When you want to lean into the dewy skin trend, the right prep is the key to a fresh, glass skin finish. In fact, if you’re anything like me, then before you’ve even opened your makeup bag, you’ve already spent time perfecting your skincare routine—layering hydrating serums and toners, and using water-based moisturiser and gel-textured sunscreen to ensure that every step adds glow. Applying mattifying makeup products would ruin all that hard work and send you right back to square one, right?
When most people think of primers, they think of the old-school makeup primer formulas which were oriented towards mattifying skin, absorbing oil, and creating a thick barrier to stop any shine from showing through. As someone who grew up with oily, acne-prone skin, these primers were originally staples in my makeup bag for years. However fast-forward a few years, and (like most people) I’m no longer into that flat, powdery-looking skin finish. I’m now officially a dewy skin girl through and through—but since I can still be prone to T-zone shine, I know how important it is to strike the balance between glowy and greasy.
(Image credit: @alllisonho)
These days, primers can address a much wider variety of skin concerns and goals, so will do far more than just smooth your skin for makeup application and help your foundation to last longer. If you’re on the hunt for a dewy skin primer then there are plenty of options to choose from, and I’ve compiled a list of my favourites below. Packed with hydrating ingredients and specifically formulated to keep skin looking fresh and dewy, these primers will help to maintain your natural glow and ensure it shines through your makeup, without looking greasy.
The best primers for dewy skin:
1. Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer
Laura Mercier
Pure Canvas Illuminating Primer
If you occasionally have issues with flaky, peeling makeup, look no furtner. Every bit as hydrating as a moisturiser, this glow-boosting primer contains ingredients like glycerin and squalane to ensure that moisture is delivered to and locked into skin. It also contains micro pearls to reflect the light and give skin a true ‘glass skin’ finish.
2. Milk Makeup Cloud Glow Primer
Milk Makeup
Cloud Glow Primer
If you want to avoid thick, silicone-based formulas, try this unique foam formula instead. It’s totally weightless so looks and feels completely invisible on the skin, but still helps to hold makeup in place for up to twelve hours. Turmeric and saffron extracts brighten skin while apricot extract and a blend of hydrating ingredients provide an intensive moisture boost throughout the day.
3. Laneige Glowy Makeup Serum
LANEIGE
Glowy Makeup Serum
Designed to give skin a glass-like finish, this serum formula glides onto skin and instantly illuminates, allowing foundation to apply smoothly and without compromising on glow. Thanks to its liquid texture, it doesn’t feel thick or heavy, so you’ll hardly even know you’re wearing it.
4. Vieve Skin Nova
This primer is really a skincare-makeup hybrid, combining the benefits of a hydrating moisturiser, a brightening serum, and a makeup-locking primer all in one. Niacinamide and beta-glucan hydrate and soothe skin, light-reflecting pigments provide an instant brightening effect, and the a slightly tacky texture means makeup is locked into place. There’s a reason why so many makeup artists will tell you this is a staple in their kit.
5. Refy Face Primer
Formulated with niacinamide, glycerin, and vitamin E, this gel-textured primer not only gives skin a dewy finish but actually hydrates in the process. It’s easy to apply—thanks to the roll-on applicator—and doesn’t feel remotely heavy or greasy on the skin. Perfect if you don’t like the feel of heavy creams or multiple layers on the skin.
6. Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow Face Primer
Charlotte Tilbury
Wonderglow Face Primer
Dull skin doesn’t stand a chance against this primer, which is specifically formulated to give skin a dewy finish and a lit-from-within glow—and provides long-lasting hydration in the process. Hyaluronic acid, rosehip oil, and light-diffusing particles combine to keep skin fresh and dewy all day.
7. Rare Beauty Always an Optimist Illuminating Primer
Rare Beauty
Always an Optimist Illuminating Primer
Even through heat and humidity, this gel primer keeps makeup locked in place. But the best part? It does so without compromising on glow. Glycerin, lotus extract, and ultra-fine pearls deliver and instant (and long-lasting) dewy finish.
8. Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Brightening Primer
Beauty Pie
Wonderfilter Brightening Primer
When you want a skin-first makeup look that makes your base the centre of attention, this dewy finish primer smooths over pores, blurring skin and delivering a high-shine effect that glows through even the highest coverage foundation.
9. E.l.f. Cosmetics Illuminating Face Primer
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Wonderfilter Brightening Primer
E.l.f is known for its impressive range of primers and this skin-brightening one lives up to the hype, delivering both glow and shimmer. Like an Instagram filter in a bottle, it blurs over pores, redness, and scars while keeping makeup looking fresh from day to night.
10. Saie Glowy Super Gel
Saie
Saie Glowy Super Gel
Makeup multitaskers, this one is for you. Part-primer and part-highlighter, this gel formula draws upon the benefits of vitamin C, squalane, papaya seed oil, and rosehip oil to give skin a dewy finish. Plus, it’ll grip foundation in place for hours on end.
11. SUQQU Treatment Serum Primer
SUQQU
Treatment Serum Primer
Prone to an oily T-zone? This formula is great for keeping greasiness at bay while still allowing the right amount of glow to shine through. It’s a perfect choice when you do want to wear a full-coverage makeup look or know that you need your makeup to last from morning to night.