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While cold weather often leaves skin looking dull, there's a trick to great skin that goes beyond skincare: makeup primer. Unlike the sticky versions of the past, our latest generation primer is an ultra-lightweight hero that blurs pores and fine lines – so much so that you might even choose to skip foundation! Dry or mature skin especially benefits from a hydrating primer that uses hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that leave skin plump, smooth and radiant. Whether you're looking for an everyday glow or want your makeup to look fresh on a night out, primers will quickly become a beauty staple.
Ahead, we've compiled a list of fan favorites at every price point, allowing you to welcome 2025 looking like a glowing goddess. Scroll to shop the right product for you!
14 best moisturizing primers for dry or mature skin
1. Elf Moisturizing Face Primer: With over 26,000 five-star reviews, this creamy formula provides dewy (non-greasy) skin. Rich in grapeseed oil and antioxidants, one Lover wrote“The look was flawless, even around large pores. Flawless. My makeup looked great all day long. — $8 On Amazon!
2. Too Faced Hangover Rejuvenating Face Primer: This fan-favorite primer from Too Faced hydrates, smoothes and brightens skin for a dewy, healthy-looking finish. Exactly what dry skin needs – $42 On Amazon!
3. Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Moisturizing Primer: Rose extracts and glycerin are skincare ingredients that enhance radiance in this primer that keeps the skin hydrated all day long. Use with the brand's legendary tinted moisturizer for perfect skin day and night – $25 At Nordstrom!
4. Grown Alchemist Anti-Pollution Primer: A clean, non-toxic beauty choice, this hydrating primer softens, soothes and protects skin from environmental aggressors. It's silicone-free and shoppers say it dramatically improves complexion, and it works as a skincare product and primer. Register for 40% off — $26 ($42 regularly) at Amazon!
5. Lancôme Primer Serum Makeup Primer: Blurring the line between skincare and makeup, Lancome's primer is packed with hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. This product brightens the skin for a velvety finish and flawless complexion. Only a little is needed! — $46 At Nordstrom!
6. Dermalogica Skin Perfect Primer SPF30: Dermalogica makes some of our favorite skincare, so it's no surprise that their primer also contains active anti-aging and sunscreen ingredients. With a neutral tint for shine and radiance, apply daily to tone down your routine while getting that glow. $59 On Amazon!
7. Estee Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer: Estée Lauder's famous hydrating primer triples skin's moisture, creating radiant, healthy, smooth skin. One fan wrote: “This is the best primer I've used in years, even if you're not wearing any foundation it will give you a beautiful glow.” — $45 At Nordstrom!
8. Burt's Bees Goodness Glow Hydrating and Illuminating Primer: A silicone-free primer made with avocado oil to nourish dry skin, Burt's Bees' choice has shoppers raving about it. “Love this little tube of brightness!” reads one review. Apply under or over makeup for a glow! — $24 At Walmart!
9. Hourglass No. 28 Serum Primer: Enriched with 28 beneficial ingredients to nourish and improve the skin, this primer is another skincare blend. When reviewing the multitasking product, one makeup fan wrote: “This primer has been a godsend for me and my dry skin!!!” – Starting from $24 At Nordstrom!
10. NYX Marshmallow Smoothing Primer: This botanical formula that works to blur wrinkles and pores while hydrating is a quick fix for dry skin. With a soft-focus finish, shoppers call it a “game changer!” — $17 On Amazon!
11. Milani Makeup Facial Primer – Skin Moisturizing: You can easily use a new primer with the formula of hyaluronic acid and coconut water. It has a creamy texture and is cruelty-free. Milani makes a few other primer formulas, including one with SPF and one for facial skin Sensitive skin — $9 (Regularly $11) at Amazon!
12. Tatcha liquid silk fabric: A celebrity-beloved brand, Tatcha Primer uses silky extracts to nourish skin and instantly reduce the appearance of pores, fine lines and blemishes. One shopper books“I'm 58 and have fine lines and oily skin. This really smoothes out the lines and doesn't make them as greasy. My skin is soft, much less oily, and my makeup stays fresh all day. I'm amazed and will buy it again and again!” $54 On Amazon!
13. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer + Moisturizing Primer: Original in a silky smooth primer, the hydrating version of this smashbox product plumps skin with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. The ultra-lightweight gel formula is praised for leaving skin soft and pore-free that lasts for hours – $16 On Amazon!
14. L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Face Primer infused with care serum: Last but not least, this budget-friendly pink cream works to hide pores and fine lines while brightening the complexion. With over 12,000 reviews, one shopper It declares it to be “the best face primer for aging skin.” — $12 (Regularly $14) at Amazon!
