18 best primers for dry skin to help you achieve that dewy, flaky-free complexion

The dewy skin look is here to stay, and if you have naturally dry skin, you will need extra help in order to achieve that glow. A primer formulated specifically for dry skin will not only give your skin that luminous, radiant finish, but also create a smooth canvas for your foundation to go on without caking, flaking or settling into your fine lines.

If you want to give primers a try, here are 18 best primers for dry skin that you should definitely consider.

1. Too Faced Hangover Primer

Highly rated by beauty gurus and makeup enthusiasts alike, the Too Faced Hangover Primer is one of the best primers for dry skin.

Whether your skin is naturally dry, or feels tight and tired after a late night out (hence the “hangover” part of the primer’s name!), this coconut water-infused primer will give your skin an instant boost of hydration to bring back the healthy glow to your face.

Too Faced Hangover Primer retails for SGD52 (40ml), available at Sephora.

2. Becca Backlight Priming Filter Face Primer

For those looking for that luminous, glow-from-within look, the Becca Backlight Priming Filter Face Primer is your answer!

Formulated with Becca’s unique blend of Filtering Luminescent Pearls that gives your skin a diffused. photo-filter effect, the primer will not only give your skin a soft, radiant glow but also blurs out imperfections such as pores and fine lines.

It also contains vitamin E to nourish your skin and soften fine lines and wrinkles, which tend to be more pronounced on dry skin.

Becca Backlight Priming Filter Face Primer retails for SGD58 (30ml), available at Sephora.

3. e.l.f Hydrating Face Primer

One of the best primers for dry skin from the drugstore, the e.l.f Hydrating Face Primer is a total bang for your buck, as it works just as well as some other high-end primers.

It is packed with all the skincare and antioxidant goodness of vitamin A, C, E to hydrate and plump up your skin. The cream-based formula adds extra moisture and smooth out imperfections for a glowing, flawless canvas for your makeup!

e.l.f Hydrating Face Primer retails for USD13.20 (30ml), available on Amazon.

4. Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum

Why use a primer and a serum separately when you can get both benefits in one product? This luxurious primer serum from Hourglass is packed with skincare benefits to nourish your skin while at the same time preparing it for a flawless makeup application.

Formulated with a lightweight, botanical oil blend, the Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum can be used at night to deeply moisturise your skin, or before makeup to create a smooth and radiant canvas that keeps your makeup looking fresh and glowy all day long.

Hourglass Nº 28 Primer Serum retails for SGD108 (30ml), available at Sephora.

5. NARS Radiance Primer SPF35/PA+++

While wearing two layers of sunscreen won’t give you twice as much sun protection, it’s always good to use more than products with added SPF during the day to make sure you don’t miss out any part on your face.

The NARS Radiance Primer contains encapsulated sunscreen beads that burst upon contact to provide broad spectrum sun protection of SPF35/PA+++ and a soft, pearlescent finish to your skin. The formula is also packed with antioxidants to protect your skin from external aggressors and maintain its healthy glow.

NARS Radiance Primer SPF35/PA+++ retails for SGD66 (30ml), available at Sephora.

6. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer

Fenty Beauty rarely does wrong and the Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer is yet another winner in their range of base products.

Containing Grape Seed Oil and Sodium Hyaluronate, this hydrating primer absorbs instantly and softens dry patches on your skin, so your foundation can go on smoothly without flaking or settling into fine lines.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Hydrating Primer retails for SGD48 (32ml), available at Sephora.

7. Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer

For the K-beauty enthusiasts out there, the Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer is one of the best Korean primers for dry skin with enlarged pores.

The lightweight, silky texture fills in your pores and fine lines for a smooth application of makeup. The formula also contains green tea extracts and soluble collagen to repair your skin from within and bring back the natural healthy glow.

Touch In Sol No Poreblem Primer retails for USD15.80 (30ml), available on Amazon.

8. Benefit The POREfessional Hydrate Face Primer

We have all heard of the original Benefit The POREfessional Primer, but did you know they recently launched a hydrating version for the dry-skin gals out there, too?

The POREfessional Hydrate Face Primer combines the much-loved pore-blurring effect of the original primer and a hydrating formula containing Hyaluronic Acid and Shea Butter to give you soft, smooth skin that stays hydrated up to 12 hours!

Benefit The POREfessional Hydrate Face Primer retails for SGD56 (22ml), available at Sephora.

9. Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer

An oldie but a goodie, the Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer is a solid, fuss-free primer to effectively combat dry skin and prevent your foundation from looking flaky or cakey.

The creamy formula deeply moisturises the skin and softens the skin while the silky texture smooths out any dry, rough patches. The result is a smooth canvas for your makeup with a soft glow that stays throughout the day.

Make Up For Ever Skin Equalizer Hydrating Primer retails for SGD70 (30ml), available at Sephora.

10. Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow Primer

One of the best primers for dry, mature skin, the Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow Primer doubles as a skin-brightening treatment to bring back the youthful, glowy look to your skin.

Containing Pearlescent Pigments, Green Algae Extract and Vitamin B3, this powerful primer does everything from moisturising, colour-correcting, improving skin texture and evening out skin tone. You can look forward to brighter, smoother and younger-looking skin after four weeks!

Charlotte Tilbury Brightening Youth Glow Primer retails for SGD86 (40ml), available at Sephora.

11. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

The ultimate solution for dry and dehydrated skin, the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water is a 3-in-1 primer, setting spray and hydrating mist. It contains electrolytes that can instantly replenish the level of hydration in your skin.

Use it before makeup to give your skin a dewy finish or use it throughout the day to refresh your skin whenever it feels tight and needs a little pick-me-up.

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water retails for SGD22 (30ml), available at Sephora.

12. Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating

Silicone-based primers can sometimes feel heavy and clog your pores, causing breakout. If this is your concern, definitely check out the Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating. It has a water-based, silicone-free formula that is lightweight and breathable yet still moisturising.

It contains Marine Hydra Botanicals to infuse your skin with moisture while the Olive Extract creates a barrier that helps prevent moisture loss. Together these two ingredients will keep your skin soft, supple and well-moisturised all day!

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer – Hydrating retails for SGD70 (50ml), available at Sephora.

13. Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer

If you love the hydrating power of coconut water, you will love the Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer, infused with five types of coconut extracts.

This intensely hydrating primer instantly soothes dry skin so makeup can go on more smoothly and stay in place for longer. The coconut extracts also provide your skin with essential vitamins and nutrients to nourish it from the inside for a smoother and brighter complexion. One of the best primers for dry skin out there? You bet!

Marc Jacobs Under(cover) Perfecting Coconut Face Primer retails for SGD69 (30ml), available at Sephora.

14. Dior Backstage Face & Body Primer

This universal promises to give your skin a radiant yet matte finish. Confused? Well, here’s the magic.

This primer contains mattifying powders to soak up the sebum from your skin for a shine-free finish. At the same time, the light-reflecting micro-pigments give the skin its radiant natural glow. Even better, the formula contains a high concentration of glycerin and shea butter to moisture and hydrate the skin from within to prevent dry, flaky skin.

Dior Backstage Face & Body Primer retails for SGD59 (30ml), available at Sephora.

15. First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer

This two-in-one moisturiser and makeup primer is formulated with superfood ingredients that doesn’t just smooth out skin but also hydrate your skin. It contains light-reflecting micro-pearls to give your skin a dewy radiance that looks healthy. The natural coconut scent it comes with is definitely a sweet bonus.

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer retails for SGD48 (50ml), available at Sephora.

16. Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra-Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray

We already know that Urban Decay has a range of amazing primping sprays, the trickier part – finding one that’s suited for your skin.

We recommend this invigorating spray that doesn’t just visibly reduces the appearance of pores and smooths skin, it also replaces lost moisture – perfect for those with dry skin.

Spray it before makeup to prep your skin and anytime you need a hydration boost. Use it as often as you want, because it’s enriched with skin-loving ingredients like vitamin B3, Sepitonic M3, and coconut water so you could never overdo it.

Urban Decay Quick Fix Hydra-Charged Complexion Prep Priming Spray retails for SGD50 (full size) and SGD22 (travel size), available at Sephora.

17. Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist 4-in-1 Setting Mist

This hydrating setting spray acts as both a face mist and primer to restore your skin’s natural radiance and hydration, and promises to extend makeup wear for up to 12 hours.

Infused with antioxidants to shield skin from environmental aggressors, the skin-loving mist refreshes skin while minimising the appearance of pores, redness, and puffiness – no wonder reviewers say that this is one of the best primers for dry skin in the market.

Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist 4-in-1 Setting Mist retails for SGD38 (75ml, full size) and SGD20 (30ml, travel size), available at Sephora.

18. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer

While this primer delivers a matte finish, it is infused with Hyaluronic Acid to make sure that it keeps your skin’s moisture locked in for more hydrated skin. The colour-correcting primer for dry skin can be used on the entire face, including eyelids and lip contours. You’d love how easily it glides onto your skin and how it leaves your skin feeling comfortable and smooth.

By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra Primer retails for SGD90 (40ml), available at Sephora.

Featured Image credits: Meg Says, Escentual