Best Sheer Face Primers of 2026

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 2 Feb 2026

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Sheer face primers are an essential addition to any makeup routine, providing a smooth base for foundation and helping it to stay put throughout the day. These lightweight, translucent products are designed to blur imperfections and minimise the appearance of pores, creating a flawless canvas for your makeup. They come in a range of formulas to suit different skin types and concerns, from hydrating and illuminating to mattifying and oil-controlling. Whether you have dry, oily, or combination skin, a sheer face primer can help to extend the wear of your makeup and give you a natural-looking glow.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

W7 The Fixer Glow Makeup Primer & Spray Set Cover #TOP 1
W7 The Fixer Glow Makeup Primer & Spray Set
ftb score rating icon 9.8
KYDA Colour Correcting Face Primer SPF 50 Cover #TOP 2
KYDA Colour Correcting Face Primer SPF 50
ftb score rating icon 9.7
e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer with Cica Cover #TOP 3
e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer with Cica
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 9 Sheer Face Primers

W7 The Fixer Glow Makeup Primer & Spray Set

W7
AZFGD
Dewy
Bundle (Pack of 2)
W7 The Fixer Glow Makeup Primer & Spray Set Cover
W7 The Fixer Glow Set - Makeup Primer & Setting Spray Duo for Radiant, Dewy Finish - Golden Sheer Coverage, Lightweight & Non-Sticky

The W7 The Fixer Glow Set is your perfect companion for achieving a radiant, dewy look. The golden-based primer creates a smooth base, ensuring your makeup goes on flawlessly. It's suitable for all skin types, so whether your skin is dry or oily, you can enjoy a silky texture. The lightweight primer offers sheer coverage, while the setting spray locks in your makeup with a hydrating finish. With easy application, you can maintain a fresh, luminous complexion throughout the day.

What We Like
Radiant, dewy finish
Lightweight and non-sticky
Suitable for all skin types
Easy application
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 2

KYDA Colour Correcting Face Primer SPF 50

1 g (Pack of 1)
KYDA Colour Correcting Face Primer SPF 50 Cover
KYDA Color Correcting Face Primer, SPF 50 PA+++, Moisturizing Makeup Primer, One Step Brightening Primer to Even Skin Tone, Oil Control Skin Corrector, Sheer Finish, Refreshing, Purple Pink Green

The KYDA Colour Correcting Primer offers a one-step serum with three colour pigments to even out your skin tone; purple tones down yellowness, green neutralises redness, and a meat powder shade helps with dark circles. It provides broad-spectrum SPF 50 PA+++ protection, shielding your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, reducing sun damage. The primer also moisturises deeply, helping to hydrate your skin, control oil, and improve the appearance of fine lines. Finally, it leaves a sheer, natural finish that enhances your skin’s glow without altering its natural colour.

What We Like
Three-tone colour correction
High SPF 50 sun protection
Moisturising and oil control
Natural, sheer finish
Refreshing, non-greasy texture
#TOP 3

e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer with Cica

82031
Green
45.36 g (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer with Cica Cover
e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Putty Primer + Cica, Face Primer for Gripping Makeup, Visibly Reducing Redness & Soothing Skin, Vegan & Cruelty-Free

The e.l.f. Liquid Poreless Primer is a silky green liquid that smooths your skin, creating a poreless finish to help your makeup stay in place all day. It contains calming cica, which soothes your skin and visibly reduces redness, making it ideal if you want a calm, even complexion. The sheer green tint helps instantly reduce redness, giving your face a natural, balanced tone. Suitable for dry, oily, combination and sensitive skin types, this primer works well for most users looking to improve their makeup base.

What We Like
Smooths skin for poreless finish
Reduces redness with green tint
Soothes skin with calming cica
Suitable for sensitive skin types
Long-lasting makeup grip

e.l.f. Brightening Lavender Face Primer for Even Skin Tone

787461068199
14 ml (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Brightening Lavender Face Primer for Even Skin Tone Cover
e.l.f. Brightening Lavender Face Primer, Face Makeup Primer For Neutralizing Uneven Skin Tones & Brightening Complexion, Vegan & Cruelty-free

The e.l.f. Lavender Face Primer is an excellent choice for those looking to achieve a neutral and bright complexion. Its colour-correcting properties help to neutralise uneven yellow tones and redness, making it perfect for combating the effects of rosacea and blemishes. The creamy formula not only brightens dull skin but also provides a sheer, matte finish, ensuring lightweight wear throughout the day. You will find that this primer preps your face for makeup, creating a smooth canvas that allows your makeup to last longer.

What We Like
Neutralises uneven skin tones
Reduces redness effectively
Delivers a matte finish
Preps skin for makeup
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 5

Clinique Even Better Primer and Colour Corrector

KTAY020000
Apricot
6 ml (Pack of 1)
Clinique Even Better Primer and Colour Corrector Cover
Clinique Even Better All-Over Primer + Color Corrector | Sheer To Moderate Coverage + Natural Finish

The Clinique Even Better Primer is a lightweight cream-gel designed to instantly neutralise dark circles with sheer to moderate coverage, lasting up to 12 hours. It contains hyaluronic acid, which not only camouflages imperfections but also helps to hydrate your skin, giving you a flawless and fresh look. The dual-ended applicator includes a doe foot wand for precise application and a built-in sponge blender to smooth the product seamlessly. This makes it easy and convenient to use, ensuring a natural finish every time.

What We Like
Lightweight cream-gel formula
Long-lasting 12-hour wear
Hydrates skin with hyaluronic acid
Dual-ended applicator for ease
Neutralises dark circles effectively
#TOP 6

KYDA Colour Correcting Facial Serum SPF 50 Primer

b2018-3
B-2Pcs
1 g (Pack of 1)
KYDA Colour Correcting Facial Serum SPF 50 Primer Cover
KYDA Color Correcting Facial Serum, SPF 50 PA+++, Moisturizing Makeup Primer, One Step Brightening Primer to Even Skin Tone, Oil Control Skin Corrector, Sheer Finish, Purple Pink Green (B-2Pcs)

The KYDA Colour Correcting Primer offers a one-step solution to even out your skin tone using three colour pigments: light purple to counteract yellowness, green to reduce redness, and a meat powder shade to conceal dark circles. It provides broad-spectrum sun protection with SPF 50 PA+++, helping to shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays. The primer also hydrates and controls oil, improving the appearance of fine lines and dark spots. With a sheer and natural finish, it leaves your skin looking moisturised and radiant, without altering your natural tone.

What We Like
Three colour correcting pigments
High SPF 50 PA+++ protection
Hydrates and controls oil
Sheer, natural moisturising finish
Non-greasy, light formula
#TOP 7

BSMKCL Hydrating Gold Gel Makeup Primer

Off-White
20 ml (Pack of 1)
BSMKCL Hydrating Gold Gel Makeup Primer Cover
Face Primer,Pore Reducer,Soothes Skin Makeup Primer, Redness Reducer,Cruelty-Free,Lightweight Formula,Sheer Coverage & Matte Finish Vegan Friendly,Hydrating Primer Face Makeup for Dry or Oily Skin

The BSMKCL Gold Gel Primer is designed to prepare your skin beautifully. Its 24K gold gel formula helps keep face and body glitter in place, reducing fallout while enhancing sparkle. You will appreciate the instant smoothing effect it provides, improving uneven skin tone and giving a radiant, filter-like finish. This hydrating primer ensures your skin remains moisturised throughout the day, making it perfect for busy schedules, whether you're working or meeting friends. With its vegan and cruelty-free formula, you can feel good about your beauty choices.

What We Like
Hydrating and moisturising
Reduces the appearance of pores
Vegan and cruelty-free
Suitable for all skin types
Creates a smooth, radiant finish

Revolution Pro Radiant Cool Pink Primer 30ml

40208
Cool Pink
Revolution Pro Radiant Cool Pink Primer 30ml Cover
Revolution Pro, Correcting Primer, Radiant Cool Pink, 30ml

The Revolution Pro Primer is a colour correcting primer designed to enhance your complexion. Its sheer baby pink pigments work to brighten dull skin, giving you a radiant and healthy look. The lightweight, water-based formula is suitable for all skin types and tones, ensuring a comfortable wear throughout the day. As a vegan product, it contains no animal-derived ingredients, allowing you to feel good about your choice. Simply apply it all over your face or to specific problem areas for a flawless base.

What We Like
Brightens dull skin
Lightweight and comfortable
Vegan-friendly formula
Suitable for all skin types
Cruelty-free product
#TOP 9

SeeHoo One Step Colour Correcting Face Primer SPF 50

SeeHoo
skin color
20 g (Pack of 1)
SeeHoo One Step Colour Correcting Face Primer SPF 50 Cover
Color Correcting Face Primer - One Step Color Corrector Face Primer SPF 50 PA+++, Oil Control Moisturizing Sunscreen for Sheer Finish Refreshing Purple Pink Green, 1PCS

The SeeHoo Colour Correcting Primer is designed to balance your skin tone effortlessly. It uses green to neutralise redness, while purple and peach shades brighten dull areas, giving you a more even complexion. This primer also provides lightweight hydration with hyaluronic acid, ensuring your skin feels smooth and moisturised all day without any sticky residue. With a high SPF 50 PA+++, it protects your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, making it a perfect base for your makeup routine. Additionally, the formula minimises enlarged pores, helping you achieve a smooth and radiant finish.

What We Like
Balances skin tone effectively
Lightweight, non-sticky hydration
High SPF 50 PA+++ protection
Minimises enlarged pores
Enhances skin’s natural glow
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Best Overall: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Protective Primer Infused with both silk extracts and silk powder, this velvety balm makes your skin feel, quite literally, smooth as silk.

2. Do primers come in different shades?

Makeup primers are available in clear shades as well as in colours. The clear primers are useful if you have an even skin tone without too many blemishes.

3. What does primer do for your face?

Primers are the photoshop of the makeup world. They're used underneath eyeshadow, foundation, tinted moisturizer, and mascara to create a smoothing effect that enhances makeup coverage and helps your makeup stay on longer — all while targeting concerns like oily or dry skin.

Editor's Notes

During our sheer face primer research, we found 29 sheer face primer products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 359,883 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sheer face primers list. We found that most customers choose sheer face primers with an average price of £6.44.

The sheer face primers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sheer face primers, including W7, KYDA, e.l.f., Clinique, BSMKCL. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 861 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

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.