Refine your Pores & Fine Lines Without Breaking the Bank
Primers are essential to your makeup routine if you have skin texture issues like large pores, fine lines, acne scarring, and wrinkles.
The pricing of makeup primers covers a wide range–from your $8 Maybelline’s to the luxurious $140 By Terry primers.
The higher-end ones tend to be a blend of skincare and makeup. If you take the skincare bit out, you’ll find that there are dupes out there that can replicate the feel and texture of higher-priced ones.
The best drugstore primer for large pores should be able to do the job of blurring skin imperfections without breaking the bank.
Ask the Expert: Pros & Cons of High-end vs. Drugstore Primers
BY SAMANTHA WELCH, ESTHETICIAN
- Pricing – drugstore prices can range anywhere between $8-16, the mid-range ones average at about $40, and the luxury brands can go as high as $140 (which is just ridiculous for a primer tbh).
- Benefits – the advantage of mid- to high-end makeup primers is their formulation. This includes having skincare ingredients like protective SPF or antioxidants, the texture and feel on the skin, their capacity to hold and extend make-up wear, and their ability to fully conceal pores. Drugstore primers mostly focus on blurring imperfections, with some having a bit of skincare in there as well.
- Value for Money – this depends on what your priority is. If you’re on a budget and primarily looking to blur a few pores and fine lines; the drugstore variants would suit you well. If you would like your primer to do some really heavy lifting in terms of skin texture issues or oil control, or if you would like to have maximum benefit from your makeup routine, then mid-range ones might suit you better. We have a great selection of the best primers for large pores you can refer to if this sounds more like what you need.
Related: How to Stop Foundation Settling in Pores, A Makeup Artist's Foolproof Guide
- Refine your Pores & Fine Lines Without Breaking the Bank
- Ask the Expert: Pros & Cons of High-end vs. Drugstore Primers
- Make-Up Artist's Choice: The Best Drugstore Primers for Large Pores
- NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Pore Filler Primer
- L'Oreal Paris Magic Perfecting Base Face Primer
- e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, Hydrating Formula
- Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
- TOUCH IN SOL No Pore Blem Primer
- W.Lab Airfit Pore Primer
- Maybelline New York FaceStudio Master Prime Primer Makeup
- Revlon PhotoReady Primer, Pore Reducing
- Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
- Milani Prime Shield Mattifying & Pore-Minimizing Face Primer
- References:
- Top 10 Best Drugstore Primers for Large Pores
Make-Up Artist's Choice:
The Best Drugstore Primers for Large Pores
For best results, your choice of pore minimizing primer should be based on your skin type.
Our Review
This pore-filling primer gives your skin a smooth and mattified finish. It reduces the appearance of uneven skin and enlarged pores and helps prep the skin for effortless makeup application.
You can use this over your T-zone and over or under makeup for touch-ups.
It’s also infused with vitamin E and is vegan and formulated without any talc or oil.
This has been hailed as a good dupe for the higher-end Benefit Porefessional Primer, with its similarity in consistency and texture. From experience in comparing the two, it will be pretty much the same upon application. At the end of the day, it makes a difference in terms of shine, but Nyx isn’t making any claims on oil control, so I’d give them that, especially at this price point.
Speaking of claims, it also does not label itself as non-comedogenic. If you have sensitive skin and acneic skin, that can be a problem. (No one wants an errant pimple!)
You can refer to our extensive list of non-comedogenic primers that won’t clog pores if you fall under this skin type and condition.[1]
Vegan. Certified cruelty-free.
Great Dupe for Benefit's Porefessional Primer
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Helps conceal the appearance of large pores
- Gives your skin an even and mattified finish
- A good dupe for Benefit’s Porefessional Primer
Cons:
- Do not stake any claim for controlling shine. If you’re looking for something heavy-duty on the oil-control front, I’d recommend the jane iredale – Smooth Affair® Mattifying Face Primer instead. (That’s not a drugstore brand by the way, but it is the best primer for pores and oil control).
- Does not claim to be a non-comedogenic primer, which can be an issue for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin.
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Silicone-based primer
Color: Goes on sheer
Consistency & Finish: Creamy matte, Silky
Make-up Artist Tips:
- Use only a pea-sized amount and pat gently to the face and problem areas. Make sure to wait for it to settle to the skin (a few minutes should do) before applying your foundation.
- This can be used under or over makeup.
Video Review
Video: TESTING NYX MAKEUP / FULL FACE FIRST IMPRESSIONS I COCOCHIC
Our Review
Another great dupe, this time for the wildly popular Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer.
Its claim to fame is its silky-smooth formula that glides unto your skin and perfects your skin texture in an instant. Now I’m sure that’s relative, but it does feel smooth to touch and leaves you with a matte finish. At the end of the day, this is what’s key to minimizing the look of your pores.
It’s quite thick so I won’t use it all over the face. The best place would be your T-zone, under your eyes, and forehead to smooth fine lines.
This mattifying primer comes in a little pot, which means you’ll either use your fingers or find a spatula to scoop it out every time you use it. Most people don’t mind this but it doesn’t come with one so if you do, you have to get it separately.
Dermatologist tested. A non-comedogenic makeup primer that does not clog pores.
Great Dupe for Tatcha’s The Silk Canvas Protective Primer
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Very smooth formula that glides unto your skin
- Instant improvement in skin texture
- Great for use in your T-zone, fine lines, and under your eyes
- Good dupe for Tatcha’s The Silk Canvas Protective Primer
Cons:
- It comes in a little pot, which can be unhygienic for some. You can use a spatula instead of your fingers, just don’t always lose it as I do!
- From experience, can be a little bit too drying to dry skin.
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Silicone-based primer
Color: Sheer
Consistency & Finish: Silky and lightweight, with a velvety-touch feeling
Make-up Artist Tips: Make sure to hydrate and moisturize well before using to avoid any tendency of overdrying.
Video Review
Video: L’OREAL MAGIC PERFECTING BASE FACE PRIMER FIRST IMPRESSIONS + REVIEW
Our Review
Hailed as another Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer dupe, this infamous makeup primer is also one that kept selling out since its launch.
This is a skin-perfecting primer with a velvety texture that glides smoothly to the skin.
It helps conceal any texture issues and gives you a poreless finish.
This primer is infused with squalane, which helps hydrate the skin and grip makeup for longevity.
It’s slightly thicker and drier than Tatcha I would say, but it blends beautifully with the skin. The fundamental difference in performance is still there, but The Silk Canvas literally has silk and anti-aging ingredients in it so it’s not an exact dupe. If you’re looking for a great and affordable primer, however, this is close enough.
Vegan. Cruelty-free.
All e.l.f products are free from: parabens, phthalates, triclosan, nonylphenol, triclocarban, hydroquinone, and ethoxylates.
Great Dupe for Tatcha’s The Silk Canvas Protective Primer
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Infused with squalane which helps hydrate the skin[2]
- Blends seamlessly into the skin for a smooth finish
- Adheres to make-up for all-day wear
Cons: It’s held in a plastic jar with no accessories. You can use clean fingers to get the product or find a spatula for hygienic reasons.
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Water-based primer
Color: Nude
Consistency & Finish: Lightweight, velvety
Make-up Artist Tips:
- Make sure to wait at least 30 seconds before applying your foundation.
- You can also use it as an eyeshadow primer to lock colors in place.
Video Review
Video: Poreless Putty Primer tips & tricks
Our Review
A gen-z favorite, the Maybelline Instant Pore Eraser can give you a smooth and matte finish.
This blurring primer instantly blurs the look of pores without clogging them.
This makeup primer also helps soften the look of pores and moisturize your skin.
It doesn’t have any claims for oil control or makeup longevity, so I wouldn’t recommend this for those with oily skin.
It is a fragrance-free and non-comedogenic primer.
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Very smooth formula that glides unto skin
- Instant improvement in skin texture
- Great for use in your T-zone, fine lines, and under your eyes
- Good dupe for Tatcha’s The Silk Canvas Protective Primer
Cons:
- It comes in a little pot, which can be unhygienic for some. You can use a spatula instead of your fingers, just don’t always lose it like I do!
- From experience, can be a little bit too drying to dry skin.
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Silicone-based primer
Color: Sheer
Consistency & Finish: Silky and lightweight, with a velvety-touch feeling
Make-up Artist Tips: Make sure to hydrate and moisturize well before using to avoid any tendency of overdrying.
Video Review
Video: Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer 12hr Wear Test & Review | CORRIE SIDE
Our Review
This Korean blurring primer works in three ways to give you flawless skin:
- Gives you perfect coverage for pores and helps evens out skin tone
- Leaves an invisible mattifying powder that aids in enhancing makeup wear
- Contains green tea extracts and infused collagen to protect the skin and help you maintain your skin’s elasticity
That’s quite a list and more often than not only found in high-end primers. Skincare is usually expensive to incorporate at this price point, but Korean makeup products have proven time and time again to be innovative and economical.
Free from parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Hypoallergenic, Vegan, and Cruelty-free.
Great Dupe for Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer.
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Evens out complexion and provides coverage for fine line and pores
- Green tea extracts help protect and energize the skin
- Infused collagen helps with the skin’s elasticity and moisture
- Leaves a light powder that gives your skin a very smooth finish
Cons:
- Has a slight fragrance, for those who are sensitivities
- On the upper side of drugstore pricing
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Color: Transparent with a blush of pink
Consistency & Finish: Lightweight, Silky, and soft gel
Make-up Artist Tips: This isn’t actually hydrating per se, it just helps keep the moisture in. You’ll have to use a moisturizer prior to applying the primer to get that particular benefit.
Video Review
Video: TOUCH IN SOL NO POREBLEM PRIMER Review | Is it Worth the Hype? | Korean Beauty
Our Review
Another very popular Korean primer that went viral and has had rave reviews.
This multi-purpose primer minimizes the appearance of pores while also color-corrects dull skin and prolonging the wear of makeup. Great for instantly brightening your complexion.
It has flower essences (lily, magnolia, orange, rose) that help with environmental skin protection, and oat & tea tree extracts to soothe skin.
This makeup primer has oil control as well, preventing excess shine for longer-lasting makeup.
It’s very lightweight (a tad too much) that you may need to layer it as necessary.
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Pore minimizing, smoothens skin texture
- Instantly brightens dull skin tone
- Has moisturizing and oil-control properties
- Has flower essences from lilies, roses, oranges, and magnolias
- Has tea tree and oat extracts to help soothe skin
Cons: May require layering, unlike other primers where usually a pea-size amount is enough
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Color: Slight pink hue
Consistency & Finish: Smooth cream
Make-up Artist Tips: You want to be careful in layering primers. You want just enough to cover but not excessive that it clumps up on you.
Video Review
Video: Pore Minimising Primer | Japanese & Korean Beauty
Maybelline New York FaceStudio Master Prime Primer Makeup
Best for: All Skin Types especially for redness, uneven skin tone, dull skin
Our Review
We have another dupe, this time for the ever-popular Smashbox Photo Finish Primer. (Even the packaging is very similar.)
Maybelline’s version is its Master Prime line which consists of a transparent version and a range of color-correcting ones. They all blur skin imperfections from large pores to fine lines. They also have a lightweight, non-greasy formula that you can wear under makeup or by itself.
This is one of the few water-based drugstore primers that does not clog pores.
There are five variations:
- Blur + Pore Minimize – transparent white for basic priming, oil control, and reducing the appearance of pores
- Blur + Redness – has green pigments for color correcting redness and evening out skin tone
- Blur + Smooth – to blur and smoothen out imperfections
- Blur + Defend – has SPF 30 sun protection to protect against photodamage
- Hydrate + Smooth – works to hydrate and give a luminous effect to the skin
They’re all very affordable so you can adjust which one to use depending on your skin condition that day.
Great Dupe for Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Visually blurs and minimizes pores, as well as other skin concerns
- Preps the skin for makeup
- Affordable color-correcting variants with different skin benefits
- Saves the need for a separate color-correcting concealer
Cons: The color-correcting ones are not as heavy-duty as actual concealers. If you only have a little redness it should be fine but for full-blown rosacea, nothing beats a great concealer still.
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Water-based primer
Color: Various; green, white translucent, transparent
Consistency & Finish: Lightweight and smooth
Make-up Artist Tips: Make sure to wait for the primers to dry, especially the color-correcting ones, before applying concealer or foundation to get its full effect.
Video Review
Video: NEW Maybelline FaceStudio Master Prime BLUR + DEFEND REVIEW!
Our Review
This comes in three variants: the Pore-Reducing Primer, the Perfecting Primer, and the Brightening Primer.
All variants even out skin texture for a seamless makeup application. They also use HD Filter Technology that transforms light to mimic photo filters.
The main difference is that Pore-Reducing Primer leaves a matte finish so pores can look smaller, while the Perfecting Primer gives an extra smoothness for texture issues.
The Pore-Reducing Primer also has silica mattifiers to help with oil control.
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- HD filter technology that mimics photo filters
- Evens out skin texture for excellent makeup application
- The Pore-Reducing Primer variant has silica mattifiers to help minimize pores and control oil
Cons: This packaging is honestly problematic. Once you get through about 85%, the pump has a hard time getting any product. It’s a bit of a waste since you can’t go through an entire bottle.
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Silicone-based primer
Color: Nude
Consistency & Finish: Smooth, like lotion
Make-up Artist Tips:
- Make sure all your skincare is absorbed well before putting the primer on to avoid any blotchiness. After applying, let it sink for a few minutes as well before applying your foundation.
- Use 2-3 pumps if you’re looking to cover the entire face.
Video Review
Video: Revlon PhotoReady Pore Reducing Primer – Primer Wars – Oily Skin (Drugstore Edition)
Our Review
This ultra-lightweight drugstore makeup primer not just minimizes pores but also controls shine for up to 8 hours. It stops sebum from collecting while helping the skin be moisturized.
This primer also creates a soft, matte complexion that doesn’t feel greasy or heavy. Perfect for daily use as it doesn’t weigh down your makeup.
This mattifying primer also helps prolong the wear of cosmetics so you don’t have to retouch as much as the day wears on.
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Up to 8 hours shine- control
- Ultra-lightweight formula
- Minimizes the appearance of large pores
- Can be worn alone or under foundation
Cons: Can be difficult to blend with some foundations.
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Water-based primer
Color: White to transparent
Consistency & Finish: Lightweight, matte finish
Make-up Artist Tips: Warm the product on your fingers before applying to avoid any issues with blending.
Video Review
Video: Rimmel Stay Matte Primer: How Long Will It Last?
Our Review
Milani’s primers get you photo-ready in a heartbeat by mattifying and minimizing your pores. It also extends makeup wear time and primes your skin for any liquid, cream, or powder foundations.
There are 3 variations which you can choose according to what your skin needs:
- Prime Shield – an invisible, translucent primer that is mattifying and pore-minimizing
- Primer Correct for Medium to Dark Skin Tones (Orange) – Diffuses discoloration while minimizing pores
- Primer Correct for Redness (Green) – visibly diminishes the look of redness and discoloration from blemishes
Oil-free.
Vegan, does not contain animal products.
100% Cruelty-free. Made in the USA.
Key Benefits + Cons
Key Benefits:
- Available in 3 variants, including color-correcting ones for skin discolorations
- All three are pore minimizing and mattifying
- Extends the longevity of makeup wear
Cons:
- No claims for oil control, which might affect performance if you have oily skin. Make sure to use translucent powder to mattify.
- Can be cakey on some types of sunblock
Formulation + Makeup Artist Tips
Formulation Base: Silicone-based primer
Color: Translucent
Consistency & Finish: Powdery smooth feel
Make-up Artist Tips: After hydrating, squeeze just 1-2 drops to cover problem areas.
Video Review
Video: Milani Prime Shield Face Primer Review
References:
- Fulton JE Jr, Bradley S, Aqundez A, Black T. Non-comedogenic cosmetics. Cutis. 1976 Feb;17(2):344-5, 349-51. PMID: 138532.
- Huang, Z. R., Lin, Y. K., & Fang, J. Y. (2009). Biological and pharmacological activities of squalene and related compounds: potential uses in cosmetic dermatology. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 14(1), 540–554. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules14010540
- “Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer – Face Makeup – Maybelline”. Maybelline.com.
- “Face Studio Master Prime Makeup Primer – Maybelline”. Maybelline.com.
- “No Poreblem Primer”. Touch In Sol.
- “Pore Filler | NYX Professional Makeup”. NYX.
- “Stay Matte Primer | Rimmel London US”. Rimmellondon.com.
- “Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base Face Primer – L’oréal Paris”. Lorealparisusa.com.
Top 10 Best Drugstore Primers for Large Pores
Summary
We have a selection of the best drugstore primers based on value for money, performance, and benefits. These are vetted by esthetician and makeup artist Samantha Welch.
