15 Best Primers For Combination Skin, According To A Makeup Artist – 2024
No more shiny T-zone and dry cheeks— these primers will bring balance to your skin.
Tina Tempest is a highly qualified makeup artist and hairstylist. She is extremely passionate about helping women feel confident and beautiful through the power of makeup. Tina teaches makeup artists and women from all backgrounds through her makeup masterclasses, in person, and online makeup videos.
Read full bio of Tina Tempest
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.
Read full bio of Srijita De
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Experience: 7 yearsMadhumati is an associate editor with seven years of professional experience. She has previously worked as an editor, proofreader, and a writer with various organizations, helping her navigate through the various facets of content creation and refinement with ease.
Read full bio of Madhumati Chowdhury
Image: Shutterstock
Combination skin can be tricky for makeup application. Ensure that you are using a good primer for combination skin. Primers help provide a smooth canvas to layer your makeup products effortlessly. They also ensure that your makeup stays intact for a longer time without getting flaky. Combating excess shine is a top priority for those with combination skin. Unlike dry or oily skin, combination skin requires makeup products that reduce the shine in your T-zone area without making the rest of your face too dry. In this article, we have curated a list of the 15 best makeup primers for combination skin type so that you can get your hands on the best! They are a must have in your makeup routine! Keep reading to find out more about them and select the most suitable ones according to your needs.
In This Article
15 Best Primers For Combination Skin – Review & Guide
1. Best Water-Based:Maybelline New York Master Prime By Face Studio
When looking for good primers for combination skin, you want a makeup product that doesn’t make your skin greasy at the end of the day. And this primer from Maybelline is formulated keeping that in mind. The Master Prime helps smoothen fine lines and blurs imperfections to give you flawless-looking skin. This water-based product has a water-soluble base with active ingredients that help improve the look and feel of your skin. Apply this primer before the foundation to help your makeup last all day long. This video review featuring a tester’s experience will help you understand more about the product.
Pros
- Water-based formula
- Dermatologically tested
- Lightweight formula
- Ideal for all skin types
- Sensitive-skin-friendly
Cons
- It may not be effective in covering redness of the skin.
Pro Tip2. Best Natural Finish:e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer
Try the e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for an instant and long-lasting boost of hydration for your skin. This silky and creamy textured formula is packed with grapeseed oil and vitamins A, C, and E. The ingredients focus on delivering hydration and calming the skin. They also help the product to glide smoothly on the skin, leaving it dewy and even-toned. The primer delivers sheer coverage with a radiant and natural coat for exceptional results. It lessens the excess shine, blurs out fine lines and pores, preps your skin, and makes your makeup long-lasting.
Pros
- Skin smoothening
- Dewy finish
- Boosts hydration
- Natural matte finish
- Phthalates-free
- Paraben-free
- Triclosan-free
- Hydroquinone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
Cons
- May feel sticky after a few hours
- Quantity may seem less than expected
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 22,810 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
3. Best Against Redness:TULA Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer
Looking for the best primer for combination skin? This blemish control primer from TULA Skin Care is packed with probiotics and super foods that give you a sun-kissed look by blurring imperfections and brightening your skin. While turmeric helps in combating redness and inflammation, chia seeds improve luminosity, and licorice evens out the skin tone. The buildable formula is perfect to achieve that filter-like finish and is warm-toned. The primer is ideal for normal, oily, combination, mature, and sensitive skin types. Keeping your skin barrier intact is essential for mature skin, and a hydrating primer can help you achieve this. If you are an absolute beginner, this video featuring a reviewer’s experience might be useful.
Pros
- Preps your skin to provide a radiant finish
- Clinically proven to be suitable for blemish-prone skin
- Formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, and other harmful ingredients.
Cons
- It has a slight orange tint to it.
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 3,453 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
| Attribute | Best Water-Based  | Best Natural Finish  | Best Against Redness  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Maybelline New York Master Prime By Face Studio | e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer | TULA Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer |
| Skin Type | All | All | All |
| Finish | Dewy | Natural matte | Radiant |
| Coverage | Medium | Medium | Full |
| Size | 1.0 fl oz. | 0.47 fl oz. | 1 fl oz. |
| Cruelty-Free | No | Yes | No |
| Amazon Reviews | 8,962 | 28,626 | 3,798 |
| Amazon Ratings | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Buy Now | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
4. Best Lightweight:Farmasi VFX Pro Camera Ready Primer
Give your skin an instant youthful appearance with the Farmasi VFX Pro Camera Ready Perfecting Primer. This primer is formulated with an advanced photo-filter technology which smooths your skin and helps in reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. It gives your skin a smooth finish and blurs out the pores for a seamless makeup look. The formula is developed with premium ingredients that feel comfortable on your skin while locking in the makeup for prolonged hours. In addition, it is oil-free that absorbs quickly into your skin without making it feel greasy or heavy, and works on combating excess shine. This primer has multiple positive reviews online, and reviewers have also praised this product for how good it makes their skin look.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Minimizes fine lines
- Skin-replenishing ingredients
- Gentle on the skin
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Oil-free
- Prevents acne breakouts
Cons
- May make the makeup appear cakey after some time
5. Best Anti-Aging: Monica Ann Beauty Dual-Action Primer
This Dual-Action Primer from Monica Ann Beauty is the perfect pick if you are looking to give your skin that extra care and nourishment. Formulated using high-quality, key ingredients like vitamin C, it improves collagen production to give you firmer and plumper skin while also smoothening out fine lines and wrinkles and improving skin texture. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C helps reverse the skin damage caused by UV rays and also fights free radical damage. The face primer also contains hyaluronic acid which reduces fine lines and replenishes dehydrated skin by boosting the natural moisture content. This product is not tested on animals, which makes it a good, fur-friendly option.
Pros
- Translucent matte coverage
- Suitable for all skin types
- Free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
- Helps makeup last all day long
Cons
- Has a strong fragrance
6. Best Long-Lasting:L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Matte-Lock Foundation Primer
The L’Oréal Mattifying Primer blurs fine lines and other imperfections to give a matte makeup look that lasts all day. The primer glides on smoothly to perfect the complexion of your skin and prime the skin for makeup by keeping oil at bay. A non-come dogenic formula that’s lightweight and breathable, the primer is suitable for normal, oily and combination skin types. If you are going for a natural look, the primer alone will do the job! So, grab this product now and have zero worries about your makeup getting greasy. These are the best primers for combo skin. To find out more about this kit, check out this video.
Pros
- Perfect for a matte makeup look
- White to clear formula
- Long-lasting effect
- Controls excess oil production
Cons
- May not be ideal for extremely oily complexion
7. Best Oil-Controlling:Skin2Spirit Better’n Ur Skin Mineral Primer
This cruelty-free brand brings you a makeup primer that not only primes your skin but is packed with the goodness of antioxidants and botanical extracts to nourish and protect it. The non-greasy lightweight formula keeps your skin hydrated, and smoothes it, reduces fine lines, redness, and minimizes the appearance of pores. Ideal for oily, dry, mature, sensitive, and combination skin types, this primer gives a smooth skin texture that forms the perfect base for makeup and to apply your foundation and reduce oil and excess sweat. The brand does not conduct any animal testing, which makes it a good, fur-friendly option.
Pros
- Vegan
- Ideal for cream, liquid, or powder foundation
- Works as a moisturizer
- Balances pH
Cons
- Has a strong scent
Pro Tip8. Best Moisturizing:Lauda Botanicals Oily Face Control Mattifying Primer
With the Mattifying Primer from Lauda Botanicals, you get a 2-in-1 product that works as a moisturizer and a primer. The non-drying, mattifying formula is infused with the goodness of botanicals to provide clear, smooth skin. The herbal moisturizer/primer reduces inflammation, balances pH, shrinks pores, and provides hydration to your skin. Formulated without toxins, it is infused with aloe vera, tea tree oil, salicylic and lactic acids, cinnamon, lemon, pine tree extract, and witch hazel among others. This non-greasy primer helps with shine control to give you healthy and fresh-looking skin all day long. It also contains anti-aging key ingredients, like AHA and BHA that work towards promoting smoother and refined skin. Also, the brand does not test on animals, which makes this a good option for ethically conscious consumers.
Pros
- Non-come dogenic, oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Suitable for combination, oily, blemish, and acne-prone skin.
- Free of parabens, artificial colors, fragrance, and mineral oil.
Cons
- Not ideal for sensitive skin
9. Best With SPF:Philosophy Supernatural Poreless/Flawless Tinted Primer
Looking for a product that is similar to a BB cream? Then you might want to check out this tinted primer from Philosophy. This makeup product is perfect for everyone reluctant to apply too many products on their skin. Lazy to apply sunscreen? This product has got you covered. The oil-free formula offers SPF 15 and provides a sheer, natural look to your skin. It prepares the skin for flawless makeup application and provides a smooth base for makeup and foundation by minimizing pores and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
Pros
- SPF 15
- Oil-free formula
- Multi-use
- This product can be used on its own.
Cons
- May not work for very pale or dark skin tones.
10. Best Matte Finish:DHC Velvet Skin Coat Makeup Primer
This primer is formulated with organic olive oil and silica to absorb excess oil and sweat while protecting the skin from environmental aggressors. The Velvet Skin Coat formula helps with shine control, minimizes the appearance of pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and other imperfections, making your skin look smooth and matte, ready for makeup. This clear and transparent formula works great for all skin tones and types. You can also wear this tried-and-tested primer for an all-day mattifying effect if you have combination skin.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fragrance-free
- Colorant-free
- Suits all skin tones and types
- Matte finish
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Might dry out the skin
11. Best For Every Day:Clinique Super Universal Face Primer
Next on our list of the best primer for combination skin is the primer from Clinique. Clinique’s Universal Face Primer suits all skin types and is perfect for everyday use. The lightweight formula is free of oils, allergens, and fragrances. The primer color-corrects your skin and addresses a range of concerns to provide the perfect canvas for makeup. Apply the primer using your fingertips or a makeup sponge evenly on your skin. This product has multiple positive reviews on trusted online platforms like Amazon.
Pros
- Glides on easily
- Color-correcting
- Non-oily
- Fragrance-free
- Allergy tested
Cons
- Not suitable for extremely dry skin
12. Best Oil-Control Formula:NxN Beauty Flash Matte Perfecting Primer
The Flash Matte Perfecting Primer minimizes the appearance of pores and evens out skin tone for a perfect flawless canvas. Infused with java tea leaf, grape seed, and licorice root extract, it nourishes your skin. One of the major concerns with combination skin is the excess oil production in certain areas. Getting the perfect glow, becomes tough for combination skin but this primer helps control oil to give you a radiant yet shine-free finish. It also prevents redness and protects the skin with its powerful antioxidant properties. It is the best primer for combination skin.
Pros
- Free of sulfates and parabens
- Cruelty-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Not ideal for a complete matte makeup look
13. Best Apricot Essence:Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer
The Universal Perfecting Primer from Estee Lauder is infused with apricot essence that softens the skin while preparing it for makeup. It has a lightweight formula that gives a glow, minimizes the appearance of pores and imperfections, making your skin smooth and even. The velvety texture glides smoothly on the skin for an easy application
Pros
- Lightweight
- A little bit goes a long way
- Reduces the appearance of pores
- Softens and smoothes the skin
- Blends well
Cons
- None
14. Best Sebum Control:TOUCH IN SOL No Pore Blem Primer
Keep pores and signs of aging at bay with the TOUCH IN SOL No Pore Blem Primer. This lightweight pore-minimizing formula gives your skin a smooth coverage and even tones it for radiant skin. In addition, it tightens the pores and instantly lifts dull skin. It has soluble collagen that smooths your skin to create a flawless canvas for your makeup. It is loaded with green tea extracts, which protect and energize your skin. It prevents moisture loss by strengthening the moisture barrier while regulating the oil excretion and controlling sebum production. The formula minimizes spots and blemishes and keeps your makeup glow intact for long hours.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Smooths and evens out the skin tone
- Radiance-boosting formula
- Non-sticky
- Reduces signs of aging
- Pore-filling effect
- Plant-based ingredients
- Velvety finish
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Acrylamide-free
- Talc-free
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has received 1,983 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
15. Best Smooth Finish:Banila Co Prime Primer Matte
One of the best primers for combination skin, the Banila Co Prime Primer Matte is available in the form of a non-transparent gel that provides a shine-free look. The primers absorb sebum on the T-zone area and cheeks and refine pores and fine lines to give a porcelain-smooth finish. Ideal for oily and combination skin types, the gel formula seamlessly blends into the skin like no other. With this primer, you will never have to worry about your makeup looking cakey!
Pros
- Makeup-extending effect
- Hydrating primer
- Pore-tightening properties
- Offers a satin-soft finish
Cons
- May not suit sensitive skin
Now let us take a look at how to choose the right makeup primer for combination skin.
Best Primers For Combination Skin – Buying Guide
Choosing The Right Makeup Primer For Combination Skin
When picking a primer for combination skin, it’s best to go for a non-comedogenic formula that doesn’t clog your pores. An oil-free formula is ideal for combination skin as it helps reduce acne and breakouts. Lastly, make sure it sits comfortably on your skin and lets it breathe for a radiant looking skin. For that, opt for a breathable and lightweight primer which most non-comedogenic formulas tend to be. Some primers address other areas of skin concern such as fine lines, visible pores, and wrinkles.
Which Primer Is Good For Combination Skin?
The best primers for combination skin include Premium Foundation Makeup Primer, TULA Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer, Glossiva Face Primer, and Monica Ann Beauty Dual-action Primer.
Tips For Picking And Applying Makeup Primer
Here, we list down a few tips that might be helpful while choosing and applying a makeup primer:
- Choose a primer that deals with your specific set of skin concerns whether it is oily T-zone, redness, pores, fine lines, wrinkles, or blemishes.
- Remember that only a pea-sized amount of your primer is needed to apply all over your skin. Make sure to apply it on clean, moisturized skin.
- Apply the foundation primer in upward and outward gentle motions starting from the center of your face. Tina Tempest, a highly qualified makeup artist and hairstylist, adds, “Also using a setting spray after makeup will keep your makeup in place all day.”
- Check if your primer is safe to use near the lash line or near the delicate eye area. Otherwise, steer clear of those regions.
The Bottom Line
Integrating a primer into your skincare routine is a crucial step as it can elevate your makeup game. However, choosing the right primer for combination skin can be tough. As primers act as the ultimate base for your makeup products, people with combination skin need primers that are neither too oily nor too dry. To keep your makeup in place throughout the day, choose the Maybelline New York Master Prime By Face Studio. You may choose the e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for a boost of hydration. You may also opt for the Monica Ann Beauty Dual-Action Primer which contains antioxidants that fight free radicals. The primer that people with combination skin choose should be able to offer shine control from their T-zone area while not turning the other parts of the face too dry. There are many primers on the market that help smooth fine lines, wrinkles, and patches as well as uplift your beauty routine.
Infographic: Benefits OF Using A Primer
Check out the following infographic which lists the benefits of using a primer for combination skin. The combination skin type is quite tricky to handle and needs special attention. The infographic will help you understand the importance of using a primer that takes care of the various oily and dry zones of this skin type, and get a flawless look. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Choosing the right primer for combination skin can be tough. As primers act as the ultimate base for your makeup products, people with combination skin need primers that are neither too oily nor too dry. The primer that people with combination skin choose should be able to effectively remove the extra shine from their T-zone area while not turning the other parts of the face too dry. There are many primers in the market that help in smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, and patches as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best drugstore primer for combination skin?
The best drugstore primers for combination skin are Maybelline master prime By Face Studio, L’Oréal Paris’ infallible matte-lock foundation primer, NxN Beauty flash matte perfecting primer, and Aesthetica pore minimizing foundation primer.
What makeup is good for combination skin?
Matte foundation is ideal for combination skin. However, there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to makeup looks. So, feel free to try out a dewy foundation to understand what works best for you.
Is a primer really necessary?
Yes. If you want flawless-looking skin or a smooth base for your makeup, applying primer is non-negotiable. It is a great way to ensure that your makeup lasts for a longer time and keeps the skin moisturized.
Can I use primer without makeup on combination skin?
Yes, you can use a primer on combination skin even if you don’t plan on using makeup. It helps in creating a flawless and smooth texture that instantly lifts up your look without having to apply any extra makeup products.
What comes first – moisturizer or primer?
Moisturizer. It is important to clean your skin and apply a moisturizer first as it makes the application of all other products much more smooth.
Can I apply primer every day on combination skin?
Yes, you can use a primer on combination skin every day. It is safe and offers an even tone and smooth texture without having you to add heavy makeup products.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Srijita De, the author of this article, is a makeup enthusiast who loves to keep up with the latest trends and review makeup products. She has conducted thorough research, checked the brand websites and user reviews and ratings on trusted online platforms to prepare this detailed list of the best primers for combination skin. These products are shine-reducing in the T-zone area without making the rest of the face too dry.
Read full bio of Tina Tempest
Read full bio of Srijita De
Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury
Read full bio of Madhumati Chowdhury
Community Experiences
Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.