If your foundation looks patchy, your pores seem more noticeable, or your makeup fades before lunchtime, your prep could be the problem. Whether you want to reduce shine, add hydration, blur pores or help foundation grip, the right primer can make your makeup look fresher for longer.

What Does Primer Do?

Primer is applied after skincare and before foundation to create a smoother base and help makeup sit more evenly. Depending on the formula, it can hydrate, mattify, add glow, blur pores, improve grip or colour-correct redness, dullness and uneven tone.

Is Primer Necessary Before Makeup?

Primer is not essential, but it can help if makeup fades, separates, clings to dry patches or settles into pores. It is especially useful for longer wear, special events or targeting concerns such as shine, dryness and texture.

How To Apply Primer

Apply a pea-sized amount after moisturiser and SPF, focusing on areas where makeup separates or needs extra smoothing. Let it settle for 30-60 seconds before applying foundation in thin layers.

Best Budget Primer For Beginners

If you are new to primer, Catrice Cosmetics The Perfector Poreless Blur Primer is an affordable, easy-to-use option. Its lightweight formula helps smooth texture and blur the appearance of pores without feeling heavy, creating a more even base for foundation.

What Is The Best Primer For Your Skin Type?

The best primer for your skin type is one that targets your main concern, whether that’s excess shine, dryness, visible pores, uneven texture or makeup that fades quickly.

Best Primer For Oily Skin

For oily skin, choose a mattifying, oil-controlling or pore-blurring primer to help reduce shine and keep makeup in place. Silicone-based primers can create a smooth barrier between skin and foundation, while water-based primers are great if you want a fresher, lightweight feel.

Wet N Wild Photo Focus Face Primer Matte Partners in Prime is a top pick for oily skin. Its mattifying gel-cream texture helps control shine, blur the look of pores and smooth uneven texture, while the oil-free, fragrance-free formula keeps skin comfortable without drying it out.

Best Primer For Dry Skin

For dry skin, a hydrating, moisturising or glow-boosting primer is your go-to for a fresh, radiant base. It helps foundation glide on more smoothly, soften the look of dry patches and keep skin feeling comfortable.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base is well-suited to dry skin, combining a rich, buttery texture with a non-greasy feel. Formulated with shea butter, squalane and hyaluronic acid, it helps replenish moisture, while vitamins B, C and E nourish the complexion. The result is a soft, supple base that helps foundation apply evenly without settling into rough or dry areas.

Best Primer For Mature Skin

For mature skin, look for a lightweight, hydrating primer with a soft-focus finish to help blur fine lines, pores and uneven texture without feeling heavy, dry or overly matte. 

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx No-Filter Firming Primer is a great choice for mature skin. Its clear gel texture creates a smoothing, firming effect, helping to visibly tighten and blur the look of fine lines, wrinkles and pores. It leaves skin looking fresh, refined and ready for foundation, without leaving a white cast.

Best Primer For Large Pores And Textured Skin

For large pores or textured skin, choose a blurring or soft-focus primer to smooth the appearance of pores, fine lines and uneven texture. Focus it around the nose, cheeks and centre of the forehead where texture is often most visible.

Some By Mi PDRN Spirulina Poreless Primer helps blur uneven texture, absorb excess oil and create a smooth, matte base for foundation.

Best Primer For Acne-Prone Skin

For acne-prone skin, the best primer is lightweight, comfortable and non-comedogenic, so it helps create a smoother base without clogging pores. Avoid anything too heavy, greasy or overly rich if your skin is easily congested, and look for simpler ingredient lists where possible.

Maybelline Grippy Serum Makeup Grip Primer is a top pick for acne-prone skin. Its water-based, oil-free formula feels fresh and lightweight, while 2% niacinamide helps support a more balanced-looking complexion. It also gives makeup that grippy, long-lasting finish without adding extra shine.

How To Choose A Colour-Correcting Primer

Colour-correcting primers help balance uneven tones before foundation. Green helps neutralise the look of redness, peach or orange tones can brighten blue or purple areas, and lavender helps counter dull or yellow-looking skin. Apply a small amount only where needed to avoid overcorrecting.

What Is The Difference Between Grip Primer And Smoothing Primer?

Choose a grip primer if longer wear is your priority. NYX Professional Makeup The Face Glue Gripping Makeup Primer creates a tacky base, while Essence Makeup Gripping & Refreshing Jelly Grip Hydrating Primer combines grip with lightweight hydration.

Choose a smoothing primer for visible pores, fine lines or texture. Catrice Cosmetics The Perfector Poreless Blur Primer creates a soft-focus finish, while Maybelline Poreless Jelly 24H Hydrating Blur Primer offers a more hydrated feel. You can also use different primers across separate areas of the face.

How To Stop Makeup Separating And Make It Last Longer

Makeup can separate when skincare has not fully absorbed, too much primer or foundation has been applied, or formulas do not work well together. Skin type can also play a part, as oily skin may cause makeup to slip, while dehydrated or textured skin can make foundation cling or break apart.

To help stop makeup separating and make makeup last longer, apply skincare in thin layers, let each step settle and choose a primer that suits your skin type. Build foundation gradually, set oily areas lightly with powder and finish with setting spray if your makeup needs extra staying power.

FAQs About Primer

Can you use primer every day?

Yes, primer can be used daily, as long as it suits your skin type and is removed properly at the end of the day.

Can primer be worn alone?

Yes, primer can be worn without foundation to smooth, hydrate, mattify, blur pores or add glow, depending on the formula.

Does primer go before or after moisturiser?

Primer goes after moisturiser and SPF, but before foundation. Let each skincare step settle first to help prevent pilling or patchiness.

Does Primer Replace Moisturiser?

Usually not. Moisturiser hydrates the skin, while primer helps prepare it for makeup. Some rich, hydrating primers may provide enough moisture for certain skin types, but most work best after moisturiser.

Do you apply primer before or after SPF?

Apply primer after SPF and before foundation. Let your SPF settle first so each layer sits smoothly.

How long should you wait after applying primer?

Wait around 30-60 seconds, or until the primer feels settled, before applying foundation.

Why does my primer pill?

Primer can pill if you use too much product, apply it over unsettled skincare or pair formulas that do not work well together.

Is silicone or water-based primer better?

Silicone-based primers are great for smoothing and blurring, while water-based primers often feel lighter and more hydrating.

Is primer good for oily skin?

Yes, mattifying, oil-controlling or pore-blurring primers can help reduce shine and keep makeup in place.

Is primer good for dry skin?

Yes, hydrating or glow-boosting primers can help foundation sit more smoothly and reduce the look of dry patches.

Does primer clog your pores?

Primer does not automatically clog pores, but heavy formulas can feel too much for oily or acne-prone skin. Choose a suitable formula and cleanse thoroughly.

Explore Justmylook’s range of primers to find the best formula for your skin type, from mattifying and pore-blurring favourites to hydrating, smoothing and glow-boosting picks.