Top Skincare Products To Enhance Your Makeup Look……….So picture this: me, rushing to the 7 train at 7:30 a.m., half-asleep, hair in a bun that’s not even trying anymore. I catch my reflection in the glass doors before they shut and—yikes. You know that “clean girl makeup” look everybody’s been posting? Dewy skin, fluffy brows, soft blush? Yeah, I looked like the “before” pic of that.
And the thing is, the clean girl makeup look isn’t even about makeup. It’s about skin. Skin that says, “I drink water, sleep eight hours, and do Pilates,” even when you had Cheetos for dinner. (Which I did. Orange fingers, zero regrets.)
So, after a mini-spiral and some frantic scrolling while on the train, I made myself a deal: I was going to actually find the skincare products that make this whole “clean” thing possible—no TikTok filters, no magic. And I’m here, weeks later, sipping bodega coffee, telling you about it like you’re my sister because, honestly, I wish someone had told me sooner.
The Skin Prep Is Everything
If you’ve ever tried putting sheer makeup on dry skin, you know it’s like painting on cardboard. Crusty, patchy, sad. That’s why every makeup artist on the internet says, “skin prep, skin prep, skin prep.”
I started using CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (this isn’t sponsored—my bank account can confirm). It’s not sexy. It doesn’t have a French name or come in a glass bottle. But it works. It’s gentle, doesn’t strip, and leaves my face soft enough to skip moisturizer on a lazy day (don’t @ me, I still moisturize).
And because my skin is basically like, “feed me water,” I follow up with the La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum. It’s one of those lightweight hyaluronic acid serums that sinks in fast. You know that plump look people get in their “no makeup makeup” selfies? This is it.
Sometimes I even layer it with the COSRX Snail Mucin Essence (don’t gag—snail goo is basically skincare magic). It feels weird at first but leaves you glassy. Like, mirror selfie without filter glassy.
Moisturizers That Don’t Make You Greasy
Okay, confession: I used to think moisturizers were all the same. Just pick one, slap it on, move on. Wrong. Some of them are makeup’s worst enemy. Heavy creams can make your foundation slide off or pill (that annoying little linty thing).
So I switched to the Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré. It’s like a French grandma’s secret but also every makeup artist’s favorite. Thin, but rich. Hydrating but not greasy. Makeup glides over it.
When it’s blazing hot (hello, Queens subway platform in August), I swap it for Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream. It’s cooling, light, and my skin drinks it up. My concealer has never looked smoother.
Sunscreen, Because I’m Not 19 Anymore
You know how every beauty article says “wear sunscreen” like it’s a personality trait? Well, turns out they’re right. I ignored SPF for years because I hated the chalky look, but the Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen changed my mind.
It’s invisible, kind of silicone-y (like a makeup primer), and it makes your base go on so nice. Plus, it doesn’t make me break out, which is a small miracle.
Sometimes I switch to the Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun (Korean SPF, very TikTok-approved). Lightweight, no white cast, and it has this soft glow that makes it look like I’m well-rested (I’m not).
Exfoliation Without the Burn
Okay, here’s where I messed up in my 20s. I went too hard on scrubs and acids. My skin was like, “please stop.” If you want that smooth base for the clean girl look, you don’t need to sandpaper your face.
Once a week, I use Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant. It’s culty for a reason. Pores look smaller, makeup sits better. But it’s gentle enough that I don’t look like a tomato afterward.
When I’m feeling fancy (or broke but pretending), I’ll do a little The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution—you know, the red vampire mask. It stings for a few minutes but the glow the next day? Unreal. Just don’t overdo it. (Trust me.)
Extra Touches That Make It Look Effortless
Sometimes it’s not even about the big products. It’s the little things about top skincare products to enhance your makeup look.
- Eye creams that double as primers. (I like Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado—rich but not sticky.)
- Face mists like Tower 28 SOS Spray to calm redness before makeup.
- Lip masks (Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, obviously) so your gloss doesn’t sit on cracked lips like icing on a dry cupcake.
And honestly? Half the “clean girl” look is just brushed brows and a tinted balm. Skin first, always.
A Quick Queens Girl Reality Check about Top Skincare Products To Enhance Your Makeup Look
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: half the influencers doing the clean girl look already have amazing skin or fancy facials. Me? I’m working full-time, riding the subway, dodging pigeons, and eating pizza at midnight. Skincare has to be quick, affordable-ish, and not a total scam.
That’s why my lineup isn’t all $300 creams. It’s a mix of drugstore and mid-range stuff that actually works. You don’t need a 10-step routine. Just good basics and consistency.
Also, water. And sleep. But I’m not your mom. (Drink water anyway.)
Products I Swear By For This Look (Quick List)
For the skimmers out there:
- Cleansers: CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
- Serums: La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5, COSRX Snail Mucin
- Moisturizers: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré, Neutrogena Hydro Boost
- Sunscreen: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen or Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun
- Exfoliants: Paula’s Choice BHA, The Ordinary Peeling Solution
- Extras: Kiehl’s Avocado Eye Cream, Tower 28 SOS Mist, Laneige Lip Mask
These have actually made my makeup routine simpler. I spend less time covering up and more time scrolling memes before work. Win-win.
Outbound Links That Fit
- Into The Gloss: Skincare Routines That Actually Work (because their real-girl interviews are gold)
- The Cut’s Beauty Section (funny, relatable takes on trends)
