I Firmly Believe Makeup Primers Shouldn’t Cost Over $17—the 11 Smoothest Drugstore Gems I've Tried

Pros: Hydrating formula, makes skin look poreless, great for all skin types.

Cons: Works best if you wait a few minutes before applying foundation.

Size: 0.74 oz. | Key ingredient: Squalane | Skin type: Oily, dry, and combination

"My go-to drugstore primer is the E.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Putty Primer,” says celebrity makeup artist Elizabeth Seropian. A product that should probably go up in the drugstore beauty hall of fame, this classic primer is not only visibly smoothing—refining the look of pores and fine lines—but it’s also infused with hydrating ingredients like squalane for all-day wear. “This primer gives your skin a blurring effect, filling in fine lines and pores for a smoother complexion. I love its creamy texture, which helps your foundation glide on effortlessly,” she adds.

Customer Review: “This is one of E.l.f’s holy grail products, and for good reason. Excellent product, especially for those like me with large pores. This is a brilliant formula with excellent staying power. Everybody I know has at least one poreless putty primer in their makeup bag.”

Pros: Skincare-infused, very long-wearing, hydrating

Cons: Fragranced formula may not be great for sensitive skin

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Niacinamide | Skin type: All

If your skin leans oily, try this niacinamide-infused Maybelline primer on for size. “This primer is amazing because it’s more skincare than primer,” says Dresher. “I love how thin it goes on yet still primes the skin with a tacky texture, so makeup adheres nicely to it.” While it’s a great conduit for longer-lasting glam (up to 24-hour hold!), the skincare element is what we love the most. Its low dosage of niacinamide is enough to plump the skin, soothe the complexion, and control the natural production of sebum.

Customer review: “My skin is soo sensitive. I have an allergy to aloe as well. I have tried so many primers over the years and no matter what, my makeup would come off or would be patchy and dry looking, and I have oily-dry skin. But this primer makes my makeup look so fresh and dewy AND does definitely have 24-hour wear, as I have [gone] to bed with my makeup on and have woken up with a full face of makeup still. Even my mascara and eyeliner. Causes no breakouts either, and easy removal. 10/10 primer.”

Pros: Hydrating ingredients, 12-hour hold, withstands sweat

Cons: Some customers report a strong smell

Size: 1.52 oz. | Key ingredients: Aloe vera, niacinamide | Skin type: Oily, dry, combination

If your skin needs an extra dose of hydration before going in with makeup, look no further than the Hard Candy Grip On Lock Primer. Dresher recommends this one for oily skin types and sweaty conditions, but its ingredients lend themselves to some serious hydration. Enhanced with aloe vera and niacinamide, this soothing formula is the perfect choice for anyone prone to dryness and looking for 12-hour makeup hold.

Customer review: “The texture of this primer is nice on the skin and gives a mattified but still natural look. I get overheated and sweaty pretty easily and have been looking for something to help keep my sunscreen on in this heat. This primer does help a little but not as much as I'd hoped. For anyone who doesn't start dripping with sweat instantly like me it will probably be perfect!”

Pros: Blurs the look of enlarged pores, controls oil, feels like a light moisturizer

Cons: May be too matte for dry skin types.

Size: 0.67 oz. | Key ingredients: Not listed | Skin type: All

It's no secret that Maybelline is one of the most iconic drugstore beauty brands on the planet, and its Baby Skin collection is an editor favorite. If you're going for a matte, virtually poreless finish, work this into your skin in place of or on top of your moisturizer before applying foundation and concealer.

Customer review: “I am really shocked at how good this works. I have very noticeable pores, and have wasted so much money on different things that claim they cover up, so I figured I'd try this, but didn't expect anything. It really does work, covers up pores, and smooths your skin. It leaves such a soft finish. For the price, I am going to stock up on this. Worth every penny!!!”

Pros: Extends the life of your look, hydrating, good value

Cons: Some shoppers dislike the texture

Size: 1.18 oz. | Key ingredients: Polyglutamic acid, maple syrup | Skin type: All

If its Elmer’s Glue-like bottle doesn’t tell you what you need to know about this primer, you can guess that it’s ultra-sticky. This strong-grip primer means business, offering sweat-proof, all-day wear and up to 24 hours of hydration. Some shoppers complain about the thickness and stickiness of the texture (hi, maple syrup), but if you’re looking for longevity on a long day of glam versus breathable comfort, this is the drugstore option to grab.

Customer review: “I have never used a primer that has worked this well. I did my face, boo-hoo cried, and I had zero streaks in my makeup (I don’t use setting spray either). Also didn't transfer on a white shirt! My new holy grail!”

Pros: Skincare-forward, ultra-hydrating, keeps makeup fresh throughout the day

Cons: Not fragrance-free, pricier than most

Size: 1.01 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E | Skin type: All

Dresher doesn’t hesitate to recommend this Nyx primer for beauty lovers with mature skin. Not only is it packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and a cocktail of electrolytes to replenish dry skin, but this formula works wonderfully to plump skin with fine lines and wrinkles. (It’s in the name, after all.) “I love the price point and the way it applies—it hydrates the skin, adds a tacky texture to the face, and plumps up the skin with electrolytes,” she explains. Plus, it makes your makeup stay all day long.

Customer review: “I'm a 58-year-old lady, and this is my go-to holy grail primer. When it says plumped right back, it means it. Also helps your makeup to be applied flawlessly.”

Pros: Contains acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid, zinc to calm redness and irritation, and kaolin clay to clear out congestion

Cons: May be too much for sensitive skin

Size: 0.74 oz. | Key ingredients: 1.8% salicylic acid, zinc, kaolin clay | Skin type: Acne-prone

This acne-fighting version of E.l.f.'s Putty Primer works great for those prone to congestion and redness. It contains zinc to calm redness and irritation, plus salicylic acid and kaolin clay to clear out congestion. If your skin is ultra-sensitive, though, proceed with caution. Some of the acne fighters might be too strong for your skin.

Customer Review: "Buttery soft and lasts all day! Really helps with smooth foundation application."

Pros: Protects skin from UV rays, prolongs the look of makeup, skincare-infused

Cons: On the pricey side for the drugstore

Size: 1.69 oz. | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, aloe, squalane | Skin type: Dry, oily, normal, combination

I’ve waxed poetic about this jack-of-all trades product before, naming it one of the best tinted face sunscreens I’ve ever tried. But what really makes this glowy SPF shine (pun intended) is its categorial transcendence, making it one of my favorite makeup primers, too. Its grippy formula is made with polymers that extend the performance of your makeup, and its also enriched with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe, and squalane for hydration.

Customer review: “I’m obsessed with the glow this gives! It’s like a subtle, sun-kissed highlight and sunscreen all in one. The shade Sunbeam blends beautifully and gives my skin a radiant, healthy look. Perfect under makeup or on its own for those no-makeup days. It makes my skin look awake and fresh instantly!”

Pros: Neutralizes redness, evens skin tone and texture, minimizes pores

Cons: Contains a lot of silicones

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Seaweed extract | Skin type: All

This lightweight primer from Neutrogena improves the look of skin and neutralizes redness with color-correcting green tones. It instantly evens the skin and helps lock in your foundation for all-day wear.

Customer review: “I have mild rosacea on my nose and cheeks that gets exacerbated by the winter cold. I’ve tried a few other green concealers before finding this one but was never very impressed. They were too thick or too green. This one has a nice consistency which feels more like a foundation than a concealer. It makes blending easy and really looks natural. Yet, it gives me enough tint to hide the redness. It is nice to be able to be on video calls for work and not look like I have sunburn. Very grateful to have this product!”

Pros: Provides a luminous finish, gives your skin a radiant glow, helps foundation last

Cons: Takes a bit longer to dry

Size: 1 oz. | Key ingredients: Not listed | Skin type: Normal, dry, combination

"One of my favorite drugstore primers is the L'Oréal Infallible Pro Glow-Lock Primer,” says Seropian. “This primer is popular for its hydrating and illuminating properties. It gives your skin the perfect radiant glow while helping your foundation last longer."

Customer review: “This is my new favorite primer. The glow and dewiness are what I have been wanting but not finding. Ordering more in case they discontinue it.”

Pros: Soothes skin, imparts a glass-like appearance, blurs imperfections and pores

Cons: May not suit oilier skin

Size: Not listed | Key ingredients: rose extract | Skin type: Not listed

I'm constantly impressed by the quality of SheGlam products. The price tags are incredibly low, yet the formulas are top-notch. Case in point, the brand's Birthday Skin Primer: a gel-like formula that smooths and blurs out imperfections to give your skin a glass-like appearance. It does have a pink tint to it, but don't worry—it applies seamlessly and never looks weird under your foundation.

Customer review: "I have had such a struggle finding a good primer that works for my skin and makeup, and this is the one. It glides on, you don't need much, and it helps your foundation go on flawlessly while protecting your skin and making you feel moisturized. I adore this primer—please, please, please try it out."