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Best Primers For A Smooth Base
Caitlyn Martyn is a New York-based beauty and fashion associate editor for . Caitlyn has covered makeup, skin care, hair care, fashion, and health topics for outlets such as , InStyle, WhoWhatWear, Mindbodygreen, Well + Good, and more.
Best Makeup Primer 2023: The Best Primers For Every Skin Type
We all have pores. Some of us have small ones, but many of us have more visible pores, especially when we add layers of makeup. There’s nothing wrong with large pores but, pore-minimizing primers can make them look a little less obvious by plumping them up for more sensitivity. This foundation provides a smooth canvas on which makeup can be applied.
“Primers won’t actually shrink pores, but they can help camouflage pore size temporarily—especially silicone-based formulas,” says board-certified Carmen Castilla, MD. expect makeup to apply more smoothly and evenly, giving you a flawless complexion.
We tapped an expert for recommendations and tried a few products for ourselves to compile this list of pore-shrinking primers that actually work. We find active ingredients such as dimethicone (or another type of silicone) or hyaluronic acid in each formula. We also consider how well the formulas settle on the skin and if they are non-comedogenic, and below we share the best pore reducing primers for sensitive skin.
We love Porefessional Pore-Minimizing Primer, a cult primer that stands the test of time. The formula smooths over pores in seconds and is ideal for all skin types and tones. If you’re on a budget, you can’t go wrong with Maybelline New York Baby SkinPore-Minimizing Primer.
What Is Primer And How To Choose It
As far as pore-minimizing primers go, this one from Advantage is a classic. It’s a tried-and-true beauty formula that mattifies the skin on contact and acts as a real-life beauty filter. The formula contains dimethicone, a silicone-based polymer used to lubricate and condition the skin, as well as a vitamin E derivative to help the foundation go on smoothly and last. Also, it is translucent and beautifully complements all skin tones without flash or white casts.
Just a warning: The brand does not test or claim that their products are non-comedogenic. If you are prone to breakouts or irritation, you will have to check the ingredients list yourself or consult your dermatologist to find out if it is suitable for your skin.
The Maybelline New York Baby Skin Pore-Minimizing Primer proves that a great primer doesn’t need to be expensive. Packed with ultra-brightening ingredients like dimethicone and bitter cherry extract, this primer offers pore-less, baby-soft skin with a natural skin finish. We love that it comes in a clear shade—so it’s ideal for all skin tones—and that it works to prolong the life of the makeup you put on without messing up your complexion.
Something to keep in mind: Some say it can feel greasy, especially on oily skin. If your skin is on the shiny side, skip this and go for something more, or keep a blotting paper on hand for touch-ups throughout the day.
Best Primers For Dry Skin
To minimize the look of pores and balance out your entire complexion, look to the popular and perfect primer from e.l.f. place for description of all-day wear. It comes in a translucent shade that works well on all skin types and tones.
The putty comes in a palm-sized pot that requires you to press your fingers directly into the formula. The box isn’t the best (there’s room for cross-contamination and bacteria from fingers) but as long as you use clean hands or trust the Putty Primer brand kit, you should be fine.
Key ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, dimethicone, glycerin, wild butterfly ginger, bamboo extract | Weight: 1.5 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes
If you have prominent pores and acne-prone skin, you’ll love this sunscreen-slash-primer from Supergoop. It provides SPF 40 sun protection (no white cast or shine) and helps makeup glide on smoothly by blurring texture and pores. The best part about this formula is that you can wear it on your own without makeup or as the last step in your skin care routine before layering on concealer or foundation. Either way, you’ll love how the product corrects uneven skin tone and texture, all while preventing sun damage.
Best Primer For Oily Skin
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, hyaluronic acid, green tea extract, vitamin E | Weight: 0.94 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes
Packed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and green tea extract, this primer from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty is great for those with large pores and blemishes. It’s hydrating and cushioning smooth on application and works to blur the appearance of pores, fine lines, and more, while also helping to extend makeup wear and eliminate shine throughout the day. The primer works great on its own on clean skin or under makeup, but no matter how you use it, you’ll love how it glides onto the skin quickly, leaving it with a neutral (and almost airbrushed) effect. It’s ideal for everyday makeup and lighter looks, however it may not offer the hold you need for a full glam moment or everyday wear.
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, buchu leaf extract | Weight: 1 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes | Cruelty Free: Yes
This primer from Bare Minerals is magic—it starts out watery but dries down to a luxurious matte finish that hides the look of pores in a minute. It has a gel-consistency and actually works as a filter to hide imperfections and prime the skin for a flawless foundation and concealer application. The formula contains dimethicone, like most of the other products on this list, and buchu leaf extract, which reduces the appearance of pores and sebum absorption. The only warning is that you can feel the oil on the skin after a couple of hours.
Best Primers For Make Up 2024 Uk; Tried And Tested
If you find yourself reaching for a washcloth or powder after a few hours, chances are your pores are producing too much oil. Although there isn’t much you can do to change your skin type, there are a few products that can help you control it. This mattifying primer from Makeup For Forever is one of them. It has been around for years and has graced the makeup bags of makeup artists and beauty lovers alike because of how it effectively brightens and fills in texture without drugs. If we could change anything about this primer, it would be to extend the shade beyond a peachy-toned color. Once blended, it works well for most skin tones, but we’d like to see more variety.
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, vitamins E and C, green bean extract, mineral pigments | Weight: 1 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes
This primer does more than a primer—it blurs, fills, smoothes, and holds makeup for all-day wear while also containing skin-friendly ingredients. With a small dollop of the product, you can expect the primer to double on the pores and texture, giving the color a soft focus, reminiscent of an Instagram filter. Plus, it’s packed with skin-care ingredients like antioxidant-rich vitamins E and C, pore-minimizing green bean extract, and mineral pigments to soothe and soften skin while you wear it. The only thing we don’t like about the ingredient list is that it contains hydrogenated vegetable oil, which is known to be moderately comedogenic (meaning it can clog your pores).
Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, vitamins A and E, safflower, grape and cola seed extracts | Weight: 1 oz. | Cruelty Free: Yes
The 6 Best Eyeshadow Primers Of 2024
If you’re spending money on a pore-shrinking primer, you’ll want it to last. This primer from Smashbox is very popular for its ability to lock in makeup for hours. You will notice a reduction in the appearance of fine lines and pores on the application, resulting in a flawless (yet natural) finish. Best of all, the formula contains antioxidants to help protect your skin from pollution, damage, and stress. It comes in two fairly generous sizes (1.0 oz. and 1.7 oz.) that ensure you won’t run out for a while. Unfortunately, some say it causes breakouts, so be sure to try the primer out on a small patch to see how it will do before using it all over your face.
Caitlyn Martyn is a staff business writer at , where she covers all things beauty. An avid product reviewer, Caitlyn loves to try the latest and greatest in makeup, skin care, and health to let readers know what’s right and what’s not.
She also consulted with Carmen Castilla, MD, a board certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist, to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for a pore shrinking primer.
Take every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we make our content accurate,