When you say primer, you are talking about something that provides your makeup an even base. This makes the makeup application smooth. It also keeps the makeup last longer. On the other hand, moisturizer is a skin product. As the name itself suggests, it is there to moisturize your skin. You can be a newbie or an expert in makeup and beauty. But no matter what, we know that you know how essential primers and moisturizers are. If you want to sport a flawless complexion, you know you need to have both of these. But, if you are not sure which one to use first, this is for you. There is always a certain level of flexibility with makeup. But when it comes to these two, this shouldn’t be the case. Read on and find out more. Primer vs. Moisturizer Most people would mistake one to be the other. Or there are times when some people would replace one with the other. But, to tell you honestly, don’t. This is because both of these have their roles. A primer holds the base and keeps makeup longer. It also makes the makeup process smoother. A moisturizer is for the skin. It should keep your skin from getting dry. Apply moisturizer first, then primer. We hear this a lot. And we see a lot of makeup users confuse themselves into which of these should come first. To clear things up, one should always put the moisturizer on. This is before the primer. Again, moisturizer first, then primer. This is because you have to infuse your skin first with all the moisture you can get. This should keep your skin from getting dry. If you go with the primer first, you run the risk of having dry, lackluster skin. This is for the reason that primers do not have the moisture that your skin needs. How to Prime. How to Moisturize. Now that you know which of the two comes first let’s put everything to the test. Below is a step-by-step routine you can follow and get used to. Cleanse the Skin Now, first things first. Before you do anything to your skin, let’s make sure it is clean. What we’re trying to avoid here is you moisturizing your skin uncleaned. You will end up moisturizing your skin with all the dirt and oil still on it. Use a facial cleanser. Make sure that you massage the facial cleanser onto your face in circular movements. Avoid the eye area. Finally, rinse. Now that you are already rid of all these impurities, you are ready to exfoliate. Exfoliate Now that your skin is finally cleansed, it is time to exfoliate. Exfoliation has one role. And that is to go the extra mile in removing the dead skin cells from your skin. This should give you a healthy-looking and refreshed look. All you do is smooth a tiny amount onto your skin. Be sure that your skin is dry and clean before the exfoliation. Avoid the eyes—massage for a bit. Rinse. And pat it dry. The Moisturizer! Here now is the one we have been talking about. It is time to moisturize! Make sure that the moisturizer suits your skin type. Because as you know, there are different moisturizers for different skin types. There are various brands in the market today. Some are even formulated with aloe vera water and hyaluronic acid. These two would make sure that you have long-lasting hydration to your skin. Prime And finally, it is time to prime. By this time, you already know that a primer is something you need. It is something you need to ensure that your makeup application goes smoothly. This is also something you use to have your makeup stay in place for a long time. Once the skin finally absorbs your moisturizer, you can now proceed with the primer. The Matter with the Moisturizing Primer We already said it before. And you know it. Primers can come in a horde of formulas. Each of them brings to the table different benefits. One of the most popular in the market today is the moisturizing primer. We should say this is a level up of what we traditionally know for primers to be. This primer makes sure to provide your skin with that extra kick of hydration. This, it does, while making sure to prepare your face for the makeup application. This means that when you have skin that is drier than the usual, this is ideal for you. You should take note that this should never be a replacement for your moisturizer. You are still to apply a moisturizer before using a moisturizing primer. Consider this as just an extra boost of moisturizing. But this should never replace your moisturizer before the primer.