Best Hydrating Face Primers of 2025

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 29 Jan 2025

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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 Primer + 4% Niacinamide, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer Cover #TOP 2
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide, Gel-Based & 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
#TOP 2

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer

81517
24 ml (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer 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

Features
SMOOTHS & BRIGHTENS COMPLEXION: Niacinamide Helps Smooth And Brighten The Look Of Dullness While Power Grip Primer's Gel-Based Formula With Sticky Texture Grips Makeup For Long-Lasting Wear.
MAKEUP PRIMER & SKINCARE: Your Skin's Future Looks Bright—your Favourite Sticky AF Power Grip Primer Is Now Infused With Skin-Loving Niacinamide To Help Even Out Skin Tone While Giving Makeup Lasting Power.
SKIN-LOVING INGREDIENTS: All e.l.f. Products Are Made From Skin-Loving Ingredients You Want, Minus The Toxins You Don't—all At Good-For-You Prices. All e.l.f. Products Are 100% Cruelty-Free And Vegan
HOW TO USE: Apply Makeup Primer Evenly To Face Before Makeup Using Your Fingertips To Pat Into The Skin. The Warmth Of Your Fingers Will Help The Product Melt Into Skin For Even Application. Allow 30 Seconds To Set Before Applying Makeup.
CREATES A DEWY FINISH: Ideal For All Skin Tones, This Primer Goes On Completely Clear And Creates A Dewy, Glowing Finish.

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

Makeup Revolution, Super Base Vitamin Balm, Hydrating Face Primer

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

Features
TRANSLUCENT FORMULA: This Primer Can Be Used On All Skin Tones And Types, And Has Been Formulated To Be Completely Translucent
HYDRATING FACE PRIMER: This Is The Ultimate Base To Prep Your Skin For Makeup, With All The Comfort Of A Moisturiser And The Benefits Of A Primer
VEGAN & CRUELTY FREE: This Product Does Not Contain Any Animal Derived Ingredients And Has Been Approved By PETA As Animal Test Free
PREP AND PLUMP SKIN: Use Alone As Part Of Your Skincare Routine Or Applied Before Foundation To Prep And Plump The Skin
NOURISHING VITAMINS: Packed With Skin-Nourishing Vitamins Including Vitamin B, C, And E, Shea Butter And Hyaluronic Acid, This Primer Works Throughout The Day To Hydrate And Nourish Your Skin

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

Features
This Face Primer Evens Out Skin Texture By Minimizing Pores, Wrinkles, And Fine Lines. Present A Glittering And Translucent Bright Matte Natural Skin Shined Uneven Pigmentation To Give You A Flawless Finish.
Create The Perfect Base To Ensure Your Makeup Lasts From Day To Night With The Makeup Face Primer. Prep Your Skin To Minimize Pores And Create A Smooth Finish, Ready For Makeup Application For A Flawless Finish.
The Makeup Primer Is Refreshing And Non-Sticky, And Has The Effect Of Hydrating And Moisturizing, Which Can Make The Skin More Hydrated And Healthy, And The Makeup Will Last Longer.
The Face Primer Can Be Used As A Birthday Gift To Friends Or Family. Suitable For Various Occasions, Such As Dates, Parties, Weddings, Bars, Dance Parties, Camping, Office, School Or Daily Makeup.
Before Using The Liquid Foundation, Press An Appropriate Amount Of PHOERA Face Primer And Spread Evenly On The Face. Face Primer Is A Perfect Base For A Perfect Makeup.
#TOP 6

W7 It's Glow Prime Radiant Face Primer - Hydrating Skin & Blurring Imperfections

W7
ITSGLOW-06-FBA
Brown
1 Count (Pack of 1)
W7 It's Glow Prime Radiant Face Primer - Hydrating Skin & Blurring Imperfections Cover
W7 It's Glow Prime Radiant Face Primer - Hydrating Skin & Blurring Imperfections - Watermelon Extract Facial Primer

Features
MAKEUP PRIMER - Contains Natural Fruit Extract To Provide Pink Undertones That Easily Blend For A Light Naturally Beautiful Complexion. Making Makeup Easy To Apply, Stay In Place And Look Great For Longer
PORE MINIMIZING - Our Blurring Primer Glides Over Skin, Minimizing Pores, Blemishes And Imperfections. Creating An Even-Looking Smooth Skin Surface For Makeup
PROFESSIONAL QUALITY - W7 Cosmetics Are Designed In London By Professional Makeup Artists. All Our Products Are Safe On Sensitive Skin. Ideal For Women And Teens Of All Ages & Anyone Who Loves High Quality Cosmetics
HOW & WHEN TO USE - Apply After Moisturizer But Before Your Foundation. Use A Pea Sized Amount, Gently Working Into Your Skin With Your Fingertips Until It Covers Your Face Evenly. Then Buff Your Foundation On Top
CRUELTY FREE - W7 Products Are 100% Cruelty Free. None Of Our Products Are Tested On Animals
#TOP 7

e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer, Hydrating Liquid Face Primer

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

Features
HYDRATING & LIGHTWEIGHT FORMULA: This Hydrating Liquid Face Primer Is Silky, Lightweight And Seamlessly Glides Over Your Skin.
LIQUID MAKEUP PRIMER: e.l.f. Cosmetics' Holy Grail Poreless Putty Primer, Now In A Liquid Formula! Get A Poreless-Looking Complexion And Long-Wear Makeup Application With e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer.
SKIN-LOVING INGREDIENTS: All e.l.f. Products Are Made From Skin-Loving Ingredients You Want, Minus The Toxins You Don't—all At Good-For-You Prices. All e.l.f. Products Are 100% Cruelty-Free And Vegan.
INFUSED WITH SQUALANE: Infused With Squalane. Great For Normal, Dry, Oily & Combination Skin Types.
HOW TO USE: Apply Prior To Your Makeup Application To Create A Smooth Poreless-Looking Finish While Your Skin Reaps The Benefits Of The Hydrating Ingredients.
#TOP 8

e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide Mini, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer

81518
15 ml (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide Mini, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer Cover
e.l.f. Power Grip Primer + 4% Niacinamide Mini, Gel-Based & Hydrating Face Primer, Evens Skin & Brightens, Grips Makeup, Vegan & Cruelty-Free

Features
SMOOTHS & BRIGHTENS COMPLEXION: Niacinamide Helps Smooth And Brighten The Look Of Dullness While Power Grip Primer's Gel-Based Formula With Sticky Texture Grips Makeup For Long-Lasting Wear.
MAKEUP PRIMER & SKINCARE: Your Skin's Future Looks Bright—your Favorite Sticky AF Power Grip Primer Is Now Infused With Skin-Loving Niacinamide To Help Even Out Skin Tone While Giving Makeup Lasting Power.
VEGAN & CRUELTY-FREE: 100% Vegan, e.l.f. Is Double-Certified Cruelty-Free By Leaping Bunny & PETA.
HOW TO USE: Apply Makeup Primer Evenly To Face Before Makeup Using Your Fingertips To Pat Into The Skin. The Warmth Of Your Fingers Will Help The Product Melt Into Skin For Even Application. Allow 30 Seconds To Set Before Applying Makeup.
CREATES A DEWY FINISH: Ideal For All Skin Tones, This Primer Goes On Completely Clear And Creates A Dewy, Glowing Finish.

Super Facialist Skin Perfecting Primer

COSSUP030
Green
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Super Facialist Skin Perfecting Primer Cover
Super Facialist Skin Perfecting Primer - Base Face Primer to Hydrate, Protect & Refine with Colour Corrector Technology, Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide, Vegan Friendly Make Up Primer, 30ml

Features
COLOUR CORRECTOR: This Face Primer Has Colour Correcting Technology With Green, Lavender & Peach Hues To Tone Down Redness, Counteract Sallowness & Improve Dullness
PRIMER: A Primer Expertly Formulated For A Flawless Base To Your Makeup - Blur Imperfections, Smooth Your Complexion & Comfort Skin, The Perfect Addition To Your Skincare Routine
SKINCARE SET: Pair This Perfecting Base Primer With Other Super Facialist Products Such As The Vitamin C+ Brighten Skin Defence Daily Moisturiser - Makes A Fabulous Gift Set Idea
SELF CARE:This Dermatologically Tested Makeup Primer Combines Vegan Friendly Ingredients That Are Easily Absorbed -Transform & Nourish Skin
HYALURONIC ACID: Enriched With Hyaluronic Acid, An Effective Moisturiser That Nourishes The Skin & Niacinamide To Control Oil Levels - Effective Face Care
#TOP 10

Face Primer Makeup, Hydrating Pore Minimizer Makeup Primer Under Foundation

Luzvienzee
Clear
1 g (Pack of 1)
Face Primer Makeup, Hydrating Pore Minimizer Makeup Primer Under Foundation Cover
Face Primer Makeup, Hydrating Pore Minimizer Makeup Primer Under Foundation, Deeply Moisturizing Smoothing Clear Matte Primer for Dry Skin

Features
[LIGHT TEXTURE] Light Texture, Can Be Quickly Absorbed By The Skin, Does Not Produce A Heavy Feeling Or Greasy Feeling, So That The Skin Feels Comfortable And Breathable, To Create A Good Foundation For The Subsequent Base Makeup.
[NOURISHING AND MOISTURISING] Our Moisturising Makeup Base Contains A Variety Of Moisturising Ingredients Such As Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin And Ceramides, Which Keep The Skin Hydrated And The Subsequent Makeup Application Is More Convincing, Avoiding Phenomena Such As Powdery And Flaky Skin.
[PERFECT GIFT] Our Primer Is Suitable For Most Skin Types, Whether It Is Oily, Dry, Normal, Combination Skin Or Non-Sensitive Skin. This Face Primer Can Be Used As A Birthday Gift For Friends Or Family To Create The Perfect Foundation.
[INVISIBLE PORES] It Can Fill In The Fine Texture And Pores On The Skin Surface, Invisible Pores Make The Skin Smoother, Which Enhances The Fit Of The Primer And Allows The Foundation To Adhere Better To The Skin For A Longer-Lasting Finish.
[BRIGHTEN SKIN TONE] Moisturising Make-Up Base Has A Brightening Effect That Improves Dullness And Makes The Skin Look Brighter And More Radiant. The Effect Is Natural And Gives The Skin A Healthy Glow.
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 129 hydrating face primer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 471,663 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 £6.72.

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, Revolution Beauty London, HOPHAT, W7.

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.