10 Best Primers For Large Pores In 2024

Updated on August 16, 2024

Large pores can be a nuisance when applying your makeup, and they are worse if they are prone to becoming oily.  They affect your makeup look, and you may be tempted to apply layer after layer of foundation to give the illusion of refined skin that is flawless. However, too much foundation can result in an unnatural look and can lead to more breakouts. Though you cannot change your pore size, using a primer before applying your foundation can shrink the pores and minimize their appearance.

A primer will smooth your skin texture by minimizing the appearance of pores, pimples, and scars. It also helps to keep your makeup in place and prevent it from caking, sliding, and creasing. Here is a list of the best primers for large pores that you should try.

Editor’s Choices

Top 10 Primers For Large Pores In 2024

1. Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer (Best For Combination Skin)

This is an oil-free formula that will instantly reduce pore size and control oil and shine without drying your skin. This lightweight formula also blurs minor blemishes like scars, fine lines, dark spots, and other imperfections to give your skin an even tone.

It 6 offers a smooth base for makeup application with a brilliant matte finish. The formula is waterproof, and thus rain and sweat will not break down your smooth canvas. This primer is great for combining oily skin tones that have larger pores.

Key Features:

• Oil-free formula
• Minimizes pores and control oil and shine for up to 8 hours
• Waterproof
• Gives a matte finish
• Blurs imperfections and provide a smooth base for makeup application

2. NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Pore Filler Primer (Best Cruelty Free)

This is a pore filler primer infused with vitamin E to help minimize the appearance of pores, kill shine, and prep your complexion for a smooth makeup application. This silky formula is oil-free making it suitable even for oily skin.

It offers a smooth base by minimizing large pores’ appearance and blurs other imperfections on your skin. This primer forms a barrier between your skin and your foundation that prevents your makeup from clogging your pores and causing acne breakouts. It helps your makeup to stay put for long without caking, fading, or creasing.

Key Features:

• Oil-free formula
• Minimizes the appearance of pores
• Controls shine
• Offers a smooth base for makeup application
• Blurs skin imperfections like fine lines and scars

3. Elizabeth Mott Matte Makeup Primer Pore Minimizer (Best For Oily Skin)

Say goodbye to large visible pores by using Elizabeth Mott Matte Makeup Primer Pore Minimizer. It creates a smooth canvas by minimizing pores’ appearance and other imperfections, which makes makeup application easier.

This primer gives instant mattifying results and also brightens and balances your skin tone. The formula is non-greasy and does not feel heavy on your skin. It is also waterproof, withstand sweat, tears, and water, which helps keep your makeup intact no matter the activity you are undertaking or the weather condition.

Key Features:

• A lightweight hydrating primer that lasts all-day
• Waterproof formula
• Minimizes visible pores
• Non-greasy formula
• Balances skin tone

4. Dr. Brandt Skincare Pore Refiner Primer (Best Doctor Designed Formulas)

You can instantly diminish the look of large pores and imperfections with Dr. Brandt Skincare Pore Refiner Primer. This formula mattifies the skin and creates a smooth canvas for flawless makeup application. This velvety formula absorbs excess oil and helps to control shine.

This prevents makeup on oily skin from caking.  This primer will also blur fine lines, dark spots, and other imperfections to even skin texture. It is also resistant to humidity and sweat meaning your makeup stays put throughout the day.

Key Features:

• Resistant to sweat and humidity
• Minimizes pores and absorbs excess oil
• Mattifies the skin and creates a smooth canvas
• Enhances long-lasting makeup wear

5. Touch in Sol No Pore Blem Primer (Best For Smooths Skin)

This is the cure you need for big pores and uneven texture. It minimizes the appearance of large pores and other imperfections and leaves the skin flawless and ready for makeup. It has a lightweight formula that offers seamless coverage for pores, fine lines, wrinkles, and uneven skin tone.

It also creates a protective barrier against dirt and other debris from finding their way into your pores, which clogs them and leads to breakouts. This primer is infused with soluble collagen that increases skin moisture level and elasticity that firming large pores and makes them appear small. The primer also has green tea extracts, which energize the skin and acts as powerful antioxidants.

Key Features:

• Provides a seamless coverage for concealing pores and uneven skin tone
• Lightweight formula
• Infused with soluble collagen to increase moisture level and elasticity
• Instantly smoothes lines

6. Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Primer (Best For Dry Skin)

This is a silky lightweight primer to apply under your makeup. It quickly minimizes the appearance of large pores and fine lines and creates a smooth canvas for effortless makeup application.

It is formulated with vitamin E, which is known to protect your skin. This primer is lightly tinted with a translucent texture that comes in the form of a balm. It dries quickly and helps to control shine on the T-zone.

Key Features:

• Hydrating and moisturizing oil-free formula
• Lightweight formula
• Absorbs quickly and controls shine
• Excellent for large pores

7. Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector (Best For Sensitive Skin)

This is a primer specifically designed to target oil-prone areas and minimize the appearance of large pores. It creates a mattified skin that lasts for up to 12 hours. The primer absorbs within the skin quickly, and no residue is left.

It helps to maintain your makeup intact for long hours. The formula is water-based, which makes it extremely lightweight and blends well with concealers and foundations. It acts as a liquid blotting paper to leave your skin fresh and matte all day.

Key Features:

• Controls oil for up to 12 hours
• Minimizes pores
• Lightweight formula
• Absorbs quickly in the skin

8. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer (Best For Moisturizing)

This is a pore minimizer face primer that blurs pores to create a smooth canvas for makeup application. It leaves your skin matte and poreless. Its lightweight and breathable formula allows makeup to glide on smoothly and blend beautifully to create professional results.

It smooths your skin instantly by erasing pores’ look and leaving the skin with a soft matte finish. The formula can be worn alone or under a foundation.

Key Features:

• Blurs pores and smooths skin
• Suitable for all skin types
• Offers a light coverage 
• Lightweight breathable formula

9. e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer (Best For Normal Skin)

For a poreless effect and an ultimate grip on your makeup, e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer should be your go-to face primer. This lightweight formula is infused with squalene to provide optimal hydration. Its velvety texture glides on effortlessly over your skin filling in pores, imperfections, wrinkles, and fine lines to offer a smooth canvas.

Key Features:

• Suitable for all skin types
• Creates a poreless effect
• Offers optimal hydration
• Lightweight formula
• Long-lasting

10. Too Faced Cosmetics Primed and Poreless (Best For Vitamin A)

This is a primer that virtually erases pores softens lines and perfects your complexion leaving your skin ready for makeup application. The primer provides an airbrushed customized flawless canvas. It is formulated with Mulberry extract that brightens and lightens skin.

It helps to restore moisture, elasticity, and suppleness with its powerful combination of anti aging ingredients. Enriched with camellia oil, vitamin A, and white tea plants are powerful antioxidants that help fight free radicals. Overtime use of this primer makes your skin look firmer, brighter, and even.

Key Features:

• Minimizes pores and imperfections
• Hydrate’s skin makes it firmer and detoxified
• Preps the skin for bronzers, foundations, and powders
• Provides an airbrushed canvas

What To Look For In A Primer For Large Pore – Buying Guide?

Skin type

Before buying any skincare products, the very first thing you need to consider is your skin type. This is because using the wrong product can lead to side effects and aggravate other problems. Look for a primer formulated to cater to the needs of your skin type.

For dry skin, you need to select a primer with super hydrating and moisturizing benefits. Try a sample on your skin and ensure that it will not make your skin look too shiny.

For people with oily skin, you need a primer to help control oil and shine on your skin. It would also help if you looked for oil-free primers so that you don’t end up clogging your pores. Go for a primer that absorbs oil so that your makeup will not cake.

Ingredients

If your skin is sensitive, you need to avoid primers with chemicals and fragrances that can trigger irritation. Read the ingredients used to look for other added benefits. These include anti-aging ingredients that help increase collagen production, and skin elasticity and firm your skin.

Thus, the primer can tighten your skin to get rid of fine lines, wrinkles, and large pores. Also, look for ingredients like green tea extract with high antioxidant properties to help fight the free radicals that can damage your skin.

Texture

Go for primers with a lightweight texture so that it does not feel heavy on your skin. They also get quickly absorbed in the skin and will not clog your pores.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a primer help to minimize pores?

Primers are made with a silky formula that fills in the pores to tighten them and create a smooth texture. A primer will not change your pore size because it comes genetically, but it reduces its appearance. They also absorb the excess oil that could lead to bigger pores and help to conceal imperfections.

Can a primer be used alone without foundation?

Yes. A face primer is ideal to use solo without foundation. It adds a layer of moisture to your skin and helps to blur imperfections.

How long should you wait after applying a primer before you apply the foundation?

You should wait for a minute or more until your primer is fully absorbed into your skin and dried. This will prevent pilling or causing patchiness when applying your foundation.

Conclusion

The solution to getting rid of those evident large pores after applying your makeup is to use the best makeup primer for large pores before you apply your foundation. This is a lightweight formula that fills in your pores, fine lines, and other imperfections and tightens them to minimize the appearance of their size. Primers will also help to absorb excess oil and control shine. This helps your makeup to stay put for long without caking or creasing. From our list, our top pick primer for large pores is Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer. It is a lightweight formula that is oil-free and offers a smooth base to conceal your pores and control oil and shine.

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