If there’s one makeup product that’s up for debate, it’s primer. Some of us swear by it, others skip it in favour of a hydrating moisturiser. But when it comes to mature skin, the benefits of primer cannot be denied.
Combining the best of skin care and makeup, a good primer works to lock in your skin care and set the foundations for, well, foundation. And there’s a primer for every concern – hydrating, plumping, brightening, smoothing, blurring and even mattifying.
So we’ve rounded up our favourite primers that will lock your makeup in all day long without settling into your fine lines or drying out your complexion. Here, the best primers for mature skin.
Best Primers for Mature Skin
L’Oréal Paris Base Magique Primer
We Say: The L’Oréal Paris Base Magique Primer moisturises, hydrates and protects your skin. It’s formulated with soft powders to absorb oil, veiling those pesky fine lines, pores and uneven skin tone. With over 250 glowing reviews, this bh-approved mattifying primer is guaranteed to become a mainstay in your makeup wardrobe.
You Say: “I often use Base Magique on its own without makeup as it gives a natural looking, improved texture finish with way less visible lines & pores. It also locks in hydration so your skin stays fresh looking all day. When I do wear foundation, I feel like a million bucks. The foundation slides on easily and the primer stays in place without being compromised.” – LG Kempin
Want to know more? Read more L’Oréal Paris Base Magique Primer reviews here…
$29.95 at Cosmetic Capital
Designer Brands Rise and Prime Luminescent Primer
We Say: There is no better feeling than when a product undersells itself and over- delivers – and this primer is one of those rare products. Created with light diffusing particles your skin will be left hydrated and luminously radiant. Packed with skincare ingredients such as green tea, aloe vera and vitamins A, C and E, your skin will be left radiant, hydrated and silky smooth.
$19.99 at Adore Beauty
Estée Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer
We Say: This pore-perfecting primer is your one-stop shop to a smoother, softer complexion. Infused with apricot essence, this lightweight primer diffuses the look of pores and imperfections, leaving the skin with a smooth, even texture.
You Say: “The Smoother Perfecting Primer has an immediate impact on the skin, with the smoothing part of the product’s name kicking in on application. I can actually see where I have put a stripe of this on my face, and where I haven’t. As such, if you were having a good skin day you could easily just use this product with no follow up foundation.” – Dilettante
Want to know more? Read more Estée Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer reviews here…
$65 at Sephora
Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow
We Say: If a dewy, goddess- worthy glow is what you’re after, this primer is your answer.
Since hydration is key, Charlotte Tilbury has created Wonderglow with moisturising ingredients like hyaluronic acid and camellia oil. We’re always on the hunt for ingredients that promise to soften fine lines and revitalise our skin. And lucky for us, Wonderglow delivers on this pursuit with peptides, rosehip oil and wild pansy extract. Dewy glow, coming right up!
$76 at Charlotte Tilbury
The KIND Collective Blur Perfection Primer with Blue Light Protection
We Say: Although we apply sunscreen under our makeup, not all sunscreens protect from blue light damage. And this is where The KIND Collective Blur Perfection Primer with Blue Light Protection comes in. Brimming with botanical ingredients, this colour- correcting, soft- finish primer will hydrate your skin. It’s formulated with natural anti-blue light ingredients to perfect your base and protect your complexion from environmental damage.
You Say: “Two words: LOVE IT! I purchased this with high hopes as I already loved the foundation from this brand. It provides the perfect base for a glowing makeup look and paired with the Kind Collective foundation and glow drops is the recipe for glowing goddess complexion. I love using this under other foundations too and still get the glowing look! The price is also perfect and the ingredients being natural are a big tick for me as well!” – Shali_Nialler
Read more The KIND Collective Blur Perfection Primer with Blue Light Protection reviews here…
$16.95 at The KIND Collective
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas
We Say: The quiet luxury era just got a bit louder. The Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas brings a modern revival of time- honoured Geisha practices. Protecting skin from environmental factors, the silk powder formula blurs imperfections and creates a secure base for long-lasting makeup. This primer is perfect for mature skin, developed with hadasei-3, an anti-aging trio which will help restore your natural glow.
$87 at Mecca
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch
We Say: This cream primer perfectly smooths away fine-lines and wrinkles, leaving a more balanced, even skin tone. The lightweight veiling formula is spiked with acacia senegal to lock in your skin’s natural moisture, keeping you hydrated all day long.
You Say: “I am absolutely in love with this beautiful product. It comes in a little red pot and you just use your fingertips to apply on your face before applying your make-up. I can assure you that it definitely smoothes fine lines and wrinkles and after I have finished applying, my skin feels and looks absolutely flawless. The cream feels so velvety on your fingertips and only a small amount is required to apply to your face. Once you apply your foundation, your face looks and feels fantastic and I have gone from morning to night without any touching up on my make-up. I am also in my 50s. For me, this is really the best make-up base I have ever used.” – Jatz
Want to know more? Read more Clarins Instant Smooth Perfect Touch Reviews here…
$55 at Clarins
Runway Room First Base Hydrating Primer
We say: Are you ready for the ultimate makeup-meets-skin care hydration hit? Well get ready, because this hydrating primer is formulated with moisture-boosting, skin-loving ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and Kakadu plum. Your skin will be plumped and primed for a stunning glowing finish.
You say: “I bought this when I purchased the Runway Room Luminous Foundation. It is a fantastic primer, my foundation glides on beautifully and even better, stays on all day. It gives a nice smooth and dewy look. However, this hydrating primer can also be used au natural for a right glow up. Just apply like moisturiser and it plumps up fine lines around your eyes and lips and makes you look younger and fresher. It really is the ultimate primer. You will not regret trying this primer.”
Want to read more? Read Runway Room First Base Hydrating Primer Reviews here
$69.95 at Runway Room
Runway Room First Base Hydrating Primer
We say: When it comes to creating a flawless face of makeup on mature skin, the first step is to create a dewy, hydrated base. And this clever primer gets bonus points with its skin care-infused formula. Designed to give ultimate hydration thanks to hyaluronic acid, the primer will leave your skin looking lit-from-within.
Want to know more? Read more Runway Room First Base Hydrating Primer Reviews here…
$69.95 at Myer
Main Image Credit: Getty Images
Do you use a primer? What’s your top mature skin makeup tip?