The Best Face Primers for Mature Skin, According to Enthusiastic Reviews

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Leiana Foye
Leiana Foye
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Published: Jan 15, 2025 Updated: Jan 16, 2025

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If a primer isn't already a step in your routine, now's the time to add one in. Primers optimize the effects of makeup (and help it last all day), but on aging skin, primers can promote plumper skin, soften fine lines and boost radiance, giving the complexion a flawless finish. The best face primers for mature skin are formulated with ingredients that cater to increasing dryness and uneven skin texture (hyaluronic acid, glycerin and niacinamide, to name a few). Luckily, there are many types of primers, from illuminating to blurring to mattifying, that fit the bill.

We combed through hundreds of reviews from shoppers 40 and older to see what they really say are the best face primers for mature skin, based on longevity, performance and hydration. Keep scrolling to see 13 that get rave reviews.

1 / 13

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer ($38)

With a formula of algae, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, dry skin is no match for this silky gel primer that'll wow you with how long it holds makeup exactly in place. Pro tips: let it set for at least a minute before makeup and opt for a water-based foundation to complement its water-based formula.

BUY ON AMAZON - $38

BUY ON SEPHORA - $38

2 / 13

Victoria Beckham Beauty by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer with TFC8® ($65)

Victoria Beckham and Augustinus Bader's luxurious lines join forces to create a priming moisturizer powered by Bader's groundbreaking skin-care ingredient, TFC8, a blend of amino acids, high-grade vitamins and synthesized molecules that repair and renew the skin. Wear Original for an invisible smoothing and blurring base or Golden for the same benefits with a bronze glow.

BUY ON VICTORIA BECKHAM BEAUTY - $65

BUY ON AUGUSTINUS BADER - $65

Victoria Beckham Beauty by Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer with TFC8® ($65)

3 / 13

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer ($69)

This nourishing, skin-loving formula is packed with hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, squalane and shea butter to deliver your best skin and keep your makeup in place all day. If you don't mind a hint of fragrance, grapefruit extract gives it the slightest citrusy scent.

BUY ON SEPHORA - $69

BUY ON NORDSTROM - $69

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base Moisturizer & Primer ($69)

4 / 13

TULA Filter Primer Blurring & Moisturizing Primer ($38)

This tinted primer (available in four shades) is a shopper favorite. One 45-year-old reviewer said they “completely eliminated foundation from [their] makeup routine” thanks to Filter Primer. Another in their 60s who prefers a “more natural look” said it’s “pretty amazing” how “luminous” their skin looks. “You can see the difference right away,” raved a 50-something customer. More fans reported it gives an “excellent instant blur” and “doesn’t settle into fine lines or dry [their] skin.”

BUY ON TULA - $38

BUY ON AMAZON - $38

TULA Filter Primer Blurring & Moisturizing Primer ($38)

5 / 13

Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects™ Blurring Primer ($36)

If your skin ranges from combination to oily, and you want a smooth base for a budge-free foundation application, the search is over. Thrive Causemetics blurs, controls shine and grips makeup to keep it solidly in place. It also softens the appearance of large pores and fine lines, both instantly and over time.

BUY NOW - $36

Thrive Causemetics Filtered Effects™ Blurring Primer ($36)

6 / 13

Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate ($36)

Keeping makeup flake-free on dry skin can be challenging, but Laura Geller Beauty's Spackle Skin Hydrate primer will work wonders. Famous for its over-40-friendly makeup, this nourishing primer is made with hyaluronic acid, glycerin and antioxidant-rich botanicals and "sits like heaven" on aging skin to plump, brighten and blur fine lines.

BUY ON LAURA GELLER - $36

BUY ON AMAZON - $36

Laura Geller Spackle Skin Perfecting Primer Hydrate ($36)

7 / 13

NYX Plump Right Back Plumping Serum & Primer ($17)

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a quality face primer. Case in point: NYX's under-$20 plumping primer. This electrolyte-infused primer is super lightweight (it feels more like a serum) and delivers a fresh and supple complexion that wears like a dream under makeup.

BUY ON AMAZON - $17

BUY ON ULTA - $17

NYX Plump Right Back Plumping Serum & Primer ($17)

8 / 13

Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer ($42)

With antioxidants, probiotic extract, vitamins and algae, this silicone-free skin-loving primer does double duty to hydrate skin (thanks to not one, not two, but three forms of hyaluronic acid) and lock makeup in place while feeling like you're wearing nothing at all.

BUY ON NORDSTROM - $42

BUY ON AMAZON - $42

Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Primer ($42)

9 / 13

Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer ($58)

This translucent skin-blurring primer is worth the investment. It says it right in its name: uneven skin texture becomes an airbrushed canvas that freezes makeup in place all day long.

BUY ON SEPHORA - $58

BUY ON NORDSTROM - $58

10 / 13

IT Cosmetics Hello Sunshine Invisible Hydrating Serum Sunscreen ($35)

Sun protection is a must, so if you want to streamline some steps, consider a priming SPF like this one from IT Cosmetics. With an invisible finish and a formula of hyaluronic acid and pro-vitamin B5, it'll protect, hydrate and smooth skin before makeup.

BUY ON AMAZON - $35

BUY ON ULTA - $35

IT Cosmetics Hello Sunshine Invisible Hydrating Serum Sunscreen ($35)

11 / 13

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen ($38)

Another great SPF option is Supergoop!'s Unseen Sunscreen, now available in both SPF 40 and SPF 50. The 100 percent invisible formula doubles as a pore-blurring, skin-softening primer whose results are hard to beat.

BUY ON AMAZON - $38

BUY ON SEPHORA - $38

12 / 13

Revlon Photoready Prime Plus Perfecting + Smoothing Primer ($16)

If you're concerned about uneven texture, fine lines or acne scars, this creamy primer from Revlon is loaded with good-for-your-skin ingredients such as vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid and pumpkin seed extract. Together, they smooth and soothe skin and moisturize your face, too.

BUY ON TARGET - $16

BUY ON AMAZON - $17

Revlon Photoready Prime Plus Perfecting + Smoothing Primer ($16)

13 / 13

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Anti-Aging Foundation Primer ($18)

If your complexion looks generally a bit drab, CoverGirl's Ageless Primer amps up a radiant glow, even under foundation. Creamy and oh-so-hydrating, wear this one with makeup or alone for its skin-perfecting benefits—its formula contains the holy trinity of skin care: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and niacinamide.

BUY ON TARGET - $18

BUY ON AMAZON - $20