Top 12 Best Silicone-Based Primers for for Deep Wrinkles, Acne Scars, & Large Pores

Ask the Expert: What are the benefits of silicone primers?

BY SAMANTHA WELCH, ESTHETICIAN

Skin Texture Issues

Acne scars, deep wrinkles, fine lines, and large pores are essentially permanent indentations in the skin.

They often occur in areas where the skin is stretched or compressed.

Deep wrinkles and fine lines are creases that form over time. Acne scars result from skin trauma, while large pores can either be genetic or due to oily skin, sun damage, and aging.

These textural issues can be a nightmare when applying makeup without the right products and techniques.

Problems with Makeup & Foundation

Foundation can accumulate in our laugh lines and pores, while oily skin melts the rest of it away by midday.

The cosmetics industry has struggled for years to find ingredients that make foundation smoother, cleaner, and longer lasting.

Consumers and professionals usually choose between long-lasting coverage and a smooth, natural-looking base.

• When a foundation smoothes or hydrates the skin, it tends to slide off more quickly.
• On the other hand, longer-lasting foundations may stay on all day but may leave the skin looking dry or textural.
• And despite their ability to control shine, oil-control foundations often look cakey or heavy.

It was difficult to address issues like texture, oil control, and longevity using only foundation. No amount of paint can conceal a wrinkle or keep persistent shine away for long.

The solution came just this decade as a brand-new revolutionary product: makeup primers.

Primers have quickly become a critical step in the makeup application process because they simultaneously address several of these issues.

Video: Why you SHOULD LOVE PRIMER and why i was WRONG! by Makeup Artist Wayne Goss

Silicones in Makeup Primers

Silica, dimethicone, and other polymers are used in silicon-based primers to correct the skin's surface and texture.

Silicone is vegan-friendly, hypoallergenic, breathable, and non-comedogenic: meaning it does not clog pores.

It is environmentally degradable and hostile to microbial growth.

There is a myth that it bioaccumulates or builds up, but silicones have large molecules that do not penetrate skin cell membranes.

In the medical field, silicones are in contact lenses, implants, and bandages. Due to their extremely low allergic reaction rate, silicone-based medical adhesives are primarily used in hospitals.

Silicone fluids can reduce irritancy and enhance ingredient deposition on the skin, preventing the accumulation of potent ingredients in one spot. Estheticians sometimes refer to this phenomenon as “hot spots.”

And, as the luxury skincare industry grows, silicones are becoming a highly valued ingredient category.

They contribute to a silky, comfortable feeling on the skin without leaving any residue, which is critical for many high-end, high-performance skin care formulations.

Video: The absolute basics of face primer by Makeup Artist Alexandra Anele

For Deep Wrinkles, Acne Scars, Large Pores, & Textured Skin:

Silicone-based primers give the appearance of smaller pores and fewer lines.

1. It blurs or has a “soft-focus” effect to smoothen skin texture – using products with elastomer silicone to reflect and scatter light, similar to photos with an out-of-focus camera.
2. It fills out pores for an even texture – by gently patting the primer in a rolling motion to seal pores, a technique used by makeup artists

Related: The Best Primers for Large Pores: Makeup Artist’s Choice

For Oily Skin:

• Oil Control – oil-control primers have certain silicones that absorb excess sebum
• Matte finish – Extra shine exaggerates surface texture even more, so you want a dry, smooth, silky, and powdery matte finish.
• Makeup-Gripping – oily skin also tends to dislodge your foundation and ruin your makeup. Silicones add an auxiliary layer that adheres to skin and makeup, helping you look fresher, longer.

Related: The Best Non-Comedogenic Matte Primers for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin

For Dry Skin:

• It acts as an occlusive  – to improve moisturization and prevent water loss
• Some formulas are hydrating enough to double as a moisturizer

Related: The Best Non-Comedogenic Hydrating Primers for Dry & Acne-Prone Skin

For All Skin Types:

• Skin Protection – acts as a barrier that protects the skin from chemical exposure and other environmental pollutants

Overall, silicone-based primers are great on paper, but not all products are created equal.

Formulation, quality of raw ingredients, and skin compatibility are still key when choosing for yourself.

Below are the best silicone-based primers chosen by our estheticians for different skin types and conditions.