Doing makeup is an art for that one doesn’t need to be professional, but one needs to practice a lot. Why? Because practice makes a man perfect.
Makeup is known for adding stars to one’s beauty but can deteriorate looks if not done correctly. The primer and moisturizer, vital products of every makeup, are assumed to be the same or thought to be used interchangeably, but that’s a myth.
They are different and have their usage.
Key Takeaways
- Primer is a makeup product that prepares the skin for foundation application, helping it adhere better and last longer, while moisturizer hydrates the skin and maintains its natural moisture balance.
- Primers have a smoothing effect, reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. At the same time, moisturizers focus on maintaining skin health and addressing specific skin concerns, such as dryness or oiliness.
- Applying moisturizer is a crucial step in a skincare routine, while the primer is an optional addition to a makeup routine, depending on individual preferences and desired makeup outcomes.
Primer vs Moisturizer
Primer is a makeup product. Primer is the first makeup product to be applied on the face. It gives the base for making the makeup smooth. Primer can also be used to increase the durability of the makeup. Moisturizer is a product used for skin care. Moisturizer can be applied at the end of the makeup. The damaged skin can be healed with the help of moisturizer.
As the name suggests, primer is the prime element in one’s makeup drill. It falls under the category of the makeup product range. It provides a base for smooth and spotless makeup.
If one wants to have his makeup have a long-lasting and crisp effect, then using a primer is a must. Primer helps protect one’s skin from the chemical reactions of other makeup products.
Everyone uses Moisturizer, a skincare component, whether they wear makeup or not. It helps lock the moisture in one’s skin and nourish it.
It addresses other issues of the skin while hydrating one’s skin. By providing the necessary nutrients, moisturizer improves the quality of the skin and heals the damaged skin.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Primer | Moisturizer |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | It is a product that ensures spotless and uncracked makeup. | It is a product that locks the moisture of the skin. |
| Type of product | It is a makeup product | It is a skincare product |
| Uses | It helps to secure makeup for long hours and cares for one’s skin from makeup products | It helps to hydrate, moisturize and nourish the skin |
| Types | Oil-based primer, Matte primer, Blurring primer, Illuminating primer | Emollients moisturizer, Humectants moisturizer, Occlusives moisturizer |
| Makeup step | It is applied after moisturizer and before makeup. | Its application is before primer. |
What is a Primer?
Primer is a makeup product that acts as a base for any makeup. It provides a desirable effect for a smooth and crack-free makeup look.
It aids the makeup to be intact for a long duration and improves the coverage area. It helps to cover all the patches and spots on the skin. It acts as a fence between the skin and makeup products.
One crucial point to be noted here is that primer cannot replace moisturizer.
The primer is applied after moisturizer but before makeup. One can wear it on any part of the face to get an even makeup look.
There are various types of primers available for different parts of the face. When talking about eyes, Eyelid primer helps in the smooth application of the eyeshadow.
Also, it helps to enhance the colour of the eyeshadow. Mascara primer provides thickness and longness to the eyelashes before wearing mascara.
Other than that, it also aids in keeping mascara intact and doesn’t let it smudge. It regulates the health of eyelashes. Lip primer allows the lips to maintain a smooth look by perfectly holding the lipgloss or lipstick on them.
Nail primer works wonders for providing a smooth base for nail paint and keeping nail polish for a long time.
Various types of primers include Oil-based primer, also known as hydrating primer, which is helpful for people with dry skin.
For people having oily skin, Matte primer sounds good. It blurs the skin’s pores and helps the foundation to stay flawless. Blurring primer is good for having a smooth makeup effect.
Illuminating primer has a tint of sheen that gives a glass-like look to your skin.
What is a Moisturizer?
Moisturizer is a skincare product and not a makeup product. It helps to protect, moisturize and treat the skin and helps to avoid skin dryness.
It hydrates the skin, improves its quality and retains its moisture. It aids in covering and nourishing the dry patches and makes the skin softer.
One must apply it before primer because, after a primer, the skin seals to gain the goodness of moisturizer’s nutrients. Different moisturizers are used for different skin types because everyone’s skin varies.
One should choose the right moisturiser to achieve flawless skin and address any skin problems. It may contain oils, herbs or chemicals.
There are three main types of moisturizers. Emollients are oil-based moisturizers that provide moisture to the skin and help protect it from dryness or harshness.
They are in gels or light creams. They are a carrier of vitamin E. No matter your skin type, you can always use them. Humectants are responsible for holding the moisture provided by emollients.
They draw moisture or water from the air and hydrate one’s skin. An oily-skinned person can use these. They are known for absorbing very quickly and having lightweight consistency.
One can find them in glycerin, aloe vera gel etc. They have a gel-like texture. If one wants to prevent water loss from the skin, one may use Occlusives.
They are recommended for very dehydrated skin types and have a thick texture. They are in thick creams.
Some other moisturizers are Night creams which have more hydrating qualities. Tinted moisturizers have a small portion of the foundation.
Main Differences Between Primer and Moisturizer
- Primer is a makeup product, whereas moisturizer is a skincare product. Primer is the first step of the makeup routine, while moisturizer is the last stage of the skincare routine.
- The very use of primer is to protect makeup from smudging and make it last for long hours. On the other hand, moisturizer is helpful in retaining moisture and hydration of the skin.
- Primer aids in having flawless makeup, whereas moisturizer helps prevent skin from dryness.
- Primer is applied before makeup and after moisturizer. On the flip side, moisturizer comes in use before primer.
- Types of primers are matte, hydrating, and illuminating primers. Types of moisturizers are oil-based, water-based, and occlusive moisturizers.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091674914011609
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09546634.2012.672713
Last Updated : 26 July, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
