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.
$47.00
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.
ITEM: 2169423
Size: 1.52 / 45 mL
$52.00
must use with water based foundation...It is a water based primer so you have to use it with a water based foundation, like the Milk one. ...Holy grail primer!!...Keep in mind you do need to use water based face products since it’s a water based primer.
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.
$57.00
It's very hydrating since it is water based, which is great for dry skin. I find it moisturizes and creates a perfectly hydrated based for makeup to sit on. ...I have really dry skin so I have to moisturize with an oil free lotion but I like it better than spraying the Hangover spray as primer. It's good as a water based primer. And I might prefer it over my coconut fab primer because it's lighter.
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.
$43.50
It's super easy to apply, and only requires 1-2 drops at a time. It's water based, so it didn't leave my skin oily at all either. ...It would also be great for those who don't wear makeup, as it helps to balance water levels and boosts hydration.
What it is: A lightweight and hydrating Korean priming serum hybrid with Diamond Mineral Powder for visibly smooth and long-lasting makeup wear.
Skin Type: Normal, Dry, Combination, and Oily
Skincare Concerns: Dryness, Dullness, and Uneven Texture
Formulation: Serum
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Diamond Mineral Powder: Creates a visibly translucent glow and smooths skin’s appearance.
- Light Fit Prep Technology: Helps makeup last longer.
- Ceramide Hydration Gel: Delivers and locks in moisture for an oil-water balance.
Ingredient Callouts: Free of parabens
$49.00
It’s a thinner formula almost like a water based moisturizer. Plus I love the packaging and the color....It works with any foundation I've used and stays matte (I've only used matte water based foundations though). It definitely makes my makeup last compared to other primers I've used.
Skin type:
✔ Normal
✔ Dry
✔ Combination
✔ Oily
What it is:
A shine-stopping, pore-diffusing primer that smooths the way for better foundation application and longer wear with an instant retouch effect.
What it does:
Nothing is sexier than touch-worthy skin. Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer is the first step to getting there. Paired with Pro Filt'r Foundation, this oil-free primer smooths away the look of pores, visibly evens skin tone and texture, and instantly absorbs shine without feeling dry or chalky. That means smoother foundation application and longer makeup wear.
$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.
ITEM: 2738656
Size: 1.01 oz / 30 ml
$49.00
Whether used alone for a natural, shine-free look or as a base for makeup, the Yummy Skin Mattifying Water Powder Serum delivers impressive results. ...Water form powder...As a person who struggles with shiny face, this is a must have for easy no makeup days or as a base for a makeup.
What it is: A mattifying water-to-powder serum that primes, absorbs shine, and visibly refines skin with Comfort Matte Complex, a unique blend of seven potent ingredients.
Skin Type: Normal, Combination, and Oily
$62.00
This primer is a perfect, simple, hydrating, water-based primer with no pore clogging ingredients and no fragrance. ...A nice lightweight water based primer . I tried the Laura Mercier pure Canvas Primer - Hydrating explicitly in order to review it.
What it is: A primer that smooths skin for even makeup application and visibly plumps the skin to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles.
Finish: Natural
Formulation: Liquid
Highlighted Ingredients:
- Skin Perfecting Complex: Blend of rose extracts that work to moisturize, protect, and smooth skin.
- Minerals: Mineral-enriched water sourced from France known to decrease dullness.
- Glycerin: Attracts moisture to the skin for flawless makeup 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 syn
$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.<
