12 Best Primers for Dry Skin

Applying makeup to dry skin can cause a number of concerns, mainly that the makeup will not apply correctly. It will make it harder for products to blend, makeup can appear cakey or it can make pores appear larger. 

A primer will create a smooth and glowing base for your makeup and one specially formulated for dry skin will inject it with an extra boost of hydration to ensure products can easily be applied and to stop your skin from drying out during the day. 

The Best Primers For Dry Skin

Below we’ve compiled a list of 12 of the best primers for you to try if you suffer from dry skin.

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base

This is an oil-free primer, making it perfect for both sensitive and dry skin.

You’ll find a variety of ingredients in this product to help create the best base for your makeup. Shea butter will nourish your skin, carrot extract and vitamin A will reduce the appearance of fine lines and vitamins E and C will hydrate and brighten. 

You can expect this primer to leave your makeup in place all day long and the easy application helps to provide a smooth base. 

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer - Hydrating

Specially created for normal to dry skin, this hydrating moisturizer has a water-based formula to help give your skin some long-lasting hydration and extend the wear of your makeup. 

Key ingredients include olive extract which will smooth the skin, marine hydra botanicals to nurture the skin and glycerin which will attract moisture to the skin to provide all-day hydration. 

Results show that after one week of use, 97% of customers said the primer feels lightweight on the skin and created a breathable layer for your makeup.

91% of customers agreed that it creates a canvas that means an even layer of makeup can be applied to the skin. 

MILK Makeup Hyrdo Grip Primer

MILK Makeup Hydro Grip Primer - Hydrating Gel Formula - Paraben, Oil, and Silicone Free

This is an invisible primer that can be worn all day underneath makeup.

It will create a dewy look that leaves the skin looking healthy and glowing throughout the day. 

Formulated with Blue Agave Extract, this will help to form a sticking layer on your skin leaving the perfect base for you to apply your makeup.

It will keep makeup in place without it fading or wearing off. 

MILK has added some powerful ingredients to this primer such as hyaluronic acid and niacinamide which will promote hydration and reduce redness and acne marks. 

Formula is vegan, clean, cruelty-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, oil-free, fragrance-free, and gluten-free

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer For Smoothing Skin & Gripping Makeup, Moisturizes & Primes

Don’t expect your makeup to move an inch with this primer.

You can use this product to prep your skin ready for makeup while also providing it with a natural and smooth finish. 

This can be used on all skin types, not just dry skin and will suit all skin tones.

It won’t clog pores and has also been infused with hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin and leave it looking plumper. 

You should apply an even layer to clean the skin before applying any makeup products. Use your fingertips to work in the product and allow it to sit for 30 seconds before applying any other products. 

All e.l.f. products are 100% cruelty-free and Vegan

Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydracharged Complexion Prep Priming Spray

Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydracharged Complexion Prep Priming Spray

Hydrate, soothe and prime your skin ready for makeup application with this spray.

It will reduce the appearance of pores, brighten the skin, and moisturize just with a few spritzes of this product. 

You can use this product in the morning to awaken the skin and prep it for makeup. It will moisturize and even your complexion to allow the perfect application. 

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt'r Hydrating Primer

This primer has been created for normal, combination or dry skin. It’ll nurture your skin and leave it feeling comfortable all day while you’re wearing a full face of makeup. 

It also doubles as a lightweight moisturizer thanks to the infused hyaluronic acid while prolonging the wear of your foundation.

It’s a fast-absorbing formula that quickly absorbs into the skin without clogging pores.

Expect a silky and smooth finish to leave your makeup looking fresh throughout the day. 

Vegan product.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Face Foundation Primer & Highlighter

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter Face Foundation Primer & Highlight

Use this primer to create a flawless and soft-focus base for your foundation.

It’s a lightweight formula that will still create a soft glow. It’ll not only help with any dry skin issues, but the dewiness of the product will help to make your skin look more youthful. 

It will help to blend your makeup to create a smooth base ready for your foundation.

For the best results, you can pair it with Charlotte Tilbury’s Hollywood Flawless foundation. 

NYX Professional Makeup Bare with Me Hydrating Jelly Primer

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer, Vegan Face Primer

This jelly-like formula will moisturize the skin, while still creating a mattified effect for your makeup.

It will ensure a smooth application by making sure your makeup sticks to your skin. It’ll even your skin tone, leave your face feeling fresh and hydrate the skin. 

Key ingredients include cucumber and aloe extracts to moisturize, nourish and soothe the skin. 

Apply this primer directly onto your skin using your fingertips or a foundation brush. Leave it a couple of minutes to sink into the skin before applying any makeup. 

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum, Hydrating & Moisturizing Face Serum-to-Primer Hybrid, Infused with Purified Hyaluronic Acid & Designed to Instantly Hydrate

Formulated with hyaluronic acid, this primer will not only create a smooth base for your makeup but will also hydrate the skin, so any dryness becomes moisturized and glowing. 

You can apply this primer before applying makeup to prep the skin for a flawless application or it can even be worn on its own to create a dewy and natural glow.

Use this product to lock in moisture and leave your skin feeling energized. 

Apply it with clean fingers directly to your skin and leave a couple of minutes before applying any makeup. 

Too Faced Plump & Prime Luxury Face Plumping Primer Serum

Plump & Prime Luxury Face Plumping Primer Serum

Prep your skin for a flawless makeup application with this primer.

It’s been created for all skin times but especially suits dry skin due to the fact it plumps and volumizes the skin. 

It will help to boost your skin’s natural collagen and reduce the appearance of any fine lines and wrinkles.

It improves your skin’s texture and minimizes the appearance of pores, making your makeup look smooth and professionally applied. 

Results show that after 30 days of use, the skin looked visibly plumped and after just three days the cheeks and jawline were more lifted, and the skin felt firmer. 

Wet n Wild Prime Focus Primer Serum for Face

wet n wild Prime Focus Primer Serum for Face, Hydrating for Dry Skin, Makeup Primer Serum

Prep and prime your skin so that it’s ready for you to wear your makeup all day without sliding or melting off your face.

Formulated with rosewater, camellia leaf and green tea extracts, these ingredients will help to nourish and soothe the skin. 

The creamy texture will help to create a flawless base for your makeup meaning your products can easily glide onto your face. 

You’ll be pleased to know that Wet n Wild’s products are also cruelty-free, meaning you can look your very best guilt-free. 

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer, 2-in-1 Moisturizer and Makeup Primer

Not only is this a primer but it also doubles as a moisturizer.

Apply this product for dewy, healthy and glowing skin. The product can be worn on its own or underneath makeup to ensure that it lasts throughout the day. 

Key ingredients include coconut water, quinoa protein and a range of minerals to help nourish and hydrate any dry skin. 

This primer is also suitable for sensitive skin and is cruelty-free. 


If you suffer from dry skin, then it’s important to invest in the right primer so that your makeup can be applied onto a smooth base and easily blend.

There are key ingredients that you may want to look out for in primers that have been specially designed for dry skin. One of the best ingredients is hyaluronic acid. This powerful ingredient works at hydrating the skin and will lock in moisture to leave it feeling moisturized throughout the day. 

Other primers that are great for dry skin include ones that also double up as a moisturizer or serum or a primer with a gel-like formula. These are usually water-based which really helps to give your skin a boost of hydration. 

If you have a big night out ahead of you and are planning to go heavy with your eye makeup, then you’re going to need an eyeshadow primer. These primers work at keeping your eyeshadow in place without creasing, smudging, or wearing off. Click here for our link to 11 of the best eyeshadow primers.

It will leave you with that just-applied look all evening long. No doubt, after a few uses, you’ll soon begin to wonder why you ever went without an eyeshadow primer.