15 Best Primers For Combination Skin – Review & Guide

No more shiny T-zone and dry cheeks— these primers will bring balance to your skin.

By Srijita DeSrijita De  • 
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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. 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! Keep reading to find out more about them and select the most suitable ones according to your needs.

Top PicksCheck Price
Maybelline New York Master Prime By Face Studio
Price on Amazon
e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer
Price on Amazon
TULA Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer
Price on Amazon
Farmasi VFX Pro Camera Ready Primer
Price on Amazon
Monica Ann Beauty Dual-Action Primer
Price on Amazon
L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Matte-Lock Foundation Primer
Price on Amazon
Skin2Spirit Better’n Ur Skin Mineral Primer
Price on Amazon
Lauda Botanicals Oily Face Control Mattifying Primer
Price on Amazon
Philosophy Supernatural Poreless/Flawless Tinted Primer
Price on Amazon
DHC Velvet Skin Coat Makeup Primer
Price on Amazon

15 Best Primers For Combination Skin In 2023

1. Maybelline New York Master Prime By Face Studio

4.3
Maybelline Face Studio Master Prime Primer Image: Maybelline New York

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 foundation to help your makeup last all day long. This video review will help you understand more about the product.

Pros

  • Water-based formula
  • Dermatologically tested
  • Lightweight formula
  • Ideal for all skin types including sensitive skin.

Cons

  • It may not be effective in covering redness of the skin.

protip_icon Pro Tip
If you have combination skin, you may consider using two primers. A mattifying one for the more gressier parts of your face such as the T-zone and a hydrating one for the rest of your face.

Price at the time of publication: $7.29

2. e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer

4.3

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 finish. It blurs out fine lines and pores, preps your skin, and makes your makeup long-lasting.

Pros

  • Skin smoothening
  • 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 It’s Worth Buying: There are more than 22,810 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
Price at the time of publication: $12.04

3. TULA Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer

4.5

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. If you are an absolute beginner, this video review 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.

protip_icon Pro Tip
Consider double cleansing your combination skin before applying a primer or other makeup products. Double cleansing will cleanse excess oil from your face and prevent clogged pores.

Why It’s Worth Buying: This product has received 3,453 reviews from customers on Amazon, indicating its popularity and reliability.
Price at the time of publication: $34.0

4. Farmasi VFX Pro Camera Ready Primer

4.4
Farmasi VFX PRO Camera-Ready Primer Image: Farmasi

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 smoothens 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 the makeup for prolonged hours. In addition, it is oil-free that absorbs quickly into your skin without making it feel greasy or heavy.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Minimizes pores
  • 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
Price at the time of publication: $17.95

5. Monica Ann Beauty Dual-Action Primer

4.3
Monica Ann Beauty Dual-Action Primer Image: Monica Ann Beauty

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 ingredients along with vitamin C, it improves collagen production to give you firmer and plumper skin while also smoothening out fine lines and wrinkles. 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.

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
Price at the time of publication: $34.0

6. L’Oréal Paris’ Infallible Matte-Lock Foundation Primer

4.3
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Lock Image: Lorealparisusa

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 shine

Cons

  • It is not ideal for extremely oily skin.
Price at the time of publication: $9.99

7. Skin2Spirit Better’n Ur Skin Mineral Primer

4
Fifth & Skin Mineral Primer Image: Fifthandskin

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 hydrates and smoothes skin, reduces fine lines, redness, and minimizes the appearance of pores. Ideal for oily, dry, mature, sensitive, and combination skin types, this primer forms the perfect base to apply your foundation by reducing oil and excess sweat. It is the best foundation primer for combination skin.

Pros

  • Vegan
  • Ideal for cream, liquid, or powder foundation
  • Works as a moisturizer
  • Balances pH

Cons

  • Has a strong scent

protip_icon Pro Tip
For combination skin, opt for a water-based primer, making your skin appear dewy and moisturized without adding extra grease or feeling oily.

Price at the time of publication: $20.95

8. Lauda Botanicals Oily Face Control Mattifying Primer

3.9
Lauda Botanicals Oily Face Control Mattifying Primer Image: Lauda Botanicals

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 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 control shine to give you healthy and fresh-looking skin all day long. It also contains anti-aging AHA and BHA ingredients that work towards promoting smoother and refined skin.

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
Price at the time of publication: $16.95

9. Philosophy Supernatural Poreless/Flawless Tinted Primer

4.5
Philosophy Supernatural Poreless/Flawless Tinted Primer Image: Philosophy

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 provides a flawless base for your 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.
Price at the time of publication: $39

10. DHC Velvet Skin Coat Makeup Primer

4.4

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 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 it alone for an all-day matte look.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Fragrance-free
  • Colorant-free
  • Suits all skin tones and types
  • Matte finish
  • Long-lasting

Cons

  • Might dry out the skin
Price at the time of publication: $14.79

11. Clinique Super Universal Face Primer

Clinique SuperPrimer Image: Clinique

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.

Pros

  • Glides on easily
  • Non-oily
  • Fragrance-free
  • Allergy tested

Cons

  • Not suitable for extremely dry skin
Price at the time of publication: $4670.0

12. NxN Beauty Flash Matte Perfecting Primer

4.1

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. The 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
Price at the time of publication: $12.95

13. Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer

4.6
Estee Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer Image: Estee Lauder

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 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

Price at the time of publication: $25.43

14. TOUCH IN SOL No Pore Blem Primer

4.2
Touch In Sol No Pore Blem Primer Image: Touch In Sol

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 smoothens 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 intact for long hours.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Non-sticky
  • Reduces signs of aging
  • Plant-based ingredients
  • Velvety finish
  • Paraben-free
  • Mineral oil-free
  • Acrylamide-free
  • Talc-free

Cons

  • Not suitable for sensitive skin
Why It’s Worth Buying: The overwhelming 11,170 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
Price at the time of publication: $15.5

15. 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 primer seamlessly blends into the skin like no other. With this primer, you will never have to worry about your makeup looking cakey!

Pros

  • Helps makeup last longer
  • Hydrating primer
  • Pore-tightening properties
  • Offers a satin-soft finish

Cons

  • May not suit sensitive skin
Price at the time of publication: $24

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 your skin breathe. 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.
  • Check if your primer is safe to use near the lash line or near the delicate eye area. Otherwise, steer clear of those regions.

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.

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.

Infographic: light food recipes

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.

Download Infographic in PDF version Download Infographic
Download Infographic in PDF version

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.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Chaitra Krishnan, 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 reduce the shine in the T-zone area without making the rest of the face too dry and provide a smooth canvas.

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.

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