The Best Hydrating Primers to Keep Your Skin Smooth and Glowy
These kept our makeup in place and our skin flake-free during the 8 degree days in NYC.
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As someone with chronically dry skin, finding a face primer that doesn’t cause flaking or pilling, actually keeps my skin hydrated, and locks in makeup can become a major challenge. Especially in the winter months, I need something that plays well with my skincare routine, concealer, skin tint, and, of course, keeps my complexion as moisturized as possible.
Many primers were originally designed to mattify and blur an oily T-zone, which is pretty much the opposite of what dry skin needs. Thankfully, there’s now a wave of formulas made specifically for thirsty complexions, often enriched with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and squalane to nourish the skin while you wear them. The right formula will prevent your foundation from clinging to dry patches or settling into fine lines, instead boosting your makeup’s staying power and leaving your complexion looking fresh and dewy from morning to night.
The best face primers for dry skin, tested by editors:
As beauty editors who’ve tried just about every formula out there in the name of saving tight, dehydrated skin, we’ve rounded up the makeup-gripping options that create a smooth canvas. Ahead, the eight best hydrating primers for dry skin.
Pros
- Smooths the skin nicely
- Adds a dewy sheen
- Can be worn on its own without makeup for a glowy base
Cons
- We wish there was a better shade range
Why we love it: The O.G. Hydro Grip Primer has a cult following for a reason, and this iteration has the same makeup-holding powers. It's infused with light-reflecting pearls to lend a golden glow to the skin, while also nourishing your complexion with aloe vera and hyaluronic acid.
One Cosmo editor says: “I love a dewy complexion, and this primer makes my skin look luminous and supple. I’d even go as far as to say it makes me look sun-kissed all day long. It has a hydrating and cooling feeling and soaks into my skin versus just sitting on top of it. Even if I’m wearing light makeup, I’ve gotten in the habit of laying down this primer first because it really secures my makeup for hours and keeps feathering/oxidation at bay.” —HEATH OWENS, DEPUTY COMMERCE EDITOR
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Strong hold
Cons
- Not the most hydrating option on this list
Why we love it: This gel-like formula creates a tacky base that's ideal for layering on any type of complexion product. And since it's a water-based formula, as opposed to silicone, it’s a great choice for those with dehydrated complexions. Plus, in addition to our beauty team, Cosmo readers are so obsessed that we crowned it the best primer in our Readers' Choice Awards.
One Cosmo editor says: "This budget-friendly primer is my go-to when I know I have a looong day ahead of me and I need my glam to last for as long as possible. It's tacky so it holds my makeup in place without being too sticky and doesn't cause any pilling."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Pros
- The unique rollerball applicator helps to evenly distribute the product
- Safe for acne-prone skin
Cons
- Product can get a bit messy when traveling
Why we love it: Refy’s rollerball applicator massages the primer into the face with ease and distributes it evenly across the skin. The formula itself is a serum-like gel that hydrates even the driest of skin, and is loaded with niacinamide to help smooth texture.
One Cosmo editor says: "I love using this primer when I'm getting ready in the morning because the applicator and hydrating formula feels so refreshing, awakens my skin, and sculpts my cheekbones when I'm feeling extra puffy."—JH
Pros
- It can be used as a primer or highlighter
- Non-comedogenic
- Comes in four different shades
Cons
- Not the most grippy option on this list
Why we love it: Saie’s primer and highlighter hybrid is ideal for those with dry skin thanks to the squalane and glycerin-infused formula. Not only does this shimmer-infused gel add a nice dewiness to bare skin, but it also creates the optimal palette for the rest of your makeup to sit on. To use it as a subtle highlighter, concentrate the pigment to the high points of your face like your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose.
One Cosmo editor says: "On the days that I'm not going full glam, I use this in lieu of a traditional primer because it adds hydration, glowiness, and is also a nice base for whatever other makeup I want to wear. Sometimes I even wear it on its own when I'm going very minimal."—JH
Pros
- Filled with nourishing ingredients
- Good for smoothing pores
Cons
- For those with extra dry skin, make sure you layer a solid moisturizer underneath
Why we love it: As the name suggests, this luxe primer truly turns your complexion into a silky canvas, perfect for any level of glam. Not only does it smooth and even the complexion, preparing it for a beat, but it's also got skin-loving ingredients like aloe, vitamin E, and rice extracts.
One Cosmo editor says: "This was the first expensive primer I ever tried, and I unfortunately completely understand why someone would spend $50 on a base product if they had the means. It makes the rest of my makeup layer on so nicely and I even loved wearing it when I wasn't applying foundation because it made my skin smooth and supple on its own."—JH
Pros
- The bottle lasts a long time
- Hydrates and creates a radiant glow
Cons
- Contains fragrance
Why we love it: This serum-like primer is super lightweight but packed with hydrators like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and glycerin to keep the skin plump and nourished. It's also super illuminating, creating a radiant finish under any type of makeup. While it’s on the pricier side, it’s well worth it for the way it makes your skin glow and feel comfortable under foundation all day.
One Cosmo editor says: "This formula goes on like a lightweight serum, and sinks into my dry skin with ease to create a dewy base. It's definitely a splurge, but you only need one or two pumps to cover your entire face, so the bottle will last you months."
Pros
- Great for uneven skin tone and texture
- Sinks into the skin nicely
Cons
- Often sold out
Why we love it: This primer takes the word glowy to the new level, and sometimes a radiant finish can emphasize texture or pores, but tis formula's got blurring powders to smooth the complexion to perfection. It's also infused with vitamin C so it helps brighten the skin overtime as you wear it.
One Cosmo editor says: "This feels more like a skincare serum than a tacky primer, but somehow manages to make my makeup grip on flawlessly. It's also excellent at improving skin tone and texture, so you end up needing less makeup anyway. It's no surprise one of these primers is sold every minute.." —LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR
Pros
- Packed with peptides to help firm and tighten skin over time
- Adds a glow underneath makeup
- Although it's technically not a primer, it does help grip makeup onto skin
Cons
- On the pricier side, but it's a great multitasker
Why we love it: If you want your primer to do the most, this peptide-filled formula will promote collagen production and nourish the skin, while also helping your makeup stay put for hours on end. It's been a go-to for glam days during the cold winter months in NYC.
One Cosmo editor says: "Typically every skincare-infused makeup product feels heavy and breaks out my acne-prone skin. But this one from Mara Beauty is super lightweight and adds a pretty sheen to my skin but isn't packed with heavy oils that could break down my makeup faster."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
How we tested primers for dry skin:
To compile this edit of the best primers for dry skin, we tried dozens of formulas to see how they performed under our makeup, especially during long days in the winter months.
We took everything into consideration, from application and texture to how well it kept makeup on, while of course making sure the skin stayed hydrated.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmopolitan who is obsessed with all things skincare and is always testing products on her super dry skin. She, along with beauty editor Beth Gillette and beauty director Lauren Balsamo, have personally tried and vetted dozens of primers to narrow it down to this selection, ideal for dry skin types.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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