Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (2025)

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (1)

You might be questioning whether you truly need a primer in your make-up bag, and we get it — adding another step to an already hectic morning routine can seem unnecessary. But here's the thing: these overlooked products could actually solve more than one of your make-up woes.

What does a primer do?

For those new to the concept, a primer is a product you apply after your skincare routine and before your foundation. Its main purpose is to create a smooth base and help your makeup stay in place, preventing smudging or fading throughout the day.

However, depending on the formula, primers can also offer added skincare benefits—like a hydrating boost for dry skin, brightening vitamin C for dull complexions, or mattifying properties for oily skin. Some primers also offer a blurring effect that helps to disguise areas where makeup might otherwise gather. So, choosing the right primer for your skin type is the key to making the most of this makeup-skincare hybrid.

How to use a primer

Once you've applied your skincare and SPF, apply a pea-sized amount of your chosen primer all over the face. Alternatively, feel free to apply pore-blurring, smoothing and mattifying primers only to the areas of your face that need it most. For example, the chin and T-zone.

Best primers for mature skin 2025

Luckily, there are plenty of affordable primers on the market now, as well as more luxe options that many beauty editors swear by like Charlotte Tilbury. Interested in giving one a go? Read on for our pick of the best primers for mature skin to shop now...

1

Best for dull skin

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (12)

We're big fans of Charlotte Tilbury's products here at Prima, and this priming moisturiser can be used to achieve a glowy-looking, long-lasting finish to your makeup or it can be worn alone to brighten up a dull complexion.

Thanks to Charlotte's nifty travel-sized options, you can also try this for less of an outlay before committing to the full size.

2

Best glow primer

Refy Glow and Sculpt Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (13)

The packaging might seem a little futuristic, but we like the no-fuss applicator that allows you to roll the product over your face. This hydrating primer is suitable for all skin types as it adds a healthy-looking glow to any face, feels cool to apply, and provides a great base for your makeup.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3

Best firming primer

ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Insta-Smooth Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (14)

It may be a splurge, but Elemis' Pro-Collagen offering is a great firming buy with a cool-feeling finish. It contains marine extracts to help smooth and tighten the skin, leaving fine lines and wrinkles appearing reduced and your complexion looking fresh.

4

Best for sun protection

Sculpted by Aimee Sculpted Beauty Base Protect SPF 50 Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (15)

Containing SPF50 and peptides to help condition the skin, this mid price point primer is worth the investment. It can be worn on makeup free days to give skin a radiance boost, or added to your makeup routine.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5

Best hydrating primer

Olay Double Action Moisturiser Day Cream and Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (16)

You can always rely on Olay to bring out affordable yet hard-working beauty buys. We like this day cream and primer if you want a low-maintenance option that doesn't require adding a new step into your routine. Thanks to the addition of glycerin, this non-greasy formula helps to lock moisture in the skin.

6

Best smoothing primer

NYX Pore Filler Blurring Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (17)

Containing vitamin E, this smoothing primer is ideal for people who like a lightweight base. It offers a blurring effect that minimises large pores, whilst also giving protection against external aggressors that dry out your skin.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Best protecting primer

Max Factor 3-in-1 Beauty Protect Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (18)

If you spend a lot of time commuting or rushing about the city, then this Max Factor primer could be the one for you. Containing an anti-pollution complex, it helps to protect against the effects of blue light and contains SPF30.

8

Best for dehydrated skin

Erborian Pink Primer and Care

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (19)

Korean skincare brand Erborian has created this pink primer that boasts a creamy texture for easy application and a comfortable-feeling finish. This primer offers hydration to your complexion, leaving parched skin feeling silky soft.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9

Best for newbies

The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (20)

A great budget-friendly buy, The Ordinary's high-adherence silicone primer is a great option for anyone new to this category of beauty buy. If you tend to wear makeup for long periods, then this buy will help to improve the longevity of your base whilst hydrating thirsty skin.

10

Best skincare benefits

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (21)

It's definitely at the pricier end of the scale, but we know people with a variety of different skin types who swear by Bobbi Brown's Vitamin Enriched Face Base.

This hydrating option includes glow-boosting vitamins as its name would suggest, with the ingredients list containing hyaluronic acid, as well as vitamins B5, C and E.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

11

Best blurring primer

No7 Airbrush Away Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (22)

No7's offering is this Airbrush Away primer that smooths and blurs the skin. If you're looking for a primer that reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines, then this beauty helps to keep your makeup looking fresh throughout the day.

12

Best long-lasting primer

e.l.f Power Grip Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (23)

This affordable primer went viral thanks to its ability to grip onto makeup and add a soft focus effect to the skin. We love that it's suitable for all skin types and plumps the appearance of the skin, making it the perfect primer for a tired feeling complexion. What's more, its reasonable price tag makes it a great starting point for anyone new to priming their skin.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

13

Best brightening primer

Clinique Even Better Light Reflecting Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (24)

This silicone-free primer boasts an ingredient list that includes vitamin C and three types of hyaluronic acid. We love it for mature skin thanks to its radiance boosting finish that brightens up a lacklustre-feeling complexion.

14

Best illuminating primer

ICONIC London Underglow Blurring Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (25)

The semi-satin finish on this blurring primer is one reason we love it so much. It's lightweight, making it ideal for anyone who can't stand a heavy feeling on the skin, plus it contains vitamin C to help illuminate your complexion.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

15

Best viral primer

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (26)

This primer went viral on social media for a reason. Cutting through the noise however, we love this one thanks to its ability to really grip on to your makeup, as its very apt name would suggest. It contains a host of ingredients to hydrate your skin too, including aloe water and B vitamins.

Why you should add a primer to your make-up routine (2025)

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 5911

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.