Primers are back! Here are the ones worth trying in 2026

Primers were once believed to be a non-essential part of a beauty routine – an added unnecessary step that's more of a hindrance than a help.

Now, that opinion has been absolved. While you don't need a primer, it certainly helps create a flawless makeup look. It acts as a barrier between your skin and makeup to create a blank canvas that your foundation, concealer, and other makeup can easily glide onto. This is particularly handy when you're wearing makeup for a longer time – whether it be for a day at work, or an evening out.

Now that we're moving into warmer, sweatier months, this is arguably the best time of year to be investing in a good primer to help lock your product into place.

You can also choose a primer tailored to your individual skin needs, whether that be glow-boosting, shine-controlling, redness-reducing or mattifying. For the best, smoothest results, use primer and foundation formulas that are compatible – pair silicone with silicone and water-based with water-based.

Here's a bunch of top-tier options to shop.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Go-To Very Glowy Primer

$48 | Go-To

Finish: Illuminating

Good for: Ageing skin, combination skin, oily skin, all skin

Having previously tested this product, we can attest to its hydrating and glowy properties. Bursting with hyaluronic acid, provitamin B5 and antioxidants, your skin will look – and importantly, feel – nourished.

This primer sets an illuminating base, giving your complexion that extra pop of life and energy that it needs (particularly if you're feeling a bit run-down or jaded).

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

$69 | Sephora

Finish: Natural and radiant

Good for: Combination, dry, normal, and oily skin

Most have heard of Milk Makeup and their cult-favourite primer. It is designed to be both lightweight and exceptionally grippy, so you can trust your makeup to stay in place for as long as 12 hours.

The blue agave extract creates an invisible layer to keep a natural look, while the hyaluronic acid and hemp-derived cannabis seed extract act to hydrate and smooth skin. To cast a lightly dewy finish, the product also includes niacinamide (vitamin B3) and aloe water.

Huda Beauty Easy Blur Silicon-Free Smoothing Primer

$52 | Sephora

Finish: Pore-free, smooth

Good for: Combination, dry, normal, and oily skin

If you often find yourself struggling to blur out those pesky pores, this Huda Beauty primer could help solve your problems. How does it do it? The secret is the 'blurring polymers' which help to control excess oil and smoothen skin texture. It's the ideal option for that airbrushed look.

Fenty Beauty Grip Trip Hydrating Primer

$55 | Sephora

Finish: Mattifying and smoothing

Good for: Combination, dry, normal, and oily skin

If you're after a long-wearing, mattifying option, this could be the one for you. Its creamy, dual-action texture acts as both a primer and skincare to provide all-day hydration.

This primer includes maple sap extract, which helps to keep it sweat-proof and humidity-proof. It is also silicone-free, so be sure to pair it with a silicone-free foundation.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer

$24 | Adore Beauty

Finish: Naturally dewy

Good for: Combination, dry, and oily skin

This e.l.f primer has been a long-standing favourite with beauty fanatics. The budget-friendly option has a clear application, making it suitable for all skin tones.

MCoBeauty Makeup Grip Primer

$28 | Adore Beauty

Finish: Natural and radiant

Good for: Combination, dry, normal, and oily skin

As another cost-conscious option, we have the MCoBeauty Primer – known for being a dupe of the previously mentioned Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer. So, if you like the sound of the Milk option, you'll be sure to find similar results for less than half the price.

Maybelline Grippy Serum

$28 | Woolworths

Finish: Long-lasting

Good for: All skin types, including sensitive skin

Maybelline is an OG beauty brand that continuously delivers on effective products at a great price point. The Grippy Serum Primer is ultra-blendable, formulated with 2 per cent niacinamide, to deliver a fresh, hydrated and plumped look.

With 'serum-to-grip' technology, its texture transforms from serum to a sticky feel that grips makeup for up to an impressive 24 hours.

Maybelline Baby Skin

$17.27 | iHerb

Finish: Pore-filling, smoothing

Good for: All skin types, including sensitive skin

I've had a Maybelline Baby Skin primer lingering in my makeup bag ever since I can remember owning makeup. As someone with porous skin, I like that this is lightweight in feel but is impressive in blurring and coverage. It truly does what it says on the tin: gives a soft, smooth baby skin finish.

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Primer+

$78 | Sephora

Finish: Pore-free, smooth

Good for: Combination, dry, normal, sensitive, and oily skin

There's been a lot of talk about this product, and for good reason. This oil-free, makeup-gripping base hydrates your skin while extending the wear of your makeup. If you struggle with sensitive skin, this would be a great primer for you.

Not only does it keep makeup in place with 'All Day Grip' technology, but with continued use, it helps to minimise the appearance of pores.

READ MORE: The lightweight beauty products we can't survive summer without