Best Sheer Face Primers of 2025

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 29 Jan 2025

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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

e.l.f. Putty Primer for Poreless Finish Cover #TOP 1
e.l.f. Putty Primer for Poreless Finish
ftb score rating icon 9.8
W7 The Fixer Glow Makeup Primer & Spray Set Cover #TOP 2
W7 The Fixer Glow Makeup Primer & Spray Set
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Primer for Pores Cover #TOP 3
Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Primer for Pores
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 9 Sheer Face Primers

#TOP 1

e.l.f. Putty Primer for Poreless Finish

85912
Poreless
21 g (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Putty Primer for Poreless Finish Cover
e.l.f. Putty Primer, All Day Wear, Velvet Texture, Poreless Effect, Universal Sheer, Poreless, 21 g (Pack of 1)

The e.l.f. Putty Primer is designed to enhance your makeup application experience. Infused with Squalane, it provides excellent hydration, making it suitable for all skin types. Its velvety texture allows you to glide it effortlessly over your skin, smoothing out imperfections for a flawless, poreless finish. You can easily apply a thin layer to moisturised skin and let it set for 30 seconds, ensuring a strong grip on your foundation. This primer is also convenient for travel, fitting easily into your makeup bag.

What We Like
Hydrating Squalane formula
Velvety, smooth application
Poreless finish
Easy to travel with
Cruelty-free and vegan
#TOP 2

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 3

Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Primer for Pores

Neutral
16 g (Pack of 1)
Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Primer for Pores Cover
Collection Cosmetics Lasting Perfection Putty Primer, Poreless Finish, Sheer Neutral

The Collection Lasting Perfection Primer is designed to keep your makeup in place all day, making it ideal for those with busy lifestyles. Its putty-like formula is easy to apply; simply tap and blend for a smooth base. You’ll find that a little goes a long way, as it minimises the appearance of pores and creates an even surface for foundation. Additionally, it is enriched with Glycerin and Vitamin E, which not only smooths imperfections but also cares for your skin.

What We Like
Long-lasting hold
Easy application
Smooths skin imperfections
Vitamin E enriched
Vegan-friendly

e.l.f C-Brightening Putty Primer for Skin Tone

82140
Natural
1 g (Pack of 1)
e.l.f C-Brightening Putty Primer for Skin Tone Cover
e.l.f C-Brightening Putty Primer, Makeup Primer For Brightening & Evening Out Skin Tone, Enriched With Vitamin C, Universal Sheer (Packaging May Vary)

The e.l.f C-Brightening Primer is a dual-purpose makeup primer and skincare product designed to enhance your complexion. Enriched with 2% Vitamin C, it helps to brighten your skin and even out your skin tone, giving you a fresh and radiant look. Whether you choose to wear makeup or go bare-faced, this primer provides a smooth, flawless base that boosts your confidence. Its velvety texture ensures that your makeup grips well and lasts throughout the day, making it a reliable choice for all-day wear.

What We Like
Brightens complexion
Smooth, flawless base
Long-lasting wear
100% vegan and cruelty-free

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Primer, Hydration & Longevity

3605972252081
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Primer, Hydration & Longevity Cover
Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Primer for Face, Even Complexion and Hydration, Up to 8 Hours Foundation Extending Wear, Vegan Formula, 30ml

The Urban Decay All Nighter Primer is a lightweight and sheer makeup base that enhances your foundation's staying power. It provides essential hydration, ensuring your skin looks fresh and vibrant for up to 8 hours. Applying it is simple; just smooth it over clean, moisturised skin with your fingertips or a foundation brush for an even finish. This primer is perfect whether you wear it alone or under your foundation, making it a versatile addition to your makeup routine.

What We Like
Boosts foundation staying power
Lightweight and easy to apply
Hydrates skin effectively
Lasts up to 8 hours
#TOP 6

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
#TOP 7

Revolution Beauty London Pro Anti Redness Primer

40205
Green
30 ml (Pack of 1)
Revolution Beauty London Pro Anti Redness Primer Cover
Revolution Beauty London Pro, Correcting Primer, Anti Redness, Green, 30ml

The Revolution Anti Redness Primer is a green colour correcting primer designed to help you balance and conceal unwanted redness on your skin. Its sheer mint pigments work effectively to neutralise any redness, giving you a more even complexion. This lightweight, water-based formula is suitable for all skin types and tones, making it an ideal choice for everyone. As a vegan product, it contains no animal-derived ingredients, allowing you to apply it with a clear conscience.

What We Like
Redness concealing capabilities
Lightweight and water-based
Suitable for all skin types
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 8

Sheer Cover Base Perfector Primer - 35ml

Sheer Cover
Base Perfector Primer-Parent
Sheer Cover Base Perfector Primer - 35ml Cover
Sheer Cover Base Perfector Primer - 35ml

The Sheer Cover Primer is a lightweight formula designed to create a smooth canvas for your makeup. This primer helps ensure your Sheer Cover Perfect Shade Mineral Foundation goes on effortlessly. It is infused with nourishing vitamins and soothing botanicals, making it perfect for your skin. Suitable for all skin types, this non-comedogenic primer works effectively without clogging pores. Additionally, it minimises the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving you a more polished look.

What We Like
Lightweight and easy to apply
Nourishing and soothing ingredients
Suitable for all skin types
Minimises pores and fine lines
Convenient for travel
#TOP 9

TBeautfave SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen and Primer

TBeautfave
Creamy White
50 ml (Pack of 1)
TBeautfave SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen and Primer Cover
Sunscreen SPF 30, Mineral UV Filters SPF30 Sun Screen, Hydrating Sun Cream Face Primer with Hyaluronic Acid, Makeup Primer Moisturizer for Smoothing Skin & Gripping Makeup

The TBeautfave Primer is a lightweight hybrid that offers SPF 30 sun protection while preparing your skin for long-lasting makeup. Its gripping formula forms a protective barrier, reducing UV damage and keeping your makeup intact. With a hint of sheer peach shimmer, it creates a radiant complexion, enhancing your natural glow. Infused with hyaluronic acid and soothing ingredients, this primer hydrates all skin types, ensuring a smooth and healthy appearance that lasts throughout the day.

What We Like
Lightweight and non-greasy
Creates a radiant glow
Hydrates all skin types
Long-lasting makeup wear
Pore minimising effect
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 36 sheer face primer products and shortlisted 9 quality products. We collected and analyzed 263,587 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 £6.51.

The sheer face primers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sheer face primers, including e.l.f., W7, Collection, Urban Decay, BSMKCL.

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.