Finding the right primer for your specific skin type is vital. If you have dry skin, you'll need a good hydrating primer in your rotation, but if you have acne-prone skin, you'll need a solid noncomedogenic option. Who better to ask for advice than celebrity makeup artists?
They spend more than enough time making up all different skin types and have acquired many tricks of the trade. They also know which primers are absolutely worth investing in and which don't live up to the hype. I tapped celebrity makeup artists Shadi Malek, Hailey Hoff, and Judi Gabbay for their best tips. If you're in the market for a new primer, keep scrolling for the 14 best face primers they recommend for every skin type (and a few picks of my own).
The Best Face Primers, at a Glance
- Best for Dry Skin: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
- Best for Combination Skin: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Makeup Primer
- Best for Oily Skin: Nars Soft Matte Primer
- Best Drugstore: Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Pore Minimize Primer
Best for Dry Skin: Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
Pros: Light and milky texture easily absorbs into the skin to provide a hefty dose of hydration and act as a moisturizer and primer in one
Cons: Contains mineral oil
Key ingredients: Shea butter, soy protein | Skin type: Dry | Size: 2.54 oz.
"This is every makeup artist's go-to product for under makeup. It provides the perfect base for a perfect application," says Malek. "The main reason why I love it is how hydrating it is and how the product just sinks into the skin immediately."
Customer review: "Stands up to the hype. Extremely moisturizing and plumping. Nonirritating to my sensitive eczema-prone skin. I love applying this as a primer. Highly recommend!"
Best Drugstore: Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime Blur + Pore Minimize Primer
Maybelline's FaceStudio primer earns the title of best drugstore option because it is a master at blurring out imperfections, evening the skin tone, and keeping makeup in place for long periods. It was my go-to drugstore pick for years before I became a beauty editor.
Pros: Affordable, reduces the appearance of pores, lightweight, non-oily
Cons: Contains silicones (which can clog pores), may not work well for acne-prone skin
Key ingredient: Salicylic acid
Skin type: Oily
Size: 1 oz
Customer review: "I have used this product for years and have occasionally tried other primers (even high-end ones), but always come back to this one because it works well. I have large pores and older skin, and it does help my foundation go on smoother and last longer and minimizes my pores."
Best for Mature Skin: Bobbi Brown Vitamin-Enriched Face Base Moisturizer Primer
Pros: Doubles as a primer and moisturizer in one, reduces fine lines, replenishes essential moisture
Cons: Expensive
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Skin type: Dry, mature | Size: 1.7 oz.
This Bobbi Brown offering is a hydrating, nutrient-packed moisturizer and primer in one. It's great for mature skin because it contains a blend of vitamins B, C, and E to recondition the skin, and shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and squalane instantly plump and hydrate.
Customer review: "Last year, I noticed some lines around my top lip, and I tried everything to help smooth them out. I had tried a lot of creams and oils with no luck. For some reason, I tried this cream, and I love it. This is the only cream I have tried that makes my lines look smoother, and I've only been using it for a few weeks. I'm 62, and I've had oily skin all my life, but this cream has a fresh fragrance that I love, and it isn't oily. This will definitely be a must-have for me. Thank you, Bobbi Brown."
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Pros: Provides a radiant finish, noncomedogenic, hydrates and smooths skin
Cons: Finish may be too radiant for some
Key ingredients: Rice bran, shea butter, glycerin | Skin type: Oily, acne-prone | Size: 1 oz.
Makeup artists love Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation, but I can't forget its hydrating primer counterpart. Like the foundation, this primer is completely noncomedogenic, making it a great option for acne-prone skin. "This is the perfect primer to achieve a 'glowing goddess' skin finish," says Malek. "[It's] a very dewy primer perfect for if you're going for a dewy look."
Customer review: "This looks good every way I have used it. I love it on its own, mixed with a coverage product, or underneath a foundation. It doesn't have any obvious flecks of glitter, and it gives the skin a very flattering look. It also doesn't disturb any other skincare I layer on beforehand. Everything else layers on top of this beautifully, and it is well worth the price."
Best for Combination Skin: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Makeup Primer
Pros: Great for sensitive and combination skin, silicone-free, provides a dewy finish, contains skincare ingredients
Cons: Texture is very tacky
Key ingredients: Blue agave extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, aloe water, hemp-derived cannabis-seed extract | Skin type: Combination | Size: 1.52 oz.
"I love how well foundation sticks to this primer," says Malek. "I truly feel this primer is the longest-lasting one I've used. It's a cult favorite for a reason." Gabbay adds that she loves that it has a slightly tacky feel to it, living up to its name by actually gripping the foundation onto the face.
Customer review: "After using this product for a few weeks, I've noticed my makeup lasting all day long. My skin feels hydrated and smooth."
Best for Oily Skin: Nars Soft Matte Primer
Pros: Minimizes shine, contains climate-balancing technology to maintain makeup in any weather, prevents color oxidation
Cons: Tends to separate a bit in certain areas of the face
Key ingredients: Rice bran extract, sunflower extract, cocoa-seed extract | Skin type: Oily | Size: 1 oz.
"I have super-oily skin, and this product really helps me stay matte in the T-zone area throughout the day," says Hoff. This product is perfect for minimizing shine while protecting skin from environmental damage long-term. It also contains skin-loving ingredients like rice bran extract, sunflower extract, and cocoa-seed extract.
Customer review: "As a certified 'grease ball,' I can attest that this formula is the best! My makeup does not budge from the time I apply it in the morning until I get home from school at 9 p.m. I also like that my face doesn't feel dry or feel stiff after application."
Best Gel Formula: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Pros: Contains vitamins A and E to nourish the skin, light gel texture smooths and blurs imperfections
Cons: May be too drying for some
Key ingredient: Safflower-seed extract | Skin type: All | Size: 1.7 oz.
This primer's reputation precedes it and with good reason. The oil-free formula is another great option for oilier and acne-prone skin. It instantly smooths and blurs while providing extra skin nourishment with vitamins A and E. "I love Smashbox primers," says Hoff. "They are a forever go-to for a lot of artists because they have a primer for everything—redness, oiliness, dry skin—so it's an easy go-to for me!"
Customer review: "This stuff literally changed my life and my face. I used to just put on liquid or powder foundation and wonder why it would come off so easily and why it would look so grainy and make all the detail in my face appear. I was returning something at Nordstrom and saw this at the checkout. [I'd] heard so much about it previously and bought the $15 bottle. Oh my goodness, one of my favorite things I've ever purchased in my life. [It] makes my skin look absolutely flawless [and] in pictures even better. People always compliment my skin now. It has helped boost my confidence because it doesn't make me so self-conscious about my skin when people are up close. [I] love this stuff, [it] doesn't break me out at all. [I] would highly recommend it over and over."
Best Dewy Finish: Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer
Pros: Creates a soft-focus glow on the skin, provides a dewy finish, contains collagen-supporting peptides
Cons: May be too radiant for some, expensive
Key ingredients: BioNymph Peptide Complex, hyaluronic acid | Skin type: Dry, combination | Size: 1.35 oz.
"I love using the Charlotte Tilbury primer for my clients who usually want that dewy, silky skin," says Hoff. "It's gorgeous under makeup." Gabbay adds that Wonderglow is great for a luminous glow under foundation. "It blurs fine lines, hydrates, and leaves the skin with a 'candlelit from within' feel," she says.
Customer review: "[I] was really unsure about this product, and I found a lot of 'dupes' when I was looking into it, but none of them had the skincare ingredients that I was liked about this. After reading all the positive reviews, I decided to try it. I was apprehensive at first because we know that shimmer enhances fine lines, and being in my (almost) mid-30s, that's the last thing I want! The first time I used this, I wasn't overly impressed with much, it felt very nice, but I didn't notice my skin looking nicer… until I went outside in the daylight! Holy youthful glow! You really don't need much moisturizer before applying this, or [it] can [pill]. I'm sure I overdid it because my skin is so dry, but I felt hydrated and radiant all day. I did use this product with my daily concealer, and everything mixed very well!"
Best Brightening: Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer
Pros: Provides a hydrating and luminous finish, budget-friendly, contains brightening minerals
Cons: May not be suitable for skin conditions like rosacea and allergies
Key ingredient: Niacinamide | Skin type: All | Size: 1.06 oz.
This primer evens out your skin tone, adds instant radiance to your complexion, and minimizes the look of pores—all for a nice price tag compared to other options on this list.
Customer review: "Goes on so smooth, lightweight to the sheer, but very effective, silky feeling that makes my foundation flawless! When I go foundation-free, after my sunscreen, I smooth some over my face for a sheer finish!"
Best Blurring Formula: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer
Pros: Blurs imperfections, absorbs shine, provides an airbrushed finish
Cons: Expensive
Key ingredient: Glycerin | Skin type: Dry, combination | Size: 1 oz.
I always find myself reaching for this primer to use with my Hourglass Vanish Foundation Stick. Name a better duo—I'll wait. It absorbs so quickly and smooths out my skin before I apply foundation. It ups the airbrush factor in a big way, so trust me. You won't be disappointed if you decide to invest.
Customer review: "Tens across the board. I hadn't used a primer in a while until I finally stumbled upon this one. It is sensational! It blurs your skin, makes your skin look like velvet. It also made my makeup last for a while."
Best for Sensitive Skin: Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Protective Primer
Pros: Protects the skin against environmental stress, contains silk powder to minimize pores and fine lines, great for sensitive skin
Cons: Tends to make skin dry throughout the day
Key ingredients: Fibroin, sericin, and silk powder; anti-pollution natural actives; Tatcha's signature Hadasei-3 | Skin type: Oily, combination | Size: 1 oz.
When I'm not using the Hourglass primer, I almost always use this gem from Tatcha. It creates the perfect base for foundation because it's so hydrating but never greasy. It's totally weightless and has a thin layer of silk powder that reduces the look of pores, fine lines, and other imperfections in record time.
Customer review: "I almost didn't want to like this primer because of how expensive it is, but it has completely changed the look and wear of my makeup. I have a smooth base to begin with, but this primer is a filter over my skin. With one application, my pores are blurred, and my skin tone is evened out significantly. I have combination skin with a very oily T-zone and was also surprised to find this product kept me fairly matte all day—something no other primer, powder, or setting spray has been able to do. This paired with the Charlotte Tilbury setting spray keeps my face flawless until the end of the night."
Best Multipurpose: Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
Pros: Can be used as a primer, foundation, enhancer, or highlight for a dewy glow, oil formula adds light to the face where needed
Cons: May be too luminous for some
Key ingredient: Glycerin | Skin type: Dry, combination | Size: 1 oz.
"I will also use the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter as a primer because it really makes the makeup look like a filter," says Hoff. If you want to get the full benefits of the product, you can also use it as a highlight or even foundation.
Customer review: "I've gotten so many compliments on my 66-year-old skin since I started using this product. I apply it as a primer and then add it on top of the foundation as a highlight to the high points of my face. I'm thrilled to say I'm now able to use my collection of matte, long-wear foundations that have been sitting in my makeup drawer for months because I felt they just looked too heavy on mature skin."
Best Budget: e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer
Pros: Budget-friendly; infused with grapes and vitamins A, C, and E to boost your complexion; great for acne-prone, combination, and oily skin
Cons: Applies a bit too slick at first
Key ingredients: Grapes; vitamins A, C, and E | Skin type: Dry, combination | Size: 0.47 oz.
E.l.f. products always get the job done, and this hydrating face primer is another fan favorite. The formula is infused with grapes and vitamins A, C, and E to boost your complexion and provide extra moisture to the skin.
Customer review: "I'm used to using the E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer and, at first, I was skeptical about how thin this is, but it was cheaper and has good reviews, so I gave it a go, and I definitely like it better! Smooths my skin so well, my makeup looks great even though I have huge pores in my [T-zone] area."
Best for Dull Skin: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
Pros: Great for dry skin, infused with hydrating coconut water and skin-soothing probiotics, boosts skin's radiance and elasticity
Cons: Tends to separate when used with certain products
Key ingredients: Coconut water, hydrogenated olive oil, glycerin, citric acid | Skin type: Dry | Size: 1.35 oz.
"For dry, dull skin, try Hangover Replenishing Face Primer by Too Faced. It's vegan, hydrating, and creates a radiant finish that will help a look last all day," says Gabbay. It's the perfect pick-me-up for skin that needs a hydration boost—something this product does well thanks to the coconut water in the formula.
Customer review: "My best friend sold me on this product. I was looking for a cruelty-free/ silicone-free primer that worked. I wasn't expecting such great results. It feels natural and makes my skin feel wonderful. Works well [with] my makeup too."
What to Look For in a Face Primer
Primer acts as a barrier between your makeup and skincare. This is purely anecdotal, but I've found that using a primer is especially good for my sensitive, acne-prone skin because that extra layer of protection helps keep certain makeup products from clogging my pores. If you have acne-prone skin, you'll likely want to choose a hydrating, lightweight, noncomedogenic, oil-free primer. Look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid, salicylic acid, and tea tree oil.
Those with dry skin will want to opt for hydrating ingredients or a priming oil that can offer an extra boost of moisture. Those with combination skin, however, should choose a light, hydrating primer to balance the skin's oil production throughout the day and stop it from overproducing oil in certain areas. Jojoba oil and hyaluronic acid are a few ingredients that can help with this.
Lastly, if you have oily skin, you may want to try a mattifying primer. Although, this can be a slippery slope. Sometimes, oily skin needs extra hydration. More often than not, using a mattifying primer can cause oily skin to produce even more oil, as it dries out the skin. Try a light, hydrating primer instead and see if that works for you.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, I compile my edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best face primers for this roundup, I leaned heavily on expert insight and my knowledge as a beauty expert. I also considered several factors, including key ingredients, skin type, and size. I'm aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so I made sure to list out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.