Is your makeup routine lacking something? Do you find yourself wishing you could have smoother skin before applying makeup? Then consider using a primer for your combination skin! Makeup primer helps you to smooth your skin and combat shine. It helps prepare your face for whichever makeup routine you choose to use. I can’t live without mine!
If your skin is anything like mine, on different days it can be dry or it can be oily. My combination skin requires a special primer to help it look its best! In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite best primers for combination skin!
9 Best Primers for Combination Skin
1. TULA Probiotic Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer [Editor’s Choice]
Suffering from dry skin as a result of your cosmetics is rough. Fortunately, TULA’s Probiotic Skin Care primer moisturizes your face to keep it from drying out.
Vacation Vibes
Who doesn’t want to look like they’ve been on the beach all day? Upon application of this primer, it releases “glow particles” that give you that sun-kissed skin as if you’ve been at the beach!
Proven Probiotics
Probiotics and other powerful ingredients infuse your skin with the power to radiate health for a balanced glow.
Skin-Loving Ingredients
Other ingredients such as turmeric, chia seeds, probiotics, prebiotics, licorice, and others to whisk away redness and uneven tones in all skin types.
Filter-Like Finish
Become immediately Instagram-worthy with this primer! Your warm-toned skin will glow like the sun, and you’ll be ready to share your gorgeous face with the world!
Overall
This my favorite best primer for combination skin, unlike other primers in this list, the TULA primer enhances your skin with a sun-kissed, filter-like finish that helps your face radiate health and beauty.
Skin-loving ingredients like probiotics and turmeric nourish and hydrate your skin while hiding redness, uneven tone, and other skin blemishes. It blurs your fine lines and pores.
Your face will be ready for the spotlight! Keep in mind, however, that this primer is a little more expensive than other options in this list.
2. Dual-Action Face Primer (Vitamin C+ Hyaluronic Acid), Monica Ann Beauty
If you’re worried about the effects of a primer on your combination skin, you’ll love the Dual-Action face primer from Monica Ann Beauty. Its formula, complete with some of the ingredients on the market today, helps to smooth and soften your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is known as one of the best anti-aging ingredients on the market. It offers a vibrant, youthful glow that improves the appearance of skin over time. Hyaluronic acid plumps and hydrates the skin.
Stunning Matte Coverage
The translucent matte coverage reduces pores, redness, and wrinkles. It can also be worn on its own or under makeup as part of your daily routine.
Brighten Up Your Day
The primer also contains Vitamin C to brighten the skin by boosting your skin’s collagen production.
Benefits Cancer Research
With every purchase of this product, a portion of the proceeds go towards cancer research. You know your purchase is going to benefit a worthwhile cause.
Overall
This primer is great for combination skin. The dual-action formula infused with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid help brighten, hydrate, and plump skin. The matte helps to reduce pores, redness, and wrinkles, enhancing your skin’s natural brightness and radiance.
This product won’t irritate your skin so it’s safe for everyday use. It does, however, give off a powdery scent that some people may not like.
3. DHC Velvet Skin Coat
The DHC Velvet Skin Coat primer is a highly-rated and loved beauty product and for good reason. This product instantly softens and improves the look of your skin. This is a great primer for uneven combination skin.
Beautiful Skin With or Without Makeup
No matter if you decide to wear makeup or not, the DHC Velvet Skin primer leaves your skin fresh and flawless all day long.
No Drying Time Needed
Worried that you’ll need to take time out of your morning to let your primer dry? Not with this product! It dries almost immediately so you can apply it and go!
Versatile
This product isn’t just designed for your face! You can also use it on your hands and neck. If you have rough patches or uneven skin, use this product to even out the tone!
Professional-Grade
Professionals across the world use and love this primer. It’s always wise to trust the experts!
Overall
If you’re looking for a good general primer that will help you look your best with or without makeup, look no further than the DHC Velvet Skin Coat primer.
It needs little to no drying time so you can get on with your day quickly! You can also use this primer on your hands and neck.
Professionals love this primer, and you will too! Some have said, however, that the primer doesn’t last all day, and you’ll need to touch up pretty regularly.
4. Thank Me Later Primer by Elizabeth Mott
The Thank Me Later primer by Elizabeth Mott lessens the look of pores and fine lines for a flawless complexion day in and day out. It also helps to reduce shine. This is a great all-around product for just about everyone! By far- this is the best primer for combination and textured skin.
Waterproof and Long-lasting
Put it on in the morning and forget it! The waterproof formula will last you throughout the day, keeping your look flawless and stunning! No need to re-apply your makeup if you go out on a Friday night!
Paraben and Cruelty-Free
The Thank Me Later primer does not contain any parabens. Even better, for those who love animals and worry about animal-testing, Elizabeth Mott does not test on animals. They’re even registered with PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program.
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Use this primer worry-free! If you don’t like it or you experience any issues, simply return the product for your money back.
Works for Oily Skin
If oily skin is the bane of your existence, the Thank Me Later primer works wonders! Oily skin practically disappears! No shine, no worries!
Overall
This waterproof, long-lasting primer is a great asset to your makeup routine. Not only does it reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores, but it also helps to minimize shine, creating a pristine complexion that will last you all day!
Elizabeth Mott is also a cruelty-free company in that they don’t test their products on animals. Some have mentioned that it doesn’t last long in hot weather so keep this in mind if you leave in really humid, arid areas. You might find yourself needing to reapply the primer if this occurs.
5. Estee Lauder Illuminating Perfecting Primer Normal/Combination and Dry Skin for Women
Estee Lauder is one of the best cosmetic brands in the world. Their Illuminating Perfecting primer works on normal, combination, and dry skin to brighten and hydrate it.
Soft-Reflection Optics
Soft-reflection optics help reduce the appearance of pores and imperfections, leading to a more smooth and radiant face.
Instant Radiance
Add instant radiance to your skin upon application to enhance both your inner and outer glow with this amazing primer!
Brand Recognition
Estee Lauder is a key brand in the cosmetic industry. They’ve had decades of experience with perfecting their beauty products so you’re sure to achieve astonishing results!
Not Oily or Greasy
Are you worried that your primer will feel greasy or oily on your skin after you apply it? Not with this one! This primer goes on smoothly time after time.
Overall
This is an excellent primer. It helps to immediately illuminate your skin with instant radiance, making your skin glow whether you choose to apply additional makeup or go for a natural look.
The soft-reflection optics help to blur the appearance of pores and imperfections, creating a smooth canvas on which to layer your favorite makeup routine.
This primer, however, does not have a matte finish which is something you might be searching for.
6. e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer
e.l.f. has come onto the market in recent years as an excellent, budget-friendly cosmetic brand. It’s one of my favorites! They offer high-quality makeup at a value price, and their Hydrating Face Primer is no different!
Vitamin Infused
e.l.f. Infuses this primer with grape and Vitamins A, C, and E to help boost and hydrate your skin for a radiant look.
Creates a Lovely Canvas
This primer turns your face into a lovely canvas, perfect for any makeup routine. It minimizes your pores, illuminates, and smooths your complexion.
Safe
The Hydrating Face primer is great for even the most sensitive skin. It is free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Cruelty-Free
The formula is vegan and certified cruelty-free by PETA so you can feel good about using this product.
Overall
This fantastic budget primer is perfect if you’re using a primer for the first time or if you’re looking to spend as little money as possible without sacrificing quality.
The vegan and cruelty-free formula minimizes your pores as well as illuminating and smoothing your complexion.
e.l.f. Is one of my favorite brands, and you’ll find this primer to work and work well! Some have noted that the size of the bottle belies the amount of primer you receive.
7. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
If you desire both quality and value, look no further than the Rimmel Stay Matte primer! The matte finish is designed to leave a flawless, photo-ready complexion.
Matte Finish
The matte coverage minimizes the look of pores, redness, and wrinkles. This primer works well on its own or under your normal makeup routine.
Combats Shine
Shine can make your face appear oily and runny. The matte primer helps to combat shine while still keeping your face radiant.
Long-Lasting, Lightweight Formula
The Rimmel Stay Matte primer will stay on your face for about eight hours, long enough to last through the workday or if you’re going out late at night! It’s lightweight, meaning that it won’t lay heavily on your skin.
Complements Any Skin Tone
The clear tone of this primer complements just about any skin tone.
Overall
The Rimmel Stay Matte primer is a powerful addition to your makeup bag. The primer prolongs the wear of your foundation while combating shine.
The clear tone complements any skin tone, and the lightweight formula feels feathery soft on your skin. The matte finish diminishes the appearance of blemishes, pores, and acne.
You need to ensure to rub-it-in correctly otherwise the primer might appear heavy.
8. TOUCH IN SOL No Pore Blem Primer
Does your combination skin break out or appear rough? The Touch In Sol No Pore primer works to minimize the appearance of pores and blemishes, almost as if by magic!
No Pores No More!
Uneven skin texture can appear unsightly. The Touch In Sol primer offers seamless coverage for pores, wrinkles, and uneven complexion.
Collagen
This formula is infused with soluble collagen to help maintain skin’s natural moisture level and elasticity.
The Power of Tea
Green tea extract helps to protect and energize your skin.
Light and Silky Texture
Treat your skin to the light and silky texture in this great primer. Your skin feels refreshed and smooth after applying this to your face!
Overall
The Touch In Sol primer works to seamlessly cover your skin from pores, blemishes, and wrinkles. The green tea extract and soluble collagen maintains your skin’s natural moisture and elasticity and protects your skin from damage.
The light and silky texture feels lovely on your skin, treating you like the goddess you are. It works to combat oily skin as well. It has been noted that this primer might dry out your skin if you do not use it with a moisturizer.
Related: Best Concealer For Mature Skin
9. NYX Studio Perfect Primer
The NYX Studio Perfect Primer gives you a smooth canvas upon which to add your favorite beauty products. It helps keep your makeup lasting longer and looking fabulous!
Available in Three Shades
This primer comes in three colors: Clear, Lavender, and Green. Use Clear to prime or Lavender or Green to color correct. Lavender works to brighten and illuminate yellow undertones while Green eliminates redness.
Easily Absorbed
The NYX Studio Perfect Primer easily blends and absorbs into your skin and leaves no sticky mess behind!
Smooth Matte Finish
This product leaves a smooth matte finish as a precursor to your daily beauty routine. Pores, wrinkles, and acne almost disappear beneath the matte finish.
Budget-Friendly
Like some other options in this list, the NYX primer works well for anyone who wants an inexpensive option to look their best! You won’t sacrifice quality for price with this primer!
Overall
Many love how easily and smoothly this primer goes onto the skin. It works amazingly well on combination skin. The three different shades address various skin concerns such as redness or yellow undertones.
It’s easily absorbed into the skin so you can ready yourself for the day or for a night out! Some have said the Green shade does not effectively address redness in some cases so you might want to test some out either from a friend or a trial size (if possible) before you commit to buying.
Which Primer is The Best for Combination Skin?
I absolutely LOVE the TULA Probiotic Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer. Although it costs a little more, this primer is absolutely perfect for my skin.
The filter-blurring finish combined with the beach-vibe, sun-loved tone it gives my skin is simply stunning. I can’t tell you how many compliments I’ve received from my friends and family about this primer.
I can either wear it alone for a natural look or layer it under my other cosmetics. It’s a versatile, powerful primer that’s well worth the price.
7 Must-Haves to Keep in Mind When Buying a Primer for Combination Skin
Choosing the right primer can be daunting. Here are some things you should consider when researching primers:
1. Fit for Combination Skin (or Your Specific Skin Type)
All of the primers in this list work extremely well for combination skin. If your skin tends towards oily, dry, or sensitive, however, consider purchasing a primer that specifically mentions that it works for your skin type. There’s nothing worse than buying a primer that dries out your skin or doesn’t mask any pores.
2. The Right Type of Primer
Know what you’d like the primer to accomplish. Do you want one that has anti-aging properties? Illuminates your skin? Do you want your primer to give you a tanned look? Align your desired outcomes with the product to ensure you’re getting the best primer for the job! Just remember that not all primers are designed the same even if they achieve the same purpose.
3. Choose Powerful and Safe Ingredients
The best primers have effective, powerful ingredients such as collagen or probiotics that care for your skin, keeping it nourished and healthy. Others will have hyaluronic acid to help with aging. Still others have vitamins that help brighten or hydrate skin to enhance your inner beauty! Some others might have irritants that can damage your skin. Make sure to check the label to see if there’s anything that might cause your skin to react.
We recommend keeping away from products that contain preservatives such as sulfates or parabens that are known to damage sensitive skin.
4. Brand Matters
When purchasing a primer, I recommend you consider which brand makes the primer. While most primers work, purchasing from a brand you know gives you the peace of mind to know it is a quality product. Some of our favorite brands include e.l.f., Rimmel, TULA, and Nyx.
Other lesser-known brands also create quality products. It just depends on the research you do. Make sure to read reviews and ask your friends for their recommendations!
5. Price Considerations
Some of the best primers don’t require you to break the bank. Try to buy something within your price range. Fortunately, primers come in a wide range of price points. If you’re not sure how much you’ll get with a certain price point, check out the primers in this list – some of them run under $10 while others are a little higher. You’re sure to find something great!
6. Long-Lasting
I highly recommend looking for a primer that lasts at least eight hours. Long-lasting primer decreases the likelihood of you needing to re-apply your makeup throughout the day. It’s important to note, however, that how long a primer remains on your skin depends on the weather, your skin, and the environment.
7. Moisturizing
Try to find something that moisturizes your skin if you don’t plan to use a moisturizer in your cosmetic routine. Too much makeup, or the wrong combination, can irritate and redden your skin. I know it’s important to look beautiful, but you also want to care for your skin at the same time! After all, you should love the skin you’re in!
Conclusion
A primer is the first thing you should put on in your makeup regimen. It sets the stage for your best face by illuminating your skin; diminishing redness, blemishes, lines, and pores; and providing a smooth foundation for the rest of your makeup. Additionally, your skin appears smoother and your cosmetics remain on your face longer.
Finding the right primer can be a challenge. Although primers are a recommended first step, primers as a whole also serve different purposes.
Some possess anti-aging properties. That is, they help combat the semblance of wrinkles and fine lines associated with getting older. Others use a blurring effect to minimize flaws by creating an airbrush effect – these are great for Instagram-worthy selfies!
Others come in different shades to address different concerns. For instance, green combats redness, pink helps to revive a tired complexion, and blue cancels out sallow tones. All in all, they help to erase facial flaws by canceling out facial colors with their counterparts on the color wheel.
Some other primers have an illuminating effect on your face. That is, they enhance and add dimension to different areas on your face such as your cheekbones, brows, or your nose. If you want your skin to glow, illuminating primers work wonders and possibly eliminate the need for foundation!
Overall, primers offer many benefits such as smoothing or hiding flaws, illuminating skin, and combating the effects of aging.
In this article, I’ve shown you some of my favorite primers for combination skin. Combination skin, skin that contains both oily and dry areas, might plague you, but these primers should help nourish, hydrate, moisturize, protect, and illuminate your skin!
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