In This Story:
- The Ingredients to Look For in a Hydrating Primer
- Tips To Choose A Primer For Dry Skin
- The Many Benefits Of Using Primer
- Praush Beauty Silk Blur Moisturizing Primer
- Quench Bravocado Moisturizing Primer
- Pixi +Rose Radiance Perfector
- Kay Beauty Illuminating Primer Drops
- Bobbi Brown Face Base
- Paese Cosmetics Illuminating Make-up Base
- Smashbox Photo Finish PRIMERIZER+ Hydrating Primer
- Clinique Even Better Light Reflecting Primer
- Insight Cosmetics Prime ‘N Perfect Hydrating Primer
- M.A.C Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Base Lumière
- FAQs
The prime purpose of a primer is to enhance your base for long-wearing, budge-proof makeup – it effortlessly blurs enlarged pores and refines skin texture. But as it goes with any other beauty offering, primer formulations, too, differ based on your skin type and concerns. While greasy skin will benefit from a mattifying, oil-controlling primer, a parched epidermis will take to a more moisturising variant. In fact, research has shown that a multifunctional primer can be effective in the treatment of mild-to-moderate hyperpigmentation and fine lines associated with photodamage when used over 12 weeks. Read on to learn more about the ingredients you should look for in a hydrating primer, followed by our editor-approved picks.
The Ingredients to Look For in a Hydrating Primer
It’s safe to say that a primer is a non-negotiable in your pre-foundation prep routine. And if you suffer from dryness, you must turn to hydration heroes that compensate for lost moisture and keep flaking and fallouts at bay. Scan your product label for ingredients, including glycerine, hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, squalene, shea butter, vitamins, probiotic extracts, and other antioxidants. Hyaluronic acid is known to prompt skin hydration and curb facial photoaging. To save you the hassle, I’ve rounded up my top recommendations, specifically for dry skin.
Tips To Choose A Primer For Dry Skin
When it comes to picking a primer for dry skin, scrounge for one boasting ultra-hydrating ingredients that’ll restore moisture loss and support skin barrier health. Look for skin-soothing elements such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, shea butter, and aloe vera, and avoid a formula delivering a matte finish. A primer promising a matte finish can exacerbate flaking and dryness. Additionally, you should opt for a multi-purpose formula that lends SPF protection, provides an even-toned finish, and fights signs of premature ageing.
The Many Benefits Of Using Primer
Primers are a prerequisite for makeup application, offering benefits aplenty. Below, we discuss a few of the many benefits primers provide:
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Even-Toned Finish: First off, a primer works by blurring enlarged pores and refining skin texture to give you a smooth canvas.
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Enhanced Skin Texture: The nourishing properties of your primer can also help improve the overall appearance of skin texture, targeting dryness and dullness among other common skin concerns.
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Long-Wearing Base: Primers are designed to extend the wear of your makeup by setting your base in place and shielding the skin from chipping or peeling.
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Regulates Sebum Production: Believe it or not, a primer can help control sebum oversecretion, owing to the presence of silicone which delivers mattifying properties.
Praush Beauty Silk Blur Moisturizing Primer
Imbued with hyaluronic acid and avocado extracts, Praush Beauty’s 2-in-1 moisturiser-cum-primer lends you an Instagram filter-like finish, blurring away pesky pores and offering an unmistakable glow. The lightweight, non-comedogenic formula also lends anti-ageing properties, owing to avocado extracts, and intensely moisturises and plumps your skin.
Quench Bravocado Moisturizing Primer
Ensure smooth makeup application with Quench’s ultra-moisturising offering. The formula delivers long-term hydration and radiance, boasting vitamin E, squalene, and panthenol that brighten skin texture and boost glow. If you’re scrounging for a reasonably priced primer that does the job, your search ends here.
Pixi +Rose Radiance Perfector
Another hydrating formula for a delicately tinted, rosy complexion, Pixi’s +Rose Radiance Perfector delivers on its promise of adequately moisturising your epidermis for a healthy glow. Cruelty-free, paraben-free, and packed with skin-loving ingredients, this luxe offering ensures your makeup stays put while also blurring imperfections and lending a pearlescent luminosity.
Kay Beauty Illuminating Primer Drops
Katrina’s brainchild, Kay Beauty, presents another best-selling product suitable for all Indian skin types. Available in four glimmering shades, invite this multi-tasking makeup offering to your vanity kit today. The pearlescent formula, infused with hyaluronic acid, helps makeup last all day, delivering a luminous finish for a lit-from-within glow.
Bobbi Brown Face Base
The Bobbi Brown Face Base, another 2-in-1 moisturising primer, promises to lend the goodness of vitamins E, B, and C and hyaluronic acid to suitably prime and hydrate your skin. As per consumer testing, 96% of users claimed that the formulation left their skin feeling adequately moisturised throughout the day, while 95% agreed that it gripped makeup for long-wear application.
Paese Cosmetics Illuminating Make-up Base
Meet this illuminating primer with micro-pigments for a flawless base. Paese Cosmetics’ Illuminating Make-up Base camouflages mature lines, curbs oiliness, improves skin elasticity, prevents damage to collagen fibres, and nourishes your skin while guaranteeing long-lasting makeup. Vegan and cruelty-free, this offering is also dermatologically tested for those who purchase their beauty products after considerable deliberation.
Smashbox Photo Finish PRIMERIZER+ Hydrating Primer
This hybrid beauty offering helps you achieve your skin goals by blurring imperfections, shielding against pollution and blue light damage, and hydrating for up to 72 hours. This luxury product will make your makeup look and feel 10x better, enriched with a skin-strengthening complex boasting niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, algae, vitamins, probiotic extracts, and antioxidants.
Clinique Even Better Light Reflecting Primer
Illuminate, hydrate, and lock in your look with Clinique’s high-performance product featuring potent ingredients, including vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and acetylglucosamine. As per the findings of a clinical test conducted over eight weeks, 82% of consumers reported radiant-looking bare skin, while 88% attest that it helped make their skin appear more even-toned.
Insight Cosmetics Prime ‘N Perfect Hydrating Primer
If you want to set your makeup in place and improve its longevity, invest in this humbly-priced formulation today. This toxin-free homegrown brand presents a hydrating primer with a moisture-reserve technology that extends the wear of your makeup while delivering a healthy dose of hydration.
M.A.C Prep + Prime Natural Radiance Base Lumière
Indulge in a luxury experience with this silicone-free, silky gel emulsion that prep, primes, and hydrates to promote a smooth, even-toned skin texture. Power-packed with vitamins C and E and caffeine, the formula melts into your epidermis upon application, delivering a sheer film for long-lasting foundation. While the radiant yellow shade is ideal for deep skin tones, radiant pink works wonders for fairer complexions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to apply primer before the foundation?
While it isn’t necessary to use a primer prior to foundation application, it is recommended for those who wish to extend the wear of their makeup while reaping the benefits multi-purpose primers have to offer.
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Can I use moisturiser as primer, and vice versa?
First things first, be sure to never skimp on moisturiser. While you may choose to apply moisturiser for a hydrated base, it won’t work to blur your pores or extend the wear of your makeup. Similarly, while your primer may boast hydrating ingredients, it in no way substitutes for your moisturiser.
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Which is the best primer for dry skin?
Aside from our above suggestions, you can try my personal favourite formula – the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'R Hydrating Primer, which quenches parched skin, leaving your epidermis feeling incredibly silky and comfortable. Lightweight yet moisture-rich!
