9 Best Primers Without Silicone To Keep Your Skin Soft, Reviewed For 2024

“Makeup is not a tool meant to make an ugly thing beautiful. It’s meant only to magnify the beauty that already exists.” –

A primer smooths your skin and makes your makeup set flawlessly. But regular primers are incorporated with silicone that seals moisture but also traps dirt, sebum, and other impurities. Only the best silicone-free primer extends the wear time of your makeup and keeps your skin soft.

Silicone-based primers also cause breakouts and blackheads. Thus, most makeup experts are switching to silicone-free primers to get a perfect finish. These primers are non-comedogenic, lightweight, and blend smoothly on your skin.

These silicone-free primers provide the same results as silicone-based primers while making your skin healthy. It is an makeup artistry essential for beauty enthusiasts. The silicone-free primers are also usually free from harsh chemicals. In this article, we have curated a list of the 9 best silicone-free primers for a perfect look. Check them out below!

9 Best Primers Without Silicone To Keep Your Skin Soft – 2024

1. Best For A Dewy Finish:Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer

4.5

Image: Too Faced

BUY ON AMAZON | $17.95

Revive your lackluster skin with this Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer from Too Faced. The brand credits coconut water as the star ingredient as it hydrates skin for a dewy and healthy look. Besides giving a boost of hydration, the primer works to soothe and refresh the complexion. It also promotes skin elasticity and can be worn alone or under makeup to get a flawless look with a silky smooth, visibly plump, and radiant appearance. This video, detailing a reviewer’s experience, will provide you with added insights about the product.

2. Best Multi-Tasking Primer:Dermablend Professional Insta-Grip Jelly Primer

4.1

Image: Dermablend

BUY ON AMAZON | $33.0

Prep your skin for optimal results with this Insta-grip jelly primer from Dermablend Professional that makes your makeup last for 24 hours. This product meets all the dermatological standards to give effective results without any side effects. Its 3-in-1 formula is great for instant moisturization and is a perfect pore-minimizer that gives a refreshing look.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has received 1,628 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.

3. Best Non-Acnegenic:Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

4.6

Now 22% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $34.95

Add a veil of moisture in one simple step with this Photo Finish Primer Water from Smashbox. This 2-in-1 product primes your face to create a hydrating canvas for makeup. A few spritzes of this primer water also sets the makeup to stay for a longer duration. Its watery formula gets absorbed instantly and rejuvenates dull and dry skin. The high-impact primer plumps and soothes the skin. Besides, this ultra-fine spray infused with revitalizing electrolytes boosts complexion and suits all skin types. Take a look at this video to know more about the product as it is being tested by the reviewer.

Pro Tip

If you have dry skin, it may appear flakey without primer. Apply a good amount of the product for adequate coverage and follow up with cream-based makeup.

4. Best Oil-Free Matte Formula:Honest Beauty Everything Primer

4.2

Image: Honest Beauty

BUY ON AMAZON | $20.85

Just a pearl-sized amount of this primer is enough to prep your skin and control shine throughout the day for enhanced beauty. The Everything Primer from Honey Beauty is infused with micronized bamboo, black currant, and raspberry extract that enriches this product with antioxidant properties and controls surface oils for a lasting matte finish. Its oil-free formula makes it suitable to prime your face before makeup or dab over makeup to control mid-day shine. Use it alone or with foundation and even out your skin tone for a flawless look. Moreover, its non-chemical formula is dermatologically-tested and is hypoallergenic. This primer is safe for all skin types.

5. Best Non-Comedogenic:Tula Skin Care Brighten Up Smoothing Primer Gel

4.3

Image: Tula

Now 27% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $24.78

The Brighten Up Smoothing Primer Gel from TULA Skin Care is enriched with a dose of probiotic extracts to calm irritation and brighten skin tone. It is infused with yuzu and willowherb that brighten skin tone and soothe it. Its non-comedogenic formula creates a makeup-gripping base without clogging pores. Moreover, the bursts of citrusy scent uplift your mood while offering long-term skin benefits. Check out this video featuring the tester’s experience for more insights.

6. Best For Minimizing Pores:Skindinavia Makeup Primer Spray

4.1

Image: Skindinavia

BUY ON AMAZON | $27

This Makeup Primer Spray from Skindinavia is a hot favorite among makeup lovers due to its lightweight formula. It helps minimize pores and fine lines and delivers a smooth surface for lasting wear. It is great for dry skin, as it hydrates and adds a healthy radiance to it. Moreover, its water-based texture blends seamlessly to offer a natural finish without letting your makeup crease, slide, fade, or melt. This clinically-tested product holds your makeup for up to 16 hours. Its oil-control formula and pore-minimizing feature controls shine all day and gives a pitch-perfect look. Its waterproof and heat-resisting properties eliminate the need for touch-ups.

Pro Tip

After cleansing, give your face an ice massage to minimize the pores and increase circulation. This can improve the effectiveness of your primer.

7. Best Natural Radiance:Wet N Wild Prime Focus Impossible Primer

4.2

Image: Wet N Wild

BUY ON AMAZON | $6.38

The Prime Focus Impossible Primer from Wet N Wild is enriched with gooseberry and jeju blossom extract. These are natural brighteners that make the primer a do-it-all product. This primer allows you to experience improved skin health and enhanced beauty with flawless look. It’s breakthrough silicone-free formula seamlessly blends with the skin and delivers a matte finish by controlling shine without drying your skin out. Moreover, its antioxidant-rich properties make it healthy for your skin. The primer also creates an even complexion.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

It has received over 1,701 rave reviews on Amazon, proving it is a mass favorite.

8. Best Hydrating Formula:Ren Clean Skincare – Perfect Canvas Clean Primer

4.1

Image: Ren Clean Skincare

BUY ON AMAZON | $48

Minimize the appearance of pores to get a magnified makeup look with the Perfect Canvas Clean Primer from Ren Clean Skincare. This silicone-free primer smoothens your skin and dramatically improves it by diminishing fine lines. The skin-boosting extracts of lactococcus, blue agave, and alpha-glucan seal moisture, promote healthy microbiome, and strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. This mattifying primer plumps your skin, creates a perfect base, and holds the makeup for long hours. Its hydrating properties renew and lift dull and dry skin and offer a flawless look.

9. Best For Lasting Results:Hard Candy Sheer Envy Hydrating Primer Mist

3.8

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.95

Prepping your skin is essential so give it an extra boost of hydration with this Sheer Envy Hydrating Primer Mist from Hard Candy. It is infused with coconut water that retains natural moisture levels and lasts for up to 12 hours. This primer mist creates a moisturized canvas that holds makeup for a longer duration and makes your skin soft, smooth, and supple. Its liquid texture blends effortlessly and does not warrant frequent touch-ups.

Silicone-free primer is preferred by many because of its ability to prolong your makeup looks without attracting dirt and dust. With so many such primers available on the market, it gets difficult to choose the right one for yourself. But, we have listed a few pointers to consider before buying silicone-free primers.

Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Silicone-Free Primers

• Formulation

A primer is either worn alone or under makeup so choose a non-sticky, silicone-free primer that absorbs easily and completely. A non-sticky primer also allows the other cosmetics products to glide smoothly on the skin’s surface. Choose a lightweight formula so that it does not feel cakey or heavy on the skin.

• Skin Type

Choose primers according to your skin type. For dry skin, use a hydrating primer which replenishes the lost moisture while giving a smooth base for makeup. Oily skin types can opt for a matte, oil-free primer that controls sebum production and mattifies the skin.

Lightweight primers rich in antioxidants, peptides, dimethicone, and hyaluronic acid work best for mature skin types. Avoid shimmery or matte finish primers that may enhance the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For acne-prone skin, choose non-comedogenic primers infused with salicylic acid and tea tree oil, which controls acne and does not irritate the skin. For redness, pick hypoallergenic, colored primers that also conceal the inflamed skin.

• Ingredients To Avoid

For the best results, make sure that your makeup primer is free from chemicals. Along with silicone, avoid ingredients like paraben, phthalates, triclosan, mineral oil, gluten, or synthetic fragrances.

• Additional Benefits

A sweat-resistant primer is recommended if you are attending a brunch or a day function. It lets your makeup stay for long hours without getting smudged. Opt for primers with SPF if you spend long durations outdoors.

Infographic: How To Apply A Silicone-Free Primer

Makeup products containing silicone clog pores, promote flare-ups, and may end up damaging your skin. In fact, most silicone-based products, especially foundations and primers, are also very hard to remove. This is where a silicone-free primer or foundation comes into play. It offers a smooth base without congesting your skin. However, you also need to know how to apply the primer in the right manner to enjoy its benefits. Check out the infographic below for some helpful application tips.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Are silicone-free primers good for oily skin?

Yes, silicone-free primers that offer a mattifying effect are good for oily skin. The shine-free formulas soak oil and sebum and keep your pores unclogged.

Can you use a silicone-free primer for combination Skin?

Yes, silicone-free primers work on combination skin but not as effectively as on dry skin. Silicone-free primers may help keep the drier parts of a combination skin moisturized.

Do silicone primers cause breakouts?

Yes, silicone primers create another layer on your skin that does not let the existing dirt and sebum getaway. The accumulation of excess dirt and sebum causes breakouts.

What is the difference between silicone- and water-based primers?

The major difference between a water-based primer and a silicone-based primer is that the former is used for dry skin while the latter works well on oily skin. Silicone-based primers prevent excess oil by creating a top layer on your skin. On the other hand, water-based primers are lightweight and nourish your skin and hydrate the dry areas.

Can I use silicone-free primer every day?

Yes, you may use silicone-free primers daily.

How to remove a silicone-free primer from your skin?

Use a makeup remover wipe or micellar water to remove silicone-free primer. Dab the remover wipe or the cotton pad with micellar water on your face and remove the makeup. For stubborn layers of makeup, you may also use a facial cleanser.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques, understands the importance of quality primers without silicone, and wants her readers to get the bang for their buck. She has compiled this list of the best primers without silicone. These products will give you the best results without burning a hole in your pocket. She checked thousands of online reviews and feedback on different platforms to pick the suitable ones.

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Cha Cha WoskaCertified Makeup Artist

 

Cha Cha is a certified professional makeup artist, airbrush makeup artist, and beauty educator with over 20 years in the beauty industry. She is also the owner of Cha Cha Beauty Bar and has done extensive work in the bridal and special event categories.

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Baishali BhattacharyaBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

 

Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior to this, she was a part of a digital marketing company in Kolkata where she wrote stories on travel, beauty, and home décor.

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Srijani Roy Chowdhury Associate Commerce Editor

Srijani 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.

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Srijita DeCommerce Writer

Srijita 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.

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