These 8 Primers Saved Me From Looking Like a Glazed Donut (2024)

TL;DR

The Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Foundation Primer is my top pick for controlling oil and keeping my skin matte. It has a weightless feel and isn’t sticky or tacky. It works better with powder products and absorbs almost instantly into the skin. My skin lasted for hours without any oil buildup and I didn’t need any powder touch-ups throughout the evening. My second pick is the Makeup Forever Step 1 Primer Shine Control for its ultimate shine control. It's nongreasy and gives my makeup a second-skin feel, while keeping my oil levels at bay. It's compact, easy to travel with, and did not require any powder touch-ups.

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Size: 1 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: Yes | Vegan: No

I have to admit, I wasn't expecting much from this primer, especially since it was at such an affordable price point. But woah, did it work wonders. The product has a Vaseline/gel-like texture, but it felt weightless on the fingertips and easily blended into my skin. It did feel like a veil on my skin, but it wasn’t too noticeable or uncomfortable. There wasn’t a white cast, and it didn’t feel sticky or tacky, which was nice. I applied the primer first and then brushed on a layer of powder foundation and was pleasantly surprised that there was no patchiness or dryness. I didn’t have to apply multiple coats or drag my sponge too hard to get the product to spread evenly.

This primer did a great job at controlling oil. I only had slight oil pooling around the corners of my nose after about three hours of wear. After about six hours, my makeup was still matte with only light oil pooling. It's also formulated with vitamin A, which is good for reducing fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin texture, and vitamin E, which is beneficial for hydrating and healing the skin.

Size: 0.75 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Matte | Cruelty Free: No | Vegan: No

All of the Benefit Cosmetics products I've used typically have a Vaseline-like texture. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this primer had a cream texture that felt cool and comfortable.

It also smoothed my pores and left a blurring effect, which made my makeup look flawless. The dry down was almost instant, which made for easy application and buffing of my liquid foundation. My skin looked matte right after applying my foundation. I typically need a setting powder to get rid of shine, but that wasn’t the case after using this primer. It did make my cream products a bit harder to blend, but liquid products performed exceptionally with this primer. This primer also kept my oil at bay and at the end of the day I only had slight buildup around my nose and forehead.

Size: 1 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: No | Vegan: No

This primer paired amazingly with cream based products. I really enjoyed that it blended easily into my skin—I didn’t have to do a lot of rubbing or tugging to spread the product around evenly, and it absorbed quickly into my skin, especially in my T-zone. It comes with a pump, which made applying the primer slightly messy as the product got all over my fingers—I felt a doe applicator would have been much better. It was incredibly smooth after it dried down, it blurred my skin really well. I usually have enlarged pores around my nose and a lot of texture on my cheeks, but this primer veiled it completely. It also did a great job hiding my smile lines around my mouth, as they were completely unnoticeable. It layered well with powder products too, and I had little oil buildup after two hours. I found that liquid products, like blush, were a bit harder to blend with this one. This primer kept my makeup matte and dry, even in 82 degree weather.

Size: 1 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: No | Vegan: No

I was pleasantly surprised at how well this primer held up after wearing it for hours in a club with no A/C. My makeup looked as if I had just freshly touched up with powder. It absorbed quickly into my skin, left no white cast, and didn’t have a greasy feel. The application was slightly messy because I had to use my hands—a pump would have been better. The texture was gel-like, but once I rubbed it into my skin, it felt like a cream and light as air. This primer allowed my foundation to blend seamlessly into my skin, to the point where I couldn’t tell the difference between the two! It truly gave my makeup a second-skin look and feel and kept my oil levels at bay throughout the evening. I had no oil pilling throughout the day and did not need to touch up with powder.

Size: 0.44 oz | Texture: Balm | Finish: Matte | Cruelty Free: Yes | Vegan: Yes

This primer held up amazingly in humid weather. It comes in a stick form which is really convenient for applying as it's mess-free, and I could just throw it in my bag afterward. When I first applied it, it felt a bit heavy almost like my skin was coated with something andfelt a bit sticky. However, this worked wonders under my liquid foundation. Upon application, it was very smooth, there were no lumps or bumps, and I didn’t have to go back in for touch-ups. I wore this on a hot and humid day filled with on-and-off rain, and my makeup did not budge. It held up through sweat, oil, and even rain as I forgot my umbrella and got drenched. I had little to no oil buildup and it significantly minimized my pores, too.

Size: 1.01 oz | Texture: Liquid | Finish: Matte | Cruelty Free: No | Vegan: Yes

If your skin is extremely oily, this is the primer for you.When I first applied it, it dried my skin out terribly. It highlighted every imperfection on my face, such as tiny hairs and pores, and it felt like there was a layer of crust on my skin. It did not cause any irritations, but it felt uncomfortable. After I applied my makeup, that feeling disappeared almost instantly. It blurred my skin fantastically—I could not see any fine lines, pores, or texture. This primer also withstood my extremely oily skin as I had no oil buildup, and my makeup did not crease, breakdown, or separate. If your skin is extremely oily, this is the primer for you.

Size: 0.5 oz | Texture: Balm | Finish: Matte | Cruelty Free: Yes | Vegan: No

This primer was extremely comfortable and lightweight, but upon application, it sat on the skin rather than getting absorbed. This was the first primer I used that didn’t come with a pump or applicator; I just had to scoop it up with my fingers, which made for a messy application. I would recommend being careful with placement as it left a crust around the edges of my hair and in my eyebrows. It was supposed to provide a natural finish, but it did a really great job at controlling shine and oil so it made my skin look matte instead. I was able to buff out my liquid foundation without much of a struggle, and I only had slight buildup on my cheeks and even then it just looked like I was wearing highlighter. Since I’m prone to blackheads, if my pores get clogged it can lead to acne, but this primer kept my pores blurred without clogging.

Size: 1 oz | Texture: Liquid | Finish: Natural | Cruelty Free: No | Vegan: No

The Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas completely changed my view of luxury primers. When I applied this primer, it instantly mattified my skin. It was calming, cooling, and soothing on my skin, and felt extremely comfortable. It did have a Vaseline-like texture, but it didn’t feel heavy or veil-like. I loved how well it worked with powder products, especially my powder foundation, blush, and highlighter. They were easy to blend out and I saw the oil on my skin reduce almost immediately.

FAQ

• How can I maintain the oil levels on my skin?

  Dr. Hu recommends blotting papers, as they are gentle on the skin, and can absorb all the excess shine. “Incorporating a weekly exfoliating mask can also help maintain a balanced complexion,” she adds. She also recommends starting with a clean base by double cleansing your skin, using a light toner, and opting for lighter makeup formulas such as powder over liquid.
  

• How do you determine what primer to use on your face?

  When looking for a primer, ingredients are key. You want something that is comfortable but something that can also absorb excess sebum without causing irritation. “For individuals with oily skin, I recommend primers that are designed to absorb excess oil. Look for products with clay or acid-based formulations, and consider those containing salicylic acid for added benefits,” says Dr. Hu.

• Which primer is the best for aging skin?

  For aging skin, you want a primer that contains collagen and other skin-supporting ingredients such as vitamin C for brightness. Collagen works to repair elasticity in the skin and can assist with fine lines and wrinkles. Primers that contain a mineral silicate complex help tighten pores and hyaluronic acid adds hydration.