Best Primer for Combination Skin
| Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Revlon - Photoready Perfecting Primer | Our Favorite | Amazon |
 | 2. Rimmel London - Stay Matte Makeup Primer | Premium Pick | Amazon |
 | 3. Philosophy - The Present Invisible Skin Perfector & Oil-Free Makeup Primer | Great Value | Amazon |
 | 4. L’Oreal Paris - Infallible Matte-Lock Mattifying Primer | Amazon | |
 | 5. LORAC Los Angeles - POREfection Mattifying Face Primer | Amazon |
Having combination skin is tricky because you’re dry in some parts and oily in others. That means you need to use products that are suitable for both without making the dry parts drier and the oily parts oilier. For makeup primer, the need to find the right product is even more critical because you need something that hydrates and smoothens in the right areas and minimizes shine in others. Thankfully, there are many primers that do precisely that. You just need to know how to find them.
What to Look for in a Makeup Primer for Combination Skin
When your skin is a combination of oily and dry, there are specific properties you need to look for in a makeup primer. Otherwise, you might end up with something that can’t handle the shine in your T-zone or will simply fade or slide off. Although you’ll need to find products that are compatible with your specific skin chemistry, here are some properties you might want to look for:
Mattifying
A mattifying primer is best on combination skin because it keeps excess shine away and helps your makeup stay on for longer. Additionally, these help you achieve a more natural-looking glow. A good mattifying makeup primer will also seal in moisture to keep dry areas from flaking.
Oil-Free
Additional oil might seem beneficial to the dry areas of your skin but will likely cause you to accumulate grease and shine as the day progresses. When you have combination skin, the best primers are often those with oil-free formulations or those that were developed specifically to address oily skin.
Hydrating
Moisturizing might not sound right, especially if you’re looking for an oil-free product to use on your combination skin. But, there are makeup primers that contain humectants rather than moisturizing oils. Humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid attract water molecules from the air, providing hydration where you need it without aggravating the oily parts of your skin.
Top 5 Makeup Primers for Combination Skin
Given the number of products available out there, finding the best primer for combination skin can be quite challenging. But, here are the makeup primers that have developed a cult following among others with combination skin:
1) Revlon – Photoready Perfecting Primer
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The Photoready Perfecting Primer boasts Revlon’s High Definition Filter Technology, which diffuses as well as reflects light in order to achieve a flawless appearance that looks as if you’ve been airbrushed. The primer itself features a slightly pink tint, which blurs imperfections in your skin as well as brightens it. So, you can actually use it on its own. But, it performs even better when used under makeup as it provides an incredibly smooth canvas for whatever foundation you choose to use. For combination skin, this is an excellent makeup primer because it is not only oil-free but also talc-free. Additionally, it is guaranteed free of parabens and artificial fragrances.
2) Rimmel London – Stay Matte Makeup Primer
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The Stay Matte Makeup Primer by Rimmel London is arguably one of the world’s best-performing primers despite being one of the most inexpensive. What makes it perfect for combination skin is that it has an incredible mattifying effect that controls shine for up to 8 hours. At the same time, it is incredibly lightweight and provides hydrating benefits to the skin without making it greasy. Although this primer isn’t tinted, it can be used on its own if you only want clear but natural-looking skin. Under makeup, however, it doesn’t only make your foundation stay on for longer but also serves as the perfect, velvety base. So, you don’t need to worry about pores, blemished skin, nor oily patches.
3) Philosophy – The Present Invisible Skin Perfector & Oil-Free Makeup Primer
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The Present Invisible Skin Perfector & Oil-Free Makeup Primer by Philosophy is a colorless makeup primer that not only provides a smooth, velvety finish but skin that looks airbrushed. Using this oil-free primer, you won’t need to worry about any imperfections because it blurs out fine lines and wrinkles and also minimizes the appearance of pores. It can be used on its own as a clear skin perfector, or under makeup as a foundation primer. What sets this primer apart is that it has natural antibacterial benefits, which is beneficial specifically for the parts of your skin that are oily. Because it fights bacteria, it makes you less prone to pimples, blackheads, and other blemishes.
4) L’Oreal Paris – Infallible Matte-Lock Mattifying Primer
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The Infallible Matte-Lock Mattifying Primer by L’Oreal Paris is everything you want in a makeup primer, without the expensive price tag. It smoothens your skin and refines any imperfections — including large pores, blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles. It also provides a velvety matte finish, which is the perfect canvas for your foundation. Plus, it helps control oil, so you don’t need to worry about shiny spots throughout the day. It is also noncomedogenic and breathable, which helps if you have acne-prone skin. Like most mattifying primers, this can be used on its own for a natural yet airbrushed look. It also leaves the skin soft and supple.
5) LORAC Los Angeles – POREfection Mattifying Face Primer
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The POREfection Mattifying Face Primer by LORAC Los Angeles, admittedly, comes at a relatively high cost. But, the price you pay is worth all the benefits. This face primer has a perfect matte finish that lasts all day. It can be used on its own or as a makeup base. While it does an excellent job of perfecting the skin instantly, it also contains nourishing ingredients that further improve your skin’s appearance over time. This makeup primer contains salicylic acid, which helps exfoliate the skin and keep it blemish-free. It also contains vitamins A, C, and E, which provide remarkable anti-aging benefits. Additionally, it is not only oil-free but also fragrance and paraben-free.
Tips for Using Primer on Combination Skin
Applying primer on combination skin doesn’t need to be complicated. But, here are things you can do to make sure you get the most out of your primer and keep your makeup looking fresh all day:
- Moisturize. Always use a moisturizer before applying your makeup primer. That’s an essential part of the prepping process and will allow you to apply your primer more evenly.
- Don’t prime your entire face. Putting makeup primer all over your face could be very tricky with combination skin. Instead, apply a mattifying primer only on the oiliest parts and the areas that need it most. That’s usually your T-zone and under your eyes.
- Apply thinly. With a good primer, a little goes a long way. Too much can clump your makeup or even make it slide off. Usually, you’ll need no more primer than the size of a pea.
- Wait for it to dry. After applying your primer, give it time to set before putting on the rest of your makeup. By allowing it to dry for at least two minutes, your makeup will correctly sit atop your primer rather than mix with it.
Using makeup primers for combination skin, you can get the perfect texture without worrying about excess shine in your T-zone or dryness in other parts of your face. This will help your makeup look its best without worrying about melting, fading, or sliding off. Apart from finding the best primer that’s most compatible with your skin, remember that you also need to learn how to apply it correctly. But once you get it right, you’ll enjoy a flawless canvas for your makeup that lasts all day.
