The Best Makeup Primers for Different Skin Types

By Jasmine Torres, Makeup & Artistry | International Institute of Beauty

If makeup is art, then primer is your canvas prep, and darling, every great masterpiece starts with the right base.

In the world of beauty, primer is often underestimated. But any seasoned makeup artist will tell you: when chosen wisely and applied properly, a good primer is the key to a smooth, long lasting, radiant finish. The catch? Your skin type holds the secret to which primer works best.

Whether you’re dry as the Sahara or as oily as a midday forehead shine, we’re diving into the best makeup primers tailored to your unique skin type. Get ready to elevate your beauty routine, one perfect base at a time.

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What Does Primer Actually Do?

Makeup primer is a base product that sits between your skincare and foundation. Its job? To smooth out texture, minimise pores, lock down makeup, and enhance wear time. Some add glow, others mattify, some hydrate, and a few even offer skincare benefits.

But here’s the golden rule: your skin type determines your primer pick. Applying a rich hydrating primer on oily skin? Disaster. Using a mattifying formula on dry patches? Recipe for cakiness. So, let’s match you with your perfect primer.

For Oily Skin: Mattify & Lock It In

If you’re someone who gets shiny within hours of applying foundation, a mattifying primer will be your beauty bestie. Look for oil controlling formulas that blur pores, reduce shine, and help your makeup grip to the skin like a dream.

Top Picks:

• Benefit POREfessional Primer

  Iconic for a reason, this silicone based primer blurs pores and keeps oil at bay without feeling heavy.

• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer

  Designed to keep your glam intact even on humid days, this formula is weightless and works across skin tones.

• Rimmel Stay Matte PrimerA high street hero that does the job without draining your wallet. Keeps shine under control for up to eight hours.

For Dry Skin: Hydrate & Plump

Flaky foundation? That’s dry skin begging for hydration. The best primers for dry skin are creamy, soothing, and often packed with nourishing ingredients to create a dewy, moisturised base.

Top Picks:

• Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer

  Infused with coconut water, it gives skin a moisture surge and a healthy, radiant glow.

• Glossier Priming Moisturiser

  A minimalist’s dream: a moisturiser and primer in one. Ideal for everyday makeup with a soft focus finish.

• Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

  Rich, luxurious, and packed with shea butter and vitamins. This one’s a go to for MUAs working on dry or mature skin.

For Sensitive Skin: Keep It Calm

If your skin reacts to almost everything, choose a fragrance free, hypoallergenic primer that soothes while prepping the canvas. Steer clear of harsh ingredients, strong scents, and anything with alcohol.

Top Picks:

• Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer: Hydrating or Blurring

  Silicone free and gentle, perfect for creating a soft base without irritation.

• Tatcha The Silk Canvas

  Feels indulgent but is incredibly kind to the skin, with ingredients like green tea and rice to calm inflammation.

• e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer

  Affordable, fragrance free, and infused with skin friendly ingredients like Vitamin A and E.

For Combination Skin: Balance the Best of Both Worlds

Oily T zone and dry cheeks? You need a hybrid approach. Use mattifying primers on oily areas and hydrating formulas elsewhere, or opt for a multi tasking primer that adjusts to your skin’s needs.

Top Picks:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Original Primer

  A cult favourite that blurs, balances, and suits almost everyone. Think of it as your safety net.

• Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

  A gripping gel that hydrates and holds your makeup in place without clogging pores.

• e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

  A budget friendly dupe of Milk’s Hydro Grip, perfect for combination skin and long lasting glam.

For Acne Prone Skin: Calm & Clarify

If your skin is prone to breakouts, opt for primers that are non comedogenic, oil free, and even acne fighting. The goal is to prep without clogging.

Top Picks:

• Smashbox Photo Finish Control Primer

  Contains salicylic acid to help treat breakouts while creating a smooth canvas.

• Tula Face Filter Blurring Primer

  Infused with probiotics and skin balancing ingredients, it blurs imperfections without irritation.

• NYX Bare With Me Primer

  Lightweight, breathable, and free of pore clogging ingredients, plus it’s budget friendly.

For Mature Skin: Smooth & Illuminate

As skin matures, texture changes. You might notice more fine lines, dullness, or dryness. A great primer for mature skin will smooth and plump while adding a youthful glow.

Top Picks:

• Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch

  Fills in fine lines and smooths texture for an airbrushed look.

• L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Primer

  Targets radiance and texture in one go, and works beautifully under sheer or full coverage foundations.

• IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Primer+

  Blurs, hydrates, and contains skincare benefits like hyaluronic acid and vitamins.

Final Thoughts: Your Skin, Your Primer

Your skin is as unique as your fingerprint. The best makeup primer is the one that complements your skin’s personality, working with it, not against it.

Whether you’re glamming up for a night out or creating a soft everyday look, your primer sets the tone. It’s the quiet powerhouse that ensures your artistry lasts from first sip of morning coffee to the final flick of your eyeliner at night.

Choose wisely, blend confidently, and don’t be afraid to experiment, because every great makeup look starts with a great base.