If you possess overactive sebaceous glands, you always run the risk of your makeup melting off your face. While oil-absorbing compact powders may temporarily soak up the greasiness, a more foolproof solution is vital. Here’s where an oil-controlling primer comes in. Curbing shine and lending a mattified base, the humble primer helps create a clear canvas for makeup application and ensures that your products don’t budge.
Why Prep Your Skin With a Primer?
Primers blur your pores and refine skin texture, creating a smooth base for makeup application. Plus, they keep oil production in check, limiting the possibility of your makeup sliding off your face. For those of you prone to skin greasiness, enlarged pores, and redness, primers offer you a mattified base and extend the wear time of your makeup. They are the Photoshop of the makeup world, so to speak. Scroll on – we’ve rounded up the best pore-blurring primers for oily skin types.
Active-Infused
Rating: 4.4
Price: INR 545
The Derma Co. Pore Minimizing Primer boasts a harmonious blend of 2% niacinamide, vitamin E, and Seboclear MP for even-toned and textured skin. While niacinamide addresses dark spots, vitamin E lends moisturising and healing properties to your skin. Meanwhile, Seboclear MP restricts excess oil production and treats blackheads, leaving your skin looking smooth.
Non-Comedogenic
Price: INR 2,195
A 2-in-1 formulation packaged in a fully recyclable glass bottle, The Body Shop’s Hemp Serum-in-Primer guarantees extended makeup wear – up to 12 hours – while locking in moisture for up to 24 hours. Smudge-proof and sweat-resistant, 87% of users claimed that their skin felt smoother post-use, 79% reported hydrated and plump skin, and 81% agreed that makeup application was more seamless.
Mattifying and Waterproof
Rating: 4.4
Price: INR 701
Blur away blemishes and ace your base with Lakmé Absolute’s Blur Perfect Makeup Primer, which helps effectively blend makeup. The waterproof formula zaps up excess oil and needn’t be layered with a foundation, owing to its tinted finish. Squeeze some product onto your palm, dab it over your skin, and blend for a flawless, mattified finish.
Worth the Splurge
Rating: 4.4
Price: INR 4,400
A cult classic, Smashbox’s The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Foundation Primer is enriched with vitamins A and E to give your skin a soft-focus finish. The velvety gel formulation melts onto the skin, smoothing fine lines and blurring pores for seamless application and blending of makeup. After a week of use, 93% of users saw blurred imperfections, while 95% claimed it helped with easy makeup application. This product also creates a barrier on the epidermis to protect against environmental pollutants and other external aggressors.
#1 Bestseller
Rating: 4.4
Price: INR 225
Super-affordable and effective, Nykaa’s Prep Me Up! Face Primer is a lightweight formulation that instantly blurs away pores and fine lines for an even-textured complexion. Ideal for all skin types, this primer is enriched with vitamin E to neutralise free radicals and facilitate skin health. The gel-based texture seamlessly glides on your skin to fill in pores and conceal other blemishes.
Dermatologically-Approved
Rating: 4.4
Price: INR 750
This mega multitasking product intensifies powder pigments, instantly hydrates your skin, and sets your makeup in place for up to 12 hours. You can also spritz it on after applying makeup application for a quick refresh. Non-acnegenic and dermatologically approved, M.A.C Cosmetics’ Prep + Prime Fix+ is a beauty bag staple that comes in a travel-friendly size for ease and portability.
India Proud
Rating: 4
Price: INR 575
This homegrown offering by multi-hyphenate Katrina Kaif is available in five colour-correcting shades to address myriad skin concerns, ranging from dullness and redness to skin pigmentation. The 100% silicone-free product lends your skin a healthy boost of hydration and relies on light-diffusing technology for a high-definition, mattified base.
Editor’s Pick
Rating: 4.3
Price: INR 700
The Ordinary’s High-Adherence Silicone Primer contains advanced adaptive silicones to act as a mattifying agent for a soft-focus finish. The non-greasy hydrator also diminishes the appearance of pores and imperfections for a spotless base. Alcohol-free, oil-free, nut-free, vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, it’s the ideal pick for oily skin types.
