Which Primer is Best for Textured Skin?

Flawless skin and a radiant glow is the hallmark of a girl that gets double takes when crossing the street. Makeup does that to anyone—it transforms how pretty your skin looks even if you have a few blemishes here and there.

But it’s not that simple when you have textured skin. When you have some roughness on your skin surface, you can’t just cake on foundation and expect your skin to look smooth and airbrushed. To achieve that look, you need to find the best primer for textured skin.

When you have a good primer designed to smooth out your skin and fill in pores, you’ll have a shot at flaunting perfect, glassy skin. The best part is that your makeup will last ages!

So, here are some of the best primers you can cop to take your textured face from rough and bumpy to smooth, glowy, and polished.

12 Primers for Large Pores and Textured Mature Skin

1. NYX Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer

This NYX Angel Veil primer is often compared to primers from high-end brands because of how well it works to get rid of skin texture.

Many love it because of the silky and satin texture that feels luxurious on the face and never leaves it feeling greasy. Your foundation, concealer, and color correctors will glide like a breeze on your skin after prepping with this primer.

It fills up enlarged pores without clogging them, therefore smoothing out the roughness on your skin. It makes your skin feel like a silky canvas before makeup goes on top of it.

It’s suitable for all skin types, but especially oily skin, because it minimizes excess shine. That said, it’s not extremely stripping on the skin, as it still leaves a bit of healthy hydration.

The primer has no colored tint, so it can be used perfectly by people of all skin tones without worrying about a beige tint washing their natural color out.

The only issue with this primer is that it tends to ball up when too much is applied. Make sure you only use a pea-sized amount of this for your whole face so that it applies smoothly and with no problems.

The NYX Angel Veil is probably the best primer for bumpy skin you’ll find in the drugstore without compromising on quality. It hides roughness and pores super well, so you can put on makeup flawlessly and never worry about your texture.

2. Glossiva Mattifying Face Primer

Here’s another mattifying primer oily girls are sure to love. This Glossica primer mattifies the skin so that you don’t look like a total greaseball all day, even if you have sebum production issues.

It also shrinks your large pores, which can make your skin look a lot less rough. It fills in other blemishes on the skin that make your complexion look rougher than the usual, too, like fine lines and wrinkles.

Speaking of wrinkles, this primer also has anti-aging properties that help diminish age spots and other signs of aging on the skin too. It’s perfect for more mature skin that needs a bit more of that youthful glow.

Like all excellent primers, this one allows your makeup to be more long-lasting on your face. That means fewer touch-ups throughout the day.

The formulation is also infused with hydrating and soothing botanical extracts such as rose, tea tree, elder, orange, and magnolia. These calm the skin while giving it extra nourishment without being excessively oily.

Just note that this mattifying primer has somewhat of a runny consistency, kind of like lotion. It can be a bit slippery throughout the day.

Because it’s rich in botanical extracts that the skin loves, this Glossiva mattifying primer might be the best primer to smooth skin texture if you’re dealing with mature skin that’s also acne-prone. It fills in pores and fine lines while making your skin feel silky soft and soothed.

3. Maybelline Master Prime + Base

Maybelline has always been known for its high-quality makeup that gives immense bang for your buck. This Master Prime base doesn’t disappoint.

It blurs out imperfections that cause your skin to look rough and bumpy, from wrinkles and folds to big pores that make it look like you have gaps on your skin. The result is always a smooth and flawless-looking complexion you can feel confident with.

While this primer fills in the pores, it never clogs them. Though it has silicone in the formula, you never have to worry about it breaking you out and causing irritation.

The primer preps your skin to allow for an even application of your foundation and other makeup products. Its water-based formula is weightless and never greasy, so your makeup products won’t have trouble gliding across your skin.

This makeup base can even be worn alone if you prefer. You can slather it over your skin to make it look smooth and poreless if you want to rock a natural everyday glam look that isn’t too bold.

But, do consider that this primer won’t do much to solve redness and acne issues, which can often be the root cause of textured skin. It doesn’t have a tint to cover up redness, nor does it have soothing botanical ingredients to calm redness and inflammation.

This Maybelline base is a terrific drugstore primer for textured skin, what with its ability to blur out any kind of imperfection for an effortless photo finish.

4. Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Primer

If you have trouble extending the wear of your foundation for textured skin, look no further. This Dermablend jelly primer specializes in elongating the lifespan of your smooth and glam makeup look.

It’s a lightweight primer in the form of clear jelly, so it never feels thick and oily, as if your skin is being suffocated. However, it has a tacky, sticky feel to keep a grip on your foundation and concealer for up to 24 hours. That makes it perfect for all-day events and special occasions!

The jelly also moisturizes the skin instantly without making you look overly dewy and shiny. It gives your skin a natural shine and luminosity that is light-reflective.

It also minimizes the appearance of your pores, making your overall look more airbrushed and put together. It also tightens the skin instantly, allowing your lines and wrinkles to disappear for a bit.

The formula was created with sensitive skin in mind. It’s non-comedogenic and doesn’t contain potentially irritating chemicals like silicones, phthalates, SLS, and fragrance.

However, it’s easy for dust and fibers from fabrics and clothes to stick to your face because of its super sticky finish. Make sure to set your foundation with a good powder to ensure that your face won’t stay sticky for the rest of the day.

When it comes to ensuring your makeup lasts ages without budging and smudging, there’s nothing better than this primer by Dermablend. It’s a no-brainer if you want smooth skin with an amazing photo finish for your makeup for hours on end.

5. NYX HydraTouch Primer

Here’s another primer from NYX—this time for ladies with a dry skin type. This face primer’s main goal is to hydrate the skin and make sure it looks healthy and glowy.

It’s infused with botanical extracts from centella, licorice root, and even the unique Tremella mushroom to help moisturize your skin without making it feel too heavy. It even has chamomile and ginseng to calm the skin, just in case you have some inflammation and redness.

The primer also smooths your skin to give you a silky, flawless, photo finish look before you even start applying your foundation. It leaves your skin feeling soft to the touch, never greasy or waxy. The formulation is water-based, so you know it won’t clog up your pores and cause any pimples.

Because of its nourishing ingredients, the primer gives your skin a dewy, radiant glow that makes the skin look healthy.

But if you have more mature skin with fine lines and wrinkles, this may not be the primer for you. Your makeup may settle in your lines and folds a few hours after application, so this primer might be more suitable for younger, plumper skin.

This NYX product is the best face primer for textured skin that is dehydrated and needs its thirst quenched. It’s so rich in nutrients that your parched skin will drink up, resulting in a radiance that will make your face look smooth and super healthy.

6. L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base

If you feel like you’ve been cursed with every skin issue known to man, from fine lines to big pores to greasy skin, you’ll fall head over heels for this L’Oreal perfecting primer.

It reduces the appearance of large pores, making them look smaller by filling them in. This gives your complexion a smoother, more flawless look without the gaps from your pores. It can also smooth over fine lines and wrinkles, so it’s suitable for mature skin battling with the signs of aging.

It gives the skin a matte finish, making it especially helpful in T zones. It eliminates excess shine not just upon application but throughout the day.

The primer also has a subtle pink tint to give your skin a rosy, radiant glow. Don’t worry, though—the pink color doesn’t linger or make your skin look red.

The formulation of this makeup primer was tested by dermatologists to ensure that it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores and lead to blackheads or zits.

My only issue with this primer is that it comes in a tub instead of a squeezy tube. A tub is less hygienic than a tube because you could mess with the formulation if you put dirty fingers into the tub to grab some product.

This pore filler primer from L’Oreal is great at diminishing all the imperfections that keep your skin texture looking rough, from fine lines to large pores. And with a pretty pink glow, your skin is sure to look super radiant and flawless!

Organic Face Masks 

7. wet n wild Photo Focus Face Primer

If you have dry skin, chances are your face often looks dull and lifeless. If you need dewiness and depth in your foundation routine, try out this primer by wet n wild.

It’s formulated with pearl pigments to make your skin dewier and light-reflective for more depth and a healthier glow. It’s also enriched with vitamin E to boost skin elasticity, plumpness, and bounce. This vitamin also moisturizes the skin naturally.

The primer has a lightweight feel and texture, so it doesn’t feel like you have anything on your skin under your makeup.

It also smooths the crevices of your face to make your skin look smooth and blemish-free. Your skin will feel super soft after application, like it doesn’t have an underlying roughness.

This primer also extends the wear of your makeup products, so you can enjoy your foundation’s coverage for longer without worrying about it melting off in the middle of the day.

But be warned—this primer makes the face look super light-reflective and glowy. While this is a good thing, it might not be a good primer to wear if you’re going to an event with flash photography, lest you look like a shiny disco ball in your photos.

If you have parched and dull skin that needs a pick-me-up, this wet n wild primer is the perfect one for you! It gives a luminous glow to your face, so you’re ready to wow everyone with your dewy sparkle.

8. Lauda Botanicals Oily Skin Control Moisturizer

Trying to incorporate natural ingredients into your skincare and makeup routine? You’ll love this vegan and organic product by Lauda Botanicals under your makeup!

It’s infused with aloe, cinnamon, white tea, and olive extracts, as well as other lightly hydrating botanicals to nourish the skin without making your face feel too thick and heavy. It’s also great for acne because it has salicylic acid and tea tree oil to treat and soothe any inflammation from your breakouts.

This formula clarifies the skin and restores balance. It helps manage excess oil production on your face to ensure it doesn’t look distractingly oily and greasy.

This moisturizer also doubles as a makeup primer. It gives your skin a matte finish that looks flawless and blemish-free, making it the perfect canvas for your foundation to glide on.

While this product is designed primarily for oily skin, it’s suited for other skin types, especially acne-prone ones.

However, note that this might not be the best for those with super sensitive skin. The formula contains multiple exfoliating acids and potent botanical extracts, which can be irritating and lead to redness.

If you’re into clean beauty and want to try a moisturizer slash primer to get rid of oiliness on your face, this product is perfect for you. Not only does it give you a flawlessly matte finish, but it also combats acne—the probable root cause of bumpy, rough-textured skin.

Best Primers for Deep Acne Scars 

9. Latorice W-Airfit Pore Primer

This pore primer by Latorice makes for a super helpful and multi-functional addition to your makeup routine because it’s a primer, mild color corrector, and sunscreen all in one!

It’s awesome at smoothening the skin to hide every trace of pimples, wrinkles, and large pores that could be giving your skin texture, rendering them practically invisible. That means you’re only left with skin that looks airbrushed and texture-free.

The formula contains botanical extracts from flora like magnolia, lily, rose flower, tea tree, and orange to purify and cleanse the pores properly, so they aren’t so accentuated. These extracts also soothe the skin if it’s feeling a bit irritated. The product also mattifies your skin to control excess oil for hours on end.

The primer has a slight pink color that gives you a gorgeously radiant rosy flush. The tinge of pink even helps correct redness on the skin from inflammation or erythema.

It can also serve as your sunscreen because it protects your skin from harmful UV rays, air pollution, and radiation from phones and laptop screens.

But unlike other primers, this one isn’t as easy to apply to the skin. It has a thicker, paste-like consistency that requires you to work the primer into the skin harder. It’s not as simple as slather-and-glide.

The best thing about this Latorice primer is that it combines essential makeup products into one item. It hides your pores, preps your skin for makeup, protects your face from harmful UV rays, and diminishes redness. It’s a must-have if you want a primer for smooth skin with many bonus benefits.

10. e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer

Another drugstore primer that is affordable yet of top-notch quality is this poreless primer by e.l.f. Just one slather of this product onto your skin, and your pores and fine lines can instantly disappear, giving the illusion of a smooth and texture-free complexion.

The formula is infused with tea tree oil, which soothes the skin when it’s breaking out or has some redness and inflammation. It also contains vitamins A and E for strengthening the skin barrier and making it more radiant and elastic.

The primer also enhances the lasting ability of your foundation and concealer. When you use this primer underneath makeup, you can be sure your glam look will last without budging all day.

It has a silky, velvety, slippery formula that makes it easy to glide and spread along the skin, so application is a breeze.

Another thing to appreciate about this primer is that it was formulated with sensitive skin in mind. It’s quite gentle and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals like phthalates, triclosan, hydroquinone, and others that can irritate the skin.

One con about this primer is that it has a strong fragrance that is distracting and perfume-like. If you have a sensitive nose and can’t tolerate strong smells, it can be quite overpowering. But don’t worry—the scent doesn’t linger and should fade away minutes after spreading this across your face.

e.l.f.’s brilliant formula leaves you with smooth skin that is strengthened and nourished thanks to its vitamins and essential oil. It’s a great primer to opt for if you want to care for your skin while amping up your foundation routine.

11. Canmake Smooth Skin Primer

Canmake is a Japanese brand known for cute and charming makeup that packs a punch when it comes to quality, and this smoothing skin primer hits the mark perfectly.

This primer covers and fills in your pores so that you look more airbrushed and texture-free. It’s a great way to keep your glam look snatched without having to retouch your makeup every couple of hours.

It also has skin-tightening properties that make your skin look firm and youthful by hiding your fine lines and wrinkles.

It’s a highly moisturizing primer that keeps your skin nourished and hydrated all day. The result is always smooth and plump-looking skin with a luminous glow.

The primer has a somewhat yellowish beige tint that helps conceal some dark spots and imperfections, giving you clear, blemish-free skin.

However, it’s worth noting that this primer is slightly oily. It’s perfect for dry skin, but if you have oily skin and hate extra shine, you might want to stay away from this.

This Canmake base is a great primer and concealer in one, and from a renowned country in the beauty industry too! Use this if you want to hide imperfections and smooth out texture while keeping your dry skin moisturized all day.

12. CoCo-Shop Pore Perfecting Face Primer

This primer minimizes the size of large pores and fills in your fine lines and wrinkles so that your makeup doesn’t settle in them. This makes your foundation look fresh and flawless.

It also absorbs any excess sebum that makes you look a bit oily, therefore combating distractingly oily skin. What you get is a matte look that is smooth, airbrushed, and photo-ready.

That said, it doesn’t dehydrate your skin. It has shea butter and vitamin E to moisturize your skin just the right amount, so it still looks healthy and glowy without being greasy.

The formula is lightweight and oil-free, so it never feels tacky or thick on the skin. It’s designed to be non-irritating, so it doesn’t contain ingredients like parabens or synthetic fragrances.

The only thing that’s imperfect about this product is that it only has one ounce. If you apply primer often, you will use up this tube pretty quickly. I don’t wear makeup every day, so this is not a problem for me.

This is a great silica primer that can smooth out the textures in your face, making you look fresh and poreless all day. It’s also fantastic if you want to fight shine without compromising on healthy moisture your skin needs.

What to Look for When Buying a Primer for Textured Skin

• Comes with ingredients that are good for damaged skin
  Look for face primers infused with skin-friendly ingredients that help smooth out the face. Some awesome ingredients you should keep an eye out for include hyaluronic acid for smooth hydration, green tea extract that soothes bumps, and vitamin E—the best vitamin for elasticity.
  
  Vitamin E is also known to eliminate fine lines, crow’s feet, and wrinkles by reversing the signs of skin aging. This allows an even smoother texture for your complexion.
  
  
• Smoothes out the skin’s rough, bumpy texture for a flawless look
  The best primer for uneven skin tone should always make a smooth, flawless canvas out of your skin, no matter how bad your texture is. It’s the main point of using a smoothing primer to get rid of roughness.
  
  Look for a primer formulation that is silky and lightweight. This often means your makeup primer will glide easily across the skin, giving it a velvety, soft texture instead of a rough and flaky one.
  
  
• Preps skin for makeup and allows your foundation and concealer to last all day
  Your makeup primer should be able to extend the wear of your foundation, concealer, and other makeup without them budging throughout the day. It should lock these in to ensure you’ll look smooth and photo-ready all day long.
  
  
• Fills in enlarged pores without clogging them or causing breakouts
  If you have an oily skin type, make sure you find a makeup primer that will fill in your large pores. This allows your skin to look ten times smoother since it will hide dips and gaps in your skin. Silica is a great ingredient that fills in pores and fine lines, creating a silky canvas for your makeup to go on.
  
  Just make sure that the primer’s formulation is non-comedogenic so that it won’t clog your pores and cause more breakouts. After all, acne is often the source of excessively bumpy skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

It’s normal to feel a bit insecure if you’re dealing with skin texture from old acne, enlarged pores, or ice pick scars. But find solace in knowing that when you have the

Pick up any of the primers mentioned above on your next makeup shopping spree and see what a huge difference smooth skin can do for your self-confidence. Goodbye textured skin, and hello airbrushed beauty and long-lasting coverage!