Are Primers With SPF Effective?

A primer prepares your face for makeup application by concealing lines, patches, blemishes, and other skin concerns. Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun and UV ray damage. Both protection and preparation are vital for your skin to remain youthful and well-rested. Hence, investing in a primer with SPF is a wise choice. Plus, it is effective on most skin types. If you have decided to add this versatile beauty product to your vanity, browse the next section to pick a suitable option.

Top 10 Makeup Primers With SPF You Will Love

1. Best For Color-Correcting: Almay CC Luminous Primer

The Almay CC Luminous Primer contains a complexion-correcting formula to brighten and smoothen dull and tanned skin. This all-natural primer has broad-spectrum SPF 15 to prevent photodamage and cover signs of photoaging. Its oil-free formula has hydrators that nourish your skin and hold your makeup in place all day. This tinted primer comes with tones of pink and pearl that neutralize and conceal uneven pigmentation to prepare all skin types for any makeup look. Pros

 Hypoallergenic  Long-lasting  Lightweight  Dermatologist-tested  Fragrance-free  Cruelty-free

Cons

 May feel oily

2. Best For Sensitive Skin: Dermatologica Skinperfect Primer SPF30

The Dermatologica Skinperfect Primer SPF30 works as a priming formula, sunscreen, and anti-aging treatment. This 3-in-1 primer conceals fine lines, preps your skin for makeup application, and leaves a soft-focus finish. Its silky formula contains soy protein, pearl powder, and natural earth minerals that polish your skin to add subtle radiance. They help even out the skin tone and texture, support skin firmness, and protect against sun damage. You can wear this illuminating SPF primer alone, over your moisturizer, or under foundation to hold your makeup better and for longer. This video helps you know more about the product. Pros

 Lightweight  Goes on smooth  Non-comedogenic  Non-greasy  Mildly scented  Gluten-free  Cruelty-free  Paraben-free

Cons None

3. Best For Everyday Use: Maybelline Facestudio Master Prime Face Primer

The Maybelline Facestudio Master Prime is formulated with a water-soluble base and active ingredients that prep your skin for long-lasting makeup looks. Its ingredients conceal skin imperfections, soften fine lines, and prime your face without giving a greasy and oily feel. This weightless primer also has SPF 30 to protect your skin from everyday sun damage. Check out this video to know more about this product. Pros

 Lightweight  Water-based  Non-greasy  Long-lasting  Mildly scented  Easy application

Cons

 May not suit oily skin

4. Best For Mature Skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Daily Anti-Aging Primer With Sunscreen

The La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Daily Anti-Aging Primer has a lightweight mousse texture that suits oily skin. Its broad-spectrum SPF 50 prevents photodamage and provides daily UVA/UVB protection to your skin. The allergen-free formula visibly blur signs of aging, blemishes, and uneven pigmentation to give a poreless, matte finish. This oil-absorbing primer suits all skin types, including sensitive skin, and can be worn every day with or without makeup. Its moisturizing ingredients will leave your skin soft and silky under makeup, without feeling sticky or greasy. Before buying, have a look at this video for more details. Pros

 Dermatologist-tested  Lightweight  Absorbs quickly  Hypoallergenic  Non-comedogenic  Fragrance-free  Paraben-free

Cons None

5. Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Colorscience Bronzing Primer SPF 20

The Colorscience Bronzing Primer SPF 20 has a water- and sweat-resistant formula that improves your skin’s tone, texture, and firmness. It contains rice proteins and oat peptides that even out the skin tone, extend makeup wear, and provide a healthy sun-kissed look. Other all-natural and nourishing ingredients in the primer like aloe leaf juice, jojoba seed oil, and green tea leaf extract brighten your skin from within. This tinted primer doesn’t clog the skin pores and preps your face for a long-lasting makeup look with its light coverage. Pros

 Mildly scented  Non-comedogenic  Water-resistant  Hypoallergenic  Vegan  Paraben-free  Sulfate-free  Phthalate-free

Cons None

6. Best Vegan Formula: Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer creates a poreless, smooth, and even canvas for makeup to stay on all day. It spreads effortlessly to conceal redness and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The mineral-based components – titanium and zinc oxide – provide broad-spectrum SPF 15 protection. The silky, non-greasy, and weightless formula works well with cream, liquid, and powder-based makeup and is the best primer with SPF that can be worn under any foundation. Pros

 Lightweight  Oil-free  Paraben-free  Fragrance-free  Sulfate-free  Phthalate-free  Gluten-free  Synthetic dye-free  Vegan-friendly  Cruelty-free

Cons None

7. Best Non-Greasy Formula: Glo Tinted Primer SPF 30

The Glo Tinted Primer SPF 30 has an oil-free formula that offers broad-spectrum, pure mineral sun protection. Its weightless texture spreads easily on your skin to conceal areas of concern and provide sheer to medium coverage. The mineral sunscreen with titanium and zinc oxides blocks UVA and UVB rays from causing gradual photodamage. This primer preps your face with a semi-matte finish and can be worn alone or under mineral makeup for an even-toned look. It is formulated to suit all skin types, including sensitive skin, without leaving a greasy and sticky film. Pros

 Lightweight  Spreads well  Oil-free  Natural coverage  Absorbed quickly  Long-lasting

Cons

 May cause breakouts

8. Best For All Skin Types: IPKN Radiant Cream Primer SPF 15

The IPKN Radiant Cream Primer SPF 15 preps your skin with natural radiance and offers an even tone. It features a blend of nourishing orange, blueberries, pomegranate extracts, and shimmery pearl powder. This weightless, creamy primer spreads uniformly over your skin to minimize visible signs of stress, sun damage, and large open pores. The pearl powder and rose extract in this primer form an invisible barrier to repair and restore your skin’s pH balance. This primer is formulated to suit all skin types and can be worn alone or under a foundation. Pros

 Lightweight  Long-lasting  Mildly scented  Easy application  Doesn’t clog pores

Cons

 Not suitable for deeper skin tones

9. Best Long-Lasting Formula: NYX Bare With Me Suscreen Daily Moisturizing Primer

The NYX Bare With Me Sunscreen Daily Moisturizing Primer has a hydrating formula infused with hemp seed oil and Asian pennywort extract. It also contains SPF 30 sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays and sunburns. This moisturizing primer with SPF can be worn alone for a brightening, nourishing, and sheer glow that lasts for 24 hours. In addition, it primes your face by concealing signs of concern and extends the life of the look. Pros

 Long-lasting  Quick-drying  Non-sticky  Weightless  Cruelty-free  Vegan  Dye-free

Cons

 Overpowering scent

10. Best Camera-Ready Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Protect SPF 20 Primer

The Smashbox Photo Finish Protect SPF 20 Primer has anti-aging, sun-protecting, and soothing effects on your skin. It contains active natural antioxidants like vitamin E, grape seed extract, and green tea leaf extracts that soften fine lines and wrinkles, lighten hyperpigmentation, and improve your skin tone. This primer with SPF is ideal for mature skin as it is clinically proven to reduce the signs of aging and dullness. It spreads easily to create a smooth canvas for flawless and long-lasting makeup application. Pros

 Absorbed quickly  Ideal for daily use  Long-lasting  Non-greasy  Easy application  Cruelty-free

Cons

 Runny consistency

These 10 primers with SPF are designed to suit most skin types and cater to various needs. But to pick a primer that suits you best, here’s what you should look for while buying.

What To Look For In A Primer With SPF

  1. Finish: A primer’s finish is how it ultimately looks on your skin. Although it is mainly worn under makeup, a primer is the first product in contact with your skin. If you have oily skin, pick a primer with SPF and a matte or oil-absorbing finish. It will not make your skin look and feel oily when you wear makeup. A creamy, hydrating primer would best suit dry, normal, or combination skin types.
  2. Ingredients: Whether you have sensitive skin or not, it is best to stick to SPF primers that are free of chemicals and irritants. Give preference to natural emollients, hydrants, and antioxidants over synthetic ones. Choose a primer with pure mineral-based sunscreens like titanium or zinc oxide for long-lasting and safe sun protection.
  3. Value For Money: Today, you can find primers that perform more than one function in makeup lines. SPF in primers is one of the varieties. Look out for primers that can work as a foundation, color-correctors, moisturizers, anti-aging treatment, acne treatment, etc. You can make the most of a multipurpose primer’s worth by wearing it alone, under makeup, and/or for protection in specific environments.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author Baishali Bhattacharya is a certified makeup expert. She also has a keen interest in various products used in makeup and loves to research about them, which always brings out the best products for the readers. The list of best makeup primers with SPF has been curated carefully after extensive research and after reading many customer reviews from trusted platforms. She says that one should invest in a good primer for easy makeup, and these primers with SPF benefit you doubly as they offer sun protection and an even base. Can you wear sunscreen under primer? Yes. Start with sun protection first and apply sunscreen. Let it dry before starting your makeup look with a face primer. You can wear any makeup product under a primer. But, since sunscreen can’t go over makeup, it is best to follow the order of moisturizer, sunblock, primer, and makeup. Are primers with SPF good for dry skin? Yes, hydrating primers with SPF are suitable for dry skin. They block UV rays from penetrating the skin and nourish flaky skin. Can I use a primer with SPF instead of sunscreen? Yes. Use a primer with high SPF instead of sunscreen. The SPF in the primer will prevent sun damage and create flawless skin. How often should I use a primer with SPF? Wear a primer with SPF whenever you are out in the sun. There is no harm in using the primer with SPF daily. Should you apply primer before or after sunscreen? Apply sunscreen first on your moisturized skin to protect it from sun damage. Then, apply the primer as the first step of makeup.

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