Acne-prone skin is the worst - a battle between sensitive skin and breakouts! Speaking of the latter, it's a constant struggle to find the best primer for acne-prone skin that will balance out your skin without clogging your pores or making your breakouts worse.

The term primer has evolved to describe the step between skincare and makeup application. Primer extends makeup wear and is thankfully here to stay—with plenty of products on offer, including face primers, lip primers, eye primers, and more.

This primer article will tell you everything you need to know about what makes a good acne-fighting primer to blur imperfections, deal with your skin's uneven texture, and conceal those pesky visible pores to transform your complexion and create a beautiful canvas for the rest of your makeup application.

We also give detail on which products are best for dry/oily/combination skin, what primer ingredients work better for acne-prone skin, and why some primers can cause breakouts.

(This article is designed to be educational and informative. Please note that this article is not intended to replace professional medical advice.)

How do you fight acne while wearing makeup?

Fighting acne while wearing makeup can be a tricky battle. It can feel like an impossible feat, but it doesn’t have to be! The key is to make sure you are using the right products and taking the necessary steps in your beauty routine to keep your skin clear and healthy.

From smoothing out the uneven texture of your skin to an evening out of your complexion blotches, primers work hard and give your makeup a smooth base to go on top. Ideally, primer should fill in any imperfections on the skin so that your foundation covers more surface area. It should also improve the longevity of your foundation.

One of the best ways to do this is to use a makeup primer. Primers help even out your skin tone, hide blemishes, and create a smooth surface for makeup application. They also help create a barrier between your skin and your makeup, reducing irritation and clogged pores which may affect oily skin types who are acne prone.

Make sure to look for a primer that is specifically designed for acne-prone skin and that contains ingredients that help fight acne.

Thankfully, there are approved and over-the-counter ingredients that can help fight acne and keep your skin looking amazing. Salicylic acid, sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, and resorcinol are all effective ingredients that can be found in many skincare products.

These ingredients, when used together, can help reduce the appearance of acne and keep acne-prone skin skin looking healthy and beautiful. Taking care of your skin is a priority and these ingredients are a great way to get started.

Why Some Primers Cause Breakouts?

Primers containing silicon work well to fill the tiny pores in your skin and create a smooth appearance by leaving a weightless film on your skin. However, silicones are a controversial ingredient in primers designed to be used by acne-prone consumers. They act like glue, holding onto any comedogenic (pore-clogging) ingredients you apply to your skin, which helps bacteria to multiply, exacerbating acne breakouts.

If you decide to wear a silicon-based primer on special occasions, make sure you cleanse your face with a damp face cloth when you return home.

Silicon-based primers can be a great choice if you have oily skin or large pores. However, avoid using these products if you suffer from sensitive, acne-prone skin with large pores. Instead, try using an oil-free primer. This will help prevent any reactions caused by silicon.

People with combination or oily skin should also look for primers labeled oil-free. Applying oil regularly to the skin can clog pores, causing breakouts.

Another harmful ingredient is alcohol, which can dry and irritate the skin. Alcohol-based primers are especially bad for acne-prone skin because they can dry out your face and make it more susceptible to breakouts.

#1. Matte Primer for Oily Skin

Matte primers are the best primer for acne-prone skin. This is because they help to mattify the skin and reduce the appearance of pores and oiliness. They also provide a base for foundation, which will help extend your makeup's life.

Matte primers are adhesive and therefore hold your foundation and concealer in place. Matte primers help prevent oily skin from ruining makeup and are an ideal choice for people with oily skin.

#2. Illuminating Primer

An illuminating primer provides the same benefits as a matte primer. As opposed to mattifying primers, "glowy" primers add a subtle sheen to the skin. They make your skin look more luminous when you apply foundation over it. They are a good choice for special events, as they add radiance to your skin.

#3. Color-Correcting Primer

A color-correcting primer is a makeup primer that helps you hide flaws in the skin, such as dark circles and redness. Colored primers can help you conceal dark purple circles under your eyes or rosacea and also help neutralize discolorations on your skin.

For instance, a green color-correcting primer will mask the redness and acne scars on your skin, ensuring that it does not appear through your foundation.

#4. Eyeshadow Primer

An eyeshadow primer can help mattify the eyelids and make eyeshadow last longer. Applying a little primer to your eyelids can keep your eyeliner in place and prevent it from smudging.

#5. Non-comedogenic Formula

Whether you are looking for a more natural look or a more glamourous look, the best primers for acne needs to be a non-comedogenic formula helps to reduce the risk of breakouts and ensure that your makeup will last all day long.

You want something that glides on easily, evens out skin tone, and doesn't clog your pores. That's why you should try a primer with a non-comedogenic formula.

#6. Oil-free Ingredients

Primer is the perfect way to prep your skin and make sure your makeup stays put all day.

Use oil-free primer ingredients that will give you a smooth and even finish for the best long lasting makeup wear that controls shine. Plus, it won't clog your pores, making it a winning choice for any skin type.

#7. Smooth Application

When it comes to getting ready for the day, nothing helps you look your best like a primer with a smooth application. This simple product can be the difference between a flawless finish and a cakey, uneven look.

The key to finding the perfect primer is to find one that glides on your skin like a dream and creates the perfect base for makeup application to extend makeup wear.

Not only does the smooth application of a primer help to keep your makeup from settling into fine lines and wrinkles, but it can also help to extend the makeup wear time so it looks fresh and new all day long.

#8. Buildable Coverage

We all want to find the perfect foundation that gives us a natural and buildable coverage. It provides light to full coverage, so you can customize your look to your desired level.

For a flawless canvas, build the layers to even out your skin texture for a smooth, velvety finish and a great look!

#9. Hypoallergenic Ingredients

It's important to find a safe, reliable and hypoallergenic primer that not only nourishes your skin, but also provides a base for your makeup that is able to control shine and remain long wearing.

These primers are specifically formulated with acne fighting ingredients to be gentle on the skin, making them the ideal choice for those who have mild to moderate skin allergies or who want to avoid potential irritation.

#10. Skin Tone & Skin Texture

When it comes to priming your skin for makeup, it's important to select a primer that works best with your unique skin tone and texture.

This is because primers can be formulated differently to target a wide range of skin types, helping to ensure that the makeup you apply goes on smoothly, looks its best and extend makeup wear.

By selecting a primer specifically formulated for your skin tone and texture, you'll help to create a better base for your makeup, allowing it to last longer and look even more beautiful.

Our market research team has put in a lot of hard work to bring you the top 10 primers that are perfect for acne-prone skin. Get ready to treat your skin with the care it deserves and give it a special boost of confidence!

Best Non-comedogenic Primers for Acne Prone Skin

Look no further than this non-comedogenic primer oil-absorbing primer to create the perfect matte finish! Not only does it control shine and blur imperfections, but it also reduces the appearance of pores.

Perfect for those with oily, acne-prone skin, it also provides SPF 20 protection with zinc and titanium. Take your skin from dull to dazzling with this amazing primer!

Best Lightweight Formula Primer

Discover the power of Pore Refining Makeup Primer! Formulated with a lightweight, aqueous texture, the primer evenly distributes onto the skin for a soft, satin finish that leaves your makeup looking perfect and lasting all day.

This powerful anti-aging primer works to visibly refine pores, blur your skin's fine lines and imperfections, and improve texture and tone.

Best Affordable Formula Primer

Unlock your inner glow and even out your complexion in one simple step - go green! This skin-friendly primer has a sheer green tint that helps reduce redness, blotchiness and create a smooth and radiant complexion. Perfect for all skin types, the luxuriously creamy formula easily blends into your skin, giving you the perfect canvas for any makeup look. Dare to be beautiful - Get glowing with green!

Best Shine Control Formula Primer

Achieve a flawless complexion with our makeup primer for face! This matte-finish primer provides long-lasting protection from oiliness and creasing throughout the day. Not only that – it also evens out blotchiness and uneven texture, enlivens the appearance of your skin, and minimizes your pores for a balanced complexion.

Best Smoothing Formula Primer

Look and feel your best with makeup that lasts hours and hours! Fill in fine lines and pores instantly for a flawless finish and protect your skin from environmental damage and stress with powerful antioxidants Vitamin A + E. Lightweight and oil-free, this makeup is ideal for all skin types.

Best Mattifying Primer for Acne Prone Skin

Transform your look and bring out your natural beauty with a stunning finish that will last for hours on end! Satiny‑soft feel that is never greasy. Suitable for all skin types. Perfect for oily skin, this product will help you look and feel your best with a lasting, flawless finish.

Best Compact Primer for Acne Prone Skin

Unlock your most beautiful, radiant skin with our multi-tasking, invisible primer and complexion perfecter. Powered skin-smoothing Alpha Lipoic Acid, this amazing powder formula works to blur and minimize the look of pores, redness, wrinkles and fine lines, both instantly and over time. Enjoy the soft-focus effect and satin finish that helps blur imperfections and even out your skin tone. You'll be glowing with confidence!

Best Dry Skin Primer for Acne Prone Skin

This product is not like most makeup primers! Instead, give your skin the nourishment it needs with our lightweight, non-greasy formula that hydrates and preps skin for a smooth, brightened complexion.

A specially formulated blend of Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin, and antioxidant botanical ingredients that work together to replenish and brighten skin for the ultimate in healthy, glowing skin. Clear formula can be worn with or without makeup perfect for dry skin.

Best Gel Primer for Acne Prone Skin

Let your inner beauty shine with Dermablend's lightweight, cruelty free jelly primer makeup that absorbs to a smooth canvas to be used as a foundation and concealer.

Use this 3-in-1 hydrating makeup primer with its instant moisturizer and tightening mask to keep your skin looking its best, no matter what your skin type, including dry, aging, acne prone & sensitive skin.

Find the perfect combination of hydration, moisture, and tightening this primer is designed for all skin types, is silicone-free and fragrance-free, making it perfect for those looking for an all-natural solution.

With 24HR staying power, you will have very little excess oil showing but you will definitely be glowing all day, every day with this long-lasting makeup wear!

Best Illuminating Gel Primer for Acne Prone Skin

Rejuvenate your skin with this fresh and luminous cream-gel primer for long-lasting makeup wear!

It glides on seamlessly and melts into your skin, providing a soft and radiant glow with exquisite pearlescent hues in a universal shade. Unlock your skin’s natural radiance and feel beautiful.

Apply after moisturizing and before foundation for a more subtle radiance, or after foundation as a highlighter. Can also be mixed directly with foundation, concealer or day cream for a natural, radiant complexion.

Best Silicone Primer

Although silicone primers aren't typically recommended for acne-prone skin, there may be times when you desire that extra silky-smooth look and feel! Embrace the opportunity to experiment and discover what works best for your skin!

This lightweight and non-sticky foundation primer hydrates the skin while minimizing spots and blemishes, shrinking the look of pores and that uneven texture, leaving you with soft, smooth skin. With plant-based ingredients like Green Tea Tree extracts and Soluble Collagen, you can achieve professional quality makeup results from the comfort of your own home.

For acne-prone skin, the best non-comedogenic primer contains ingredients that help to reduce pore size, minimize shine, and control oil production. In addition, it should also be gentle on sensitive skin.

Here are some acne fighting ingredients that can be found in in primers specially formulated for acne-prone skin:

Dimethicone

Although dimethicone is occlusive, it is non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. These traits make it almost perfect for use in oil-free formulations to give long-lasting moisturization without clogging the pores.

Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is used to open clogged pores and remove dead skin cells, effectively treating black and whiteheads.

Tea Tree Oil

Studies show that tea tree oil helps reduce the bacteria on the skin's surface that contribute to acne production. Plus, it soothes the skin and reduces redness caused by acne pustules.

Resorcinol

Resorcinol is an active ingredient that works to remove rough, scaly, or hardened skin. It also disinfects the skin, helping fight infection.

Benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial agent. It works by killing acne-causing bacteria and unclogging pores. For inflammatory acne, it works wonders.

Sulfur

Sulfur is used in many skincare products to help treat whiteheads and blackheads.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can help improve acne prone skin. Minimizing the number of free radicals in your skin helps prevent irritation and inflammation.

In addition, vitamin E has been shown to reduce the redness and swelling associated with acne.

If you have acne prone skin and uneven skin tone, it can be difficult to find the right product to help you achieve your perfect complexion. Thankfully, there are a host of perfect options to consider!

Consider the type of Foundation

You also need to consider the type of foundation you plan on using over top of your primer. Using two different bases may cause your foundation to look uneven and flake off and won't blend with your skin texture.

You want to use a lightweight formula that matches the base of the foundation that you will apply over it. Its best not to mix these formulations to get the bets makeup application and to ensure that it extends makeup wear.

Using a Liquid Foundation with a Primer

When selecting your beauty products for acne-prone skin, it is important to ensure that their base is of the same kind! For example, when combining liquid foundation and primer, go with a lightweight formula water-based foundation and a water-based primer for the best buildable results and beautiful finish.

If you are using a liquid foundation, it is best to avoid using a silicone-based primer, although this will help your foundation glide across the skin quickly without leaving streaks or patches behind. The reason is that it causes clogging of your pores and can exacerbate bacteria under the pore impurities that leads to breakouts.

Benefit with Water-based Primers

Water-based primers are the ideal choice for individuals with acne-prone skin as they are a great match with the application of liquid foundations. These primers play a crucial role in not only providing a smooth canvas for your makeup but also in effectively concealing skin imperfections and irregularities.

When you opt for a water-based primer, you're ensuring that your skin remains hydrated and free from pore-clogging substances, ultimately resulting in a flawless, even-textured complexion. This dynamic combination of a water-based primer and liquid foundation provides the perfect solution for individuals seeking to achieve a seamless makeup application while maintaining their skin's health and radiance.

Oil-free Powder-based Primers

Powders are a fantastic choice when it comes to managing excess oil on your face. Unlike silicone-based products that may potentially lead to breakouts, powders effectively absorb any surplus oil from your skin, leaving behind a smooth and matte finish.

This oil-absorbing quality ensures that your makeup stays in place and remains fresh throughout the day, even in warmer or more humid conditions. Powders are lightweight and blend effortlessly with your skin, so you don't have to worry about the heavy or greasy feeling often associated with silicone-based alternatives. The result is a natural and shine-free complexion that not only looks fantastic but also supports healthier, blemish-free skin.

Use a Clear Gel Primer

If you have acne prone skin, lightweight gel primers are incredibly helpful since they're light and don't clog pores. Not only will this product help to create a smooth base for your makeup, it will also help to keep your skin hydrated and nourished.

When looking for the right clear gel primer, make sure to read the ingredients list to ensure that it's free of any harsh chemicals that could potentially irritate or worsen your skin.

Before you use a new primer, it is vital to test the compatibility of your chosen primer. A good idea is to obtain a product sample before buying it.

Try out a Mattifying Primer

Mattifying primer combined with an acne treatment is the perfect solution for those who struggle with acne-prone skin.

Not only does it reduce the appearance of pores, it also helps to control shine as it absorbs excess oil to keep your skin looking its best. Also try a mattifying primer on an oily skin patch if you have a combination skin type.

Primers to Blur Enlarged Pores

Primers are a great way to naturally blur out enlarged pores and fine lines. However, if you battle acne prone skin you want to avoid a silicone primer which tends to clog pores and ends up creating more skin troubles. This primer is know to be excellent to reduce visible pores but may not be the best option for you!

The best primer for if you have acne will not only control excess oil and acne but it will also help cover enlarged pores, fine lines, and wrinkles to give you that even skin tone.

Primers that Enhance Protection of your Skin Type

When it comes to taking care of your skin, look for a primer that is infused with ingredients that protect you from environmental aggressors and other skin issues. Primers that use ingredients that protect your skin from pollutants, acne-causing agents, and signs of aging will give you the ultimate in skin protection.

With a primer that is packed with ingredients to protect skin, you can be sure that you are doing your best to keep your complexion in top condition. There are many primers out there that is formulated to protect, treat acne and fade acne scars to reveal blemish-free skin.

If you have acne prone but combination skin, you can use a hydrating primer to help restore your skin's natural moisture for the dry skin patches. This type of primer is designed to help your skin look beautiful and healthy, while ensuring it feels soft and supple to the touch.

Here are some of our best tips and tricks for using primers for acne-prone skin:

1. Before you buy a primer, make sure you check the ingredients and make sure that it is non-comedogenic and oil-free so it won't clog your pores.
2. When applying primer, use a light touch and blend it evenly on your skin.
3. Don’t forget to apply primer on your neck and other areas of your body where needed.
4. Gently pat the primer on with the warmth of your fingers for a flawless application. Your pores will be kept clean and clear if you simply press the product onto the skin, rather than rubbing it in.
5. Pat the makeup on for areas with discoloration, pores, wrinkles and lines for a smooth finish.
6. Take a makeup application skills course. Achieve a gorgeous complexion with confidence by ensuring your makeup looks its best!
7. Pairing a primer with the same base for your foundation will guarantee you a flawless look.
8. Mixing your product base correctly is key for a beautiful, long-lasting result.
9. Renew your skin's glow and vitality by exfoliating to remove any dullness and dead skin.
10. Try physical exfoliation during cleansing or chemical exfoliation with AHA toners or AHA serums to reveal your beautiful, radiant skin.
11. Nourish your skin with a cleanser specifically tailored to your skin type for a smooth canvas when you apply your primer.
12. Achieve a flawless finish for your skin by mattifying your face to help create a perfectly smooth invisible pore-less look.
13. With the perfect non-comedogenic moisturizer a few minutes before you apply your primer, you can enjoy a long-lasting matte finish and control the oil for a flawless look.
14. Gently apply your concealer in a thin layer for a beautiful, natural-looking finish.
15. Too much product can overwhelm your complexion, become patchy and thus need frequent reapplication.

Final Thoughts

So... to sum up: always make it a point to use a primer before putting on your foundation with acne-prone skin. Choose one with salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or benzoyl peroxide.

Avoid silicone-based primers for daily use although it may be permissible for special occasions, depending on the severity of your acne. For best results, always opt for an organic makeup product, primarily if synthetic products cause acne.

Hopefully, with all this information, you'll be able to make an informed and educated decision on the type of primer best suited for your skin.

Primer intensifies the effect of any makeup you put over it. The aim is to find one that works well with your skin type, and if it happens to work hard to keep your skin clear, then all the better!