Best Hydrating Face Primers of 2026

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 2 Feb 2026

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Hydrating face primers are a must-have in any makeup routine. These products are designed to moisturise and nourish the skin, while also providing a smooth base for makeup application. They come in a variety of formulas, from gel to cream, and are suitable for all skin types. Hydrating face primers help to plump and hydrate the skin, creating a healthy and radiant complexion. They also help to extend the wear time of makeup, ensuring a flawless finish all day long. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, a hydrating face primer is a great addition to your beauty routine.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for Flawless Makeup Cover #TOP 1
e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for Flawless Makeup
ftb score rating icon 9.9
e.l.f. Power Grip Hydrating Face Primer Cover #TOP 2
e.l.f. Power Grip Hydrating Face Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Max Factor Miracle Prep Hydrating Primer with Niacinamide Cover #TOP 3
Max Factor Miracle Prep Hydrating Primer with Niacinamide
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Hydrating Face Primers

e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for Flawless Makeup

83406
white
14 ml (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for Flawless Makeup Cover
e.l.f., Hydrating Face Primer, Lightweight, Long Lasting, Creamy, Hydrates, Smooths, Fills in Pores and Fine Lines, Natural Matte Finish, Infused with Vitamin E, 0.47 Oz

The e.l.f. Hydrating Primer is designed to create a smooth and flawless base for your makeup, ensuring it lasts longer throughout the day. Its hydrating formula, enriched with grape and vitamins A, C, and E, helps to boost your complexion while keeping your skin moisturised. This primer is particularly beneficial for those with acne-prone, combination, or oily skin, providing a perfect canvas without clogging pores. When paired with e.l.f.'s Flawless Finish Foundation or Camo Concealer, you can achieve a beautiful satin finish that lasts all day.

What We Like
Long-lasting makeup application
Hydrates and smooths skin
Ideal for acne-prone skin
Skin-loving ingredients
Cruelty-free and vegan

e.l.f. Power Grip Hydrating Face Primer

82846
Primer
24 ml (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Power Grip Hydrating Face Primer Cover
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer For Smoothing Skin & Gripping Makeup, Moisturizes & Primes, 0.811 Fl Oz, Clear

The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a gel-based face primer that effectively grips your makeup while providing a smooth, natural finish. Suitable for all skin types and tones, this primer goes on clear and is non-comedogenic, ensuring it won't clog your pores. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, it hydrates your skin, helping to create a plump and healthy complexion. By applying this primer before your makeup, you will achieve a flawless base while enjoying the added moisture.

What We Like
Smooths skin for a flawless finish
Hydrates and moisturises skin
Suitable for all skin types
Non-comedogenic formula

Max Factor Miracle Prep Hydrating Primer with Niacinamide

99240002759
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Max Factor Miracle Prep Hydrating Primer with Niacinamide Cover
Max Factor Miracle Prep Illuminating & Hydrating Primer, Nourishing Formula with Niacinamide and Vitamin E, 30 ml

The Max Factor Miracle Prep Primer is a nourishing and hydrating product designed to enhance your skin's radiance. Enriched with niacinamide and Vitamin E, this primer provides essential nutrients that help keep your skin healthy and glowing. As you use it, you will notice a gradual increase in your skin's luminosity, making it perfect for achieving a vibrant look. Additionally, it primes the skin for make-up application, creating a smooth base that not only helps set your foundation but also extends its wear throughout the day.

What We Like
Nourishing and hydrating formula
Enhances skin radiance over time
Creates a smooth make-up base
Extends make-up wear

e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for Smooth Skin

83414
Clear
1 fl oz (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer for Smooth Skin Cover
e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer, Makeup Primer For Flawless, Smooth Skin & Long-Lasting Makeup, Fills In Pores & Fine Lines, Vegan & Cruelty-free, Large

The e.l.f. Hydrating Primer is designed to create a flawless, smooth base that helps your makeup last longer throughout the day. Its hydrating formula, enriched with grape extract and vitamins A, C, and E, nourishes and boosts your complexion while keeping your skin moisturised. This primer is especially suitable if you have acne-prone, combination, or oily skin, ensuring comfort and smoothness. For the best results, you can pair it with other e.l.f. products like the Flawless Finish Foundation or Camo Concealer to achieve a beautiful satin finish that lasts.

What We Like
Long-lasting makeup base
Hydrates with vitamins
Good for acne-prone skin
Pairs well with foundation
Vegan and cruelty-free

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer with Niacinamide

81517
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer with Niacinamide Cover
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer, Evens Skin & Brightens, Grips Makeup, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, 0.811 Fl Oz

The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is your go-to for a flawless complexion and long-lasting makeup. Infused with niacinamide, this gel-based primer helps even out your skin tone and brightens dullness, giving you a radiant look. Its sticky formula grips your makeup, ensuring it stays put throughout the day. Ideal for all skin tones, it dries clear and creates a dewy finish. Applying this primer is easy—simply pat it onto your face with your fingertips for an even application.

What We Like
Infused with skin-loving niacinamide
Long-lasting makeup grip
Dewy, glowing finish
Suitable for all skin tones
Vegan and cruelty-free

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer Mini for Hydrating Makeup

83665
Primer
15 ml (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer Mini for Hydrating Makeup Cover
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer Mini, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer For Smoothing Skin & Gripping Makeup, Moisturizes & Primes

The e.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a gel-based, hydrating face primer designed to smooth your skin and ensure your makeup stays put throughout the day. It works well for all skin types, offering a clear finish that won’t clog pores. Infused with Hyaluronic Acid, this primer not only preps your skin but also moisturises it for a plump and fresh complexion. Simply apply it before your makeup for a flawless look that lasts. Allow it to set for 30 seconds for the best results.

What We Like
Smooths skin texture
Non-comedogenic formula
Moisturises while priming
Suitable for all skin types
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 7

Avon Magix Hydrating Colourless Face Primer

Avon
colourless
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Avon Magix Hydrating Colourless Face Primer Cover
Avon Magix (Hydrating)

The Avon Magix Hydrating Primer is a colourless base that helps create a smooth and even surface for your make-up, ensuring it stays fresh for longer. This primer is especially perfect if you have dry or dehydrated skin, as it refreshes and moisturises throughout the day. By using the Avon Magix Hydrating Primer, you can enjoy a comfortable and hydrated feel while keeping your make-up looking flawless and vibrant for longer periods.

What We Like
Colourless and invisible
Extends make-up wear
Ideal for dry skin
Refreshes and moisturises
Suitable for all skin tones

Makeup Revolution Super Base Vitamin Balm Primer

1674935
Translucent
25 ml (Pack of 1)
Makeup Revolution Super Base Vitamin Balm Primer Cover
Makeup Revolution, Super Base Vitamin Balm, Hydrating Face Primer, Preps & Plumps Skin, Translucent Formula, Contains Vitamins, 25 ml

The Makeup Revolution Primer is the perfect base to prepare your skin for makeup, combining the comfort of a moisturiser with the effectiveness of a primer. Its translucent formula ensures it suits all skin tones and types, making it versatile for everyone. Packed with nourishing vitamins like B, C, and E, along with Shea Butter and Hyaluronic Acid, it hydrates and revitalises your skin throughout the day. You can use it on its own or under your foundation to achieve a plump, fresh look.

What We Like
Hydrates and nourishes skin
Translucent for all skin types
Vegan and cruelty-free
Preps skin for makeup

e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer for Smooth Skin

81556
Universal Sheer
43.54 g (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer for Smooth Skin Cover
e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer, Hydrating Liquid Face Primer For A Smooth Complexion, Grips Makeup For Longwear, Vegan & Cruelty-free

The e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer is a game-changing liquid makeup primer designed to create a poreless-looking complexion while ensuring your makeup lasts throughout the day. Its hydrating and lightweight formula glides effortlessly over your skin, providing a smooth base for your foundation. Infused with squalane, this primer caters to all skin types, keeping your skin nourished. By applying it before your makeup, you can enjoy a flawless finish and benefit from its hydrating properties, making it an essential addition to your beauty routine.

What We Like
Hydrating and lightweight formula
Suitable for all skin types
Poreless-looking finish
Long-wear makeup application
Vegan and cruelty-free

PHOERA Matte Oil-Free Makeup Primer

#2pcs 6ml
6 ml (Pack of 1)
PHOERA Matte Oil-Free Makeup Primer Cover
2Pcs Makeup Primer For PHOERA All Matte Oil Free Full Coverage Foundation Base Long Lasting Hydrating Smoothing Moisturizing Makeup Base Matte Face Foundation Primer (#2pcs 6ml)

The PHOERA Face Primer is designed to create a flawless base for your makeup, ensuring it lasts from day to night. By minimising pores, wrinkles, and fine lines, it helps even out your skin texture for a smooth finish. The refreshing and non-sticky formula hydrates and moisturises your skin, promoting a healthier appearance. By applying this primer before your foundation, you can enhance the longevity of your makeup and achieve a stunning look for any occasion.

What We Like
Minimises pores and fine lines
Hydrating and non-sticky formula
Long-lasting makeup base
Perfect for various occasions
Enhances skin texture
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is hydrating primer good for dry skin?

Hydrating makeup primers can help keep parched and dehydrated skin feeling soft. While a makeup primer formulated for dry skin can't replace a face moisturizer, it can help prep skin for makeup and keep it in place while making your complexion look and feel softer.

2. Is Hydrating primer good?

"One of my favorite reasons to [use] a moisturizing primer is because it can add anti-aging benefits to the skin with ingredients that create a plumping effect," notes Sesnek. Ingredients that plump the skin include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, peptides, aloe vera, allantoin, vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinamide, and algae.

Editor's Notes

During our hydrating face primer research, we found 137 hydrating face primer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 608,590 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hydrating face primers list. We found that most customers choose hydrating face primers with an average price of £6.19.

The hydrating face primers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hydrating face primers, including e.l.f., Max Factor, Avon, Revolution Beauty London, HOPHAT.

Written by
Charlotte Powell Avatar

Charlotte Powell is a dermatologist and a licensed cosmetologist from Westminster, London. However, she was first a cosmetologist from London Beauty Training School. According to Charlotte, she needed better insight into the human skin, hence the dermatology degree. Long before she acquired her degree, she wrote and edited articles, eBooks, and editorials for companies and websites. Charlotte combines her skill and knowledge in providing DIY Beauty tips amongst other fashion related topics.