Want to know the best-kept foundation application secret that’s not longer a secret? You should never apply foundation directly over bare skin. Ever. In fact, you shouldn’t think of foundation as your first makeup step ever again because if you aren’t prepping your skin prior to applying foundation, you could wind up with streaky makeup that lasts a few hours maybe, if you’re lucky.
That’s why primer is such an important step in your makeup routine. This is the product that creates a barrier between your skin and your makeup, allowing it to glide on more effortlessly, not sink into pores and fine lines, and stay on longer.
But now that this secret is out, brands have jumped on the bandwagon and you’ll find hundreds of different primers on the market. It has become more difficult than ever before to find a primer that works for you. If you’re over 40 and facing changes in your skin that may include more dryness, fine lines, or even adult acne, take note: these seven primers are amongst the most highly rated and reviewed on Sephora and they’re perfect for mature skin.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Blur Face Primer
It seems smart for Yves Saint Laurent to create a blurring face primer under the same moniker as its beloved Touche Eclat highlighter. The concept is similar here: this primer doesn’t feel like makeup, goes on smoothly with a liquid formula, and provides a radiant finish that will make you question if you even need to add foundation. It contains hydrating ingredients like corn oil, apricot kernel oil, and rice bran oil, and one pump is all you need to cover your face. Wait 10 seconds after applying the primer to apply foundation so that your skin isn’t overly hydrated.
Buy this primer at Sephora for $56.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Makeup Primer
Armani brings you a primer that contains skin-smoothing ingredients and provides a radiant finish. Many reviewers who say they have tried so many different primers admit this is the one that made them look like they had their makeup professionally done. And one reviewer had this to say about how it works on more mature skin: “I use this primer under my Armani luminous silk foundation. So smooth and radiant. My foundation stays put all day long. Makes you look radiant. I am 49 years old.”
Buy this primer at Sephora for $46.
Sephora Smooth + Blur Primer
Sephora’s own primer is a fan favorite with an affordable price tag, to boot. It contains softening gingko extract and vitamin E for hydration and nourishment, with ingredients that blur the look of fine lines and pores. One reviewer gave it the ultimate thumbs up: “I have texture skin with acne scars and I’m always looking for a primer that can help me with that, nothing I’ve tried so far work for me. Until this one, I didn’t have hight expectations but this blurred everything! Like OMG !”
Buy this primer at Sephora for $16.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer
This primer by Laura Mercier has a little bit go everything for mature skin: minerals from France to decrease dullness, glycerin to attract moisture to the skin and plump it up, and hydrating rose extracts. If your skin can’t seem to figure out if it wants to be dry or oily, one review says this is a great primer formula: “This primer is a perfect, simple, hydrating, water-based primer with no pore clogging ingredients and no fragrance. It is so plush, feels like a relief on my skin, and (water-based) makeup always looks so beautiful on top! I have combo skin - it deeply hydrates all my dry areas and prevents dry flakes throughout the day, but it is not greasy and does not make my t-zone any more oily/shiny.”
Buy this primer at Sephora for $46.
Refy Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer with Niacinamide
We love that this primer by Refy is rich in niacinamide, a skincare ingredient that helps balance oils in the skin to prevent acne and increase hydration. It provides a radiant finish and is also recommended for redness, so take heed if you suffer from inflammation or rosacea.
Buy this primer at Sephora for $36.
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide
Gel primers are all the rage and here’s why: even though they feel kind of tacky for a few seconds and take a few applications to get used to, they really and truly help keep foundation and concealer in place for hours. This primer by Milk Makeup is considered a “clean” pick. It contains niacinamide to help brighten skin, and hyaluronic acid for additional moisture.
Make sure you wait a few minutes for the primer to dry before applying foundation- it’s too hydrating to layer right away.
But this primer at Sephora for $38.
Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx® No-Filter Primer
This primer is marketed specifically for anyone who wants to help firm up the skin under the eyes and create a tighter, more youthful look. It is a bit different than other primers though, so make sure you follow the directions carefully.
You have to apply a thin layer of primer and remain expressionless for three to seven minutes while it works its magic. Many reviewers say they notice a tightening effect and that their foundation and concealer go on much smoother. This pick contains a blend of silicates and seaweed extract for hydration and a blurring effect.
Buy this primer at Sephora for $42.
