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The Best Makeup Primers for Every Skin Type and Need in 2024

Discover the ultimate makeup primers of 2024, expertly curated for all skin types, concerns, and flawless makeup longevity.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Discover the ultimate makeup primers of 2024, expertly curated for all skin types, concerns, and flawless makeup longevity.

When it comes to flawless makeup, prime is the word. The right face primer can dramatically elevate your beauty routine by smoothing texture, minimizing pores, preventing shine, balancing uneven skin tone, and locking your look in place for hours. But with countless options flooding shelves and TikTok trends to consider, finding your holy-grail formula can feel overwhelming.

That’s where we come in. This comprehensive guide dives into the top makeup primers of 2024—meticulously selected for every skin type, concern, and finish preference. Whether you have oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin, want to blur imperfections, control oil, or add luminosity, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to meet your complexion’s new BFF!

Why Use a Primer?

Primers are more than just another step in your makeup routine. Today’s formulas are loaded with skin-friendly ingredients that instantly improve the appearance and longevity of your makeup—and deliver real skincare benefits along the way. Here are the key reasons to consider adding a primer to your process:

Improves Makeup Longevity: Forms a barrier to prevent foundation and concealer from slipping or oxidizing throughout the day.
Smooths Texture & Blurs Pores: Minimizes the look of pores and fine lines for a smoother, airbrushed finish.
Controls Oil or Provides Hydration: Tailored formulas can absorb excess sebum or deeply hydrate, keeping skin balanced under all circumstances.
Color Corrects & Evens Tone: Tinted and color-correcting primers neutralize redness, brighten dullness, and even out discoloration before you apply other products.
Boosts Skincare Benefits: Many modern primers include ingredients like hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, squalane, or vitamins to nourish and protect skin.

How to Choose the Right Primer for Your Skin Type

Selecting the right primer starts with understanding your skin’s needs:

Oily or Combination Skin? Opt for mattifying primers with oil-absorbing ingredients and pore-blurring silicones.
Dry Skin? Look for hydrating, creamy, or serum-like formulas loaded with emollients and humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid.
Sensitive or Acne-Prone Skin? Prioritize non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and gentle options, possibly with added calming ingredients.
Dullness or Uneven Tone? Choose illuminating or color-correcting primers tailored to brighten or neutralize.

Top Makeup Primers of 2024: Expert Picks by Skin Type & Concern

From viral bestsellers to pro-approved picks, here are the standout formulas leading the pack this year:

E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer

Best For: Blurring pores, smooth texture, all skin types (especially normal to oily)
Key Ingredients: Silicones, glycerin, squalane
Formula: Putty
Pros: Instantly smooths skin, visibly minimizes pores, budget-friendly.
Cons: Can cling to dry patches; best to use over well-moisturized skin.

Beloved on TikTok and reputable among makeup enthusiasts, E.l.f.’s viral putty primer glides effortlessly onto the skin. The silicone-heavy blend creates a thin, smoothing veil that visibly shrinks the look of pores and provides a mess-free base for makeup. Use it on your T-zone and cheeks—or focus on pore-prone areas for a flawless finish.
Pro tip: Press the primer into skin rather than rubbing for maximum blurring.

L.A. Girl Pro Prep HD Color Correcting Face Primer

Best For: Color correction, smoothing, longer wear
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B3
Formula: Lightweight gel
Pros: Balances skin tone, refines texture, affordable, paraben-free.
Cons: Lightweight texture may not be sufficiently hydrating for very dry skin.

This dual-action primer offers both color-correcting and priming benefits. The lightweight, vitamin-infused formula evens tone and minimizes the appearance of pores while prepping the skin to hold makeup for hours. Whether you need to neutralize redness with green tones or brighten sallow areas with lavender, this primer lays the perfect canvas.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

Best For: Mattifying, blurring, reducing redness (oily/combo skin)
Key Ingredients: Blurring powders
Formula: Lightweight cream
Pros: Controls shine, blurs imperfections, lightweight feel, pink tint subtly color corrects.
Cons: May be less hydrating for very dry skin types.

This velvety matte primer does what setting powders can’t—banish shine while leaving your complexion fresh and never ashy. Loved for its featherweight texture and subtle pink hue, it minimizes the look of redness and gives your base a diffused, filter-like effect. It’s especially effective on oily T-zones.

Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer

Best For: Dry, tired skin; all day hydration and glow
Key Ingredients: Coconut water, probiotics, skin revivers
Formula: Cream
Pros: Leaves skin dewy and hydrated, ideal for dry or dull complexions, vegan and cruelty-free.
Cons: May be too rich for very oily skin types.

Banish dullness in a single application. The Too Faced Hangover Primer acts like a refreshing drink for your skin—replenishing moisture with a blend of coconut water and probiotics. It softens dry patches, supports a smoother texture, and leaves your skin with a healthy, plumped-up glow. Wear alone for a radiance boost, or layer under foundation for all-day comfort.

Nars Pore & Shine Control Primer

Best For: Oily skin, enlarged pores, all-day matte finish
Key Ingredients: Oil-absorbing powders, skin-smoothing acids
Formula: Light gel-cream
Pros: Instantly mattifies, minimizes pores, improves texture with regular use.
Cons: Best applied sparingly or avoided by dry skin types.

If you’re seeking runway-level matte skin, this primer is your best bet. Its oil-absorbing powers kick in immediately, shrinking pores and keeping shine at bay for hours. Continued use even helps refine skin’s look over time, thanks to gentle acids that smooth out texture. It’s a cult favorite among those with oilier skin types.

Origins Original Skin Pore Perfecting Cooling Primer

Best For: All skin types, cooling sensation, reducing visible pores
Key Ingredients: Willowherb, cooling agents
Formula: Whipped mousse
Pros: Refreshes and cools skin, minimizes pores, ideal for warm weather.
Cons: Whipped formula can feel heavy on very sensitive skin if overapplied.

This primer is truly an experience. It dispenses as a whipped mousse that feels instantly cooling and soothing to the touch—perfect for humid climates or post-workout refreshes. The pore-perfecting complex blurs imperfections, plumps fine lines, and creates an even base for foundation. It’s a must-try for summer or anyone who loves a sensory skin treat.

Becca First Light Priming Filter Face Primer

Best For: Brightening dull skin, hydrating, all skin types
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, ginger extract
Formula: Lightweight gel, lavender-tinted
Pros: Neutralizes sallowness, provides a radiant finish, hydrates without heaviness.
Cons: Lavender tint may not suit all undertones; subtle results on deeper discoloration.

This Instagram-famous primer boasts a unique lavender color that instantly livens up dull or tired complexions. The hydrating formula plumps skin, while the purple undertone works to neutralize yellow or sallow tones—leaving your face radiant, awake, and prepped for seamless foundation application.

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer

Best For: Boosting glow, evening skin, all skin types (especially dull, dry, or mature)
Key Ingredients: Micro-reflective pearls
Formula: Lightweight lotion
Pros: Instantly brightens, smooths skin’s surface, extends makeup wear.
Cons: Shimmery effect may not appeal to oilier skins.

Makeup artists consistently rely on this classic for a lit-from-within finish. The primer is packed with tiny luminescent particles that add a subtle, healthy afterglow to all skin tones. Use alone for a dewy look or under foundation for polaroid-ready luminosity all day long.

Becca Skin Love Glow Shield Prime & Set Mist

Best For: Hydration, setting, on-the-go refresh
Key Ingredients: Sea water, spring water, fruit extracts
Formula: Mist
Pros: Multiuse as both primer and setting spray, hydrates and brightens skin, ultra-lightweight.
Cons: Not as pore-perfecting as putty or cream primers.

If you want a single product to prep and refresh your skin throughout the day, this multi-tasking mist is ideal. It drenches the face in hydrating, skin-loving waters and antioxidants—priming before makeup or delivering a subtle glow whenever your skin needs a boost. Perfect for summer touch-ups or dry office environments.

Kat Von D Lock-It Hydrating Primer

Best For: Full-glam looks, prolonged wear, vegan and cruelty-free
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B5, aloe vera, shea butter
Formula: Water-based gel
Pros: Hydrates under heavy makeup, non-greasy finish, loaded with nourishing botanicals.
Cons: May not provide enough oil control for very oily skin.

Heavy makeup wearers, rejoice! This non-greasy, hydrating primer was engineered to prolong makeup wear for full-glam days. Infused with botanical emollients and vitamins, it keeps your base feeling fresh and comfortable under the most dramatic looks—while being vegan and cruelty-free.

Quick Guide: Which Primer Should You Try?

Primer	Best For	Finish	Special Features
E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer	Pore blurring	Matte/Soft	Budget, TikTok favorite
Fenty Pro Filt’r Primer	Shine control, Redness	Matte	Lightweight, subtle color correction
Too Faced Hangover	Dry, dehydrated skin	Dewy	Hydrating, vegan
Nars Pore & Shine	Oily skin, Pores	Matte	Mattifying, skin refining
Laura Mercier Illuminating	Dull, mature skin	Luminous	Radiance, all-day wear
L.A. Girl Pro Prep HD	Color correction	Natural	Vitamin B3, affordable
Origins Cooling	Pores, summer heat	Fresh	Foaming, cooling sensation
Becca Glow Mist	Hydrating prep, on-the-go	Dewy	Multi-use priming and setting
Kat Von D Lock-It	Prolonged glam	Satin	Vegan, nourishing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How do I properly apply primer?

A: After cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, use clean fingers or a synthetic brush to apply a pea-sized amount of primer to your face. Focus on areas with visible pores, dryness, or uneven tone. Allow 1–2 minutes for the formula to set before applying foundation or concealer.

Q: Can I use primer alone without makeup?

A: Absolutely. Many primers refine skin texture, minimize shine, blur pores, and boost radiance on their own. For low-maintenance days, apply primer solo for a smooth, naturally perfected finish.

Q: Should I use different primers on different areas?

A: Yes—this is called “primer cocktailing.” For example, you can apply a mattifying primer to the T-zone while using a hydrating primer on dry areas. Mix and match to target your skin’s specific needs for the most customized results.

Q: Are there primers for sensitive or acne-prone skin?

A: Yes. Look for fragrance-free, non-comedogenic primers with calming or anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe, niacinamide, or green tea. Patch-testing new products is always a good idea if you’re prone to reactions.

Q: What’s the difference between a makeup primer and a setting spray?

A: Primers are applied before foundation to prep and smooth the skin, while setting sprays are misted on after makeup application to lock everything in place and refresh your finish throughout the day. Some products, like the Becca Glow Mist, can double as both.

Pro Tips for Flawless Primer Application

Less is More: Start with a small amount; over-applying can cause pilling or unevenness.
Let It Sit: Wait 1–2 minutes after priming before layering foundation for optimal adherence.
Customize: Don’t be afraid to use several primers for different zones.
Patch-Test New Primers: Particularly if you have sensitive or reactive skin.
Consider Weather and Season: Use lightweight, mattifying primers in summer and hydrating, richer formulas in winter.

Ready to Prime?

Armed with these expert picks and pro tips, you’re fully prepared to step up your skin prep and maximize your makeup’s performance. Whether you crave a matte, poreless finish or a dewy, luminous base, your perfect primer is out there. Test, try, and never underestimate the power of priming—it’s the real secret to makeup that lasts, no matter what the day brings.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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