Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash
A decade ago, if you’d have asked us what we thought the most important step is in our make-up application routine, we’d have probably given you numerous different answers. However, we’re not sure that “primer” would have been one of them. Fast forward to 2022 and the vast majority of people will agree that priming your face is probably the most important part as it prepares your skin to receive make up and helps to give you a flawless base. With this in mind, we’ve trawled our shelves and come up with five of the best primers out there:
Dermalogica SkinPerfect Primer SPF30
If you have dry or prematurely ageing skin then using a primer before your make up base is particularly important. This primer from Dermalogica is developed specifically for very dry or ageing skin even your skin tone and texture allowing for a smoother application and longer lasting coverage of makeup. It contains silicones, soy powder and pea proteins to drastically smooth your skin while sunscreens shield against sun damage.
REN Clean Skincare Perfect Canvas Clean Primer
This primer from REN is a truly multifunctional product. As well as plumping the skin to reduce fine lines, it contains extracts which help balance your good bacteria, reducing breakouts and promoting a healthy microbiome. It provides a smooth base for your make up and doesn’t contain any silicones. It will minimise the appearance of pores for up to eight hours and helps to maintain a matte finish.
This Works In Transit Camera Close Up
Another hard-working multitasker, this primer from This Works will act as a mask, moisturiser and primer all-in-one. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and caffeine to rebalance and revitalise the complexion while also helping to reduce redness. The primer gives a dewy feel to the skin and will prep your face perfectly to receive foundation and other base products.
Elemis Superfood Glow Priming Moisturiser
This priming moisturiser from Elemis, while suitable for all skin types, is ideal if you feel like your complexion has been lacking a glow of late. It’s been formulated using an energising blend of kombucha and fermented ginger, which helps promote a brighter appearance. It also contains micro minerals that sit on the surface of the skin to catch and reflect light, delivering a dewy glow and helping to blur imperfections.
Medik8 Calmwise Colour Correct
If you have sensitive and reactive skin which is prone to redness, this colour-correcting primer from Medik8 could be your best friend. It contains bakuchiol, which offers retinol-like anti-ageing results without irritation, while perfluorodecalin infuses skin with oxygen to help support the natural healing process and caffeine helps to reduce the size of blood vessels to diffuse the appearance of flushing. The alcohol-free formula provides immediate relief for redness and primes the skin perfectly.