Applying makeup is perhaps one of the most important parts of a woman’s day. And we all know that a good makeup routine starts off with an even better skin care regimen.
Part of a winning strategy is never forgetting to apply moisturizer, letting it absorb into the skin, and then applying foundation. The question is, how long should you wait to apply foundation after moisturizer?
After applying your moisturizer, you should wait at least 5 minutes before applying your foundation. If you have a thicker moisturizer, wait at least 15 minutes before applying the foundation.
This lets your moisturizer fully absorb into your skin to provide you the perfect base for your makeup.
It pays to be knowledgeable and aware of certain things when it comes to your skin. One, you have to know the right kind of moisturizer for your skin type.
Two, you also have to know the perfect type of foundation that works for your skin type, skin color and one which complements the moisturizer you have applied before it. Third, you really have to have enough time to follow your skincare ad makeup routine completely and correctly.
Doing this right the first time is the secret to keeping your skin looking young for longer. And if you ignore these simple yet time-consuming steps, you risk doing more damage to your skin than you realize.
You will also be wasting good products by not using them correctly, losing you more money in the long run.
Read on to learn more about how long should you wait to apply foundation after moisturizer? As well, tips for applying both!
Also, for an excellent moisturizer, take a look at our top pick, the Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
How Long Should You Wait to Apply Foundation after Moisturizer?
There are a lot of small things to take into account when it comes to a good skin care routine. If you are the type who is heavy on the makeup, then it is even more important to get the skin care routine right.
Skipping any step – especially moisturizing your skin – can be very damaging to the quality of your skin although.
You may not see the ill effects early on in life. Fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and dryness only tend to show up in big ways later in life, so if you can prevent or at least prolong these occurrences, it would be for the best.
You don’t want to rush applying your moisturizer and then jump straight into applying the foundation. If your moisturizer hasn’t been given enough time to absorb, then the foundation will not set on your skin as your skin will be too moist.
Waiting 5 to 15 minutes after applying your moisturizer can feel like a waste of valuable time, but it’s worth waking a few minutes earlier.
Consider it as a worthy investment for healthier skin! I like to tell my clients to use the time during their skin care routine as part of their daily “you time,” time where you can have rest and relaxation.
But if you truly are a busy gal who cannot be bothered, then consider this amount of time as an addition to answering emails or making phone calls.
It is all a matter of how much you want to prioritize skin care and if you can discipline yourself to follow a routine. Dermatological experts agree that each layer of product needs its own time to fully absorb into your skin, although there is not a lot of empirical evidence to back this claim.
If you apply skin care products immediately on top of each other without ample time, dermatologists say the textures tend to “roll-up” over one other, making the drying time more difficult and the products less effective.
That being said, you don’t need to wait too long either. Dr. Josie L. Tenore, of FreshSkin in Highland Park, Illinois, says, “It’s a myth that you have to wait a long time for moisturizer to absorb.
The skin is very effective at absorbing products.” That being said, from what I’ve found with my clients is 5 minutes is a good amount of time to wait for a normal, thin layer of moisturizer.
If you are applying a much thicker, oily moisturizer and/or applying a thick layer of moisturizer, the time to wait for the moisturizer to absorb will be longer. In this case, you should wait at least 15 to 20 minutes.
As long as your face is no longer moist or damp from the moisturizer, then you can apply the foundation.
How Long Does it Take for Moisturizer to Absorb?
When it comes to your moisturizer, letting it settle in your skin is a crucial part of the skin care routine. How long it takes for moisturizer to absorb really depends on the type of moisturizer you are using.
Generally, it takes about 5 minutes, but this can vary as each moisturizer available in the market is different.
Just make sure to use a moisturizer that fits your skin type – whether your skin is normal, combination, dry, oily, or sensitive – then you are on the right track. It also helps to know the manufacturer’s recommendation on how to apply the moisturizer and for how long to dry it out.
On average, it would take about five 5 to 15 minutes for the skin to soak up all the moisturizer you have applied. It is best to choose a moisturizer with added ingredients like vitamins, antioxidants, and peptides.
These boosting ingredients have been tried and tested to improve the skin’s quality with regular and correct use. While you wait 5 or so minutes for the moisturizer to absorb, your skin will be benefiting from the other ingredients.
See Malin + Goetz Vitamin E Face Moisturizer on Amazon for the moisturizer I use and recommend:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
It has added vitamins E, B5, and soothing chamomile to hydrate and balance the skin’s pH. It is also lightweight and fast-absorbing, so it takes even less than 5 minutes until I find my face dry and ready for applying the foundation.
Take about a dime-sized amount on two fingers and gently apply all over your face, leaving no excess moisturizer showing. Then wait about 5 minutes (or possibly less) until your face no longer feels moist or damp. While waiting, you can brush your teeth or check your emails.
Then, when your face is fairly dry to the touch and all moisturizer looks to be absorbed from the surface, you can apply your foundation.
How to Apply Foundation After Moisturizer?
After your moisturizer has fully settled in your skin, it’s time to talk about foundation. This is where most women either get it exactly right or end up with a cakey exterior. It all depends on three factors:
- Type of foundation
- Application technique
- The third factor is, you guessed it, if you have done your waiting (5-15 minutes) before applying foundation on top of your moisturizer.
Here are some of the most popular foundation types and how to apply them correctly to your skin:
Tinted Moisturizer
If you like the lightweight formula of a tinted moisturizer for a foundation, you must not be too heavy with the product or its application. Just use a pea-sized amount and smooth it on your face with your fingers as you would do a moisturizer. BB and CC creams are some of the best.
See the e.l.f. Studio Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 83222 Nude on Amazon for a hydrating, lightweight, water-resistant tinted moisturizer with SPF 15:
Click here to see it on Amazon.
For a BB cream, see Neutrogena Healthy Skin Glow Sheers Tinted Moisturizer on Amazon. This BB cream works great alone or as a primer under foundation, is lightweight, not oily, and matches your skin tone.
Click here to see it on Amazon.
Liquid and Cream Foundation
Liquid foundations tend to have a thinner consistency, so it helps to use a dense-bristled foundation brush to spread it around onto large areas and into creases.
For thicker types, like cream foundations, a makeup sponge would be a better choice. A dime-sized amount should suffice, but since a sponge can soak up some of the product, then you can always use a little more.
Loose or Pressed Powder Foundation
It helps to use a loose-bristled brush to buff the powder formula evenly on the skin. Use small circular motions around the skin to diffuse the pigment of the product and achieve the most natural, non-cakey finish.
All these different types of foundations may have a different drying time on your skin. Other factors that may affect how it absorbs into your skin are the humidity in your area and your skin’s overall condition.
Remember to look at the label for the manufacturer’s recommendation before using any type of foundation.
Conclusion – How Long Should You Wait to Apply Foundation after Moisturizer?
How long should you wait to apply foundation after moisturizer?
You should wait about 5 to 15 minutes between applying the moisturizer and the foundation, depending on what kind of moisturizer you are using and how thick you apply the moisturizer.
You can brush your teeth while waiting or check your emails. The key is to wait until the surface of your skin is no longer damp or moist.
Applying foundation right after you moisturize can leave you with a streaky mess. Do not skimp on any step, and be quite generous with your time, because it is, after all, your skin you are trying to protect.
Make it a habit to wake up a little earlier and take the overall time of your skin care routine into consideration. That way, you don’t have to be in a constant hurry all the time just to look flawless.
A few simple tips to remember in your skin care and makeup journey:
1. Do not skip any step in your skin care routine
It can be easy to miss a step or two of your skin care routine, especially on mornings when you are in a rush.
But if you forget, say, to moisturize, you will not achieve the same glow as you would if you have applied it. Consider healthy, beautiful skin as something you need to invest in, and you can be sure to reap the rewards down the road.
2. Do not use too much product, especially foundation
To get the “no-makeup makeup look” with a natural-looking complexion, you cannot overindulge on a product, especially when it comes to foundation. If you do, you can be sure to end up with a thick and cakey mess of a face.
3. Never forget your neck!
The complexion around your neck may tend to be lighter than that on your face, so it helps to blend out your foundation beyond your jawline. This way, you can achieve a seamless, natural-looking finish.
