moisturizers Vs Hydrating Primers

As we’ve mentioned earlier, there are different types of primers available in the market. They may have added benefits like mattifying the face, blurring out the pores, or in this case, hydrating the skin.

If you already have a hydrating primer , should you still be using a moisturizer underneath? Hydrating primers are great because they have added moisturizing properties and can also prepare the face for makeup. However, they may not be as moisturizing as an actual moisturizer.

Some people obtain great results just by using hydrating primers. If that works well for you , then you could skip using the moisturizer before the hydrating primer.

If your skin is dry, you might benefit if you combine a moisturizer and a hydrating primer for added moisture.

Just remember that even if hydrating primers can moisturize the skin to some extent, they aren’t replacements for the moisturizers you use for skincare. They simply boost the moisture on the skin and further prevent the dry patches on your face.

Just remember that even if hydrating primers can moisturize the skin to some extent, they aren’t replacements for the moisturizers you use for skincare. They simply boost the moisture on the skin and further prevent the dry patches on your face.

---

Can Moisturizers Be Primers?

As discussed earlier, moisturizers and primers are different products. If you try to use your moisturizer as a primer, it won’t work. Even if you are using a hydrating primer, moisturizers still aren’t a substitute.

The goal of the primer is to make sure that the makeup lasts longer and sticks better to your face. Some people with dry skin can use moisturizers and skip the primer. But that will not guarantee that the makeup will last just as long.

Although the dryness of the face could be remedied and a smoother appearance can be achieved, moisturizers do not function as well as primers in making sure that the makeup lasts.

Additionally, moisturizers also don’t blur the face or minimize the pores or smooth the skin. That means that although the skin is plump and moisturized, the makeup could still sit in the pores and put emphasis on it.