Pore-Refining Primers For a Flawless Pre-Foundation Canvas

Mia Maguire
·3 min read

Oversized pores are one of the most frustrating skincare woes to deal with, and unfortunately, they also happen to be one of the most tricky to refine and conceal. And while using a pore-filling primer or mattifying foundation to conceal them is often a good course of action, prepping the skin with a skin-smoothing primer as your base will give you an extra refined base to work with. And, using an oil-controlling primer to help blur imperfections, fill in enlarged pores, and extend the wear time of your complexion products is especially important if you have oily or combination skin.

These game-changing pore-minimizing primers sink into the pores and fine lines, while also working to soften the look of texture, which makes your foundation look seriously flawless regardless of the formula. Best of all, there are plenty of blurring primers that diffuse imperfections like a filter without sucking the skin completely dry. that keep your skin’s oil levels balanced and minimize the look of large pores. As someone who has personally struggled with keeping my shiny t-zone from looking like a straight-up oil slick on the daily and my pores from peering through my foundation for years, I can personally attest to the magical powers of the products below.

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1. Elf Poreless Putty Primer

Courtesy of Elf.
Courtesy of Elf.

This cult-favorite potted primer blurs pores, fine lines, and other imperfections without over-drying the skin. Like a perfect veil or social media filter, this skin-smoothing primer gives you silky skin that’s prepped and primed for complexion products. It contains moisture-locking squalane to keep your skin looking healthy, radiant, and poreless.

Buy: Elf Poreless Putty Primer

2. Touch In Sol No Pore-Blem Primer

Courtesy of Touch in Sol.
Courtesy of Touch in Sol.

This skin-blurring Korean beauty primer instantly cancels out the look of enlarged pores while filling in fine lines and wrinkles to leave your skin looking soft, refined, and supple. The lightweight, semi-matte formula also extends the wear time of your foundation and keeps shine at bay without over-drying the skin.

Buy: Touch In Sol No Pore-Blem Primer

3. Cruelty-Free Matte Makeup Base Primer for Face

Courtesy of Elizabeth Mott.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Mott.

This multipurpose face primer is formulated specifically for oily skin types and blurring the appearance of enlarged pores. The shine-controlling formula also helps your foundation stay put and crease-free for flawless coverage that lasts all day long.

Buy: Cruelty-Free Matte Makeup Base Primer for Face

4. Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer

Courtesy of Maybelline.
Courtesy of Maybelline.

This primer will help minimize the appearance of your pores without clogging them. You can even wear the primer by itself, though you can also layer it underneath your foundation. It goes on clear, so you don’t need to try to match your skin tone.

Buy: Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer

5. TULA Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer

Courtesy of TULA.
Courtesy of TULA.

This primer is packed full of probiotics to help restore balance to your skin. It’ll also help even out uneven skin tone and keep you hydrated. Some primers can be drying, but that’s not the case with TULA. It also has secret particles that when blended will make you more glow-y—in the best possible way.

Buy: TULA Skin Care Face Filter Blurring and Moisturizing Primer