Water Based Face Primer

Sephora customers often prefer the following products when searching for Water Based Face Primer.

Water-based face primers are a great way to prep your skin for makeup. They're also a good option for people with sensitive skin or those who don't want to use oil on their faces. Water-based face primers are easy to find and use, making them a great choice for beginners. Here are a few of our favorites.

Benefit CosmeticsThe POREfessional Lite Water-Based Pore Primer

ITEM: 2519569

Size: 0.75 oz/ 22 mL

1K Reviews

$49.00

Buy Now

Most of my favorite foundations are water based, so I’m always on the lookout for a good water based primer. ...Great water based primer...I really liked this primer. I’ve never been a fan of water based ones but this was nice.

What it is: An ultra-lightweight and breathable water-based face primer that blurs and refines the look of pores while ensuring a long-lasting, even makeup application.

Finish:
Natural

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Water 73%: Ultra lightweight and gentle on skin.
- Vitamin E Derivative: Provides antioxidant benefits.
- Glycerin: Contributes to smooth application.

Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance.

$99.00

Most similar to NARS radiance primer...Well I finally pulled the trigger after spending many times more over the years with different primers. This one slicks on like water and definitely helps my Guerlain Meteorites Baby Glow sheer foundation slide on easier as well. ...A very good primer!...First of all, I like how this is a water-based primer, but it works just as well as silicone based primers when it comes to filling fine lines, if not better.

What it is:
A color-correcting and radiance-boosting primer.

What it does:
Météorites Primer smooths and color-corrects your skin tone for a radiant complexion. Infused with a delicate violet scent, it’s formulated with Guerlain’s signature Stardust Technology: a unique complex encapsulating a celestial powder that transforms light invisible to the naked eye into visible and soft-focus perfecting light to blur imperfections and provide exceptional radiance.

$52.00

Holy grail primer!!...Keep in mind you do need to use water based face products since it’s a water based primer. ...So good with water-based foundations...Looove this primer! Remember that water-based foundations should be applied on water-based primers, and the same with silicone foundations/primers (I think glycerin is the same).

What it is: An award-winning longwear gel makeup primer that grips makeup for up to 12 hours and hydrates with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide for a dewy finish.


Finish: Radiant


Formulation: Lightweight, Gel


Skin Type: Normal, Dry, and Combination


Highlighted Ingredients:

- Blue Agave Extract: Grips makeup to prevent melting, fading, and caking.

- Hyaluronic Acid and Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) : Boost hydration to visibly smooth uneven texture.

$60.00

Awesome for my very temperamental sometimes dry, sometimes oily skin and great base for water based foundation. Gives a great glowy look....Solid Primer for Water-Based Foundations...I specifically use this primer because i use a water based foundation, rather than oil based.

What it is: A replenishing face primer that hydrates, smooths, and brightens for a dewy, healthy-looking complexion.

Skin Type:
Normal, Dry, Combination

Concerns: Dryness

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Coconut Water: Hydrates skin.
- Probiotics: Boosts skin’s visible radiance and elasticity.

Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens. It is also vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.

$53.00

I got this as an alternative to the milk makeup hydro grip primer bc i use a water based concealer, and this is a water based primer. there’s no weird smell, it lasts all day, and makes my makeup look so good!...It didn't feel heavy and is water based. It kept my Estee Lauder foundation perfectly in place.

What it is: A smoothing and hydrating face primer that grips foundation into place and supports its staying power, so your makeup look lasts up to eight hours longer.


Ingredient Callouts: This product is also vegan and cruelty-free.


What Else You Need to Know: This long-wearing complexion primer goes on sheer, silky soft to the touch, and leaves skin feeling hydrated. It preps and smooths the look of skin, then grips makeup in place so it lasts longer, but is so lightweight that you can wear it solo. It reduces the look of fine lines and leaves skin feeling slightly lifted.

ISAMAYAMicrobial Gel Face Prep Primer

ITEM: 2855682

Size: 1.75 oz / 52 mL - transparent

34 Reviews

$64.00

I recently added this to my base routine and wow wow wow. This is an incredible product!...Longwear Primer...Fabulous primer, genuinely helps the longevity and texture of your base!

What it is: A feather-light hydrogel face primer that hydrates, soothes, and shields your skin from environmental agents.


Highlighted Ingredients: 
- Hyaluronic Acid Complex: Provides multi-layered hydration and elasticity.

- Prebiotics (Inulin & Alpha-Glucan): Nourish and support the skin's microbiota.

- Dermasooth Complex: Reduces redness and soothes irritation with natural extracts. 


Ingredient Callouts: This product is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

$49.00

I have used it it is so light weight and hydrating and it blur the pores really well seems to be a water based primer...Phenomenal skincare based primer...Heaven in a bottle - it’s as much skincare as it is primer, filled with hydrating ingredients my skin loves.

What it is: A hydrating lightweight primer that diminishes the appearance of hyperpigmentation while making makeup last—wear as a pore-blurring base or alone.

Skin Type:
Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination

Highlighted Ingredients:
- 0.5% Tranexamic Acid: Diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
- 2.5% Niacinamide: Improves the look of skin tone and texture.
- 2% Hydrating Complex with Hyaluronic Acid: Adds hydration and antioxidants for a visible plumping effect.

Ingredient Callouts: This product is cruelty-free.

Fashion FairFabulous Face Priming Serum

Size: 1 oz/ 30 mL·ITEM: 2477057

Color: Peach-tinted - all skin tones; translucent finish

31 Reviews

$53.00

Fabulous Face Primer...I recently tried this primer ...It lives up to its name...I was very please...Its make applying your make up very smoothly with a nice finish... ...It makes a great base for foundation and makeup, and it makes it last well.

What it is: A do-everything serum-primer to visibly even tone and texture, boost radiance, and prep your skin for seamless makeup application.

Finish:
Natural

Skin Type:
Normal, Oily, Dry, Combination

Concerns: Pores and Uneven Skin Tone

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Shea Butter: Smooths, visibly plumps, and delivers an abundance of fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins.
- Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract: An antioxidant-rich ingredient that visibly brightens and reduces hyperpigmentation.
- Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Promotes visibly bright, glowing skin.

$62.00

The first ingredient in this is water, I tried this with several foundations including my favorite water based foundation Lancome Teint de Idole. ...Ill be honest, it's just ok I was hoping for better makeup wear and it helps bit be sure to take into consideration your skin care underneath, it needs to be water-based and no cylicone in the skincare. No toner.

What it is: A primer that smooths skin for even makeup application and reduces the appearance of pores.

Finish:
Matte

Formulation:
Liquid

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Skin-Perfecting Complex: Blend of rose extracts that work to moisturize, protect, and smooth skin.
- Silica Beads: Instantly blurs and smooths the appearance of imperfections.
- Red Clover Flower Extract: Controls oil while actively decreasing appearance of pore size over time.

Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance.<

$62.00

It is a water based lightweight primer. It gives matte finish and is good for aging skin. ...This is water based and I was using silicone based concealer to account for the pilling.

What it is: A primer that smooths skin for even makeup application and improves skin's radiance.

Finish:
Radiant

Formulation:
Liquid

Highlighted Ingredients:
- Skin-Perfecting Complex: Blend of rose extracts that work to moisturize, protect, and smooth skin.
- Porcelain Flower: Promotes long-term radiance.
- Encapsulated Luminous Pearls: Provide light reflection on skin for natural radiance.

Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, sulfates SLS & SLES, triclocarban, triclosan, and contains less than one percent synthetic fragrance.

What Else You Need to Know: This p

Products related to Water Based Face Primer

Hydrating Face Primer
“I love this hydrating face primer. I have been looking for a primer that would hydrate my face and I found the perfect one”
Natural Face Primer
“It's not too greasy or too highlighting, something I've not liked about most newer primers. Sometimes you just need a primer that does what it says on the tin without making your face look like a disco ball”
Mattifying Face Primer
“I was super excited when I found out that Influenster was sending me this Smashbox Photo Finish Control Mattifying Face Primer because I am so oily in my T zone”
Soothing Face Primer
“I’ve found that it also makes my makeup last longer compared to not using a primer. It's infused with natural orange blossom and chamomile, giving it a subtle, soothing scent”
Luminizing Face Primer
“Great blurring primer! I usually do not like mattifying/blurring primers but this one is very different from other primers”
Illuminating Face Primer
“I love this primer, makes my foundations go on beautifully. Gives the skin a nice fresh dewy glow”
Thick Face Primer
“It took a little getting used to but it definitely leaves my face feeling hydrated. 4 stars because I didn’t love the texture...I think it’s pretty thick”
Perfecting Face Primer
“Absolutely love this primer, my foundation just glides on and lasts. I have used with the La Mer soft fluid foundation, but also with other brands and love it with each one”
Mattifying Primer
“Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer gifted by Milk Makeup excels in creating a matte, pore-blurring base that lasts all day”
Face Primers For Dry Skin
“After using this primer for a week I really liked it. I have dry skin and it was hydrating and kept my makeup in place”

Related Content:

Best Eye Creams of 2024, Best Colognes for Men in 2024, Best Highlighter Luminizer, Best Brow Products For You | Brow Quiz, Best Eyebrow Makeup in 2025, Best Face Moisturizers, Best Affordable Makeup in 2025, Best Products for Dry Hair in 2025, Best Foundations for Oily Skin in 2024