The best face primers to blur pores, smooth skin and keep your makeup from melting off
I always say that if a beauty genie granted me three wishes, one of them would be to have smaller pores. Until that genie shows up, I’m thankful for face primer. The best primers are my secret weapon for flawless makeup, especially when tackling common aging skin concerns I share with my over-40 sisters, like fine lines, uneven texture and large pores. These days, foundation primers are such a key part of my makeup routine that I can’t believe I ever went without them. I take this particular part of my makeup routine very, very seriously, mostly because I’ve seen these products yield results.
If you’ve ever been disappointed by how an otherwise amazing foundation slides around or settles into fine lines, a good primer may be the beauty step you’ve been missing. That’s because, once you hit your 40s, foundation alone can’t do the heavy lifting of smoothing and perfecting your complexion. As our skin changes — and becomes drier, thinner and more textured — a primer better allows your makeup to perform as it once did. These products can smooth, hydrate and prep your skin so every layer that follows not only looks better, but lasts longer too.
There are hundreds of primers out there, but, believe me, not all are created equal! Finding the right one will depend on your skin’s specific needs and wants, whether that’s a pore-blurring matte or a hydrating, dewy option. Below, I’ve rounded up our top-tested picks to give your skin a perfect foundation (pun intended) for whatever makeup you choose.
Table of contents
Other face primers we recommend
What to look for in a face primer
The best face primer of 2025
E.l.f.
Key ingredients: Squalane | Formulation: Cream | Finish: Natural | Size: .74 oz
Meet my emotional support primer, the E.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer. I’ve tried more pore-blurring products than I can count, and most of them either dry me out or sit heavy on my skin like spackle. This one is different. The balm-to-silk texture melts in as soon as you warm the product between your fingers and it instantly softened the look of my large pores without clinging to the random dry patches on my face. There’s a reason why I’ve used this primer for years.
What makes it extra effective for my skin is the addition of squalane — a hydrating ingredient that leaves your face feeling dewier throughout the day without that tight, chalky feeling that some mattifying primers leave behind. Instead, E.l.f’s primer smoothed my skin and gave it a natural, soft-focus finish that allowed my foundation to glide on effortlessly. Even on the days when I felt lazy and skipped base makeup altogether, I pressed a little of this into my T-zone just for the blurred, polished effect.
It also has serious staying power: by evening, my makeup still looks intact, not like it’s been swallowed up by my pores or creased into my fine lines. Honestly, if you told me this came from a luxury brand at triple the price, I’d believe it. It’s that good! For anyone juggling the fun double-whammy of visible pores and dehydrated skin, this little $10 pot is proof that drugstore products can absolutely compete with prestige. Another big bonus? These specific primers come in a variety of finishes and focuses, including matte, luminous and acne-fighting, so you can fully customize your base prep.
- Affordable
- Performance rivals more expensive brands
- Excellent blurring effect on pores and lines
- Extends foundation wear
- Comes in a pot, so not as hygienic as a pump bottle
- Slightly heavier texture than liquid primers
- Can feel drying on super-dehydrated skin
$10 at Amazon
Other top face primers we recommend for 2025
Tarte
Key ingredients: Dimethicone, snow mushroom, hyaluronic acid, apple fruit extract | Formulation: Cream | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 oz
If pores are a major concern for you, take it from me — a good blurring primer will change your life. The Tarte Face Tape Smoothing Primer is basically a disappearing act for my pores and fine lines. It instantly smooths them away, giving that soft-focus, almost airbrushed effect before I’ve even applied foundation. It’s seriously magic.
The formula is thoughtful, too. Unlike many heavier pore-blurring formulas, this one has a silky texture that melts into skin rather than sitting on top. It’s infused with vitamin-rich snow mushroom, which is rich in fatty acids and known for hydrating skin. On top of that, it has hyaluronic acid for an additional moisture boost, as well as apple fruit extract, which can help brighten and smooth your complexion. While its main focus is blurring, I find it also gives my makeup more longevity. Foundation doesn’t sink into my smile lines by mid-afternoon, and my skin looks fresher for longer. (It does rely on dimethicone for that smoothing effect, so if you avoid silicones, keep that in mind.)
- Instantly smoothes pores and fine lines
- Extends foundation up to 12 hours
- Comes in a mess-free pump bottle
- Silky texture feels good on the skin
- Pricier than drugstore primers
- Very dry skin might want something more hydrating
$34 at Amazon
Bobbi Brown
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, shea butter | Formulation: Cream | Finish: Radiant | Size: 1.7 oz
We all know mature skin needs lots of hydration, especially when it comes to makeup. There’s nothing worse than applying your favorite foundation only to have it look splotchy and be hard to blend. The Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base acts as both a rich moisturizer and a makeup base, creating a velvety canvas that allowed my foundation to effortlessly slide on. On mornings when my skin felt extra parched, I smoothed on a thin layer of this, and it looked like I’d just given my face a tall glass of water with a touch of glow.
The ingredients in this one provide extra support to mature skin: shea butter and squalane deliver deep hydration, while hyaluronic acid plumps things up so foundation doesn’t sink into wrinkles. Vitamins B, C and E give it a real skin care backbone, promoting collagen production and protecting against environmental stressors while brightening and soothing irritation. The cream itself is definitely rich, but still doesn’t feel greasy.
I’ll admit I did feel indulgent every time I dipped into the $69 jar, but, while this primer is definitely a splurge, it’s one that made a big difference in how my makeup looked and how my skin felt throughout the day.
- Rich, nourishing texture ideal for drier, mature skin
- Doubles as moisturizer and primer in one step
- Creates a cushiony base that prevents foundation from clinging
- Contains bonus high-quality skin care ingredients
- Heavier texture may not suit oilier or breakout-prone skin types
- Higher price point than most primers
- Has a natural citrus scent, but might be too strong for some
$69 at Sephora
Saint Jane
Key ingredients: Zinc oxide, desert rose, jasmine, green tea | Formulation: Cream | Finish: Natural | Size: 1.7 oz
Unlike some SPF primers that exaggerate fine lines or cling to dryness around my nose and chin, Saint Jane Luxury Sun Ritual Pore Smoothing Primer did the opposite. The satiny-lotion-meets-serum texture glided on and was the ideal base for foundation, softening my rougher skin patches while entirely diffusing the look of any big pores.
The formula here is skin care in disguise. It has antioxidant-rich botanicals like green tea and jasmine to calm redness and even out skin tone, plus SPF 30 for the sun protection I wish I’d taken more seriously in my 20s and early 30s. Instead of settling into creases, it gave my skin a hydrated feel that lasted through the entire day. While my makeup did layer beautifully on top, this is another primer I’d wear solo for a subtle skin-filtered effect.
Yes, at $38, it’s a tad pricey, but when a primer doubles as skin care, sun defense and a complexion perfector, it feels more like an investment in how my skin looks now and later. Bottom line: For anyone navigating the annoying skin cocktail of dryness, rough texture and sun sensitivity that comes with mature skin, this is one of those rare primers that truly multitasks performs on all fronts.
- Sun protection, primer and moisturizer in one
- Blurs pores
- Lightweight texture
- Contains SPF 30
- Satiny finish
- Pricier than drugstore primers
- Contains natural fragrance that might not work for sensitive noses
$38 at Amazon
How we tested face primers
I’m a longtime beauty writer and editor and I’ve honestly reviewed more primers over the years than I can count. I’m also a bit of a primer die-hard. They have truly been a game-changer for my routine, so I take primer testing very seriously. For this story, I tried more than a dozen face primers across price points — from drugstore staples to luxury formulas from brands that promised to help give my foundation an “IRL filter” finish. I wore each primer with foundation, as well as tinted moisturizers and even on bare skin. I evaluated them based on the following:
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Application: Did the primer glide on smoothly and blend in without tugging, or did it emphasize dry patches and fine lines?
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Texture: Was it lightweight and silky, or heavy and waxy? Did it create a smooth, comfortable canvas for makeup without feeling like an extra layer?
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Hydration: Since mature skin often tends to be drier, I looked for primers that added a boost of moisture. Did it keep my skin plump throughout the day, or did my makeup settle into creases by lunchtime?
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Blurring power: As a “person of large pore” (as I like to describe myself), this was the big test. Did the formula camouflage them as well as soften fine lines and smooth uneven texture, or did it do the opposite and exaggerate them once I applied my foundation?
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Ingredients: I also paid close attention to ingredients, especially ones that can help make a difference for over-40 skin. Did the formula offer any skin care benefits in addition to enhancing makeup hold?
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Longevity: How well did the primer extend the wear of makeup? Did it prevent foundation from fading, sliding or creasing after a full day of different activities?
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Compatibility: How did each primer play with the different base products and sunscreens I put on my face? Did it layer seamlessly, or cause the foundation to pill and separate?
Other primers we tested that didn’t make the cut
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer: This is a longtime favorite for instantly blurring pores and combating shine. For over-40 skin the silicone-heavy formula can be a little drying (I loved it more when I was younger (and my skin was less dry). However, I’ll sometimes use it as a spot treatment, especially on my nose, rather than across my entire face.
Tarte Timeless Smoothing Primer: This was actually tied in first place with its winning sister product, the Tarte Face Tape Smoothing Primer. This one is equally effective (especially on pores), but the liquid is slightly more hydrating, and the pump packaging makes it easier and quicker to apply all over.
NYX Face Glue: If we had a best packaging category, this would definitely win, since it cleverly resembles the white glue from grade school. While the grip is strong, it’s great for longevity, but mature skin might prefer something more moisturizing for everyday wear. Think of it as more of a performance primer than a hydrating one.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip: I really like the grip on this, as it helped my foundation stay in place, even in extremely sweaty weather. Plus, the gel-based formula contains aloe water and hyaluronic acid for serious hydration. However, the slightly tacky finish might not be for everyone.
Benefit The Porefessional Face Primer: This is such a classic product that it might have been the first primer I ever used. It’s famous for pore-blurring magic, but I found it worked better when I was younger and my skin wasn’t as dry as it is now. Unfortunately, this one settled into my fine lines instead of smoothing them out.
What to look for in a primer
Hydration: Keep skin plump and moisturized
As skin matures, dryness and loss of elasticity become more noticeable, which can make foundation settle into fine lines, causing creasing and patchiness. A primer with hydrating ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid, like our E.l.f and Tarte picks, helps plump and smooth the surface so makeup glides on more evenly.
Skin concerns: Target your priorities
Primers are no longer one-size-fits-all. If your main concern is fine lines or pores (like mine), look for a blurring primer with silicones, like our Tarte winner. For dullness, look for radiance-boosting formulas, like the Bobbi Brown one we love. For redness or uneven tone, a color-correcting primer (green for redness, peach for sallowness) can balance your complexion before foundation even goes on.
Texture: Lightweight but effective
The best primer won’t ever feel heavy or mask-like. For mature skin, look for silky, lightweight formulas that melt in rather than sitting on top. A good primer should create a smooth, cushiony base that feels comfortable under makeup. Never tight, heavy or greasy!
Ingredients: Skin care benefits included
Modern primers often double as skin care, and that’s a major bonus for over-40 skin. Look for hydrating humectants, antioxidants (vitamin C or green tea) or peptides that support healthy-feeling skin over time. Some, like our Saint Jane Beauty winner, even include SPF, offering protection and priming in one step.
Compatibility: Plays well with your routine
A primer should be the peacekeeper between skin care and makeup, not the troublemaker! It should layer seamlessly over your moisturizer and sunscreen while gripping your foundation without pilling. If you favor lighter bases like tinted moisturizers or skin tints, make sure the primer isn’t too heavy or mattifying.
Finish: Dewy, matte or radiant?
Your finish should match your skin goals. If you want to revive glow, choose a radiant, hydrating primer, like our Bobbi Brown pick. If you’re oily in the T-zone but dry elsewhere, a balancing or semi-matte formula, like our Tarte pick can help. The key is avoiding extremes. Overly matte primers can emphasize texture, while overly shimmery ones can spotlight fine lines.
Face Primer FAQs
Do I really need a primer?
While not strictly necessary, a good primer can make a noticeable difference. As skin matures, texture, fine lines and dryness become more prominent. A primer smooths the surface, helps makeup glide on more evenly and keeps foundation from settling into creases.
What kind of primer is best for mature skin?
Hydrating and smoothing primers tend to work best for over-40 skin. If dryness is your main concern, look for formulas with hyaluronic acid, squalane or other hydrating ingredients. If pores and fine lines are your big issue, a blurring primer is a great choice. Radiance-boosting primers can also bring back the glow that naturally diminishes with age.
Will primer make my makeup look cakey?
Not if you choose the right formula! A lightweight, hydrating primer can actually prevent a cakey look by giving foundation a smoother surface to cling to. Problems usually arise if the primer and foundation don’t play well together (like pairing a silicone-heavy primer with a water-based foundation).
Can I wear primer without foundation?
Absolutely! Many primers are multi-tasking products, enhancing skin with hydration, blurring, SPF and more. On no-makeup days, a primer can make skin look refreshed and more even-toned without the weight of foundation.
Where does primer fit in my routine?
Simply apply primer after your skin care (including sunscreen) and before foundation or tinted moisturizer.
How much primer should I use?
A pea-sized amount is usually enough for the whole face. Using too much can cause piling or a heavy feel under foundation. Apply lightly with your fingers, focusing on areas where makeup tends to settle (like around the nose, mouth and forehead).
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.