Face

The 20 Best Face Primers for Mature Skin in 2024

By Sophie Joaman • March 23, 2024 • 12 mins read

This page contains affiliate links and a commission is earned if you make a purchase through one of the links, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Everyone deserves to feel incredible in their own skin, and makeup can certainly enhance those feel-good vibes within us. As the beauty industry continues to evolve, it also recognizes the needs of people of all ages.

That’s where the need for makeup that does good for our minds, bodies, and souls comes into play. Hybrid skincare and makeup exists and it is so worth investing in for the sake of your skin’s health.

Face primers, one of those essential dual skincare & makeup products, have become an ally to those on the quest for a flawless complexion, with and without makeup.

For those with mature skin, primers can address specific skin concerns while keeping makeup looking glowy, fresh, and vibrant. We like to think of it as makeup that goes above and beyond.

So whether you’re looking to find your new favourite primer or don’t use them at all and want to know where to start, keep on reading because we’ve got 20 of the best face primers for mature skin that deserve a place in your makeup bag in 2024.

What Is Face Primer?

Face primer is a skincare/makeup hybrid product and comes after your skincare routine but before your foundation and concealer.

By applying a primer before your other makeup products, your skin is prepped and ready to lock those products in place, allowing you to get the very best out of your makeup.

The primary purpose of face primers is to enhance the longevity of your makeup, keeping you looking fresher, more hydrated, vibrant, and glowy.

Without it, makeup can smudge, budge, or melt from the skin, or if you have drier skin, it can look cakey and much less vibrant.

Now days primers are also infused with vitamins, antioxidants, moisturisers and other good things to work with your skin to keep it looking healthy long-term without makeup too.

Why Use Primers on Mature Skin?

As our skin matures, it deserves a more love day-to-day, be it from an increased skincare regimen or a little extra thought within our makeup routines. Using a face primer at the very start of your makeup routine therefore can contribute to that self-care ritual.

Primers ultimately work to hydrate and smooth the skin. They also help to blur fine lines and wrinkles and provide a velvety base for your foundation to glide onto and stay put.

The Best Primers For Mature Skin

If you’re currently looking for a new primer to buy, and one that will address certain skin concerns, then check out 20 of the best primers for mature skin.

Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Eclat Blur Primer

The Yves Saint Laurent, Touche Éclat Blur Primer is a favourite among makeup lovers of all ages, and for good reason—it is a beacon of luxury and glamour. For mature skin, this illuminating primer has a light-infused formula that blurs imperfections and boosts radiance in the skin for an exquisite glow.

It also lays down a smooth and softer-focused base for your foundation to glide over. Your makeup stays put for longer, and your skin stays hydrated throughout the day and beyond.

Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel

The Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Gel is like a hug for your skin. Infused with vitamin B5 and Hyaluronic acid, this primer works to replenish nutrients and repair the skin’s barrier while you wear your makeup.

It’s the perfect choice of primer for skin that tends to be more dry and needs that extra boost of hydration. It also means you can put your makeup on first thing in the morning and know that your skin is being cared for at the same time. It works exceptionally well as a moisturizer or underneath very minimal makeup.

Your makeup will always look hydrated and fresh, and your skin is sure to thank you for all of that extra love, kindness, and goodness.

Lancome Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum

Lancome always takes skincare and makeup to the next level. Their Advanced Génifique Youth Activating Serum is no exception. Infused with pre and pro-biotics, vitamins, and inspired by microbiome science, this serum-primer intends to care for the skin’s barrier by protecting it from outside stressors such as pollution, the cold, dry weather, and temperature changes.

It also aims to restore healthy-looking skin, giving you a luxury boost of youthfulness and a radiant complexion. It’s a fantastic primer to wear under your makeup, even with sensitive skin. You can rest assured that your skin will be cared for as you go about your day.

Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 45

Taking precautions against the harmful UV rays of the sun is crucial at any age, but when your skin is mature, it is even more important to protect it. With the Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection Broad Spectrum Primer, your skin is protected with a blend of three non-penetrating sunscreens.

The primer is also infused with cherry blossom, lemon balm, and white tea extract to calm and soothe the skin. If that wasn’t enough, Chantecaille also help you to instill a little extra wellbeing in your daily routine by adding in aromatherapy ingredients to promote those uplifting vibes. That is quite some primer!

Estee Lauder The Illuminator Radiant Perfecting Primer + Finisher

The Estee Lauder, Illuminator Radiant Perfecting Primer + Finisher is a bit of a 2-in-1 product. Of course, you have your primer to apply before your foundation to keep your makeup in place and hydrate the skin.

On the other side, this particular primer also acts as an illuminator which you can pop on top of your makeup, at the end of your makeup routine, or just throughout the day for an enhanced glow.

The main priority with this primer is to provide you with a gorgeous radiance that lasts all day, making it a brilliant primer for anyone who wants to wake up and brighten that their skin and so they can feel the glow all day.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

Bobbi Brown is all about embracing the real you, and their Vitamin Enriched Face Base allows you to do just that. With a blend of nurturing multivitamins infused in it, such as vitamin B, C & E, this is a makeup product that cares.

We love that we can put our makeup on in the morning and know that it is protected and taken care of. So if you’re looking for an all-purpose primer that looks after your skin and gives you the healthy glow of dreams, consider choosing Bobbi.

Paula’s Choice Smoothing Primer Serum SPF 30

If your skin is on the very dry and dehydrated side, then the Paula’s Choice Smoothing Primer protects and perfects your face for more hydrated and radiant results.

Containing the sunscreen ingredient, Avobenzone and soothing Chamomile Flower Extract, this primer helps prevent damage to the skin while simultaneously working to reverse existing damage to the skin. And, it keeps your makeup looking fresher and hydrated for longer.

Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer

Rare Beauty’s lightweight gel formula primer glides over the skin effortlessly and helps to even out any areas of imperfections for a much smoother finish to your makeup.

Enlarged pores are blurred out for a soft-focus effect, and shine is kept at bay—perfect if oiliness is a concern for you. However, this is a good choice for all skin types as the Hyaluronic acid helps to keep skin plump and makeup looking more vibrant for longer.

Dior Backstage Face & Body Primer

All the best secrets happen backstage; luckily, Dior is spilling the tea on the need-to-know beauty deets with their Backstage Face & Body Primer. Containing pigmented beauty-enhancing powders, your skin is given a radiant boost and becomes centre stage. The primer is also both mattifying and luminous to work at evening out skin tone AND brightening it up at the same time. It really does do it all.

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

A primer that feels velvety and silky on the skin is always going to be a favourite, and the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation does that in abundance. If you’re someone who wants to feel like they’re wearing next to nothing on their skin, then this is a good primer to consider adding to your makeup bag.

Not only does it keep your skin feeling comfortable, but it also works to blur pores and fine lines for a smoother finish, ready for any photo opportunity.

Milk Makeup, Hydro Grip Primer

Imagine the feeling of walking out of a spa after getting a facial; that’s the feeling of Milk Makeup’s Hydro Grip. Your skin feels soft, hydrated, and supple after a facial and this primer helps to mimic that feeling.

It works to keep skin looking and feeling hydrated and plumper underneath your makeup (or on its own alongside your skincare for no makeup days). You only need a minimal amount too, as this primer easily glides over the skin and locks into place quickly so that you can get the best out of your makeup.

The Ordinary, High Spreadability Fluid Primer

Science is at the forefront of everything The Ordinary does, and their High Spreadability Fluid Primer is a testament to that. The ease of spread ability is key here as the product distributes evenly over the face and into those areas that need it the most to help you to reap the rewards of glowing skin and makeup.

Charlotte Tilbury, Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer

Charlotte Tilbury is known for creating products that make people feel like superstars. With their invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer, skin imperfection and lines are blurred with a soft-focus, and your skin is given a defense from the outside world.

Plus, your makeup will undoubtedly feel dewy, radiant, and absolutely divine. The primer looks invisible on the skin, but trust us when we say it is there and it is working hard to make sure you look and feel your best.

REN, Perfect Canvas Clean Primer

Your foundation may be the basis for your makeup, but your skin is the canvas, and without giving it some proper care and attention, those makeup issues that we all experience from time to time can arise.

With the Perfect Canvas Clean Primer from REN, skin is nourished and protected to appear at its best. Imperfections are also blurred and minimized to ensure a gorgeous, natural complexion.

Revlon Prime + Makeup and Skincare Primer

The Revlon Prime + Makeup and Skincare Primer is the perfect addition to your daily makeup routine. Infused with vitamin B5 and Hyaluronic Acid this primer not only preps your beautiful face for applying your makeup and but also continually works to improve the appearance of your beautiful skin, even when you’re not wearing any makeup.

Max Factor Miracle Prep 3-in-1 Beauty Protect Primer With SPF30

The Max Factor Miracle Prep 3-in-1 Beauty Protect Primer with SPF30 is a powerhouse at prepping the skin and acting as a defence between the skin and environmental stressors. Harmful UV rays, pollution, and the elements are kept away from the skin’s barrier, and makeup is nurtured to keep it flawless and brighter throughout the day/night.

Fenty Beauty, Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

In Rihanna, we trust. Especially when it comes to makeup. The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Retouch Primer is a lightweight yet powerful primer that effortlessly blurs and minimizes pores for a silky canvas.

It is mattifying, to keep the shine away but still perfect for all skin types. Including those with sensitive skin, as it is gentle on the skin and keeps you feeling comfortable all day long in your makeup.

Benefit, The POREfessional Face Primer

One of the most iconic primers, the Benefit POREfessional Face Primer has earned its reputation as the enlarged pore banishers. It works to smooth out pores, fine lines, and wrinkles for a softer base when your foundation goes on.

It also seamlessly ties together your makeup, keeping it where it should be at all times. A good option if you’re someone who gets that midday shine.

Armani, Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer

Luxurious. Luminous. Silky. The Armani, Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer is just as good for those ‘no makeup, makeup’ days as it is for the more glamorous looks too.

The result is the same—a healthy, natural glow that’ll make you feel a million dollars. Infused with translucent polymer and crystal-encapsulated pigments, the primer adapts to your skin to get the very best out of it.

NARS, Smooth & Protect SPF50 Primer

The NARS Smooth and Protect SPF50 Primer can be worn on its own, as a moisturizing sunscreen for little to no makeup days or form the basis for any makeup look. With nurturing properties, vitamins, and essential defences against external damage, your skin is always protected and primed, ready to go, whenever you are.

The fact that we managed to narrow this list down to just 20 face primers is a testament to the beauty industry’s dedication to producing more and more products that work for all types of people, ages, and skin types in 2024.

For mature skin, there are a wealth of primers out there that can help us to blur those imperfections, hydrate the skin, and keep makeup looking radiant for longer—all through a holistic approach of skincare-infused makeup.

As we embrace the beauty of aging, these primers are just the tip of the iceberg in helping us all to feel confident and beautiful at any age. We can’t wait to see what’s next!

Author Image

Sophie Joaman

Sophie Joaman is a freelance writer with a real love and focus for fashion, beauty, lifestyle and culture. With a Master's degree in Journalism and Media Communications, Sophie is ​​currently an ongoing contributing freelance writer for Cohorted Cult-sister website of beauty subscription box Cohorted. She was also a contributing writer during London Fashion Week and London Fashion Week: Men's from 2015-2018.

Related Posts

Makeup

Makeup Essentials: The 18 Must Have Products!


2 Aug 2022
Makeup tips

How To Make Your Makeup Last All Day


2 Aug 2022
Eyes

Eyeshadow Base Vs Primer: What’s The Difference?


2 Aug 2022