When I first heard about primer, I’ll admit I wasn’t sold on adding another step to my regime. But after giving it a shot, I noticed it helped my makeup stay on longer and look less cakey, and I stopped breaking out as much.
Primer acts as a barrier between your skin and your makeup. It can help by stopping your makeup from seeping into the lines and pores on your face and, depending on the product you use, prevent impurities from popping up. Some people even use primer to smooth unruly eyebrows.
Everyone’s skin is different, so it’s all about finding the best primer for you. There are different options for all skin types. If you’re oily, you’ll want to lean into a mattifying primer to prevent shine. But if you’re dry, you’ll want a product with hydrating properties.
People with dry skin will know it sucks spending time putting on makeup only for it to flake off. Fortunately, there’s a range of primers out there for dry skin. In this article, we’ve listed a variety of the best primers for dry skin that have wide-spread good reviews.
10. The Ordinary’s High-Adhesive Silicone Primer
Product: The Ordinary’s High-Adhesive Silicone Primer
Cost: $8.80
This silicone primer is great to help your makeup last all day and is very affordable. “Silicones themselves can benefit the skin and hair because of their conditioning properties, emolliency, and ability to prevent water loss by creating a breathable barrier,” explains Sejal Shah, a NYC-based dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology. Silicone is hypoallergenic and is effective when filling in pores and lines.
Review: I purchased this primer about five months ago, and I’m only a third of the way through the product. It feels light, breathable, and I find myself using less makeup.
Buy it from Adore Beauty.
9. Becca’s First Light Priming Filter Face Primer
Product: Becca’s First Light Priming Filter Face Primer
Cost: $32
This primer comes in a lavender pearl shade that aims to brighten dullness. It’s hydrating with ginger, sodium hyaluronate and prickly pear flower.
Review: “It’s a light-weight, moisturising, and brightening primer. The lavender colour discreetly neutralises yellow undertones. You can wear it alone or under makeup for a subtle glow.” – Review via Sephora.
Buy it at Sephora.
8. e.l.f.’s Hydrating Face Primer
Product: e.l.f.’s Hydrating Face Primer
Cost: $16
Cruelty-free and vegan, e.l .f’s hydrating face primer uses grape extracts and vitamins A, C, and E for anti-aging benefits. While hydrating, it also reduces the appearance of fine lines so that your makeup goes on smooth. And it helps prevent makeup from oxidising (AKA going orange).
Review: “It actually gave me a nice matte, dewy finish. However, I would recommend you only use it lightly on the oilier areas, and one pump is enough for the whole face.” – Review via Westside.
Buy it at e.l.f. Cosmetics.
7. Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra Primer
Product: Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra Primer
Cost: $90
This creamy mousse primer uses hyaluronic acid to keep your skin from drying out and can be used to prime eyes and lips. The only con is that $90 for a primer is, well, intense. If you can’t afford it, I’d recommend buying a cheaper primer. You could get a sample of Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra Primer from Mecca and only use it on special occasions. Wink.
Review: “This is one of my favourite primers (and I have many) as it manages to both keep nose shine at bay and stop foundation from caking up due to dryness and is very forgiving on mature skin.” – Review via Makeup Alley.
Buy it at Mecca.
6. Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer
Product: Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer
Cost: $58
This award-winning primer is meant to have a soft-focus effect and creates a smooth surface. It’s water-based with silicone.
Review: “I have super oily and sensitive skin, a dreaded combination because most acne care products dry my skin out too much. After years of trying other primers, I finally found this one. This is great for my sensitive skin and doesn’t dry me out like some other acne-treatment products do.” – Review via Sephora.
Buy it at Mecca.
5. LUMA’s Base Perfecting Priming Moisturiser
Product: LUMA’s Base Perfecting Priming Moisturiser
Cost: $29.95
Made by Australian brand LUMA, this illuminating primer and moisturiser combo is enhanced with hyaluronic acid, jojoba and sweet almond oil to help keep you hydrated.
Review: “The crushed pearl imparts a soft, healthy glow to the skin.” – Review via My Beauty Heroes.
Buy it at Priceline.
4. Maybelline’s Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Product: Maybelline’s Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Cost: $13.50
An affordable drugstore product, Maybelline’s Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is loved by many. Oil-free and shine-free with cherry extract, this primer will moisturise your skin while smoothing out pores.
Review: “I really like this primer for dry skin. I would say the one thing to be cautious about is the amount of product you use, especially if you are oily. If you apply too much your makeup will not stay in place, and you’ll be doing more harm than good.” – Review via Influenster.
Buy it at Chemist Warehouse.
3. Glossier’s Priming Moisturiser
Product: Glossier’s Priming Moisturiser
Cost: $45
Glossier’s priming moisturiser is one of the best. With tea and honey for anti-redness, this product is dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free and non-comedogenic (meaning it won’t clog pores). It features hyaluronic acid and a “mushroom super hydrator” to keep your skin moisturised as well as antioxidant vitamins A, C, E and radish root.
Review: “Simple, glowy, I use it as an everyday moisturiser. I find skin looks plump and dewy quite far into the day.” – Review via Makeup Alley.
Buy it on eBay.
2. Milk Makeup’s Hyrdo Grip
Product: Milk Makeup’s Hyrdo Grip
Cost: $36
Trying to keep your makeup intact under the Australian sun is no easy feat, but this hydrating primer could be your summer fix. The award-winning product contains cannabis extract and hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin. Blue agave extract grips the makeup and seals in moisture, while prickly pear cactus extract and aloe water sooth the skin.
Review: “I have never really been a primer person; each one I try breaks me out and doesn’t seem to do anything. This looks and feels great when it first goes on. It does feel very sticky, but I think that’s the “grip” part, and it really does hold your makeup on.” – Review via Sephora.
Buy it on eBay.
1. Inika’s Pure Primer
Product: Inika’s Pure Primer
Cost: $65
Another Australian favourite, this vegan primer contains Apricot Kernel Oil to tone the skin, vitamin A and E, jojoba seed oil that controls oil and hyaluronic acid. Great for sensitive skin, dermatologists recommend it, and it’s tough to find a bad review!
Review: “This product is hypoallergenic and certified organic. It is easy to blend you won’t feel it in your skin and works wonders! I have enlarged pores and let me tell you! No one will see it when I wear this primer. Excellent product for your skin, especially if you’re are trying to find eco-friendly brands.” – Review via Influenster.
Buy it from Adore Beauty.
Looking for more tips on caring for dry skin? Then here are the best moisturisers with SPF protection.
Disclaimer: New Idea did not receive a commission from any of these brands. These products were selected via user review.
