Choosing the best silicone-based primer is crucial so your primer can make a difference in how you look!
Did you know that silicone-based primers have a lot of benefits? They fill in pores and fine lines, giving your makeup a smooth base to adhere to it.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the best silicone-based primers for all skin types.
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Best Silicone Based Primers
Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer
This Smashbox primer provides a smooth canvas for your makeup. The formula blends effortlessly to soften pores and fine lines that often break down the foundation.
It leaves the skin feeling soft and velvety. It also contains vitamins A and E, which help protect the skin.
Although lightweight in consistency, it forms a barrier before makeup to keep you looking flawless all day long. If you’re looking to get a blurring effect without too much effort, start with this primer from Smashbox.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer
To minimize large pores, try this oil-free primer from Benefit Cosmetics. It has a lightweight creamy formula that blends easily into the skin. A little bit goes a long way with this primer, so you need a tiny amount to cover your entire face.
Dabit gently over your problem areas, such as big pores or fine lines. Let it set and go over with your foundation.
This primer leaves the skin with a soft matte finish. It evens the skin texture and helps create a base for the makeup application.
It’s not very mattifying, so it doesn’t help with shine control. It’s more of a pore-minimizer worn alone or under foundation.
To touch up makeup, pat the primer delicately on the problem areas and blend it gently.
Tip: You can mix your primer and foundation to get a natural long-lasting look. Depending on your skin type, you can layer different face primers to target many skin issues.
MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix Mattifine 12HR Shine-Control Primer
This oil-absorbing primer will help you tackle all of your oily skin problems. It gives the skin a beautiful matte finish, and it goes on invisibly under the foundation.
Makeup will stay fresh all day long without caking, which prevents foundation from creasing into fine lines.
This Primer from MAC Cosmetics is one of the best silicone-based primers, thanks to its light consistency that ensures your makeup stays on for hours. It helps to minimize the look of pores keeping you feeling fresh all day.
Pat on gently, let it set, and go on with your foundation on top. You can wear a lightweight foundation alone on top or add some blush and mascara for a natural look.
Related: The best foundations for large pores
Lancôme La Base Pro Perfecting and Smoothing Makeup Primer
Starting your makeup is simple with this primer from Lancôme, which provides a soft, velvety finish to the skin.
This face primer has the ‘Elasto-Smooth technology’, which refines the look of skin texture. It provides a smooth makeup base and blurs away any imperfections on the surface of your skin.
The packaging comes with a pump which makes it easy to use. Apply a tiny amount of this primer and gently massage until the skin feels smooth.
Give it some time to set before applying any makeup on top. This helps the primer to create an even base so that the makeup doesn’t separate throughout the day.
Related: Should you apply primer or sunscreen first?
Estée Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer
The Estée Lauder The Smoother Universal Perfecting Primer is a lightweight primer that prepares and evens the skin.
It helps to reduce the look of the pores, and it doesn’t dry the skin. It doesn’t leave the skin feeling greasy and wears well under makeup.
This primer stands out because it performs well under full coverage foundations. It doesn’t crumble or separate under makeup and helps the foundation stay longer.
It has a clear gel formula; you only need a tiny amount to cover the entire face.
FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
Not only is this blurring primer mattifying, but it’s also hydrating, making the skin feel nourished. This formula absorbs oil and blurs the look of large pores.
It’s the perfect first step to achieving a flawless look and is also great for all skin types.
The bottle comes with a pump which makes it easier to use. It gives the skin a nice hydrating feel while still providing shine control.
This silicone-based primer can be a great option if you struggle to make your foundation last on hot summer days. It wears well under makeup and provides a smooth foundation base.
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer
This silicone-based makeup primer is the perfect solution for anyone who wants their skin to look like it’s airbrushed. The formula of this primer is so lightweight and smooth that it feels like nothing at all when you apply it to your face.
It works great to control oil while ensuring your makeup stays in place all day long without separating or smudging.
A little bit goes a long way, so you only need a tiny amount to cover the entire face. Use gentle circular motions to blend the product into the skin. Let it set for a minute, and apply your foundation on top.
It’s Cruelty-Free, paraben-free, Sweatproof, and waterproof. It’s also long-lasting, so you might need to use less blotting paper throughout the day!
Best Drugstore Silicone-Based Primers
Many drugstore silicone-based primers are just as good as high-end primers. You don’t need to spend much money to get a good quality primer.
The best thing about these products is that they’re all under $20! These products will leave your skin smooth and silky while creating the perfect base for your makeup application.
These top-rated primers help fill in large pores and wrinkles. They can be used with many types of foundations or powders. They’re also non-greasy, preventing the foundation from sitting into the pores.
Rimmel Stay Matte primer
If you’re tired of looking shiny and greasy, this smoothing primer is for you. It will keep your face matte all day long so that your makeup looks perfect from morning to night.
You can even wear it to get a fresh matte look without any makeup. This silicone-based primer is extremely affordable and gives you smooth skin with a long-lasting velvety matte finish.
It has a very lightweight formula that feels lightweight on the skin while minimizing the appearance of pores and wrinkles. It creates a smooth canvas for the foundation, and it helps control oil throughout the day.
Tip: This primer can be worn on top of makeup. It helps to give the foundation a smooth and fresh look without looking cakey.
The Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer is great for anyone who wants their makeup routine to be minimal and simplified.
If you have very oily or combination skin, you can leave it in your makeup bag for quick touch-ups throughout the day. Dab your oily t-zone with blotting paper and re-apply this primer for a soft, matte look.
The clear formula blends effortlessly into the skin. It sets quickly into a matte finish that looks so natural. It doesn’t crumble under makeup and works well with liquid or powder foundations.
This silicone-based primer is an excellent choice for dry skin because it doesn’t emphasize dry patches.
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
The Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer helps to minimize the pores while giving the skin a smooth look. It will give you an airbrushed finish without spending hours in front of the mirror getting ready. It even works great on its own for an easy low maintenance look.
It’s not as long-lasting as a high-end primer, but it does the job. This primer is for you if you want to minimize your pores without breaking the bank.
Apply it under the foundation and give it a minute to set. Go on with your makeup on top and set everything with a loose powder for a long-lasting look. It doesn’t feel greasy or heavy and blends effortlessly into the skin.
A little bit goes a long way with this product, so you only need a tiny amount. One tube will last you a long time, and it’s also very affordable, which makes it a great deal!
Related: The best drugstore foundations for big pores.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer
The Studio Perfect Primer from NYX is perfect for preparing your complexion for makeup application. This silky formula creates a smooth surface for the foundation application.
It comes in three different shades: clear, green, and lavender.
Apply the shade ‘Clear’ anytime you need to prime the skin and minimize the pores and wrinkles of mature skin.
Apply ‘Lavender’ or ‘Green’ when color-correcting any skin discoloration. These shades work great to even out skin tone.
Green helps to neutralize redness. It helps reduce the look of pimples, broken capillaries, or sunburns.
Purple helps to eliminate yellow tones. The lavender primer can neutralize yellowness, which helps brighten the skin.
This silky formula creates a smooth canvas for makeup application, giving you a nice base that makes it easy for any foundation to glide smoothly. It’s also vegan and extremely affordable.
What makes this primer unique is that it’s long-lasting as many high-end primers. It helps to blur the pores, and it makes your makeup last longer too.
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer
This primer has a lightweight, comfortable formula that dries to a smooth matte finish. It helps to blur out imperfections and reduces the appearance of pores. In addition, it prevents the foundation from separating or sliding throughout the day.
This formula uses advanced adaptive silicones to act as a matte, blurring primer without drying the skin.
You can wear it alone as the last step in your skincare routine or underneath makeup to keep everything in place all day long. This primer contains no oils, and it’s also cruelty-free!
e.l.f PORELESS PUTTY PRIMER
This primer helps blur imperfections, minimize the appearance of pores, and give skin a smooth finish.
It has glycerin and squalane, which help hydrate the skin.
The formula is lightweight and blends instantly into the skin, so it’s perfect for makeup beginners.
It wears well under the foundation and doesn’t dry the skin.
For the price, this primer is an absolute steal!
It works great if you have large pores, as it helps to minimize their appearance.
You only need a small amount, so make sure you don’t apply too much, as it can cause your foundation to look patchy.
Best Silicone Based Primers for Dry Skin
COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Makeup Primer
The COVERGIRL & Olay Simply Ageless Makeup Primer is the perfect silicone-based primer to help your skin look its best. It contains nourishing ingredients that keep your face feeling fresh all day long. The formula contains glycerin which makes it a great choice for dry skin.
Glycerin helps to add moisture so that your foundation looks flawless all day.
The result is a smooth, even canvas for foundation application. It helps to minimize the look of pores and wrinkles. It’s also easy to blend and doesn’t slide or move around throughout the day.
This primer also comes with a pump dispenser which is easy to use. It’s also cruelty-free!
Related: The best foundations for large pores and dry skin
The best foundations for dry skin over 40
e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer
The e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer is the perfect way to refresh your complexion before makeup. It delivers hydration and essential vitamins that smooth skin, so it’s ready for flawless foundation application.
This hydrating face primer blends very easily into the skin, leaving feeling well-moisturized. It feels so silky and moisturizes the skin, leaving it feeling soft.
Before makeup, the best way to use this primer is to refresh your complexion and prepare for the foundation application. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving behind any greasy residue.
Key ingredients as per the e.l.f website:
Grapeseed Oil – Calms and evens out skin tone
Vitamin A – Hydrates and promotes skin’s natural moisture
Vitamin C – Brightens skin
Vitamin E – Nourishes and softens skin
This primer is an excellent choice for dry skin. The quality you get for the price is amazing, and it has great staying power.
Conclusion
Silicone primers are great for smoothing out the skin and creating a flawless base for the makeup application. They also help to keep your foundation in place all day long, so it won’t separate or smudge.
You might have heard of some other types of primers, like water-based or oil-based ones. While each has its benefits, silicone-based primers work great for people with oily or combination skin.
Some contain hydrating ingredients, so they can also help dry skin feel moisturized throughout the day.
If you are looking for a high-end smoothing silicone-based primer, check the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Oil-Free Primer.
It gives the skin a soft look, and it’s also long-lasting.
If you have oily skin, this mattifying primer is a great choice. It gives the skin a beautiful matte finish, and it goes on invisible under foundation.
For dry skin, this hydrating option is nice. It feels lightweight on the skin and is also from the drugstore!
For a long-lasting makeup look, try this High-Adherence Silicone Primer. It helps to blur out large pores and wrinkles. In addition, it prevents the foundation from separating or sliding throughout the day.
What’s a Silicone-Based Primer?
A silicone-based primer contains silicone.
To know if a primer is silicone-based, check the ingredients list. If ingredients end in -cone,-methicone, or -siloxane at the beginning of the list, then the primer is silicone-based.
Water is usually the first ingredient in silicone or water-based primers. Most liquid products have water as the main ingredient.
The name ‘silicone’ doesn’t have to exist in the ingredient list.
Silicone primers usually have these mentioned ingredients listed at the top of their ingredients list:
Dimethicone
Cyclohexasiloxane
Cyclopentasiloxane
Cyclomethicone
Water-based primers don’t have any of the silicone ingredients listed above on top of their ingredient list. Sometimes they might have a very small amount of these ingredients, but it should be down the list.
The second thing to look for is the TEXTURE.
Water-based primers have a liquid texture and a thinner consistency. They give the skin a dewy finish.
Silicone-based primers have a silky texture similar to vaseline or petroleum jelly. They feel soft, and they spread easily on the skin. They also help to blur fine lines and wrinkles for mature skin.
When choosing a primer, be sure to match the primer and the foundation correctly. Use a silicone-based primer with a silicone-based foundation and a water-based primer with a water-based foundation.
How to Apply a Silicone-Based Primer?
You can apply the primer all over your face or in certain areas. It all depends on your skin type and the look you want to achieve.
For example, if you have textured skin or large pores, you can apply the primer only in those areas.
Apply the primer after you cleanse, tone, and moisturize.
You only need a small amount of the product—a pea-sized amount is enough for the entire face. Avoid applying too much, as this can cause your foundation to separate and crease.
You can use your fingers or a brush to apply the primer. I use my fingers as they blend the primer into my skin more easily.
The warmth of your hands helps to melt the product into your skin.
Tap the product into the skin, let it sit for a minute, and then apply your makeup.
Are Silicone-Based Primers Good?
Yes, silicone-based primers can enhance your makeup look. They create a barrier between your skin and fill in pores and fine lines.
Some silicone-based primers have mattifying properties, while others help to smooth and hydrate the skin.
They can also help makeup last longer, making them a great choice for special occasions.
What Are the Side Effects of Silicone-Based Primer?
Silicone-based primers can be hard to remove, so clean your face with a good cleanser or makeup remover.
That’s why it’s always recommended that you take off your makeup at the end of the day to prevent breakouts and other skin issues.
Silicone-based primers can clog your pores if you don’t take the time to remove them properly.
Also, some people are sensitive to silicone-based products and may experience skin irritation.
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I haven’t tried any of these before!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
oh yes! silicone based primers can give the skin a smooth look.