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By Sophie Joaman • December 2, 2024 • 8 mins read
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Behind every flawless makeup look is a great primer—your behind-the-scenes hero. It puts in the hours, tirelessly working to make your foundation look gorgeous, your skin glow, and your makeup look last all day. Your face primer helps your makeup survive whatever is thrown at it—be it the elements, sweat, or the sun. Primer certainly deserves a lot of credit!
But with so many primers out there, how do you pick the right one that will suit your skin type, skin tone, and specific needs? Whether you’re looking to blur the appearance of pores, soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles, or keep oily skin at bay, choosing the right formula can make all the difference.
For those with sensitive skin, a lightweight, soothing primer can help prevent irritation, while a hydrating option with hyaluronic acid can hydrate and plump the skin for a smoother finish. The right primer will not only enhance the longevity of your makeup but also help it glide on effortlessly for a flawless result.
Well, don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered. We believe everyone deserves an amazing makeup day, which is why we’ve rounded up the best face primers of 2024 to help you find your ideal match.
The Bobbi Brown Vitamin-Enriched Face Primer Moisturiser consistently ranks among the best primers out there, so it’s no surprise that it’s on our list of the best face primers of 2024. This primer-moisturiser hybrid excels at replenishing skin hydration, making it an excellent choice if hydration is your main goal. The blend of vitamins B, C, and E nourishes the skin’s barrier, helping it to heal and glow more and more over time. Meanwhile, the hyaluronic acid, squalene, and shea butter all work in tandem to soften your skin and prepare it for makeup, boosting hydration and ensuring you look radiant, even as your skin goes through the motions of daily life.
For those with sensitive skin or concerns about fine lines, this primer is designed to hydrate and blur imperfections, such as pore visibility or wrinkles, providing a smooth canvas for makeup. If you find that your makeup tends to look dry or cakey, this primer is ideal for helping you achieve a smoother and more radiant glow, keeping your makeup more vibrant and fresher for much longer, while enhancing longevity. Whether you have a dry, oily, or combination skin type, this primer helps balance your skin tone for a flawless finish and a matte or luminous effect depending on your needs.
BareMinerals Prime Time Original Pore Minimising Primer creates the perfect canvas for makeup with clean ingredients that instantly blur pores and smooth skin texture. This cult-favorite primer features natural mineral technology and botanical extracts that fill in fine lines and create a silky-smooth base without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin. The lightweight, oil-free formula helps makeup apply more evenly and last longer throughout the day.
What makes this primer a makeup bag essential is how it works on all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin, thanks to its clean, vegan formula. The translucent finish instantly minimises the appearance of pores and creates that perfect soft-focus effect that makes your skin look naturally flawless. Perfect for daily wear or special occasions, this primer extends makeup wear while actually improving your skin with nourishing ingredients that keep your complexion looking healthy and refined under any foundation.
The Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer is a cult favourite, and for very good reason. Known for its light, hydrating, gel-like formula, this face primer glides on effortlessly, creating an invisible layer on the skin that holds on tightly to your makeup and doesn’t let go—ensuring that it stays exactly where it’s supposed to, flawlessly, for up to 12 hours, enhancing longevity.
This powerhouse primer also does double duty by nourishing your skin with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin B3, locking in moisture for a more hydrated complexion. Additionally, aloe vera water extract soothes the skin, making this primer an excellent choice for those with sensitive skin. It works wonders on all skin types, helping to blur imperfections like pore visibility and smoothing out fine lines while maintaining a natural, glowing finish. It’s the best overall primer in our opinion, especially if you want that coveted dewy skin tone. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t?
Mature skin needs a primer that blurs pores, evens skin tone, and keeps the skin looking radiant, and the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer delivers on all fronts. This face primer feels like total luxury on the skin, offering a lightweight texture that glides on effortlessly, like an invisible ‘veil.’ It helps to create a smooth, even base while also extending the wear of your makeup. As it is free from any oils, you will also find that you don’t get that greasy or heavy feeling on the skin in the middle of the day. It feels heavenly on the skin.
Not only does it prep and prime the skin, but it’s also a bit of a multi-purpose product. Infused with minerals and vitamins, this primer helps to conceal redness on the skin, visible pores, and fine lines, making it a versatile choice for all skin types, including those with sensitive skin. It’s perfect for those seeking a radiant, glowing finish without worrying about wrinkles or matte texture.
Caring for your skin goes beyond just making sure it looks hydrated and even. Above all else, it is crucial to ensure that your skin is protected from the harmful effects of the sun. While plenty of primers contain SPF and UV protection, the Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Face Primer does it best. This primer contains SPF 50 (yes, 50!) for maximum protection against UVA and UVB rays, keeping your face safer and healthier. Which, in turn, also helps to reduce the appearance of sun damage on the skin, such as dark spots and wrinkles.
The primer doesn’t just shield you from the sun either; it also defends your skin against pollution and other environmental factors that can contribute to various skin issues. While the defence shield works hard to protect your skin, the lush primer works equally hard to retain your skin’s hydration, thanks to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, camellia oil, and aloe vera. The result? A fresher, more radiant, and glowing complexion that lasts longer with enhanced longevity.
It also helps to blur imperfections, smooth fine lines, and maintain your skin tone while providing a matte finish that’s perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
MAC Studio Radiance Moisturising + Illuminating Silky Primer delivers instant hydration and luminous glow while creating the perfect base for long-lasting makeup. This multitasking primer features moisturising ingredients and light-reflecting particles that smooth skin texture while adding a beautiful, radiant finish that shows through your foundation. The silky, lightweight formula absorbs quickly and feels comfortable on skin, giving you that coveted dewy, healthy-looking glow.
What makes this primer perfect for dry or dull skin is how it combines skincare benefits with makeup prep in one easy step. The illuminating formula adds just the right amount of radiance without looking glittery or artificial, creating that natural lit-from-within glow everyone wants. Great for achieving that fresh, dewy makeup look, this primer keeps your foundation looking smooth and radiant all day while actually nourishing your skin with hydrating ingredients that leave your complexion looking healthy and glowing.
For those with oily or combination skin types, a mattifying primer is essential. The NARS Soft Matte Primer is our top pick for the best mattifying face primer, as it helps control shine and reduce excess oil from ruining your beautiful makeup, preventing it from sliding off. Additionally, it provides a soft-focus effect by blurring the appearance of pores, offering makeup longevity and an utterly flawless finish for hours on end.
Despite its mattifying properties, this primer doesn’t feel dry on the skin—perfect for those with combination skin type or even those with oily skin who might feel that dewy looks have always been out of reach. Now, you can capture that dewy essence and have the glow of your dreams without having to deal with excess oil. A huge win, if you ask us!
You work hard to achieve a flawless makeup look, so your primer should work hard for you. Whether you’re looking for hydrating, long-lasting results, something more mattifying, or a lightweight formula, our curated list of the best primers of 2024 has something for everyone and every skin type. We’ve narrowed it down, so you don’t have to. The only thing to do now is choose your favourite and be well on your way to your best makeup day yet.
