Which of the Many, Many Primers on the Market Is Right for You?

hourglass-veil-mineral-primer

If your T-zone (or every zone) approaches oil-spill status by midday… Oily skin really benefits from water-repelling ingredients that draw moisture away from the skin, and a little bit of silicone to keep things smooth and even-textured. Look for mineral bases, which leave a silky matte finish without looking powdery or dry—magnesium aluminum silicate and aluminum oxides are great for this purpose. <a href=”http://www.sephora.com/veil-mineral-primer-P210575″>Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer</a>, $52
becca-ever-matte-poreless-priming-perfector

<a href=”https://www.beccacosmetics.com/shop/complexion/ever-matte-poreless-priming-perfector.html”>BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector</a>, $36
dermalogica-hydrablur-primer

If your makeup likes to make itself comfortable in your fine lines… Bummer: even the most youthful skin can face this struggle, because we’ve all got lines somewhere, even if they’re barely visible. If your makeup is making you look old in ways you never thought possible, prime with a formula packed with silicones to impart a filling effect on those fine lines. <a href=”http://www.dermalogica.com/hydrablur-primer/222,default,pd.html”>Dermalogica Hydrablur Primer</a>, $46
murad-invisiblur-perfecting-shield

<a href=”http://www.murad.com/invisiblur-perfecting-shield-broad-spectrum-spf-30″>Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield</a>, $65
smashbox-photo-finish-color-correcting-adjust

<a href=”http://www.smashbox.com/product/6038/18505/Face/Primer/PHOTO-FINISH-COLOR-CORRECTING-FOUNDATION-PRIMER-ADJUST/index.tmpl”>Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in Adjust</a>, $39
tarte-clean-slate-flawless-brightening-primer

<a href=”http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-clean-slate-flawless-12-hr-brightening-primer”>Tarte Clean Slate Flawless 12-Hour Brightening Primer</a>, $31
glossier-priming-moisturizer

If your skin breaks out in hives if you look at it wrong… As anyone with finicky skin already knows, finding super gentle ingredients is key to keeping your complexion happy—and all too many primers contain potential irritants. Look for proven soothers like hyaluronic acid, aloe, and even a touch of oil, and avoid heavy silicones as much as possible. <a href=”https://www.glossier.com/#!/products/priming-moisturizer”>Glossier Priming Moisturizer</a>, $25
mally-perfect-prep-poreless-primer

If your face is thirstier than a D-list celebrity on Instagram… Hey, it happens. Fortunately, many primers are sensitive to the Saharan skin plight and will help immensely to prevent your makeup from emphasizing dry, flaky areas. You’re going to want some silicone here, along with glycerin and moisture-rich plant oils and extracts. <a href=”http://www.mallybeauty.com/perfect-prep-poreless-primer”>Mally Perfect Prep Poreless Primer</a>, $35
laura-mercier-hydrating-primer

<a href=”https://www.lauramercier.com/primer/foundation-primer—hydrating-12341006.html”>Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Hydrating</a>, $36

hourglass-veil-mineral-primer

becca-ever-matte-poreless-priming-perfector

dermalogica-hydrablur-primer

murad-invisiblur-perfecting-shield

smashbox-photo-finish-color-correcting-adjust

tarte-clean-slate-flawless-brightening-primer

glossier-priming-moisturizer

mally-perfect-prep-poreless-primer

laura-mercier-hydrating-primer