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Ria Bhatia profile imageRia BhatiaPublished on

Consider this best hydrating serum round-up before your next makeup shopping spree. Find top picks like M.A.C, Bobbi Brown & Chanel for a smooth, hydrated base.

6 best hydrating serums to prep your skin before applying make-up

Products that make make-up application a breeze and allow the skin to look like skin? Count us in

Cleanse, tone, moisturise and protect—this pretty much summarises a typical skincare routine. However, when you’re wearing a full face of make-up—especially base make-up— going about with your regular skincare routine can become difficult. The moisturiser’s texture must be in tandem with the type of foundation you use, the sunscreen must be one that doesn’t cause pilling and, most importantly, the serum must be a hydrating and plumping one, and not one that further exacerbates irritation. Hydration, then, is a must. If you’re struggling with finding the best hydrating serum to prep your skin for a smooth application, these make-up-friendly picks must be on your radar.

Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum, Bobbi BrownBobbi Brown recently added a hydrating serum to their cult Vitamin Enriched Face Base. Infused with apple and watermelon extracts, a complex of nourishing oils, plant extracts, panthenol, caffeine, niacinamide, and glycerin, this milky serum sits like a veil of sheen on the skin to mimic a glow sans any stickiness. The texture of this serum also allows make-up to adhere to it well.Image: Instagram.com/bobbibrownindia

Vitamin Enriched Smoothing Serum, Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown recently added a hydrating serum to their cult Vitamin Enriched Face Base. Infused with apple and watermelon extracts, a complex of nourishing oils, plant extracts, panthenol, caffeine, niacinamide, and glycerin, this milky serum sits like a veil of sheen on the skin to mimic a glow sans any stickiness. The texture of this serum also allows make-up to adhere to it well.

Image: Instagram.com/bobbibrownindia

Le Lift Serum, Chanel BeautyA serum that primes, smoothes and softens the skin? Sounds like the best hydrating serum you could use right before applying your make-up. Le Lift Serum by Chanel Beauty does just that. Supercharged with sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, and adenosine along with antioxidants, this silky formula plumps and refreshes the skin, leaving it smoother for seamless make-up application. Image: Instagram.com/chanel.beauty

Le Lift Serum, Chanel Beauty

A serum that primes, smoothes and softens the skin? Sounds like the best hydrating serum you could use right before applying your make-up. Le Lift Serum by Chanel Beauty does just that. Supercharged with sodium hyaluronate, glycerin, and adenosine along with antioxidants, this silky formula plumps and refreshes the skin, leaving it smoother for seamless make-up application. 

Image: Instagram.com/chanel.beauty

Glow Drops, Dr Barbara SturmRender your skin the most natural yet reflective glow with this lightweight serum that feels like nothing on the skin, but ticks many functions simultaneously. From boosting hydration to shrinking the appearance of pores to refining uneven skin tone and texture, this multitasking serum is a product you’ll want to wear even on days you skip foundation. Touted by Hailey Bieber as the best hydrating serum to lend glow, its formulation includes purslane, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol. Image: Instagram.com/drbarbarasturm

Glow Drops, Dr Barbara Sturm

Render your skin the most natural yet reflective glow with this lightweight serum that feels like nothing on the skin, but ticks many functions simultaneously. From boosting hydration to shrinking the appearance of pores to refining uneven skin tone and texture, this multitasking serum is a product you’ll want to wear even on days you skip foundation. Touted by Hailey Bieber as the best hydrating serum to lend glow, its formulation includes purslane, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol. 

Image: Instagram.com/drbarbarasturm

Glowy Makeup Serum, LaneigeLaneige’s Glowy Makeup Serum is a product you’ll spot in most beauty editors’ vanities for it delivers a natural glow without making the skin look sparkling, courtesy of finely crushed diamond powder. The silicone-based serum also doubles as a primer, ensuring lasting make-up wear. Ceramides, jojoba oil, olive oil, glycerin, and vitamin E work towards retaining the moisture of the skin underneath make-up.Image: Instagram.com/laneige_us

Glowy Makeup Serum, Laneige

Laneige’s Glowy Makeup Serum is a product you’ll spot in most beauty editors’ vanities for it delivers a natural glow without making the skin look sparkling, courtesy of finely crushed diamond powder. The silicone-based serum also doubles as a primer, ensuring lasting make-up wear. Ceramides, jojoba oil, olive oil, glycerin, and vitamin E work towards retaining the moisture of the skin underneath make-up.

Image: Instagram.com/laneige_us

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, The OrdinaryIf you like a no-nonsense approach to skincare, trust The Ordinary to cut it for you. The brand’s hyaluronic acid serum is a best-seller, suitable for every skin type. It deeply hydrates and moisturises the skin, leaving it healthier and plumper. The serum has been reformulated with ceramides, making it a powerhouse of moisture.Image: Instagram.com/theordinary

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, The Ordinary

If you like a no-nonsense approach to skincare, trust The Ordinary to cut it for you. The brand’s hyaluronic acid serumis a best-seller, suitable for every skin type. It deeply hydrates and moisturises the skin, leaving it healthier and plumper. The serum has been reformulated with ceramides, making it a powerhouse of moisture.

Image: Instagram.com/theordinary

Hyper Real Serumizer Skin Balancing Hydration Serum, M.A.C CosmeticsM.A.C’s Hyper Real range is an example of a make-up brand hitting the ball out of the park with a skincare launch. This serumizer, or serum-moisturser hybrid, is perfect for prepping the skin before layering foundation, for it boosts hydration and fortifies the skin barrier, making the skin plumper. Ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid equip this serum to be a one-stop solution for all your skin woes, from dullness and texture to zits and puffiness.Image: Instagram.com/maccosmeticsindia

Hyper Real Serumizer Skin Balancing Hydration Serum, M.A.C Cosmetics

M.A.C’s Hyper Real range is an example of a make-up brand hitting the ball out of the park with a skincare launch. This serumizer, or serum-moisturser hybrid, is perfect for prepping the skin before layering foundation, for it boosts hydration and fortifies the skin barrier, making the skin plumper. Ingredients like niacinamide, caffeine, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and lactic acid equip this serum to be a one-stop solution for all your skin woes, from dullness and texture to zits and puffiness.

Image: Instagram.com/maccosmeticsindia

Also Read: Does your skin respond to serums better when damp?

Also Read: 8 make-up primers you can rely on through the humid weather

Also Read: For how long can you wear make-up without harming your skin?

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