Best Primers, Setting Powders, and Makeup Removers from the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2025

Selecting the right primer, setting powder, or makeup remover can significantly impact your ability to achieve a flawless makeup base while ensuring your skin stays healthy. With the numerous options available, finding the ideal match for your needs can feel daunting.

This is where the Daily Vanity Beauty Awards 2025 comes into play!

We’ve assembled a list of the highest-performing choices across these categories — each tested and appreciated by experts, readers, and our editorial team. No matter your skin concerns or budget, there’s an option here for you.

Best Primers For All Skin Types (Affordable)

Banila Co Prime Primer Classic Expert’s Choice Editor’s Choice

What it does:

This lightweight formula controls excess oil and helps minimise the appearance of pores and fine lines. Clinical tests show that it instantly blurs pores, covering uneven or enlarged ones and leaving a natural matte finish.

Where to purchase:

• Lazada

Innisfree NO SEBUM Blur Primer Reader’s Choice

What it does:

This long-lasting formula offers complete coverage for enlarged pores. It fills in the gaps between pores and fine lines to create a clean and smooth finish.

Where to purchase:

• Shopee

Best Primers For All Skin Types (Premium)

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer Hydrating Expert’s Choice Reader’s Choice

What it does:

This primer is the top pick for dry skin, helping makeup last longer while maintaining hydration. It reduces fine lines and dry patches, boosting moisture retention for a better appearance, even without makeup.

Where to purchase:

• Sephora

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Matte Primer Editor’s Choice

What it does:

This cult-classic primer absorbs oil to give your skin a natural matte finish. It also blurs the appearance of pores for a super smooth application that lasts all day.

Where to purchase:

• Sephora

Best Loose Powder For All Skin Types

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Ultra Blur Tone-Up Expert’s Choice Reader’s Choice Editor’s Choice

 

What it does:

This loose setting powder brightens skin without shine, providing a soft-focus finish and 16-hour wear. Finely milled for a lightweight feel, it helps reduce shadows and reflects light under your eyes. The rosy-pink shade makes skin look soft and livelier.

Where to purchase:

• Sephora

Best Pressed Powder For All Skin Types

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Expert’s Choice Reader’s Choice Editor’s Choice

What it does:

This powder uses skincare ingredients to keep your skin smooth and hydrated and contains light-reflecting pearlescent pigments that brighten your complexion. It can be used alone to reduce oil or set concealer and foundation for long-lasting looks.

Where to purchase:

• Sephora

Best Cleansing Balm For All Skin Types

Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm Expert’s Choice Editor’s Choice

What it does:

This balm transforms into three textures for a deep, powerful cleansing experience. Formulated with nine essential oils including lavender, chamomile and eucalyptus, this will leave your skin feeling nourished, refreshed, and oh-so-soft.

Where to purchase:

• Sephora

Banila Co Clean It Zero Pore Clarifying Cleansing Balm Reader’s Choice

What it does:

This popular pick effectively removes waterproof makeup, impurities, dead skin cells, and excess sebum. The clarifying version, in particular, is a great option for combination and oily skin.

Where to purchase:

• Shopee

Best Cleansing Oil For All Skin Types

Bioderma Sensibio Micellar Cleansing Oil Expert’s Choice

What it does:

Great for sensitive skin, this oil cleanser washes away 98% of makeup, impurities, and sunscreen. Formulated with Double Action Micellar Technology, this gentle option is non-comedogenic and free of fragrance.

Where to purchase:

• Shopee

Shu Uemura Ultime8∞ Sublime Beauty Cleansing Oil Reader’s Choice

What it does:

This luxurious choice is infused with Japanese Tsubaki oil, which deeply cleanses while nourishing skin. It strips away impurities and makeup, including lip products, waterproof makeup, and long-lasting makeup.

Where to purchase:

• Sephora

FANCL MCO Mild Cleansing Oil Editor’s Choice

What it does:

This mild option effectively removes stubborn and waterproof makeup, sunscreen, and keratin plugs, cleaning clogged pores while maintaining the skin barrier, leaving the skin smooth and moisturised. With continued use, it helps minimise pore appearance and improve texture.

Where to purchase:

• Lazada

Best Micellar Water Cleanser For All Skin Types

Bifesta Micellar Cleansing Water Perfect Glow Reader’s Choice

What it does:

Using the power of micellar water, this affordable option improves skin radiance and produces a youthful glow while minimising dullness and uneven skin tone. Infused with Vitamin C, this removes even the smallest impurities on your skin.

Where to purchase:

• Shopee

Meet the Expert Judges

Our panel of pros brought their insider know-how to help us crown the standouts.

• Ginger Lynette, a seasoned makeup artist with a decade-long career, has worked her magic on celebs, brands, and international campaigns. Her mantra? Enhance, not erase.
• Dr Xu Rongrong, aesthetic doctor at The Urban Clinic, believes great skin starts at home with the right products. Her holistic take blends effective routines with in-clinic precision.
• Dr Ang Sue-May, a dual-accredited Consultant Dermatologist and founder of Shine Dermatology, champions long-term skin health over quick fixes—and knows exactly what ingredients deliver.
• Dr Byron Tee, also from The Urban Clinic, specialises in advanced hair and skincare. His focus is subtle enhancements and real, radiant results.
• Kelly Chew, hairstylist at Chez Vous: HideAway, is the queen of low-maintenance Korean textures. With 12 years of experience, she’s mastered the art of effortless hair that lasts.
• Melvin Tseng, makeup artist, producer, and beauty creator, is a creative force who turns bold visions into beauty statements – think avant-garde looks with an editorial edge.