However, finding a primer suitable for dry skin can be challenging. Don't worry, in this article, we will help you search for the best makeup primer for dry skin. We've got buying guide complete with comments from dermatologist, Dr. Katrina that'll enumerate some pointers to keep in mind. We've also prepared a curated list of the top 10 products you can order online.
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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Aside from making your makeup last longer, using a primer has numerous advantages. It helps your skin appear smoother, filling in fine lines and blurring out imperfections on your face. For those with dry skin, primers can also help moisturize your skin, depending on their ingredients.
It keeps your skin hydrated, giving you a glowing-from-within look that makes you look fresh all day. It also prevents your makeup from looking cakey, as it gives your foundation a smooth canvas to work its magic and allows it to stay put all day.
Primer means 'first.' And makeup primer, as its name implies, is applied on the skin firstーa step to prep the face like a canvas before putting other makeup products. However, all primers aren't created equal, so it's definitely a good idea to 'turn and learn' by reading the ingredient list and checking if that particular primer would suit your skin's needs.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
If you want to fill in or cover your pores and acne scars, you'll want to find a primer formulated with dimethicone. This type of primer is also known as silicone-based primer. Dimethicone is a form of silicone and is a type of emollient that will give your skin a velvety and smooth texture.
Most primers with dimethicone have a light texture and are non-greasy. And although its main function is to cover the pores, dimethicone is non-comedogenic. These primers also have a matte finish, giving you a nice base for applying makeup.
Dimethicone is silicone-based and is used in skincare products (primers included!) as a moisturizer and smoothening agent. It's particularly used because it can moisturize the skin without being heavy!
Products with moisturizing ingredients are very important for those with a dry skin type. This is not just limited to skincare but also to the makeup you put on your face.
Humectants such as hyaluronic acid and glycerin are known for drawing water to themselves in order to increase skin hydration, relieve dryness, and refresh the skin's surface. Hyaluronic acid retains moisture in your skin and is naturally present in the body, so it won't likely cause irritation. It's also able to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, which makes the skin appear smoother.
Meanwhile, glycerin also has antimicrobial properties, being able to protect the skin from harmful microorganisms. Lastly, some primers are also infused with collagen, which is considered a natural humectant and moisturizer.
Glycerin is great as it is able to draw in moisture from the deeper layers of the skin. Hyaluronic acid is also very good at retaining water and moisturizing the skin.
Remember, though, when you try a new product, listen to your skin. There are so many options of ingredients with moisturizing properties. The key lies in finding one that works for you. And when in doubt, Ask Your Derma!
Aside from hydrating your skin, it's also important to lock in moisture. This is why ingredients such as petroleum jelly and plant oils are excellent ingredients in primers. Petroleum jelly acts as an occlusive barrier that reduces the amount of water that the skin loses. It also contains some comedogenic ingredients, which may not be beneficial for other skin types but is okay for dry skin.
Plant oils, such as coconut oil, argan oil, squalane, rosehip oil, camellia seed oil, olive oil, and jojoba oil, are also incorporated into some primers to keep your face hydrated. They are easily absorbed by the skin and prevent moisture in your skin from evaporating.
Those with dry skin types would benefit from occlusives as they would seal in the moisture. Good options for occlusives include petroleum jelly and even facial oils. However, in general, these tend to be thicker in consistency, not to mention they can get quite greasy.
As with all products, do a patch test! Not all skin types sit well with facial oils, so you might want to make sure that you try it out so you won't develop a reaction or breakout!
Aside from plant oils, other natural ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and oats are also a great plus when added to the primer's formulation. These ingredients are sure to be gentle on the skin while being effective, making them great for those with sensitive skin.
Aloe vera can also seal in and help retain the moisture in the skin, while honey works as a humectant that moisturizes and hydrates the skin. Oats, on the other hand, strengthen your skin's barrier and assist in restoring moisture to dry skin to make it look more radiant. Another example is green tea extract, which can improve your skin's natural moisture level.
Oat, aka avena sativa in colloidal form, is definitely a go-to for moisturization! For years, it was used as a treatment for different skin conditions. Now, oat is incorporated into different skincare products, primers included!
Studies have shown that oat produces significant benefits for dry and compromised skin by strengthening the skin's barrier.
Primers are often applied after your skincare routine and before your makeup. But in some cases, primers are formulated with serums; thus, they become a 2-in-1 product. This hybrid product brings in extra skin benefits, such as repairing skin damage and fighting signs of aging.
Most of the time, it also comes with a dropper applicator, just like regular serums. This helps you to apply and spread the product much easier.
A serum-infused primer is a great option because it's a product that lets you hit two birds with one stone! Just make sure to choose one that not only addresses your particular skin concern but also doesn't cause any reaction.
One tip is to review other skincare products in your current skincare routine. You might already have another product or step in your routine that addresses your skin concern. Remember, you don't want to overdo it!
If you want to add dimension to your bare skin, use an illuminating primer, which you can apply to your nose, cheekbone, and browbone. Most of these primers are infused with luminescent pearls to give your skin a natural glow. An illuminating primer can brighten up your face during days when you don't feel like wearing full makeup.
An illuminating primer is always a nice touch, as it can give you a subtle glow! If you want to achieve the "no makeup" look, you also might want to try an illuminating primer. But remember, nothing beats healthy skin that glows from within!
Meanwhile, if you need to cover up uneven skin tone on your face, go for a color-correcting primer. It is available in different shades, and each one is made for a specific purpose. Here are some examples and what they can do:
A lot of primers are tinted, hence, they can provide some form of coverage. It's good to choose one based on your skin's undertones to make sure that it complements your skin.
Different primers have different textures, so it is best to get a cream or liquid-type primer as they are beneficial for dry skin. Cream primers work best for covering skin imperfections. It does a good job of smoothing your skin to create the perfect canvas for the application of makeup.
Some primers come in the form of a gel. These are often lightweight and easy to apply, but they may not be as hydrating as creams or liquid-type primers.
Different primers come in different textures. Finding the right primer for your skin type is all about balance and finding what works for your skin! Typically, those with dry skin types can benefit more from a cream primer as they are generally more moisturizing.
Aside from this, vitamin C derivatives should be avoided, too. Even if they have some benefits, they tend to be too harsh, especially for those with more sensitive skin. If possible, choose products free of these ingredients, such as paraben-free, additive-free, or organic options.
As with all skincare products, it's important to be a label reader and watch out for ingredients that can be sensitizing and/or irritating to your skin.
A tip or advice that I giveーpatch test, patch test, patch test! Dab a small amount of the primer onto a patch of skin such as by your jawline or in front of your ear, wait for 48 hours, and check if you develop any signs of irritation.
This means that without any protection in the form of SPF, the moisturizing effects of your skincare and makeup products can go to waste. In saying this, we recommend purchasing products with at least SPF 30 to have adequate protection.
Primers combined with SPF make for a great tag team. However, one problem is that people who use moisturizers with SPF or primers with SPF usually only apply a small amount of product, which ultimately means that you might not be getting the necessary protection.
Remember, sunscreen is key! But keep in mind that the correct amount of sunscreen must be applied to get adequate sun protection.
The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Primer is a nourishing yet lightweight product that moisturizes your skin while helping your foundation last all day. It does this using grape seed oil and sodium hyaluronate, which are skin-friendly ingredients known for their hydrating abilities. It leaves your skin soft and smooth and looking flawless!
This primer's formula is also fast-absorbing, so it's comfortable to use even in humid weather. It will soften your skin, banish dry patches, and blur your imperfections for the perfect base makeup. Customers love it, saying that even though it's a hydrating primer, it has a matte finish, which makes their makeup look better.
Formulated with encapsulated oil beads, pearlescent quartz, and skin conditioning extracts, this primer will not just hydrate your skin. It will also illuminate it for a healthy glow! Plus, it can make your skin feel moisturized for 24 hours. It's also light and fast-absorbing, so your foundation can go on quickly and smoothly on your face.
This primer is packed with a dropper applicator, making it easy and hassle-free to apply. You can even use it on your makeup-free days to hydrate your face and make your skin look naturally smooth. Customers can attest to this, saying that it makes them look fresh all day. If you're looking for the best glowy primer for dry skin, this is highly recommended.
You can say that this is a hybrid product, as it's a two-in-one sunscreen and primer. It has a gel formulation that feels good and refreshing on the skin, melting into your face to blur pores and blemishes. It also has SPF 40 that offers protection against UVA and UVB rays from the sun and blue light from your gadgets.
It's infused with hyaluronic acid to ensure that your skin gets the proper hydration that it needs. And with the addition of ceramides, this product helps strengthen your skin barrier to keep moisture locked in. Since it's tint-free, it's suitable for all skin tones and won't alter your makeup even if you need to reapply it throughout the day.
This is one of many makeup artists' holy grail products! It can be used both as a primer and a setting spray with its refreshing liquid formula. It hydrates the skin with vitamins and minerals from green tea, chamomile, and cucumber. Aside from conditioning the skin, it's also able to maintain the quality of your makeup for up to 12 hours.
As previously mentioned, you can also use this as a setting spray to improve and extend makeup wear. Because it comes in a lightweight mist formula, this is ideal for those who aren't fond of cream or lotion textures. This is also recommended for those who are always on the go because it's very easy to apply.
Looking for a primer with serum in its formulation? Check out this one from Jill Stuart. This luminous primer for dry skin has a pearlising agent and diamond powder to brighten up your skin. It also functions as a serum for ultimate hydration. With this 2-in-1 function, you get a healthy glow that makes your foundation look better.
Even though it has a lotion formulation, it's non-sticky and still feels light on the face. It's also formulated with silicone oil, so it doesn't bond with sweat and sebum. This makes your makeup last longer. Users also love how it makes their skin look bright and dewy! They said that it's a good makeup trick to do to give your foundation an extra oomph.
This product is formulated with skin-loving ingredients, making it a great hydrating primer for dry skin. It's infused with aloe vera leaf extract, a natural humectant that also has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. If you have flaky or dry yet acne-prone skin, you will surely love this primer.
It also has arginine, which has anti-aging effects and wound-healing benefits. Lastly, its niacinamide component helps in minimizing redness and the appearance of pores. Since it comes in a gel formulation, it will feel great on your skin. Overall, it's a super refreshing primer for those with skin issues.
Ellana Cosmetics' moisturizing primer is an all-in-one skincare product. Aside from enhancing your makeup's staying power, it has SPF 30, providing sun protection for your face. It can also color-correct and brighten your skin tone with its peach tint. This versatility is one of the reasons it's so popular, with many users praising its quality.
Aside from that, it's non-comedogenic and will cover your acne scars, skin's dullness, and dryness, as well as signs of sun damage. Plus, its Camellia Japonica seed oil content will moisturize and replenish the skin's barrier. It's suitable for other skin types, too, and is safe to use for pregnant and lactating moms.
This silicone-based primer from the Korean brand Touch in SOL is infused with soluble collagen to enhance your skin's moisture levels and elasticity. It also provides seamless coverage for visible pores, wrinkles, and uneven complexion. Aside from this, it helps blur acne marks, which is ideal for those who have acne-prone skin.
Though known for its oil-control properties, the No Poreblem Primer is also suited for people with dry skin since it's moisturizing. It also dries into a velvety matte finish and is not sticky or greasy, creating a good base for your makeup. No wonder it's a crowd favorite, garnering many great reviews!
This hydrating primer for dry skin utilizes advanced liposomal-tech technology. This means it bursts into micro-sized water beads upon contact with your skin to deliver a boost of hydration. It also has a bunch of nourishing ingredients with antioxidant benefits to help brighten up your complexion.
One of these ingredients is portulaca oleracea, a humectant that traps moisture in your skin to keep it looking plump and healthy. This primer also has SPF 25 PA+++, perfect for the hot sunny weather in the Philippines. This product layers excellently with makeup and will give your foundation all-day staying power.
L.A. Girl's Pro. Prep Primer contains dimethicone, which helps in covering your pores and fine lines to achieve a smoother skin texture. It'll make a suitable base for applying your foundation. Aside from that, it will also illuminate your face because the primer is formulated with light-diffusing particles.
With its gel texture, it is lightweight and easy to apply. It can soften the skin as well because it also contains vitamin E to nourish the skin. Moreover, your makeup will last all day, allowing you to enjoy a flawless finish. Simply use this primer after applying your moisturizer.
Here are some helpful tips as Dr. Katrina Luz answers some of the most-asked questions on the internet!
It depends. Unfortunately, primers don't get a free pass from possibly causing breakouts. It all boils down to trying out the product and seeing how your skin reacts.
There are no hard and fast rules for this. Primers can be used every day for most people. The key is really listening to your skin and adjusting accordingly!
Essentially, primers just prepare the skin. Primers are not a must, either. So yes, a moisturizer can be used as a primer!
Whether you're the type who loves no-makeup makeup looks or likes to go full glam, having high-quality products is essential to achieve whatever look you want. Check out our recommendations below to help you complete your makeup routine.
Re-editor: Bianca Angela Dela Cruz
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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