"You're Not Wearing Foundation?!" Is My Favorite Compliment—These Skincare Hybrids Are Responsible

Pros: Super lightweight and non-greasy

Cons: Doesn't come with a spike to pierce the seal

Key ingredients: Tepezcohuite, shea extract, Agastache Mexicana

Skin benefits: Hydrates the skin, soothes redness, strengthens the skin barrier, acts as a buffer between skin and makeup

Raise your hand if you've ever been personally victimized by a pore-clogging complexion product. Even products marketed as noncomedogenic can sometimes wreak havoc, which is why some sort of skin-soothing buffer (such as this lightweight, antipollution primer) is a must. The gel-cream formula has a smoothing texture that effortlessly clings to makeup, a pearlescent finish, and redness-reducing actives. It's so luminous, in fact, that I often choose to wear it on its own without any makeup at all—or tap it directly on my cheekbones as a subtle highlighter.

Customer review: "I actually hate how much I love this. I tried it for the first time under my Jung Saem Mool cushion foundation, and it looked fabulous. I’m 52 and it easily took 10 years off with the blur, and lit from within look. I’m in love. Will repurchase."

Pros: Can be used as a spot treatment or allover color corrector

Cons: Might show up too green for those with very fair skin

Key ingredients: Panthenol, beta-glucan, oligopeptides

Skin benefits: Hydrates dry skin, neutralizes redness, calms inflamed breakouts

I deal with gnarly post-inflammatory erythema (aka lingering red spots post-breakout), so trust me when I say that this color corrector is a godsend. It not only accelerates the healing process of those post-acne marks but also disguises them with a bit of redness-reducing coverage. A quick lesson in color theory: Green cancels out red on the color wheel, so this mint-hued solution instantly camouflages any angry, red spots you've got. You can also use it as an allover color corrector if you struggle with any flushing or blotchiness. Like I said—a total godsend!

Customer review: "The formula is light and it hides redness instantly, no fuss! It’s great when you don’t want a full face of makeup, just want to cover imperfections and get out the door."

Pros: Seamlessly layers with other skincare and makeup products, dermatologist-tested and sustainably sourced

Cons: Not the best for those with oily skin

Key ingredients: Apricot kernel oil, calendula oil, carotenoid rich oils

Skin benefits: Evens skin tone, smooths fine lines, protects skin from free radicals

When True Botanicals makes a foray into color, that's when you know skincare-makeup hybrids are on the rise. The clean beauty brand is known for luxurious, consciously crafted formulas, so you can expect these bronzing drops to coddle the skin just like any silky face oil. Just a few drops are all you need for an instantly brighter complexion—and given the elixir's supercharged antioxidant-rich oils, those glowy benefits only get better with time.

Customer review: "A drop added to daily SPF moisturizer gives a refreshing natural sun-kissed glow without drying or streaking residue, No orange tones, only a natural glow to go."

Pros: Noncomedogenic, super hydrating; has a smooth, natural skin finish; very creamy and buildable

Cons: Serum foundations can be messy

Key ingredients: Allantoin, bisabolol, niacinamide, titanium dioxide

Skin benefits: Reduces redness, protects against UV rays and accelerated skin aging, balances oil production

Way too many SPF-spiked complexion products sacrifice performance for protection—but this formula wouldn't dare. In fact, if I didn't see the SPF 50 label, I'd think it didn't have any sunscreen at all; it's that spreadable and creamy. The medium-coverage, natural finish blends like an absolute dream, and I swear my skin looks and feels better every time I wear it. Celebrity makeup artist and co-founder of the brand, Nikki DeRoest, formulated all Ciele products with acne-prone skin in mind, so I can rest easy knowing that this creamy, hydrating foundation won't result in pesky breakouts. And the extra SPF means I can keep skin concerns, like sunspots and fine lines, from making an appearance down the line. I call that a win-win.

Customer review: "I love this product. It’s perfect for people who don’t like to feel like they’re wearing anything on their face. I like that I can’t just run it in with my hands too. The bottle feels really nice too, I like the glass bottle; it feels expensive. Stays on all day too!"

Pros: Formulated with sensitive skin in mind, comes with a built-in ring for attachments

Cons: Some people might want a fun fragrance or flavor

Key ingredients: Ceramides, peptides, castor seed oil, cranberry seed oil, sunflower seed oil

Skin benefits: Subtly plumps lips, blurs lip lines, enhances shine

Yes, there are a ton of tinted lip treatments out there—and after testing more formulas than I can count, I can confidently say that Cocokind's is a winner. It's sheer, subtly plumping, and incredibly hydrating. I typically reapply lip balm no less than 16 times a day—I have many "emotional support" formulas situated on my desk—but when I go back in with Lip Blur, I notice a lingering veil of moisture from my previous swipes.

It doesn't have a dessert-inspired fragrance or flavor (great news for those with sensitive skin!), but it does have a playful, elevated design. "We added a built-in ring for charms (coming soon!) so you can attach it to your keys, lanyard, or bag—because no one wants to dig through their bag for a lost lip balm," Tsai tells me. "It’s skincare, it’s makeup, it’s fun, and it won’t break the bank." I'd say it's a staple.

Customer review: "I was curious how well it would blur. IT REALLY DOES!! I love it! It's not sticky and no smells. I wish I would have snagged another! It is my new go-to!!"

Pros: Impressively pigmented for a lip balm, lasts a while

Cons: Luxury price point

Key ingredients: Shea butter, vitamin E, candelilla wax, TFC8

Skin benefits: Diffuses fine lines, softens lips

A $46 price tag is nothing to scoff at, but believe me, this is one of the prettiest tinted balms you'll own. Call it the Coppola effect, but I just feel like the main character every time I swipe it across my lips. I'm partial to shade 3, a just-bitten berry, but you really can't go wrong with any of the stunning hues. "I wanted something you could put on without looking in the mirror, like when you're just finishing dinner," Sofia Coppola herself previously told us. "I like that it looks like you didn't put a lot of effort into [makeup]. You just throw it on, and it lifts your mood and brightens your face." The tube will also last you a while, which further justifies the luxury price tag; I'm still hanging onto my treasured sample from last summer.

Customer review: "The tinted lip balm is amazing!! It’s great when you don’t need lipstick and just want to have protection and a colour for walking, gym etc. I also use it under a lipstick as an added layer."

Pros: Delivers a dewy glow, has an effortless and natural finish

Cons: Only two shades

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, Centella asiatica, watermelon extract, jojoba oil–coated pigments

Skin benefits: Brightens skin tone, fades dark spots, plumps and hydrates

Technically, this is not a blush but a "tinted cheek serum." What's the difference, you ask? Well, the gorgeous pigment comes second to its powerful bouquet of skin-smoothing actives, such as niacinamide, watermelon extract, and Centella asiatica. "While Dewy Flush is a tinted product, the prime benefit is to give you healthier-looking skin—which we clinically tested to prove that it helps improve skin texture and tone over time," explains Sarah Lee, co-founder and co-CEO of Glow Recipe. In fact, their consumer study showed that 94% of participants had improved hyperpigmentation in just four four weeks. Talk about a blush with benefits.

Skin-improving perks aside, the pigment blooms just beautifully—like a true, natural flush. It may look intense at first pump, but rest assured it sheers to perfection. It's become a nonnegotiable in my low-maintenance makeup routine.

Customer review: "I’ve only used it once, but WOW! It’s such a nice product and perfect for no-makeup makeup. It’s glowy, blends easily and 6 hours after applying, it still looks completely fresh and perfect. I would buy every shade!"

Pros: Creamy and buildable, pointed doe foot is great for a precise application

Cons: Only comes in shimmer shades

Key ingredients: Caffeine, fruit complex

Skin benefits: De-puffs the lids, smooths skin around the eyes

ICYMI, Versed, the under-$25 skincare brand we all know and love, made an official foray into color cosmetics. The entire minimal, easy-to-use range is worth a try, but the liquid eye shadow is 1000% worth your dollar. The finish is shimmery but not too sparkly, the shades offer the perfect kiss of color, and the formula is at once soothing and energizing (a fruit complex smooths skin while caffeine works de-puffing magic).

"The Poetic color is angelic," agrees Editor in Chief Kat Collings in a review. "It feels like an everyday color yet is more exciting than your usual daytime sand and beige colors." No matter which shade you choose, it will feel way more expensive than its $14 price tag.

Customer review: "I wasn't surprised by this eyeshadow. I was SHOCKED. SHOOK. SHAKEN UP WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL IT. This is at the level. First, the colors are really chic and beautiful, all neutrals that will go with any look. Second, the formula goes on really nicely and IT. STAYS. ON. I've used it with and without eyeshadow primer and both times I've had the same longevity. At first I swabbed it on my hand and got a little scared because it feels glittery, but when you put it on it's not at all sparkly. It's the right amount of light-catching shimmer...if you know what I mean. I put it on with my finger or a brush. A+ for this one."

Pros: Mattifies without making skin look cakey, housed in a spill-free compact that's great for on-the-go touch-ups

Cons: If you push too hard on the sifter, puffs of powder can escape

Key ingredients: Mint extract, licorice powder, chamomile water, blue hyaluronic acid

Skin benefits: Mattifies excess shine, smooths texture

You might associate Laneige with its cult-loved Lip Sleep Masks (and just-launched Tinted Lip Serums), but trust me, you're missing out if you don't own this blurring powder. While relatively new to the U.S. market, it went viral in Korea for its filter-like effects. It contains three, finely milled powders of all different sizes to mattify, blur, and smooth for a pillowy soft finish that won't sacrifice your glow. After testing it myself, I can confirm this sorcery; it somehow softens every single ounce of texture on my skin. It's sold out multiple times since its stateside launch, but it's currently available on Amazon as I type this sentence—so I'd suggest moving fast.

Customer review: "This powder is perfect for no-makeup makeup days. Sets and blurs but still very skin-like. I didn't feel the need to touch up throughout the day either. The packaging is very cute and convenient as well. I do wish Laneige made this refillable [because] I'm going to feel very bad throwing this out when it's all used up, lol."

Pros: Dual-sided with a built-in smudger for blending, 11 natural-looking shades

Cons: Cap easily falls off the smudger end

Key ingredients: Peptides, Fenugreek extract

Skin benefits: Hydrates and softens lips, enhances lip volume over time

We of course can't discuss skincare-makeup hybrid brands without mentioning Rhode! Hailey Bieber's color cosmetics have reached viral status one by one, the latest hit being these creamy "lip contour" liners. "This is a hybrid between a lip liner and a contour," Bieber herself told Who What Wear UK. "This product is not about precision. … It's made to give the lips that really contoured look and give the appearance of them being fuller." I personally love an overlined, diffused liner moment (it mirrors the look of a lip flip, IMO), and this Rhode number has become a staple in my daily lip combo. The shade Lunge gives me that perfect "my lips but better" effect.

Also of note: The liners are dermatologist-tested and fragrance-free, so they won't irritate the delicate skin around your lips. I despise clogged pores in this area, and I'm happy to report I've faced zero tiny bumps since adding them to my routine.

Customer review: "It's so amazing and useful, it looks really natural on my lips. Just perfect, 1000/10."

Pros: Makes you look lit from within, versatile application, a little product goes a long way

Cons: Not the best for those with oily skin

Key ingredients: Vitamin C, tsubaki oil, avocado oil

Skin benefits: Immediately brightens dull skin and improves tone over time, calms redness, hydrates

Meet the one product you need for a lit-from-within glow. Westman Atelier's complexion enhancer truly makes you look ethereal. I like to apply the shade Peau de Pêche as the first step in my makeup routine (after SPF, before foundation), which makes me look positively radiant all day long. However, you could also just mix it into your moisturizer on no-makeup days for a subtle glow or dab it directly on your cheekbones and lids for a quick and easy highlight. Just remember to give the bottle a good shake before applying; otherwise, the product can look splotchy.

Customer review: "Gorgeous finish! Seriously better than I’d hoped. Using this on bare skin or mixed with foundation gives a naturally glowing result. It has a viscous texture which I love on my dry skin. Feels really soothing in the AZ dry weather."

Pros: Has the dewiest finish, flexible, self-adjusting shades

Cons: Not as much coverage

Key ingredients: Purified oat extract, shea butter, peptides, argan oil, avocado oil, grape-seed oil, Siren Capsule technology

Skincare benefits: Hydrates, smooths fine lines, prevents dark spots

This tinted moisturizer has a nearly identical ingredient list to U Beauty's regular face cream, the Super Hydrator. The brand calls it "one part next-gen moisturizer, one part intuitive skin tint," which is the literal definition of a skincare-makeup hybrid. It's easily one of the most hydrating tinted moisturizers I've tried; in fact, it's so nourishing that you might not even need a proper moisturizer underneath. Not to mention it has an airy, lightweight finish that truly feels like a second skin.

Customer review: "Super dewy and hydrating. Gave me a gorgeous glow. I was scared it would look like makeup but it 'disappears' and melts. It just makes your skin look like the healthiest it's ever been. I'm in love."