What's In This Post
Water-based makeup primers should be an important part of every person’s makeup routine. They are usually lightweight, helps to prep your skin for other makeup (like foundations and concealers) and formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients. They also form a protective barrier between your skin and other makeup, thus protecting your skin while increasing the staying power of the makeup you wear on top.
Keep in mind that water-based primers work best with water-based foundations. I’ve written a detailed guide on water-based foundations. Check it out if you want to find out more.
Here is a list of some of the best water-based makeup primers:
Contents
Best Water Based Primers List
NYX Professional Makeup Honey Dew Me Up Primer
This primer contains NYX’s innovative light reflective gold flecks, which are small frickles of gold dust that help to reflect light under your foundation, concealer or any other makeup that you decide to use on top of this primer.
The gold flecks are very small and subtle. It won’t make your face “look gold” after applying this primer. It does make your face slightly glowy or dewy.
This primer also has great skincare ingredients like:
- Collagen – helps to stimulate the synthesis of new collagen production and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Honey – has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce redness.
This primer is cruelty-free.
TOUCH IN SOL No Pore-Blem Primer
This primer has a light pink and transparent appearance. Once applied, the pink color allows you to see the areas that you have covered. It won’t make your face “look pink” as the color is very subtle.
Notable ingredients in this primer include:
- Green Tea Extract – an antioxidant that helps to fight the body’s free radicals and reduce the signs of aging.
- Collagen – helps to stimulate the synthesis of new collagen production and minimize the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
This primer helps to protect your skin by creating an invisible, breathable layer that acts as a barrier to outside elements.
This primer is formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. It is cruelty-free, vegan, and hypoallergenic.
Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment
Other notable ingredients include:
- Enantia Chlorantha Bark Extract – Helps eliminate excess oil and tightens your skin.
- Natural Fruit AHA Complex (Sugar Maple, Bilberry, Lemon, Sugar Cane, and Orange Fruit Extracts) – Helps to support natural cell renewal and gently exfoliates the skin to leave it looking fresh and smooth.
- Vitamins F, C, and E – Strong antioxidants that help to fight the body’s free radicals while reducing the signs of aging.
This is a lightweight, water-resistant primer that provides a natural matte finish. It minimizes the appearance of pores and helps to extend the staying power of your other makeup like foundations and concealers.
This primer is fragrance-free, gluten-free, mineral-oil free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, talc-free and sulfate-free.
GLO Mattifying Primer
It also helps to minimize the appearance of pores and fill in wrinkles. It helps your foundation stay longer and works best with mineral-based makeup or foundation.
The oil-free formula contains kaolin clay, which is an ingredient that helps to cleanse and exfoliate dead skin cells and debris from the surface of the skin. The silicones in this primer are what provide the skin a smooth matte appearance.
This primer is very lightweight and smooth to apply. It is a water-resistant gel primer.
Best Drugstore Water Based Primers
There are some really good water-based primers at the drugstores that are readily available. Here is a list of some of the best water-based drugstore primers.
Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Makeup Primer
This primer feels creamy and doesn’t settle into fine lines or wrinkles. It works under your foundation to provide continuous hydration and moisturization. This primer is cruelty-free.
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Pro Matte-Lock Mattifying Primer
This primer helps to prep and smooth your face so that your foundation or concealer can last longer. It helps to blur pores and wrinkles while controlling oil and shine.
It applies white and dries to a clear matte complexion. This is a great feature because it allows you to see which areas you have covered. The coverage is lightweight breathable and non-comedogenic.
This primer can be worn alone if you’re looking for a “no makeup” look.
Water Based Primers – What You Need to Know
What is Water Based Primer Makeup?
Water based primer makeup is a type of face primer that is mostly made of water. They provide great hydration for your skin and are usually very lightweight.
If you don’t like applying extra face moisturizers, water based primers are a great option because they add water back into your skin, which helps to retain your skin’s elasticity. It is also a huge time saver especially if you’re someone who don’t have time to prep your face before makeup.
However, keep in mind that water based primers are not a substitute for proper skin prep and facial skincare routines.
How Do You Know If a Primer is Water Based?
The easiest way to tell if a primer is water based is to take a look at the label and look for the ingredient “aqua” or “water”. This is usually listed as one of the first ingredients on the labels list. Some labels may go as far as labeling “aqua” or “water” as an “active” ingredient.
If you’ve used other types of primers, you’ll immediately notice a difference after applying a water based primer. This is because water based primers are very lightweight. Even if you’re someone with an oily complexion, water based primers won’t add extra weight.
Are Water Based Primers Good for Oily Skin?
Water based primers are excellent to be used on oily skin because they can control the production of sebum on your skin by adding extra hydration. The won’t add weight to oily complexions which makes them an ideal choice if you will be out all day.
How Do You Apply Water Based Primers?
Water based primers can be applied like your regular primers. If you are looking for a proper way to apply your primer, check out my complete primer, concealer and foundation application guide.
Keep in mind that water-based makeup work best with other water-based makeup. This means water based primers should be used with water based foundations. Makeup with different bases tend to separate and not work with each other. If you’re considering trying water based primers, be sure to check out my guide on water based foundations as well!