How do you apply primers for dry skin?

"My favorite way to apply a primer to drier skin types is to apply a pea-sized amount after moisturizer," offers Sesnek, who says he builds up with more product if needed. Both Sesnek and Figueroa recommend starting in the center of your face (aka the T-zone) and blending outward toward the cheeks, chin, and hairline.

What types of makeup products can you wear on top of a primer for dry skin?

"I love using a primer underneath makeup," says Figueroa. You can apply almost anything else on top, including foundation, CC cream, concealer, contouring products, highlighter, blush, eyeshadow, setting powder, you name it. "I also love using a setting spray over the makeup to combat dryness and add longevity once the makeup is done," adds Figueroa, explaining that this helps eliminate patchiness and prevent dehydrating later on.

Are there any ingredients to avoid in a primer if you have dry skin?

If you have dry skin, you'll want to avoid exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid , lactic acid, and salicylic acid, which can lead to patchiness and ongoing dryness. Additionally, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, essential oils, dyes, and parabens can be irritating and cause a potential allergic reaction.

The 16 Best Primers for Dry Skin of 2023

When it comes to applying a full face of makeup, a good primer is often overlooked. Nonetheless, this unsung hero is key to a gorgeous glow-up, delivering hydration and skin-smoothing benefits while blurring texture and offering staying power for your foundation.

And if your complexion is particularly parched, you definitely won't want to skip it. "Primer is a great way to smooth enlarged pores that can still be present with drier skin types," explains high-profile makeup artist Robert Sesnek. "This also ensures a smoother application of foundation."

But which formulas are best for thirsty skin types? "I would make sure to use a primer that is hydrating and has radiance to make the skin appear youthful, plumped, and glowy," says celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert Nydia Figueroa.

We conducted hours of research on the greatest pre-makeup solutions for prepping, smoothing, and quenching your dehydrated dermis. After evaluating dozens of brands on their active ingredients, as well as those that specifically target dry skin, and having a look at what the formulas are free-from, we narrowed down our list. We then consulted with two celebrity makeup artists for recommendations on their top picks to give you the best in show.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Too Faced Luxury Face Plumping Primer Serum

Jump to Review

Best Drugstore:

NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Primer at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best for Extended Wear:

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Hydrating Primer

Jump to Review

Best Stick:

Beauty Bakerie The Butter HydraSilk Primer

Jump to Review

Best Color-Correcting:

Danessa Myricks Beauty Prism FX Hydrating Lotion at Beautylish.com

Jump to Review

Best Hydrating:

Jane Iredale Smooth Affair Brightening Face Primer at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Blurring:

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer

Jump to Review

Best Mattifying:

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer at Sephora

Jump to Review

Best Oil:

Lilah B. Aglow Priming Oil Serum at Amazon

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

4.5

Too Faced Plump & Prime Luxury Face Plumping Primer Serum

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Sephora View On Macy's

What We Like

Plumping
Lightweight
Absorbs quickly
Airtight container

What We Don’t Like

Contains fragrance

Our number one pick is Too Faced Plump & Prime, which takes a skincare-focused approach to makeup application. This serum-like tincture contains hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and peptides to deliver a plumping effect and create an ultra-smooth canvas.

The notably lightweight, milky consistency absorbs exceptionally quickly. It tackles dryness and crepiness, improving your skin's natural texture before applying heavier products like foundation and concealer.

We also appreciate that the pretty pink bottle features an airtight pump. This prevents oxidation by eliminating air exposure and contamination from your fingers.

Price at time of publish: $45

Key Ingredients: Peptides, St John’s wort, hydrolyzed rice extract, vitamin C | Skin Type: Balanced, oily, dry, combination | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

NYX Professional Makeup Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Budget-friendly
Long-lasting
Dewy finish

What We Don’t Like

Unhygienic container

From the drugstore aisle, we're big fans of Bare With Me. This water-based primer provides up to eight hours of hydration, sets the skin with a sublime, glass-like finish, and effortlessly grips to your makeup.

Price at time of publish: $17

Key Ingredients: Aloe, cucumber extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.4 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Courtesy of Net a Porter

View On Sephora View On Revolve

What We Like

Plumping
Natural finish
Contains light-reflecting pigments

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

This high-end primer from Dr. Sturm flaunts a blend of hyaluronic acid, pearl pigments, and antioxidants. It saves your skin from dryness while ensuring smooth-as-butter makeup application and leaving a youthful glow in its wake.

Price at time of publish: $85

Key Ingredients: Pearl pigments, modified rice starch, sodium lactate, lactic acid, inositol, purslane extract, hyaluronic acid, vitamin B3, urea | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Laura Mercier Hydrating Foundation Primer

Sephora

View on Ulta View On Sephora View On Bloomingdales

What We Like

Plumping
Comfortable feel
Long-lasting

What We Don’t Like

May pill on some complexions

When you know you'll be wearing makeup all day, reach for Laura Mercier Pure Canvas. It hydrates with hyaluronic acid and glycerin, fills fine lines, and makes your skin feel comfortable underneath the foundation for several hours.

Price at time of publish: $42

Key Ingredients: Olive extract, marine hydra botanicals, glycerin | Skin Type: Dry | Size: 1.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Beauty Bakerie The Butter HydraSilk Primer

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Beautybakerie.com

What We Like

Travel-friendly
Easy to apply

What We Don’t Like

Small amount

If you haven't tried a stick primer yet, Beauty Bakerie's The Butter is a great gateway. This hydrating makeup prepper is supremely creamy and goes on smooth as, well, butter.

Price at time of publish: $24

Key Ingredients: Goji berry extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 0.26 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Danessa Myricks Beauty

View On Beautylish.com View On Danessamyricksbeauty.com

What We Like

Comes in three shades
Color-correcting

What We Don’t Like

Contains fragrance

Available in three shades to accommodate those with peachy, gold, and warm undertones, this illuminating liquid elixir offers subtle color correction while delivering much-needed moisture to dry skin.

Price at time of publish: $28

Key Ingredients: Squalene, vitamin E | Skin Type: Dry, hyperpigmented | Size: 0.5 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Jane Iredale

View On Amazon View On Dermstore

What We Like

Dewy finish
Long-lasting

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

"This skin-quenching primer not only makes makeup last all day, but it helps the skin hold on to its moisture," says Figueroa. "It also helps brighten the skin while adding radiance."

Price at time of publish: $50

Key Ingredients: Apple extract, coconut alkanes, royal jelly, algae extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

4.7

Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Foundation Primer

Sephora

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Blurs skin
Silky consistency
Combats uneven texture

What We Don’t Like

Not very hydrating

From veteran primer brand Smashbox, this skin-smoother is formulated to minimize the appearance of fine lines and large pores. It goes on silky smooth, spreads easily, combats uneven texture, and helps lock in your makeup.

Price at time of publish: $38

Key Ingredients: Vitamin A, vitamin E | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 ounce, 1.7 ounces, 0.27 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sephora

View On Sephora View On Fentybeauty.com View On Kohls.com

What We Like

Blurs skin
Oil-free formula
Airtight container

What We Don’t Like

Not very hydrating

Of course, not everyone with dry skin wants that glassy, hyper-moisturized appearance. With this in mind, the best mattifying option is Fenty Beauty's Pro Filt'r, an oil-free formula that blurs blemishes, evens tone and texture, and absorbs shine without an uncomfortably tight feeling.

Price at time of publish: $34

Key Ingredients: Silicone, glycerin | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.1 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Sephora

What We Like

Absorbs quickly
Airtight container

What We Don’t Like

Expensive

Sometimes, dry skin just needs a heaping dose of moisture before going anywhere near makeup. That's why we love Lilah B. Aglow, a priming serum chock full of plant-based oils like jojoba, tamanu, and sweet almond.

Price at time of publish: $68

Key Ingredients: Tamanu oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, grape seed extract, purple tea extract, lavender essential oil | Skin Type: Oily, combination, dry, balanced | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Glossier

View On Glossier.com

What We Like

Nourishing
Dewy finish

What We Don’t Like

Unhygienic container

Containing murumuru butter and shea butter, plus ceramides and fatty acids, Glossier's delectably rich Priming Moisturizer pulls out all the stops for dry skin.

Price at time of publish: $35

Key Ingredients: Anti-Redness Complex, red algae complex, shea butter, murumuru butter, ceramide 3, ceramide 6, fatty acids, lavender oil | Skin Type: All | Size: 1.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Light-reflecting pigments
Airtight container

What We Don't Like

Slightly tacky

For K-beauty stans, we suggest Glow On by Etude House. This all-in-one base offers ample hydration while reflecting light and prepping even the driest complexions for makeup.

Price at time of publish: $20

Key Ingredients: 8 types of hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: All | Size: 1 ounce | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

First Aid Beauty Hello Fab Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Nordstrom View On Sephora

What We Like

Nourishing
Good for sensitive skin

What We Don't Like

Takes a few minutes to set

If you're dealing with dry, sensitive skin, your best bet is this priming moisturizer from First Aid Beauty. The two-in-one formula hydrates, nourishes, and protects reactive skin while providing a smooth canvas for makeup.

Price at time of publish: $32

Key Ingredients: Coconut water, quinoa protein, mineral blend, micro-pearls | Skin Type: Dry, balanced | Size: 1.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

PÃR 4-in-1 Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Dewy finish
Contains SPF

What We Don't Like

Not long-lasting

If you're short on time, Figueroa recommends PÜR 4-in-1, which acts as a moisturizer, primer, foundation, and sunscreen. "When I want to achieve beautiful, natural coverage, this is the product I reach for," she tells Byrdie.

Price at time of publish: $35

Key Ingredients: Sodium hyaluronate, ceretin complex, chamomile, shea butter, aloe, vitamin E | Size: 1.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sephora

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Kohls.com

What We Like

Absorbs quickly
Soothes and hydrates
Extends makeup wear

What We Don't Like

Contains PEGs

If you prefer the consistency of a gel, Milk Makeup Hydro Grip is your best bet. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula goes on totally clear, then simultaneously soothes and hydrates the skin. This over-achieving primer also promises to help your makeup last for up to 12 hours.

Price at time of publish: $36

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, aloe vera | Skin Type: Dry, combination | Size: 0.3–5.3 ounces | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

4.2

Glow Recipe

View On Amazon View On Sephora View On Walmart

Glow Recipe's Dew Drops Will Give You Highlighted Skin

What We Like

Multi-tasking formula
Deeply hydrating
Addresses hyperpigmentation

What We Don't Like

Slightly tacky texture
May pill over sunscreen

Glow Recipe's Dew Drops were a hit with our tester, who loved how the multi-tasking formula offers skincare benefits (think ample hydration and hyperpigmentation correction) while doubling as a makeup primer. It has a slightly tacky texture and might pill if you apply it under sunscreen, but otherwise, we have no complaints.

Price at time of publish: $34

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, moringa seed oil, watermelon extract | Skin Type: Dry, combination, oily | Size: 1.4–2.7 ounces | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

The best primer for dry skin is Too Faced Plump & Prime Luxury Face Plumping Primer Serum, a luxuriously lightweight priming serum that hydrates, plumps, and improves texture. For something a bit more budget-friendly, we recommend NYX Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer, which is easy to work with and provides a moisturizing base for makeup.

Meet the Expert

Nydia Figueroa is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert. In addition to professional makeup, she works as a beauty director at Fashion Gxd Magazine and Miss New Jersey Earth. Nydia has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show, as well as in magazines such as Nylon and Allure.
Robert Sesnek is a celebrity makeup artist with over 15 years of industry experience. His all-star client list includes Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Adriana Lima, and Julianna Moore.

What to Look for When Buying Primer for Dry Skin

Moisturizing Ingredients

Those with dry skin should look for moisturizing ingredients, including humectants such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and ceramides. You'll also find priming moisturizers like Lilah B. Natural Aglow Priming Oil containing natural butters and plant-based oils, like jojoba, almond, sunflower, olive, avocado, or squalane.

In addition to providing much-needed hydration, Sesnek says, "Moisturizing primer can also give an illuminating effect to the skin by adding additional radiance."

Plumping Ingredients

"One of my favorite reasons to [use] a moisturizing primer is because it can add anti-aging benefits to the skin with ingredients that create a plumping effect," notes Sesnek. Ingredients that plump the skin include glycerin, hyaluronic acid (HA), peptides, aloe vera, allantoin, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, and algae.

Containing HA, niacinamide, and aloe, Milk Makeup's Hydro Grip Primer is chock full of hydrating, skin-plumping ingredients.

Finish

As with foundation and concealer, makeup primers have various finishes. The most common is natural, which is typically light and breathable, not shiny but also not matte.

Then there are glossy, dewy, and glass-like finishes, which can be great for dry skin, as they offer a moisturized appearance. You'll also find mattifying primers, which leave a shine-free finish. If you like a dewy finish, go with NYX Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer. But if you prefer a more mattified, pore-blurring effect, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer might be a better choice.

FAQ

How do you apply primers for dry skin?

"My favorite way to apply a primer to drier skin types is to apply a pea-sized amount after moisturizer," offers Sesnek, who says he builds up with more product if needed. Both Sesnek and Figueroa recommend starting in the center of your face (aka the T-zone) and blending outward toward the cheeks, chin, and hairline.
What types of makeup products can you wear on top of a primer for dry skin?

"I love using a primer underneath makeup," says Figueroa. You can apply almost anything else on top, including foundation, CC cream, concealer, contouring products, highlighter, blush, eyeshadow, setting powder, you name it.
"I also love using a setting spray over the makeup to combat dryness and add longevity once the makeup is done," adds Figueroa, explaining that this helps eliminate patchiness and prevent dehydrating later on.
Are there any ingredients to avoid in a primer if you have dry skin?

If you have dry skin, you'll want to avoid exfoliating ingredients such as glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid, which can lead to patchiness and ongoing dryness. Additionally, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, essential oils, dyes, and parabens can be irritating and cause a potential allergic reaction.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Theresa Holland is a content creator specializing in commerce writing and copyediting. She interviewed two makeup artists for this story, compiling their product recommendations, insight into formulations, and application tips. From the above, she has personally tried Too Faced, Laura Mercier, First Aid Beauty, Smashbox, and Etude House. Theresa covers makeup, skincare, and haircare, and Byrdie.

The 10 Best Face Primers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.