No Product Can Erase Your Pores, But These 16 Primers Come Super Close

Whether you're creating a no-makeup makeup look or going full glam, a great face primer is key. However, the type of primer you should use depends on your skin type and what finish you hope to achieve. For example, a hydrating shimmer-based primer is an excellent option for a dewy, luminous look. If you want to minimise the look of your pores and obtain a long-lasting finish, global lead pro makeup artist for Smashbox Cosmetics Lori Taylor Davis recommends a long-wearing, oil-absorbing formula above all others.

When selecting the best pore-minimising primers for your skin, Davis recommends oil-free cream-to-powder formulas that offer at least eight hours of makeup control with noncomedogenic silica.

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(Image credit: @andi_mun)

However, while the primer you choose can certainly help minimise your pores, Shenelle Mays-Smith, a licensed aesthetician and film and TV makeup artist, notes skincare is the first step to minimising the look of your pores. "One great way to minimise the look of enlarged pores is to use a product with AHAs and BHAs," she tells us, adding that these acids have what she calls "a retexturing effect" on the skin. She also recommends willow bark extract, a natural form of salicylic acid, as it helps keep your skin from becoming inflamed. If you're prone to breakouts and looking for pore minimisation, many primers (including a couple on our list) are infused with this powerhouse ingredient, so you get skincare and prep in one step.

Speaking of skincare, we often hear silicones are a no-no for the skin. But Smith says they aren't as big of a beauty faux pas as we think. "Silicone primers are generally considered safe on the skin and have conditioning and emollient properties, which help lock hydration into the skin and prevent moisture loss," she explains. "The silky and spreadable texture of silicones has made them popular in makeup products, [and] silicone-based primers are better on oily skin, as the silicone creates a layer that keeps the oil from breaking through."

If the thought of silicone on your skin still gives you pause, don't worry. There are many non-silicone primers to choose from that offer the results you're after. Keep scrolling!

Shop the Best Pore Minimising Primers:

1. Best For Minimising Pores: Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Pore Diffusing Primer, £26
2. Best For A Blurred Finish: Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth Blur Oil-Free Foundation Primer, £34
3. Best For A Soft-Matte Finish: Nudestix Blot Blur Matte Stick, £28
4. Best For Disguising Fine Lines: Benefit Cosmetics the Porefessional Face Primer, £32
5. Best For Covering Blemishes: Dior Forever Velvet Veil Matte Primer, £40
6. Best For A Moisturising Formula: Milk Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer, £35
7. Best For Long-Lasting Wear: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer, £75
8. Best Luxury Option: Clé de Peau Beauté Correcting Cream Veil Primer SPF 21, £58
9. Best A Drugstore Option: Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer, £9
10. Best For A Nourishing Formula: Lancôme Priming Serum 24 Hour Hydrating Solid Smoothing Primer, £40
11. Best For Acne-Prone Skin: Yves Saint Laurent NU Blotting Lotion Primer, £28
12. Best For All Skin Types: Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying + Blurring Makeup Primer, £18
13. Best For Mature Skin: Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer, £51
14. Best For Combo and Dry Skin: Clinique Even Better Pore Defying Primer, £31
15. Best For A Smooth Finish: BeautyPie Wonderfilter™ Velvet Finish Primer, £14
16. Best For UV Protection: Supergoop! 100% Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40, £38

1. Best For: Minimising Pores - Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Pore Diffusing Primer

2. Best For: A Blurred Finish - Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth Blur Oil-Free Foundation Primer

3. Best For: A Soft-Matte Finish - Nudestix Blot Blur Matte Stick

4. Best For: Disguising Fine Lines - Benefit Cosmetics Benefit the Porefessional Face Primer

5. Best For: Covering Blemishes - Dior Forever Velvet Veil Matte Primer

6. Best For: A Moisturising Formula - Milk Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer

7. Best For: Long-Lasting Wear - Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer

8. Best For: A Luxury Option - Clé de Peau Beauté Correcting Cream Veil Primer SPF 21

9. Best For: A Drugstore Option - Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer

10. Best For: A Nourishing Formula - Lancôme Priming Serum 24 Hour Hydrating Solid Smoothing Primer

11. Best For: Acne-Prone Skin - Yves Saint Laurent NU Blotting Lotion Primer

12. Best For: All Skin Types - Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying + Blurring Makeup Primer

13. Best For: Mature Skin - Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer

14. Best For: Combo and Dry Skin - Clinique Even Better Pore Defying Primer

15. Best For: A Smooth Finish - BeautyPie Wonderfilter™ Velvet Finish Primer

16. Best For: UV Protection - Supergoop! 100% Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Freelance Contributor