17 best primers for dry skin will hydrate skin all day (and keep makeup in place)
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The best primers for dry skin are a secret weapon in any dry-skinned makeup routine. If you’ve ever applied your foundation in the morning only to catch a glimpse of it clinging to dry patches by midday, you’ll know that skin prep is everything. And while moisturiser is essential, it’s only half the story. Enter: the hydrating primer.
The best primer for dry skin doesn’t just blur and grip. It can also help soothe sensitivity, smooth flakiness, and even add a luminous glow under makeup. It can actively improve how your skin feels throughout the day. Think of it as your skin’s safety net: locking in hydration, adding slip, and preventing your base from creasing, cracking or going dull by midday. So, even if you already own one of the best moisturisers for dry skin, and are all caught up on your face serums and toners, you're missing out.
To help you find your perfect match, we’ve rounded up the best primers for dry skin right now – from glow-boosting formulas to barrier-supporting balms, and even hybrid moisturiser-primers that can cut down on steps.
We’ve tested them all, spoken to the experts, and picked only the ones that really deliver. After something else? Shop the best primers for mature skin.
Why is a primer for dry skin important?
Innovative and skincare-led technology means that primers that have been formulated with dry skin in mind can deliver on a host of skincare benefits. For example, ingredients such as nourishing shea butter and hyaluronic acid can help the skin retain more moisture, making a good primer more than just another step in your makeup routine.
According to makeup and hair artist Alexis Day, "primers for dry skin types work by locking in moisture, and helping it stay nourished throughout the day so the makeup doesn't deteriorate. [They] will usually have moisture boosting ingredients like a hyaluronic acid, glycerin, as well as a flower or fruit oil in, to help keep the skin hydrated.”
“These support your skincare regime by keeping thirsty skin "fed" throughout the day rather than just feeding it during your morning moisturiser routine,” she adds.
I already use a great moisturiser - isn't that enough?
"The real secret to a flawless base starts with consistent skincare," explains Laura Porter, facialist and founder of FAB Skincare. “If dry skin isn’t properly hydrated and protected, no primer can fully compensate. You always want to start with a nourishing moisturiser to lock in moisture and support your barrier, then layer a hydrating primer on top to give your makeup staying power.”
Primers aren't dry skin moisturisers – and they were never meant to be. “A hydrating primer should be seen as working alongside a good moisturiser, not a replacement,” explains Dr Barbara Kubicka, aesthetic doctor and founder of ClinicBe. “Moisturisers restore and support the skin barrier. Hydrating primers add an extra layer of smoothness and hold, but they usually lack the long-term benefits of proper skincare. For dry skin types especially, layering is key.”
What should you look for in the best primer for dry skin?
So, what should you actually look for? According to Dr Hansel Misquitta, skin and aesthetics doctor, the best primers for dry or dehydrated skin contain "humectants and emollients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, squalane and panthenol." These draw moisture into the skin and help lock it in, giving you that plump, fresh, makeup-ready finish. But equally important is what not to include.
“Alcohol-based ingredients, such as denatured alcohol or ethanol, can be especially problematic as they strip the skin’s natural oils,” warns Dr Kubicka. “And while silicones like dimethicone can help smooth the surface, they may also trap dead skin or block moisture absorption, especially if the skin isn’t well hydrated to begin with.” The result? Makeup that flakes, separates, or highlights texture.
And if you have a sensitive skin condition like eczema or perioral dermatitis, the stakes are even higher. “Fragrance, essential oils, alcohol or certain preservatives like methylisothiazolinone can all trigger flare-ups,” explains Dr Kubicka. “Even silicones can cause issues if they trap allergens or irritants. Look for primers that are non-comedogenic, fragrance-free, and dermatologist-tested. And when in doubt, patch test.”
Meet the experts:
To help us separate the genuinely hydrating from the secretly drying, we asked leading MUA's dermatologists and facialists for their take on what makes a primer truly dry-skin friendly.
- Alexis Day, hair stylist and makeup artist.
- Laura Porter, facialist and founder of FAB Skincare.
- Dr Hansel Misquitta, skin and aesthetics doctor.
- Dr Barbara Kubicka, aesthetic doctor and founder of ClinicBe.
How we tested the best primers for dry skin
To find the best primers for dry skin, we didn’t just swatch and go. We tested each formula on actually dry, sometimes sensitive skin over several days, paying close attention to how it layered over moisturiser, how it sat under makeup, and whether it clung to flaky patches or helped blur them.
We considered texture, hydration, wear time, price point, and finish (from dewy to natural), as well as whether they caused any irritation or tightness throughout the day. We also paid close attention to fragrance levels and ingredient lists, noting which formulas felt comforting vs. potentially irritating for compromised skin. And of course, we consulted leading dermatologists and facialists to understand which ingredients to seek out - and which to avoid - to ensure these picks really work for dry skin.
Looking to stock up on more best-selling beauty products? Check out our edits for the best foundations, best skin tints and the best sunscreens for face.
Scroll to view our edit of the best primers for dry skin that will keep your face hydrated.
Why we love it: If you’re prone to having a little puffiness in the morning, reach for this Refy product. Unlike your average primer, the Refy Face Primer also functions as a "gua sha tool”. The smart roller applicator smooths and sculpts the face to depuff, massaging it in the process. The perfecting formula is developed with niacinamide, vitamin B5 and polymers to minimise pores and hydrate the skin. For skin that glows and makeup that lasts all day.
Maybelline New York Grippy Serum Makeup Primer
Why we love it: This serum-primer hybrid delivers the best of both worlds: juicy hydration and serious grip. Packed with niacinamide, it leaves skin looking plump and healthy while locking your base in place all day. Think of it as the high-street answer to glass skin.
MERIT BEAUTY Great Skin Priming Moisturiser
Why we love it: Technically a moisturiser, but it works like the perfect primer, this is one of those products that makes your skin look so good, you start questioning if you even need foundation. It’s packed with peptides, barrier-boosters and hyaluronic acid, giving dry skin that juicy, healthy bounce. Ideal for anyone who wants to nail their base before they even pick up their makeup bag.
Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer
Why we love it: Can Charlotte Tilbury do any wrong when it comes to makeup? If you’re looking to blur imperfections, reduce the appearance of pores, shield your skin from sun damage, achieve even skin tone, and nourish and hydrate the skin, this is the primer for you. With the addition of the brand’s airbrush polymers, it will have you selfie-ready 24/7 and a guarantee of no flashback.
Make sure to check out our Cult Beauty discount codes, to save some money on your next primer purchase.
Armani Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Why we love it: The Armani Luminous Silk family is the holy grail of base products in the beauty world – and its primer does not fall short of its family name. A unique oil-in-water formula, it's enriched with shea butter, glycerin and and crystal-encapsulated pigments that leave the skin with a fresh, pearlescent glow.
Save big on primers for dry skin, with our LookFantastic discount codes.
Why we love it: e.l.f.’s cult-favourite Power Grip Primer is now available in an XXL jumbo size, packing three times the iconic sticky formula we’re obsessed with at GLAMOUR HQ. This hydrating gel primer grips makeup like a pro for a flawless, long-lasting finish, applies clear with a dewy glow, and is infused with hyaluronic acid for an extra hit of hydration. Trust us, your makeup bag wants this.
Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base
Why we love it: A cult favourite for a reason, the Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base doubles as a nourishing day cream. It’s the perfect primer for locking your makeup in place and keeping your skin nice and hydrated throughout the day. The key ingredients include squalane, hyaluronic acid and shea butter, giving your skin a major boost of hydration and creating a plumped-up canvas for your makeup. It's actually a good primer for oily skin, too.
Looking to save a pretty buck at the checkout? Checkout our Sephora discount codes when shopping for your primer.
Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Blur Primer
Why we love it: A cult classic for good reason, this luxe primer feels like silk on dry skin. Infused with light-reflecting particles, it blurs imperfections while adding a soft-focus glow — all without clinging to dry patches. As someone with dry skin who has used this primer religiously for years, it feels like a little layer of luxury before foundation.
Why we love it: For days when your skin is in need of a glowy pick me up, look no further than the Saie Glowy Super Gel. Wear alone or under makeup for a luminous boost. The gel formula is loaded with skin nourishing ingredients including papaya, squalene and vitamin C to protect, hydrate and brighten the skin. Say goodbye to dull skin.
Make sure to check out our Cult Beauty discount codes, to save some money on your next primer purchase.
Why we love it: If you find your makeup doesn’t last past lunchtime, the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip will have it staying put all day. The hard working, lightweight, non greasy gel like formula is not only created with aloe water, cherry blossom, hyaluronic acid and B vitamin for an instant hit of deep hydration, the star ingredient blue agave extract works to form an invisible layer over the skin that grips tight onto your makeup, and ensures it lasts up to 12 hours.
Don’t forget to check out how much you can save with our Sephora discount codes.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer
Why we love it: A cult classic in the makeup world, everyone who is anyone in the makeup industry raves about the Laura Mercier Canvas Primers, and this is their most hydrating formula of all. It contains marine hydra botanicals to replenish the skin and offer a boost of hydration upon application, as well as improving the overall skin moisture level in just one week. It’s ticking a lot of boxes.
Fancy making a saving on primers? Check out our Boots discount codes.
Photo Finish by Smashbox Foundation Primer
Why we love it: A lot of smoothing and blurring primers can feel drying on the skin and highlight dry patches, but the Photo Finish by SmashBox Foundation Primer's genius formula manages to overcome that problem. This vegan and cruelty-free velvety base works to minimise pores, smooth over imperfections, while working extra hard to hydrate the skin – for days when you need your makeup to last that extra mile.
And you can make a saving on your purchase with our Amazon discount codes.
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NYX Professional Makeup The Marshmellow Primer
Why we love it: There's a good reason why everyone on the internet is gushing about this primer, and it has gone viral on TikTok. The 10 in 1 makeup primer is formulated with marshmallow root extract to not only extend makeup wear, it hydrates, soothes, evens tone, minimises texture, blurs lines, adds a soft focus for a flawless finish and keeps your makeup looking fresh all day. We could be here forever, with a list like that.
Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
Why we love it: Don’t be deceived by its creamy texture. The Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer – while enriched with hydrating coconut water and refreshing probiotics for a radiant and supple base – doesn't skimp on its ability to hold down your makeup. If you’re after that dewy, fresh-faced look that lasts all day long and leaves your skin feeling fresher than ever, then look no further. Oh, and did we mention it's also free from parabens and silicones?
Save big on primers for dry skin, with our LookFantastic discount codes.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Hydrating Primer
Why we love it: When Fenty came out with their hydrating version of their beloved Pro Filt’r primer, there were waves of celebration among the dry skin community. We can’t explain the exact science, but somehow this formula manages to be a rich-yet-lightweight and effortlessly absorbs into the skin, leaving you with a smooth, hydrated and filter-like finish.
Why we love it: Always on-hand with the most premium and luxurious products, this option from Dior does not disappoint. It promises 24 hours of wear and hydration – the first of its kind. The creamy, luminous formula glides over the skin to form a veil over the skin, so anything on top looks incredible. It’s your ticket to glorious skin.
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Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Primer
Why we love it: Always with the premise of skincare first, Tatcha makeup is the perfect addition to your makeup routine for those extra skincare benefits. Formulated with their own unique super Hadasei-3 complex – a blend of green tea, algae, and akita rice – and a powerful blend of antioxidants, it works to hold large quantities of water in the skin.
