Celebrity Makeup Artists Covet This $15 Drugstore Primer (2024)

Prep your skin for a flawless finish with this Good Housekeeping Seal holder. It scored well across a few categories in GH Beauty Lab primer testing, including leaving skin looking healthier and smoother. We also name it the best drugstore primer for wrinkles: Many consumer testers in our tests agreed with the claim that it softened the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles just after five days of use.

• Skin type: All, including mature and sensitive
• Size: 1 fl oz

Online reviewers (psst, 56,000 Amazon ratings) and bloggers rave about this inexpensive primer from Maybelline, claiming it really does leave your face feeling baby-smooth. While we haven't Lab-tested this pick, we appreciate that it helps minimize the appearance of pores. "I was amazed at how it minimizes the size of my large pores and how incredibly silky smooth it glides on my face," a reviewer reports. "I have now replaced using expensive primers."

• Skin type: Oily, acne-prone
• Size: 0.67 fl oz

Loved by many GH product experts, this viral putty primer feels hydrating on skin. Its balm formula blends into a creamy smooth consistency on skin. One GH editor says it looked brightening underneath natural makeup looks. "I love this for more pared-down days because it lets my sensitive skin breathe while laying a light, mattified base for makeup."

• Skin type: Sensitive, acne-prone
• Size: 0.74 fl oz

While we haven't Lab-tested this pick, several reviewers compare this Maybelline primer to more high-end versions, saying it makes the skin feel "soft and silky" and doesn't feel tacky or heavy. The formula feels more like a lotion, and we like that it works to blur imperfections like pores, fine lines and redness. "This one actually covers my large pores and smooths them over," a reviewer enthused. "The effect and finish is beautiful! I will be buying this again and again."

• Skin type: Acne-prone
• Size: 1 fl oz

The primer offers a lotion consistency (a major plus for those who prefer skincare-like primers), and we like that it doesn't feel slick on the hands or face when applied to skin. Editorial Assistant Adrianna Freedman uses this primer on her dry skin. "It honestly feels like a hydrating moisturizer, and I actually like the way makeup sits on it after applying," she says.

• Skin type: Dry
• Size: 1.01 fl oz

GH Beauty Lab testers loved Aveeno's hybrid formula so much that it won a GH Beauty Award for giving the skin a "luminous" look. It's a serum and primer in one, softening skin with natural oils, vitamins and kiwifruit water. Our pros find it a good choice for those looking for a dewy finish.

• Skin type: Sensitive, dry
• Size: 1.5 fl oz

While we haven't Lab-tested this pick, we appreciate that this Revlon primer aims to reduce the appearance of pores while keeping your makeup in place. Users like that it's not too drying and can be used on any skin type." This primer keeps my concealer or foundation or powder on all day ... even after 10 hours," a fan marvels. "My pores are basically hidden when I wear it." Note that some reviewers complain that the pump mechanism won't dispense the last bits of the product.

• Skin type: All skin types, including acne-prone
• Size: 0.91 fl oz

Sheriff's favorite drugstore primer is this unique formula by NYX Professional Makeup. "This one works amazing for a fraction of the price of higher-end brands, and helps to control oil and keep makeup locked on," she says. While we haven't tried this in Lab, we like that the brand claims that the anti-shine matte primer creates a barrier from outside pollutants.

• Skin type: Oily
• Size: 0.67 fl oz

Rimmel's bargain primer, which has thousands of rave reviews on Amazon, is perfect for mattifying oily spots on combination skin. The brand claims the primer keeps your makeup on for up to eight hours, though we haven't put these claims to the test in the Beauty Lab. Reviewers with acne-prone skin say they didn't notice any breakouts from the product. "This actually works!" a reviewer notes. "It does a fantastic job at keeping my face matte and I have a super oily T-zone."

• Skin type: Combination, oily
• Size: 1 fl oz

The light primer from CoverGirl claims to fight signs of aging, plus hydrate your skin to make it appear younger, and has more than 24,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Though we haven't Lab-tested it yet, we love that the formula is rated as creamy, easy on the skin, and feeling almost like moisturizer. "I am in my late 50s, and I've had people tell me they think I am in my late 30s since using this!" a reviewer marvels.

• Skin type: Mature
• Size: 1 fl oz

Don't let the color intimidate you — our Beauty Lab pros say the sheer green hue of this e.l.f. primer helps to even skin's tone and minimize redness. (Don't worry, the green disappears on skin!). We haven't tested this one in Lab, but we like that one Amazon reviewer says the formula "applies like liquid silk and dries to an almost powdery finish." Note that some reviewers wished the bottle included more product.

• Skin type: Sensitive, acne-prone
• Size: 0.47 fl oz

Neutrogena's glow-enhancing primer is formulated without silicone, which can be pore-clogging for some complexions. "This has a slight hint of neutral gleam that leaves skin looking luminous," says GH Beauty Director April Franzino. "I also like that it contains skincare ingredients like peptides and vitamin E for skincare benefits."

• Skin type: All skin types
• Size: 1 fl oz

There are primers created especially for lashes, too, like CoverGirl's, from the GH Beauty Lab top-tested Lash Blast collection, made to be applied before mascara for an even bigger boost. "Makes a HUGE difference in your eyelashes' length ... I can never use mascara alone again," an Amazon reviewer says.

• Skin type: All skin types
• Size: 0.44 fl oz

Professional makeup artists and GH Beauty Lab experts recommend shopping for a makeup primer according to your skin type:

✔️ If you have oily, combination or acne-prone skin, celebrity makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff suggests looking for mattifying primers. "They help to slow oil production by keeping the skin matte and dry," she says. These products will usually contain oil-absorbing elements and leave your skin with a more powdery feel, Aral adds.

✔️ If you have dry skin, make sure the product labels include words like "hydrating," "moisturizing" or "nourishing." The last thing you want is your makeup to flake in the middle of the day, and the softening ingredients in these formulas will keep your skin hydrated while keeping makeup in place.