Top 10 Makeup Primers

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
The Pores No More Primer from Dr. Brandt has earned the trust of many. It's earned nearly 2,000 5-star reviews across Amazon and Ulta, with many shoppers saying it lives up to its name. It reduces the look of fine lines, pores, and imperfections, and the formula features tea tree oil and lavender for a soothing feel.

PROMISING REVIEW
"I could just apply this and go on with my day. It works so well to reduce the appearance of pores. I've been purchasing it for over six years and will not go with any other brand if I don't have to."

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Three layers of silk (fibroin, sericin, and silk powder) are the star ingredients in this top-rated primer from Tatcha. Together, these three ingredients create a layer between skin and makeup to visibly diminish the look of pores and protect against future breakouts and signs of aging.

MORE TO KNOW
Reviewers love that this weightless, oil-free formula helps brighten and even the skin tone, prevents clogged pores, and ensures your makeup stays in place longer.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
HUDA BEAUTY'S Easy Blur Primer is a multitasker. It smoothes, blurs, and moisturizes skin from the first application. Thanks to the milk thistle extract in its formula, it also absorbs oil and provides your daily dose of antioxidants.

PROMISING REVIEW
"Finally! I’ve never been a fan of primers because I have oily skin, and most of them make my makeup look cakey or crusty. I picked up a sample of this one from an employee at Sephora and tried it out for the first time. Wow, my skin looks so flawless and beautiful—running to Sephora to buy the full bottle."

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
A blend of rose hip extract, niacinamide, and mineral powder makes Benefit's POREfessional Primer a great option for those with oily, acne-prone skin. It creates a smooth matte finish that's ideal for layering foundation and contour on top.

MORE TO KNOW
This is one of those sneaky-great skincare products that helps improve the health of your skin over time. Basically, the more you use it, the better your complexion will look.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
First off, at $10, this primer is incredibly affordable. It's also got a formula that's hard to beat, with squalane as a featured ingredient. Layer it on and let it sit a few minutes to achieve a smooth, poreless complexion.

PROMISING REVIEW
"This primer is excellent. I've tried many pore-minimizing primers, and this one is superior to any other. It goes on nicely and really does blur the pores. Apply the product and let it sit for a minute before you apply foundation. It is lightweight and works well even with a powder foundation."

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
Formulated with skin-boosting ingredients (think rice bran, glycerin, and shea butter), this hydrating primer moisturizes and softens the skin while visibly blurring pores and imperfections, leaving a dewy, luminous finish.

MORE TO KNOW
Giorgio Armani's Luminous Silk is suitable for all skin types, but it's especially good for those with dry skin, thanks to this super hydrating formula.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
Give your skin a healthy dose of probiotics with Tula's Face Filter Blurring & Moisturizing Primer. Powered by clean ingredients like beet, turmeric, and licorice root extract, this primer reduces dark spots and evens out skin tone over time. Even better? It releases glow particles on the skin to create a radiant base for makeup application.

MORE TO KNOW
There are more noteworthy ingredients packed into this primer, including lactobacillus, a type of probiotic bacteria that reduces inflammation.

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
If you have dry, sensitive skin, this primer is for you. It's made from glycerin, giving it hydrating superpowers, but it also has niacinamide, which is known to brighten skin and reduce redness. 

PROMISING REVIEW
"Let me tell you something, you NEED this primer! This is is the best primer I've used, it leaves my skin looking glowy and healthy, while making my makeup last literally all day/night. OBSESSED!"

WHY PEOPLE LOVE IT
Milk's Hydro Grip primer is designed to create a tacky, smooth base for a flawless foundation application. It promises to keep your makeup in place for up to 12 hours without smudging, and the skin-smoothing formula contains niacinamide, aloe water, and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin looking radiant all day.

MORE TO KNOW
Many professional MUAs swear by this award-winning primer. In particular, they love the way it layers under foundation without cakiness.

WHY IT MADE THE LIST
When searching for a primer, you want a formula that moisturizes and holds makeup in place. Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base Priming Moisturizer takes it a step further by packing the formula with vitamins B, C, and E to nourish the skin, creating a fresh, healthy-looking glow on makeup days and no-makeup days.

MORE TO KNOW
This primer has a light, refreshing scent of grapefruit and geranium. It's also ranked #1 on our list of the best primers for mature skin.