Primers that Cover Wrinkles for a Fresh Look 2021 Update

Before applying makeup, prepping your skin is an important step, especially if you have deep-set smile lines and wrinkles. Primer is an essential part of makeup, as it creates the perfect base. It acts as a protective layer between your skin and the foundation, making your makeup last long.

Why Use Makeup Primer For Wrinkles/Aging Skin

Primers are used and formulated in a way to make your skin look smoother. They reduce the appearance of pores and pigmentation. This layer between your makeup and your skin evens the surface by smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles, pores, and other signs of aging on your skin. They make your skin appear firm and supple by blurring out wrinkles and blemishes and prepare a clear canvas for other makeup products. People with wrinkles and aging skin must use a primer in their makeup routine to achieve a flawless, smooth, and luminous look.

Now that you know the benefits offered by a primer, let’s dive into the list of products available on the market.

13 Best Primers For Wrinkles

1. Best Overall: e.l.f Hydrating Face Primer

Looking for a skin-enriching primer? The Hydrating Face Primer by e.l.f suits all skin types and is enriched with vitamins A, C, and E. It also contains grapeseed oil that has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that reduce redness, breakouts, scars, and free radical damage to the skin. It also increases cell vitality and collagen synthesis to improve skin elasticity.

The hydrating formula nourishes the skin and prevents breakouts. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, which enhances your skin’s texture and reduces sun damage. This long-lasting primer extends the longevity of your foundation. It creates the perfect base on your skin for smooth and seamless makeup application.

Pros

  • Hydrating formula
  • Long-lasting
  • Blends well
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Paraben-free
    • Phthalate- free
  • Triclosan-free
  • Nonylphenol-free
  • Ethoxylate-free
  • Triclocarban-free
    • Hydroquinone- free

Cons

2. Best For Seamless Coverage: Touch In Sole No Pore Blem Primer

Th No Pore Blem Primer by Touch In Sol provides seamless coverage with a dewy glow. It covers wrinkles and large pores and evens out the skin without being cakey. This lightweight primer is enriched with green tea extracts that help in natural collagen production to diminish the early signs of aging. It is also infused with soluble collagen that enhances skin elasticity and hydration. This product makes your skin feel fresh and smooth for a long time.

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Lightweight
  • Mild floral scent
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

3. Best For A Shine-Free Look: L’Oréal Paris Magic Perfecting Base Face Primer

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The Perfecting Base Face Primer by L’Oréal Paris is a great addition to your makeup regimen. The lightweight formula instantly soothes the facial lines and hides pores to help you achieve silky smooth skin. It glides effortlessly on your skin and provides full coverage on the face and under the eyes.

The primer has a gorgeous matte finish that provides the perfect base for makeup. The best results can be observed when the product is used after applying a moisturizer. The transparent jar with a black lid is sturdy. This product is a good investment if you want a long-lasting shine-free look.

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Lightweight
  • Dermatologically tested
  • Comfortable

Cons

4. Best For Ultra-Silky Finish: bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer

The Prime Time Foundation Primer by bareMinerals makes your skin appear silky smooth and covers fine lines and breakouts. Its anti-irritant properties make it suitable for sensitive skin. This primer for wrinkles is formulated with vitamins C and E, soothing plant extracts, and antioxidants.

While vitamins C and E nourish your skin and offer a seamless texture without looking oily and sticky, the antioxidants protect your skin against free radicals. The licorice leaf extracts have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe inflammation and breakouts. The primer provides a natural finish and sheer coverage.

Pros

  • Natural ingredients
  • Paraben-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan
  • Oil-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Synthetic fragrance-free
  • PEG-free
  • Tree nut-free
  • Talc-free
  • SLS-free

Cons

5. Best Silicone-Based Primer: The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer

The High-Adherence Silicone Primer by the Ordinary is lightweight and works well on oily and normal skin types. It imparts a natural matte finish while filling the pores. The primer is super breathable and non-greasy, hydrates your skin, and provides flawless coverage. It is developed with advanced silicone, rich in hydroxylation enzymes that minimize the appearance of pores and helps your makeup stay for a longer time. It hydrates your skin and blurs imperfections.

Pros

  • Breathable
  • Lightweight
  • Vegan
  • pH-balanced
  • Oil-free
  • Alcohol-free
  • Nut-free
  • Gluten- free
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

6. Best Hydrating Primer: NuFACE by CarolCole Gel Primer

This leave-on gel primer by CarolCole has hydrating properties and a unique formulation that activates collagen production and gives you velvety-soft skin. It contains hyaluronic acid and Phytomoist Complex that revitalize and replenish dry skin.

Hyaluronic acid has an extreme water holding capacity, and it alleviates dry skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. The Phytomoist Complex is derived from edible mushroom, which has 400x more moisturizing capacity. The formula softens and smoothens the skin and gives a flawless finish. This primer is an ideal choice if you are looking for a hydrating base that does not let your makeup become flaky.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Esthetician-approved
  • Clinically tested
  • Vegan
  • Alcohol-free
  • Paraben- free
  • Oil-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Fragrance-free
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

7. Best Pore Minimizing Primer: Benefit the Porefessional Pore Primer

The oil-free primer by POREfessional has a wonderful formula that gives you smoother-looking skin by quickly minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines. It is lightweight and has a silky texture that increases the longevity of your makeup. The vitamin E-enriched primer protects your skin from free radicals. It helps hide unwanted pores, gives you flawless skin, and can be used with or without a foundation. The formula is gentle and ideal for acne-prone skin.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Vitamin-enriched
  • Oil-free
  • Suitable for acne-prone skin

Cons

  • Contains silicone
  • Expensive
8. Best For A Photo Finish Effect: Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer

The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer by Smashbox is a holy grail that instantly smoothens the fine lines, wrinkles, and enlarged pores on your skin. It gives a photo finish base that lasts long. It contains vitamins B, E, and C that nourish and protect your skin from environmental pollutants and stress. The lightweight and oil-free formula glides smoothly on your skin, refreshes it, and imparts a natural glow to your face.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • A little goes a long way
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

9. Best For A Moisturized & Smooth Finish: Tatcha The Silk Canvas

The Silk Canvas primer by Tatcha comes in the form of a silky pressed balm that not only evens out the skin tone but also restores it youthful glow. It minimizes clogged pores, breakouts, wrinkles, and fine lines, protects the skin barrier function, and prepares your skin for super-smooth makeup application. It contains silk extract, rich in amino acids that and tighten the skin and blur the fine lines. The primer also contains Hadasei-3, a blend of Japanese superfoods, green tea, rice, and algae, that reduces the appearance of wrinkles and dullness and restores radiance.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Non-comedogenic
  • A little goes a long way
  • Paraben-free
  • Synthetic fragrance-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Mineral oil-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Urea-free
  • DEA/TEA-free

Cons

10. Best Antibacterial Benefits: Dr. Brandt Pore Refiner Primer

The Pore Refiner Primer by Dr. Brandt has a velvety cream texture and instantly reduces the appearance of fine lines, pores, and imperfections. The 2-in-1 formula works as a primer and pore refiner that absorbs excess oil and mattifies shiny skin. It smoothens the skin, camouflages the pores, and adds subtle color for flawless skin. The lightweight primer formula can be used on its own as a makeup primer or over makeup for midday touch-ups. It provides a matte finish without looking patchy.

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Non-comedogenic
  • Dermatologically tested
  • Clinically tested
  • Lightweight
  • Blends easily

Cons

  • Not humidity-resistant
  • Might feel oily after a few hours
11. Radiant Complex Face Primer

The Face Primer by Radiant Complex is a high-end product that looks classy in its black and white bottle. Its lightweight gel formula minimizes the appearance of fine lines and pores and makes your skin look radiant. The primer creates a mattified base and controls shine while smoothening the pores. It conceals blemishes, wrinkles, and smile lines by smoothing out breakouts and giving you a non-greasy appearance.

Pros

  • Long-lasting results
  • Does not crack
  • Does not peel
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Paraben-free

Cons

12. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer has an oil-free, non-greasy formula that creates a smooth and even canvas for makeup application. It works with any cream, liquid, and powder foundation and has SPF 15 to protect the skin against harmful UV rays. It conceals the appearance of rosacea, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores. The silky, airy texture of the primer makes it easy to apply and even out the skin tone without visible pores. It is dermatologically tested and suitable for sensitive skin.

Pros

  • Has SPF 15
  • Oil-free
  • Non-greasy
  • Vegan
  • Paraben-free
  • Synthetic Fragrance-free
  • Sulfate- free
  • Nanoparticles-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Synthetic Dye-free
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

13. PUR 4-In-1 Correcting Primer

The 4-In-1 Correcting Primer by PUR energizes the skin and is the best solution for dullness and red spots. It energizes your skin and increases collagen production to make your skin look smoother and firmer.

This primer contains a keratin complex that reduces the appearances of fine lines and wrinkles. The squalane and coconut water in the formula hydrate the skin, while probiotics balance the skin’s pH and make it healthier. The primer also contains caffeine that tightens the blood vessels and reduces puffiness, especially under your eyes. Aloe vera soothes the skin and acts as an antioxidant, improving skin hydration and reducing the appearance of redness.

Pros

  • Hydrating formula
  • FDA approved
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Talc-free
  • Petroleum- free
  • Mineral-oil free
  • SLS-free
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

There are numerous primers available in the market. However, before choosing a one, you must understand the type of skin you have. Be it sensitive or not, it is mandatory to know and understand the ingredients you choose to put on your face. Read the following section for details.

What To Look For In A Face Primer For Wrinkles? (Buying Guide)

Check if the primer is infused with anti-aging ingredients like hyaluronic acid, collagen, glycerin, squalene, niacinamide, peptides, and vitamins A, C, and E. These ingredients are the holy grail for aging skin since they make it firmer, increase its elasticity, and allow it to look radiant.

If your skin is dry, choose a primer that can reduce flakiness and tightness. Look for a hydrating formula that will absorb into the skin easily and keep it moisturized. But if you have oily skin, go for primers that can control sebum production. They should contain ingredients like dimethicone that will leave your facial skin with a clean and smooth finish. Water-based and oil-free primers are the best choices for acne-prone skin.

Aging leads to open pores, so look for a primer that says “pore-minimizing” or “poreless.” It minimizes the appearance of pores and blurs them to prepare your skin for further makeup. It works best when layered with a foundation to get a flawless look.

You can also opt for an illuminating primer that gives you a fresh and radiant look. It can be used without a foundation and allows your makeup to last long without settling into smile lines and necklines.

A good primer can make or break your look as it is the base of your makeup. It makes your skin smooth and even by improving its texture and blurring large pores, hyperpigmentation, and other imperfections. Wrinkles and fine lines can be challenging to work with, but you can ensure that your makeup will last long with the right primer. So, choose a product from our list and cover those stubborn wrinkles!

Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

Can primer hide wrinkles?

Yes, a primer can give a blurring effect like an airbrush. It creates an even layer on your skin that diminishes all imperfections, such as fine lines, wrinkles, and big pores.

How much primer do I need to apply on my face for wrinkles?

The quantity of primer one must apply to have a smooth finish completely depends on the product you are using and your skin type. Ideally, many people use a few drops to cover all their targeted regions.

What is the best primer for over 50?

Any primer that covers fine lines and wrinkles in a way that you get a smooth finish is a perfect primer for over 50. Perfecting Base Face Primer by L’Oréal Paris and the Silk Canvas primer by Tatcha are the best choices for women over 50.

How do you cover up deep wrinkles with primers?

A silicone-based primer is a perfect solution to fill uneven skin texture and fine lines.

Why does primer make my wrinkles look worse?

A mismatch in your foundation and primer can lead to peeling of your makeup. To avoid this, work with a similar base foundation and primer and let the primer dry before applying foundation. This will help it settle into the pores and make your skin look flawless.

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