The Different Types of Primer

The most popular type of primer is face primer, but there are lots of different types, including specific primers for foundation, eyeshadow, and even lipstick. An illuminating primer can help give you a lit-from-within look—making it good for those who like a dewy glam—while a mattifying primer reduces the appearance of oil and large pores. 

Alternatively, a hydrating primer will create a moisturized base for your makeup, or you can go with a silicone-based primer to smooth out the look of any skin texture. Hart likes to categorize their primers by ingredient, opting for an oil-based formula when they want hydration, and a silicone-based primer when they want a more matte, texture-free look. 

How to Find the Best Makeup Primer for Your Skin Type

“Makeup primer should always be secondary to a good skincare regimen, since no amount of primer or makeup will cover up neglected skin,” says Hart. Regardless of skin type, she recommends applying the product on clean skin after putting on a simple moisturizer. Below, see which makeup primer is best for your skin type. 

Dry Skin

If you find your skin is constantly dry or flaky, reach for a hydrating primer. Hart likes to opt for those with enriched formulas and nourishing ingredients like vitamins C and E, which she adds are a great addition to moisturizer. 

With ingredients like niacinamide, peptides, probiotics, and a hydrating moisture complex, this Vitamin Boost Plumping Face Primer from CIATÉ LONDON is a great option. Not only will it leave your skin looking nourished and plump, but it’ll help reduce fine lines over time. For dry skin, Hart recommends applying a thicker layer of primer and letting it sit on the skin for about five minutes. You can then rub the rest of the product in, and follow with your usual glam routine. 

Oily Skin

For oily skin, Hart says their go-to primer includes oil-absorbing ingredients, like silica or clay. These will help you achieve a smoother, matte look while also controlling oil production throughout your day. Aptly called the No Poreblem Primer, this primer from TOUCH IN SOL battles big pores and oil with ingredients like green tea tree extract and soluble collagen—the latter of which helps plump the skin, decreasing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Applying the product prior to your makeup (and in tandem with an oil-free moisturizer) will help control oil production so you can say goodbye to excess shine. 

Combination Skin

Combination skin can be tricky to address, but you can manage it with the right primer. Combining the best of both worlds, the Re-fine Soft Matte Poreless Primer from HALEYS BEAUTY is packed with vitamins that refine pores and reduce shine (where you want it to). The result? A filtered look that lasts all day—and doesn’t come with a heavy texture. 

One reviewer writes, “It really creates a barrier to keep my moisturizer on my skin, and keep it from interfering with my foundation.” Furthermore, she adds, “My combination skin’s T-zone is usually looking slick by the end of the day, but not with this primer!” 

Textured Skin

Textured skin can come from scarring, active (and old) acne, and sun damage, among other things. You’ll want to grab a primer that fills in those gaps for a smooth, polished look. This blurring primer from COVER FX helps decrease the appearance of pores, fine lines, and uneven texture, so you get a gentle soft-focus effect—aka a real-life Instagram filter. You can apply this product one of two ways, either putting it on prior to your makeup or patting it on over fresh foundation for long-lasting wear. Hart, who struggles with eczema, opts for a blurring primer herself. For a look that lasts all night, she makes sure to set her makeup with a powder as well. 

Hyperpigmented Skin

Hyperpigmented skin can benefit from a color-correcting primer, although Hart prefers to use traditional color correction on their clients with uneven skin tone. For those with hyperpigmentation, “coverage is more important than color-correcting,” Hart adds. “When it comes to finding the right primer, I would still consider your skin’s texture and type (dry or oily) a priority.” 

That said, the Porefessional Pore Minimizing Primer from BENEFIT COSMETICS does more than just address pores. Lemon extract helps reduce uneven pigment, while antioxidant-rich yuzu extract and bisabolol help to smooth and brighten your complexion. When applying, massage the product into your skin in circular motions to make sure it blends into your skin fully. 

Mature Skin

Sometimes mature skin needs a little help looking radiant—and that starts way before applying highlighter. To give your complexion an extra boost, try the Photo Finish Illuminate Glow Primer from SMASHBOX COSMETICS, which is infused with a silkscreen complex, vitamin C, and passion fruit. This powerful blend creates a silky barrier for your skin, delivering an enviable glow and a universally flattering shimmer. You can either wear it under your makeup or wear it alone for a subtle shine.  

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