14 Best Makeup Primers for Mature or Dry Skin

While cold weather often leaves skin looking lackluster, there is a hack to achieving a gorgeous complexion that goes beyond skincare: Makeup primers. Unlike sticky versions of the past, the latest generation of primers are ultra-lightweight heroes that blur pores and fine lines — so much so, that you may opt to skip foundation! Dry or mature skin especially benefits from a hydrating primer that uses hyaluronic acid and other ingredients that leave skin plump, soft and radiant. Whether you’re looking for an everyday glow-up or want your makeup to look fresh on a night out, a primer will quickly become a must-have beauty staple.

Ahead, we put together a list of fan favorites at every price point, allowing you to welcome 2025 looking like the glowy goddess that you are. Scroll on to shop the right one for you!

14 Best Hydrating Primers for Dry or Mature Skin

1. e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer: With over 26,000 five-star reviews, this creamy formula delivers dewy (not oily) skin. Infused with grape seed oil and antioxidants, one devotee wrote, “The look was flawless, even around larger pores. Flawless. My makeup looked great all day.” — $8 at Amazon!

2. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer: A fan-favorite, Too Faced’s primer hydrates, smoothes and brightens skin for a dewy, healthy finish. Exactly what parched skin needs — $42 at Amazon!

3. Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Hydrating Primer: Rose extracts and glycerin are some of the radiance-boosting skincare ingredients in this primer that keeps skin moisturized all day. Pair with the brand’s legendary tinted moisturizer for a perfected complexion day-to-night — $25 at Nordstrom!

4. Grown Alchemist Anti-Pollution Primer: A non-toxic, clean beauty pick, this hydrating primer smoothes, calms and protects skin against environmental aggressors. It’s silicone-free and shoppers say it seriously improves skin, working as both skincare and a primer. Score it while 40% off — $26 (regularly $42) at Amazon!

5. Lancôme Priming Serum Makeup Primer: Blurring the line between skincare and makeup, Lancôme’s primer is packed full of hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. This one mattifies skin for a velvet finish and a flawless complexion. Only a tiny bit is needed! — $46 at Nordstrom!

6. Dermalogica Skinperfect Primer SPF30: Dermalogica makes some of our favorite skincare, so it’s not surprising their primer also includes active anti-aging ingredients and sunblock. With a neutral tint for luminosity and radiance, slather it daily to minimize your routine while getting that glow — $59 at Amazon!

7. Estée Lauder Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer: Estée Lauder’s iconic hydrating primer triples skin’s moisture, creating radiant, healthy and soft skin. One fan wrote, “This is the best primer I have used in years, even if you are not wearing any foundation it will give you a nice glow.” — $45 at Nordstrom!

8. Burt’s Bees Goodness Glows Illuminating and Hydrating Primer: A silicone-free primer made with avocado oil to nurture dry skin, Burt’s Bees’ option has shoppers singing its praises. “Love this little tube of brightness!” one review reads. Apply under or over makeup to get glowing! — $24 at Walmart!

9. Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum: Infused with 28 beneficial ingredients to nourish and perfect skin, this primer is another skincare hybrid. When reviewing the multitasker, one makeup lover wrote, “This primer has been a godsend for me and my dry skin!!!” — Starting at $24 at Nordstrom!

10. NYX Marsh-mellow Smoothing Primer: This vegan formula that blurs wrinkles and pores while hydrating is a quick fix for parched skin. With a soft-focus finish, shoppers call it a “game-changer!” — $17 at Amazon!

11. Milani Face Primer for Makeup — Skin Quench: Ease into a new primer with this hyaluronic acid and coconut water-infused formula. It has a creamy lotion texture and is cruelty-free. Milani makes a few other primer formulas, including one with SPF and another for sensitive skin — $9 (regularly $11) at Amazon!

12. Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas: A celeb-loved brand, Tatcha’s primer uses silk extracts to nourish skin and instantly diminish the look of pores, fine lines and imperfections. One shopper wrote, “I am 58 and have fine lines along with oily skin. This really, really works to smooth out the lines and not be greasy. My skin is soft and much less oily, and my makeup stays fresh-looking all day. I’m amazed and will buy it again and again!”— $54 at Amazon!

13. Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer+ Hydrating Prime: An original in silky smooth primers, the hydrating version of this Smashbox product plumps skin by using hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. The ultra-lightweight gel texture is praised for leaving skin with a smooth, poreless finish that lasts for hours — $16 at Amazon!

14. L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer Infused with Caring Serum: Last but not least, this budget-friendly, rose-tinted cream blurs pores and fine lines while illuminating the complexion. With over 12,000 reviews, one shopper declares it’s the “Best face primer for aging skin.” — $12 (regularly $14) at Amazon!