The 17 Best Primers for Large Pores, According to Our Editors
December 16, 2022
If large pores are a problem for you, then consider switching up your daily skincare routine to help tackle them. While you can’t get rid of your pores altogether, there are some products out there that can help visibly reduce their appearance. Our favorite to reach for? Primer. Ahead, we rounded up seven of our favorite pore-minimizing primers that give you a smooth canvas for a flawless makeup application.
What Is a Primer?
A primer is a makeup product that is applied at the end of your skincare routine and as the first step in your makeup routine to help create a smooth base for makeup application. It comes in all different formats and consistencies, from gels, to lightweight creams, lotions and even in stick form.
What Is Primer Used For?
Primer is vital to any makeup application because it will keep your makeup in place for hours. Depending on the formula, it can also help reduce the appearance of oiliness and excess shine throughout the day, therefore helping your foundation to stay fresh and matte — ideal if you have an oily or combination skin type. Some primers have blurring qualities which can blur the appearance of pores, fine lines and uneven skin texture, as well as radiance-boosting effects.
How to Choose a Primer for Large Pores
If you have large pores, look for primers with exfoliating ingredients like salicylic acid or other BHAs to help minimize their appearance. You’ll also want to look for blurring or mattifying ingredients that can help your skin appear smoother and more even-textured.
The 17 Best Primers for Large Pores
Here, we’re sharing our favorite primers to help minimize the appearance of large pores.
NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler Targeted Stick
For a targeted stick that works to blur imperfections under or on top of makeup, opt for this NYX Professional Makeup formula. It instantly smooths out fine lines and uneven texture to give you a supple canvas for foundation. It also can be used throughout the day to blot excess oil and shine.
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Oil-Free Makeup Primer
The IT Cosmetics Your Skin but Better Primer works to extend your makeup wear while refining the look of pores. It also hydrates the skin and is good to use on all skin types, including sensitive.
Dermablend Poresaver Matte Makeup Primer
Poresaver is a mattifying primer that works to minimize the appearance of pores and offers a flawless-looking complexion. Although it does have a matte finish, it doesn’t dry out the skin and is comfortable to wear on its own or under your makeup.
Lancôme La Base Pro Face and Makeup Primer
Large pores are often accompanied by an oily complexion, making it even more essential to pick the right primer. If you have large pores and skin that’s prone to getting greasy, try this instant pore-minimizing primer, which is oil-free.
Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Remember when you were just a kid and large pores were pretty much the last thing on your mind? Well, you can’t turn back time, but you can strive for a more youthful, practically poreless-looking appearance. Accurately named Baby Skin, this primer helps give the look of smooth, poreless skin.
YSL Beauty Nu Blotting Lotion
This mattifying primer works to smooth out uneven skin texture thanks to its infusion of salicylic acid. It absorbs excess shine throughout the day, keeping your skin fresh and matte, and even has limonette extract for extra detoxification.
NYX Professional Makeup Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer
Get the skin of *angels* thanks to this perfecting primer that smooths, blurs and mattifies the complexion. It has a silky, cream finish that will absorb easily into your skin and won’t make your makeup pill.
Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
This primer-favorite grips and holds onto makeup for a long-wearing finish, not to mention helps give you a smoother, softer-looking complexion and natural (but never shiny) glow. We love that it’s vegan, super lightweight and plays well with all kinds of face products, from foundation to CC cream.
L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer
Blur imperfections with this primer that helps color correct, even out skin texture and tone. It contains a caring serum to help nourish and soften the skin, plus a rosy tone to help blur breakouts and large pores.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Primer
Want to minimize the appearance of large pores without sacrificing hydration? Opt for this moisturizing primer that will give you a lit-from-within glow without excess shine.
Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
Optimal for oily and combination skin, Pores No More is going to become one of your new daily go-tos. It combats dullness and rough texture, absorbs oil and minimizes the look of pores in a flash.
Touch In Sol Pretty Filter Icy Sherbet Primer
This cooling primer is a thick gel formula that glides onto the skin with ease and instantly reduces the appearance of large pores and indentations. We love pairing this under a CC cream or foundation for a silky makeup finish.
Peace Out Instant Pore Perfector
Perfect your pores with this option that has soothing hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and mushroom extract. It helps refine skin texture over time, according to the brand, and is great for minimizing the appearance of breakouts.
Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer
For a lightweight option that blurs, softens and minimizes the appearance of large pores, look no further than this formula. It contains hyaluronic acid, green tea extract and vitamin E to hydrate, nourish and calm the skin.
MILK Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
This blurring primer helps minimize large pores with niacinamide, bakuchiol and lentil extract. It will reduce excess oil and shine, and keep your skin fresh and matte.
e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer
This crowd-favorite formula grips makeup and has a thick, matte consistency. It has squalane that helps nourish the skin, and will make your skin look like velvet.
Youthforia Pregame Primer
This pregame primer contains a sebum control complex that helps keep your skin fresh, matte and oily-free. It also has plant elastomers to help ease your makeup application and offers blue-light protection.
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