No matter how good you are at applying makeup, making it last is half the battle. Primers can help create a smooth canvas for your makeup, and though they aren’t always necessary in your routine, they can make a difference in how your makeup looks, feels and lasts — as long as you’re using one that fits your skin type and needs. However, if you have acne-prone skin like me, it can be challenging to experiment with new primers without risking a few breakouts in the process.
Here at NBC Select, we’re here to help. We tested over 30 primers across various price points to identify the best ones for acne-prone skin. I also spoke to board-certified dermatologists, makeup artists and cosmetic chemists to find out what primers really do, and whether you actually need one.
How I picked the best primers for acne-prone skin
As with every skin care and makeup product, there are several things to consider in a primer when you struggle with acne and breakouts:
- Ingredients: Look for soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like allantoin and panthenol. Niacinamide, zinc or lightweight silicones can help reduce shine and provide a calming base, says Krupa Koestline, a cosmetic chemist and ayurvedic practitioner. Avoid heavy occlusives like mineral oil, cocoa butter and lanolin if you’re dealing with active breakouts, she says.
- Primer type: Consider whether your primer is silicone-based (smooths texture, blurs pores and is best for oily skin) or water-based (hydrates your skin and is best for sensitive or acne-prone skin). I go more in-depth about water-based versus silicone-based primers below.
- Formula: Choose primers that are noncomedogenic, which means they won’t clog pores or worsen acne. Your primer should also be free of fragrance (a common irritant) and oil (which can produce more oil on the skin and cause breakouts).
- Tint: A primer with a green tint can help correct redness and discoloration, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King.
How we tested primers for acne-prone skin
Eight NBC Select editors, many of whom have sensitive, acne-prone skin, put their skin on the line to test more than 30 primers over two months. Here’s what we kept in mind while testing:
- Formula: We considered both silicone-based and water-based primers, both of which are safe but have differing effects on acne-prone skin. Each editor tested silicone-based primers with silicone-based foundations, and vice versa, per experts’ guidance. Each primer is also oil-free and noncomedogenic.
- Comfort and feel: We kept in mind how the primers generally felt on our skin upon initial application and after at least a few hours. Was the texture lightweight and milky, or was it sticky and heavy? Did our makeup flake or pill over time?
- Longevity: Most editors applied each primer at the start of the day, either on top of a foundation or skin tint, and tracked the look of their makeup throughout the day. Editors also tried foundations and skin tints with and without primers to see whether the primer actually made a difference. Since experts say a good foundation should last for at least eight hours before it starts to flake off or look cakey, we noted whether the primers managed to affect longevity and appearance.
- Activity: Editors put these primers (and their subsequent makeup looks) through a range of activities to test coverage and longevity, including a full eight-hour work day, walking 10K+ steps in New York City, out dancing at nightclubs and while exercising.
- Packaging: We considered how comfortable each primer is to apply and how packaging played a role. Most of the primers we tested came in squeeze bottles, but others came in bottles with droppers and roll-on sticks. Most of our testers used their fingers to apply their primers (like they would a typical face cream or serum).
- Price: We kept in mind whether each primer was a good value based on its effectiveness and size. We also considered whether we would repurchase.
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Best primers for acne-prone skin
Best overall
Since we started testing makeup, our NBC Select editors have consistently loved Lancome’s products — they’re reliable, long-wearing and safe for sensitive, acne-prone skin. This primer is no different; it’s the perfect balance of blurring and lightweight, so it doesn’t feel heavy or sticky despite creating one of the smoothest bases I’ve ever felt on my skin. It made my makeup last all day in 90-degree Florida weather with no issues. Plus, it goes on completely clear and doesn’t have a scent.
NBC Select editorial operations associate Jem Alabi agrees: “Lancome is my favorite primer by far — it has the perfect consistency and my makeup didn’t move all day when I used it,” she says. “It has a gel-like, watery texture, so it doesn’t feel sticky at all, which is a huge deal for me because I hate sticky primers. I felt my foundation glide on my skin after using it. It’s pricey, but it’s the best I’ve ever tried.”
Best brightening
I love the feel of this primer — it’s extremely lightweight, non-sticky and absorbs very quickly. It has a similar feel to a water-gel moisturizer, so it goes on smoothly and my skin essentially drinks it up. In addition to giving me a healthy glow that I can see even with a full face of makeup on, it also leaves my dry skin feeling soft and hydrated. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin likes that this primer helps her foundation go on more evenly, and she says she noticed a difference in how bright her face looked with makeup on. “I got a ton of compliments on my skin when I was wearing this. People said my skin looked especially glowy and dewy, which is a look I like, and the primer is supposed to be illuminating, so that’s a good sign,” says Malin.
Best for oily skin
“I’m a sucker for a gel primer, and this is one of my favorites,” says NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris. The primer has a matte finish, helps minimize the appearance of pores and controls excess oil, which makes it a great option for those with oily skin. “When I initially applied it, I was worried the pink tint would look odd on my face, but it ended up blending perfectly. It helped subdue a lot of my excess oil and worked really well on its own over my usual sunscreen and moisturizer combo,” says Morris, who has oily, acne-prone skin. “I especially love using it with concealer, mascara and lip gloss — it’s the ideal base product for those hot days when you want a polished look with minimal makeup.”
Best serum
My first impression of this primer was how lightweight it was; it has a serum consistency that makes it feel more like skin care than a typical makeup product. Since it has a more watery texture compared to other primers I’ve tried, I was skeptical about how well it would make my makeup last. To my surprise, it created a smooth, hydrated base for even the most full-coverage makeup looks. It leaves my skin feeling smoother than any other primer I tested, and it helps control oil and shine on hotter days, so I can comfortably wear it with or without makeup and reap the benefits. I also love the packaging (though it did take me a second to figure out) — I can press the bottom of the bottle to control exactly how much product comes out, and the pointed tip controls any mess.
Best drugstore
This Versed primer not only provides a great base for makeup, but it’s also at a fantastic price point, says Alabi. “It’s mattifying, so it blurs pores and imperfections, plus the pump helps me control exactly how much product comes out, which I appreciate,” she says. It also has the consistency and feel of a typical lotion, so it adds a hydrating boost to your makeup routine.
However, it is thick, which means you have to put in a little more effort to rub it in, says Alabi. The primer is safe for sensitive skin, has hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin, and has niacinamide to help brighten and even out your skin tone, according to the brand.
Best stick
“This primer stick is quite literally a pore eraser. Even before I put foundation over it, I could tell how matte it made my skin and how practically invisible it made my pores,” says Malin, who adds that this is one of the best primers she’s ever tried. When she layered on her makeup, Malin says it looked smooth, even and almost airbrushed all day. “I was hesitant about a primer stick before trying Milk’s since I usually like creamy products, but now I’m obsessed. Anything in stick form is just so convenient, and this is no different,” says Malin. The primer also has a buttery soft consistency, so it glides right onto the skin without pulling.
Best lightweight
Tatcha’s The Liquid Silk Canvas absolutely lives up to its name — it has a lightweight, silky texture that absorbs almost instantly into my skin, and it blurred my bumps, pores and other imperfections to create a super smooth canvas for makeup. Best of all, this primer made my makeup look almost exactly like when I first applied it after over eight hours of walking around in the sun and running errands. It was more effective at making my makeup last than 99% of primers I tested. One of my only downsides is its strong floral scent — I still smell it even after I apply my makeup, so if you’re sensitive to scents, you may want to try another option.
Best moisturizing
“Before trying this product, I had never used a two-in-one moisturizer and primer. And now, I don’t think I can go back to using anything else,” says NBC Select associate social media editor Caitlin Cusack. “This primer feels super lightweight and hydrating, which is a must for my acne-prone skin. It instantly gives a glowy look — I’ve even worn it alone without any makeup.” Cusack’s makeup stays put all day without looking cakey, even after hours in the hot sun.
When using this primer, Morris loves that she doesn’t need to layer multiple products in hot weather, which can usually make her skin feel heavy and weighed down. “It has a smoothing finish that blurs out texture while still looking really natural, and the formula is so lightweight that it feels like a very thin moisturizer rather than a primer,” says Morris.
When I first tested this primer, I was worried about its thick texture — however, it absorbed so quickly and easily into my skin, I didn’t feel any heaviness after I applied it. Plus, my skin felt smooth and soft afterward, which created a perfect canvas for my makeup routine. Keep in mind it does have a strong citrus scent, which can be overpowering when applying it, says Cusack.
Best with SPF
If you’re looking for an easy way to add SPF to your makeup routine, this Ciele primer is the way to go. It has SPF 30 protection (the minimum amount recommended by dermatologists) and zinc oxide, a mineral sunscreen ingredient recommended by our experts for those with sensitive, acne-prone skin. When I initially tested this out, I was worried it would be too thick to blend out and would make my makeup look cakey since it’s a mineral sunscreen. But I was very pleasantly surprised: Not only did this primer seamlessly blend into my skin, but it also created a smooth base that sat perfectly underneath my makeup without causing any cakiness, dryness or pilling (and made both lighter skin tints and full coverage foundations last all day long). I love that I can use it on its own as a typical sunscreen or as a base for my makeup.
Best for dry skin
This cream feels more like a silky moisturizer than a traditional primer: It’s thick, creamy and leaves my dry skin feeling smooth, soft and hydrated immediately after I apply it. I use this one on my drier days when I want to prep my skin for heavier makeup and prevent foundation and concealer from sticking to my dry patches. The primer has peptides to keep skin firm, oat extract and glycerin to soothe, and hyaluronic acid to add a boost of hydration, according to the brand. I’m also a fan of the packaging: It’s sleek enough to keep out on my makeup counter, and the pump packaging makes it easy to control how much comes out. Plus, a little goes a very long way with this primer, so I only need about a pump to get the amount I need.
Best plumping
This NYX primer is another editor favorite that you can buy at your local drugstore. “It has a very sticky consistency that provides a really great base for my acne-prone skin,” says Cusack. “My makeup always goes on really nicely with this primer and stays for hours without separating or looking cakey. Plus, a little product goes a long way, so it’s definitely a great value.” The primer has hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and vitamin E to moisturize and soothe inflammation, so it’s great for those with active breakouts and redness.
Best oil-free
NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez was impressed by how smooth and lightweight this primer felt on his skin, including his delicate under-eye area. “It wasn’t greasy or shiny and it also didn’t irritate my eyes, which is common [with other primers],” he says. “I also didn’t have to use a lot of it to cover my whole face.” The applicator is small and pointed, making the primer easy to apply, specifically in more precise areas like the under eyes, says Fernandez.
Best roll-on
I’ve used this primer for about a year, and it quickly turned into one of my all-time favorites. I especially love the roll-on applicator because it’s easy to apply and I don’t have to use my fingers to rub it in (though it does make it harder to control how much you’re putting on, in my experience). Since I have dry skin, I don’t typically like a sticky formula because it accentuates my dry patches, but this one manages to dry down smoothly while still providing enough grip for my makeup. I wore this primer under my favorite skin tint before a full workday and a thicker, full-coverage foundation before a night out, and it managed to keep my makeup intact for more than eight hours.
Do you actually need a primer?
Not necessarily. Whether or not you need a primer depends on your specific skin type and what you’re looking for in terms of your makeup routine. Simply put, if you’re happy with how your makeup behaves on your skin without a primer, you don’t need to add it to your routine.
However, there are several benefits to using a primer depending on your skin: It can create a smoother canvas for makeup, help foundations, concealers and other makeup products better adhere to the skin, blur imperfections like pores and scars, and mattify oily skin. So, they’re best for those with oily skin, uneven texture, active breakouts and visible pores, according to my experts.
“Plus, for acne-prone skin, primers can offer a protective barrier between skin care and foundation, minimizing friction or irritation,” says Koestline.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Robyn Gmyrek is a board-certified dermatologist at Unionderm in New York City.
- Krupa Koestline is a cosmetic chemist, ayurvedic practitioner and founder of KKT Innovation Labs.
- Dr. Hadley King is a board-certified dermatologist at her own private practice in New York City.
- Gilbert Soliz is a Los Angeles-based celebrity and fashion makeup artist.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered beauty and personal care for over five years. For this article, I spoke to board-certified dermatologists, makeup artists and cosmetic chemists about what to look for in primers for acne-prone skin. NBC Select editors also tested over 30 primers for two months to find the best ones to recommend.
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