Top 10 Illuminating Primers

THE DETAILS
Juice Beauty's PHYTO-PIGMENTS Illuminating Primer contains a blend of rich coconut alkanes, aloe vera, and botanical juices. These natural ingredients work together to bring the glow back to tired skin while also diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

WHO IT'S GOOD FOR
This silicone-free illuminating primer works for all skin types, but it's especially perfect for those with oily skin. Why? It's lightweight, free of petroleum (which is often responsible for that greasy feel), and formulated to control oil production.

THE DETAILS
YSL's Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer is a favorite among beauty enthusiasts for its weightless, non-greasy texture. This primer instantly refreshes skin without weighing it down, and the light-reflecting golden micro-pearls in its formula bring a shimmer to dull, dry skin.

MORE TO KNOW
This primer is a top pick across the board. It's landed on our lists of the Top 10 Best Blurring Primers and the Top 10 Best Primers for Mature Skin. 

THE DETAILS
Get a glow that only superfoods can give—specifically, Elemis's Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser. This top-rated serum has a formula inspired by ancient tradition; it's rich in fermented ingredients like green tea seed oil, ginger, and kombucha.

MORE TO KNOW
Here's a fun fact: This product doubles as a highlighter. Just dab a grain-sized amount on the high points of your face, such as the cheekbones, bridge of the nose, and cupid's bow.

THE DETAILS
Charlotte Tilbury is a known name in the beauty space, and the brand's Wonderglow Face Primer is a good example of why. This well-reviewed primer prepares your face for makeup application while turning back the clock thanks to the inclusion of anti-wrinkle ingredients in its formula.

WHO IT'S GOOD FOR
Feeling dry and flakey? This product contains one of our favorite hydrating ingredients, hyaluronic acid. 

THE DETAILS
Get ready for your close-up because Smashbox's Photo Finish Illuminate Glow Face Primer loves the limelight. Made with super-fine, peachy-gold pearls that visibly illuminate skin, this primer more than lives up to its name.

MORE TO KNOW
This product also features Smashbox's Silkscreen Complex, a combination of hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and vitamins that nourish and defend skin against environmental stressors.

THE DETAILS
A trio of floral ingredients (lotus, gardenia, and white waterlily) are behind Rare Beauty's Illuminating Primer. Together, these components calm stressed-out skin and contribute to a lit-from-within radiance.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"This is such a beautiful base. It has a nice silky texture too. I usually use this if I’m trying to go for a dewy look."

THE DETAILS
Turn your face into the smooth, pristine canvas it was always meant to be with Laura Mercier's Illuminating Pure Canvas Face Primer. Providing long-lasting (yet lightweight) coverage, this primer uses micronized pearls to create a luminous glow.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I don’t know what it is about this stuff but it completely transforms my face. When I put it on I watch in the mirror as my skin tightens and brightens before putting on my makeup. HUGE difference!"

THE DETAILS
Our algorithm's pick for the best illuminating primer is Armani's Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer. This luxurious primer blurs pores and adds a plump appearance to the complexion to create a smooth and dewy finish.

MORE TO KNOW
The formula behind the Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer features shea butter, rice bran, and glycerin. Rice bran has roots in Japanese beauty culture; when it's combined with water, it decongests pores and helps reduce hyperpigmentation. 

THE DETAILS
Who doesn't love a product you can pick up at your local drugstore? One of L'Oreal Paris's best creations, the True Match Lumi Glotio is available in various shades from Deep to Fair. Plus, this primer is a multitasker—it works as a highlighter and a bronzer in addition to acting as a primer.

REVIEW HIGHLIGHT
"I wanted something that would give me a little bit of color without looking unnatural. This does the trick. It’s super glowy and provides just a slight bit of color. I’m very pale so the medium shade works great."

THE DETAILS
Saie's Glowy Super Gel is a multitasker. It moisturizes and protects skin (thanks to squalene and rosehip oil), but it also turns your complexion into a shimmery canvas for a high-impact makeup application. Pick it up in four sheer shades, from Warm Golden Bronze to Universal Champagne.  

WHO IT'S FOR
This is a non-comedogenic, fragrance-free illuminator—in other words, a top option for those with sensitive skin.