As someone who has struggled with acne-prone skin for years, I understand the frustration that comes with trying to find the right makeup products. That’s why I’m excited to share my top 5 primers for acne-prone skin.
These products have been tested and approved by dermatologists, and have helped me achieve a smoother, clearer complexion.
Whether you’re dealing with occasional breakouts or more severe acne, these primers are sure to make a difference in your makeup routine.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top 5 primers for acne-prone skin.
FYI, this post contains affiliate links. We earn a commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you.
Best Primer for Acne Prone Skin at a Glance
- e.l.f Blemish Control Face Primer – Best budget pick
- SHILLS Moisturizing Invisible Foundation Primer – Longest lasting primer
- W-Airfit Pore Primer – Best for all skin types
- Cherioll Makeup Primer – Best protection against free-radicals
- Jolie Pore Perfecting Face Primer– Best for very sensitive skin
Don’t have time? Here is a quick comparison of our favorites!
Table could not be displayed.1. e.l.f Blemish Control Face Primer
No products found.After countless times of being told, ‘this product will not cause your skin any breakouts’ and ending up with a face full of acne, my priority is always something that won’t trigger my acne.
That’s why even after reading multiple reviews on Amazon, I still didn’t feel confident enough to buy this primer. I popped the question on a FB group, and a few members convinced me to go for it.
Am I disappointed, no? Do I recommend it? YES. Let me tell you why it’s my first choice.
Features & Attributes
It’s specifically designed for acne-prone skin. Although Elf has a variety of like ten primers, they manufactured one specifically for you. And that’s why it works.
Back to how it performs as a primer and its better features.
One, it leaves your skin smooth after application and allows you to apply makeup that lasts an entire day.
It saves you the time you have to excuse yourself to fix your makeup between meetings or dates.
It also dries and blends perfectly with your skin, making makeup application very easy by forming a base for the following products.
Well, I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be pretty messy in the evening when removing it, but it gets the job done.
e.l.f blemish control face primer also has powerful ingredients that help in controlling further skin breakout. The ingredients include; Vitamin E, Salicylic Acid, and tea tree.
Also, if you’re vegan, you’ll be happy to know e.l.f is a cruelty-free beauty brand.
For best results, I recommend using a setting powder and a mattifying powder on top.
Benefits of e.l.f Blemish Control Face Primer
- It’s vegan
- It prevents further skin breakage and blemishes
- It works with all skin types
- Phthalates, Ethoxylate and triclosan-free
- It leaves your skin smooth and moisturized
- It’s lightweight
- It spreads easily
Drawbacks of e.l.f Blemish Control Face Primer
- You may need to use a setting powder for it to be effective
- It’s not completely odorless, and some people have issues with the scent
- It doesn’t have an SPF
Who needs this primer?
This primer works well for skin types. It’s also more beneficial to people who are looking for a primer they can use as a moisturizer.
I asked my friend to demonstrate how well it works on fair skin (where literally every bump and line shows up). She really LOVED how it not only evened out her skin but also smoothed out fine lines.
FYI, e.l.f is also great for vegans as it’s a cruelty-free beauty brand.
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2. SHILLS Moisturizing Invisible Foundation Primer
No products found.My first experience with Shills wasn’t outstanding. I had not researched the product, but I’ve used other Shill’s products before.
Long story short, I gave it a bad review, and then one user responded and told me I was using too much of the product.
And she was right; the glitch was on my end.
I changed my rating to a five-star, and now it’s one of my go-to primers.
Here is more about the product.
Features & Attributes
The freesia’s formula prepares your skin for makeup application by creating a smooth, canvas-like surface.
It creates a perfect base for makeup application so that your make-up lasts the whole day. That’s without messing it and maintaining the first-application look.
The other great feature of Shills primer is its light texture.
The primer has a formula that enhances and moisturizes your skin. And that’s not all; it reduces the appearance of wrinkles, blur lines, and blemishes.
But that’s not what I loved most about the Shill’s primer; my favorite feature is the skin-tone correction.
If your forehead and other parts of your face have an entirely different tone, you know the struggle. The primer corrects your skin tone and protects your skin.
And if you have an oily-face, then you’ll be happy to know that this primer is oil-free. It doesn’t leave you feeling greasy or like a hot mess in hot temperatures.
Lastly, the primer has a brightening effect that fights the dullness and brightens your skin, leaving you with a radiant glow.
Benefits of SHILLS Moisturizing Invisible Foundation Primer
- It moisturizes the skin
- It brightens the skin, giving you a radiant glow
- Soothes irritated skin
- It helps fade blemishes and reduce the appearance of wrinkles
- It corrects skin tone
- It’s a 24-lasting primer
Drawbacks of SHILLS Moisturizing Invisible Foundation Primer
- It has no SPF
Who needs the primer?
This primer is perfect for people with acne-prone oily skin. It protects your skin while ensuring that you don’t feel greasy all day.
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3. W-Airfit Pore Primer
No products found.This is another good primer for acne-prone skin. I know there is a lot of backlash revolving around the W-Airfit Pore Primer, but my experience was different.
The benefits I got were exactly similar to what the seller promised, and I would definitely buy it again.
But anyway, enough with the justification, let’s see what the primer brings to the table.
Features & Attributes
The first great feature of the primer is that it can double as a foundation. So, it really makes your work easier on the days that you don’t feel like following your full makeup procedure.
The primer can also single-handedly brighten your skin, hide the large pores, and make the skin shiny and thin. It leaves a smooth surface for makeup allowing it to last all day.
The W- Airfit Pore Primer also helps hide skin defectives by covering fine lines, and wrinkles and reducing pores. The brightening skin feature also helps in decreasing the appearance of blemishes.
If you don’t want to apply makeup, you can apply the primer alone and enjoy a smooth, matte, and moisturized look all day.
The primer also has an oil moisturizing feature covering that prevents any excess sebum, allowing makeup to last longer.
It also has a deep-penetrating lightweight texture that keeps the skin hydrated and nourished, protecting it from drying. This explains why the primer works for both dry and oily skin.
Benefits of W-Airfit Pore Primer
- Reduces the skin tone
- It covers pores
- It reduces the appearance the blemishes and wrinkles
- It leaves your skin moisturized and hydrated
- It works for all skin types
Drawback of W-Airfit Pore Primer
- It has a smell chemical-like.
Who needs this primer?
This primer works best for people with dry and oily skin ( especially those struggling with acne). It also works well for those who want a primer that they can apply alone on lazy days.
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4. Cherioll Makeup Primer
No products found.I’ll be honest with you; I didn’t buy this product, but I did my research extensively. And from what I gathered, it deserves a spot in every best primer for acne-prone skin list.
Katie says the product is very well priced, and she got more than she paid for.
“I bought Cherioll primer after one of my co-workers recommended it. When I saw the price ($15 at the time), I didn’t expect much. But it was amazing with my sensitive skin. And I’ve bought it several times since then, “Katie Said.
Let’s learn more about the primer.
Features & Attributes
Like other products I’ve recommended on this list, this primer works well for both dry and oily skin.
The primer has an alvory white that hides the skin, creating a perfect base for makeup application. It leaves the skin smooth and flawless. The silky base it creates helps your skin in fighting further breakup.
It also helps protect your skin against skin pollution issues such as UV rays, makeup pigments, facial burn, etc.
Benefits of Cherioll Makeup Primer
- It lasts through sweat and humidity
- You can wear it alone on days you don’t want to wear makeup
- Protects your skin from environmental factors
- It works for all skin types
Drawback of Cherioll Makeup Primer
- After 13 hours, you may need to apply powder to avoid feeling greasy
Who needs this primer?
This primer is for anyone with acne-prone skin. And if you’re looking for a primer that will protect you from UV rays and other skin pollution problems, then this is your best option.
Keep in mind that this primer doesn’t exactly last for 24 hours, so if you’re looking for a primer that allows your make-up to last for that long, you’re better off with the first two recommendations.
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5. Jolie Pore Perfecting Face Primer
No products found.The first thing I loved about the Jolie when it arrived was the packaging. It was pretty and exquisite.
But that’s not very helpful information if you’re looking for the best makeup primer for acne-prone skin, is it? I know.
So, let’s get to the serious part.
Features & Attributes
Like other primers, Jolie significantly reduces the visibility of your large pores. It also fills in the lines and wrinkles to give you very smooth and flawless skin.
And if you’re worried, you’ll end up with a greasy appearance; then you have nothing to worry about. Jolie Pore is non-greasy and oil-free. It absorbs oil and reduces pores.
Another great feature is that the primer is fragrance-free, which is perfect for those who prefer odorless products.
Benefits of Jolie Pore Perfecting Face Primer
- It’s fragrance-free
- It’s oil-free
- It’s paraben-free
Drawback of Jolie Pore Perfecting Face Primer
- It may not absorb oil very well at very high temperatures.
Who needs this primer?
This primer is for those looking for a budget-friendly face primer for acne-prone skin. It works well for all skin types so anyone can use it.
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Primers for Acne FAQs
Here are questions that people ask regarding face primers for acne-prone skin.
Does primer make acne worse?
What ingredients should you look for in your primer?
How do you apply primer on acne-prone skin?
2. Put some primer on your hands, mix it with your fingers, and then gently rub it on your face. Ensure you cover all areas, including your chin and forehead line.
3. Allow your skin to absorb the primer before applying the Korean makeup foundation.
What are the best primers for sensitive skin?
Final Words
Having an acne-prone face can make making up very difficult.
Personally, at some point in my life, I went all-natural for over a year. Was it because I hated makeup? No. I just got tired of all the products making my acne worse.
Then I decided I was done being scared and went on a hunt for the right products. And now I’m happy to know that not all products cause acne; some even stop it.
You just got to learn to pick up products that favor your skin type.
I hope you got a good primer for acne-prone skin from my review. What do you struggle most with when living with acne-prone skin?
Our Top Pick
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For you, which one is the best primer for acne prone skin? Have you tried using it? Share with us below!
