Irrespective of what your beauty aesthetic is, a primer is Glow-Up 101. Whether you’re team au naturel or belong to Kim Kardashian’s squad of super contourers, if you’ve got the wrong primer, it is quite literally a base error.
If you’re prone to breakouts or depend on concealer to hide imperfections, a pore-reducing primer is essential for your routine. If you have sensitive skin, a pore-filling primer can conceal pores, flakes and patchy spots, especially if you like layered base makeup.
The ideal primer will also stop your makeup from clogging your pores further, keep your skin hydrated and feel almost weightless on your skin. Here are some of the most functional pore-reducing primers.
[ Next: Face Mapping Your Acne: What Your Breakouts May Be Telling You ]
Primers That Actually Conceal Your Pores
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Fenty Beauty by Rihanna
Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer, $32 at Sephora
This pore-diffusing primer is designed for smoother foundation application. The oil-free formula is better than any standard matte primer as it leaves a light, sheer filter, which actually blurs your pores to match your skin.
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L'Oréal Paris
Magic Perfecting Base Face Primer, $10.97 at Amazon
The silky formula gives a smooth, matte finish and seamlessly blends in under foundation or a BB cream base.
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Yves Saint Laurent
Touche Éclat Blur Perfector, $38.30 at Harrods
This balm-in-powder perfector is basically a sheer foundation that evens skin tone and minimizes pores without causing congestion.
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Origins
Original Skin Pore-Perfecting Cooling Primer With Willowherb, $32 at Origins
This foaming primer is perfect for a no-makeup look. Apply it under sunscreen and finish with a setting powder.
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Dr. Brandt Skincare
Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer, $45 at Sephora
This refining primer turns your skin into a smooth canvas, which makes makeup application so much easier. The product acts like a sheer barrier between your skin and other products so your pores stay free of gunk.
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Too Faced
Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer, $30 at Too Faced
If you're in for a night of heavy makeup, choose this Too Faced primer. It makes pores disappear and preps your skin by giving it an even texture.
