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Beauty & Personal Care Face Makeup

Best Mattifying Primers

Updated December 2021
BEST OF THE BEST
Dr. Brandt Skincare Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
BEST OF THE BEST
Dr. Brandt Skincare
Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
Expert Recommended
The best matte primer for completely blurring imperfections.
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Pros and Cons

PROS
  • Effectively covers large pores, especially on the nose.
  • Light formula is easy to apply, goes on smoothly without balling or clumping.
  • Keeps oily skin matte throughout the day.
  • Stops foundation and concealer from creasing.
  • Pleasant tea tree oil smell.
CONS
  • Formula tends to emphasize dry, flaky patches of skin.
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Too Faced Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Too Faced
Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer
Matte Finish
A high-quality, long-lasting matte primer with a peachy twist.
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Pros and Cons

PROS
  • Applies smoothly and evenly with a cool, soothing effect on the skin.
  • Smooths out pores and fine lines for a flawless finish.
  • Formula never clings to dry patches and keeps makeup in place all day.
  • Effectively keeps oil in check for a long-lasting matte finish.
CONS
  • Strong peach scent may not appeal to everyone.
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna
Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer
Customer Favorite
The best way to stay matte all day without drying out your skin.
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Pros and Cons

PROS
  • Primer effectively locks makeup in place for all-day staying power.
  • Provides a truly matte finish without drying your skin.
  • Velvet-smooth texture wears well under makeup.
  • Easy-to-apply product has a light, pleasant scent.
CONS
  • When worn on its own, primer can leave a white cast.
Coola Daydream Mineral Primer SPF 30
Coola
Daydream Mineral Primer SPF 30
Most Protective
With SPF 30, this is the best matte primer for sun protection.
Check Price at Sephora View at Sephora

Pros and Cons

PROS
  • Primer has a high SPF for added sun protection.
  • Applies smoothly and evenly, effectively blurring large pores and fine lines.
  • Matte finish is long-lasting.
  • Primer keeps makeup locked in place even on oily skin.
  • A little product goes a long way and blends easily.
CONS
  • Works best under liquid foundations, but struggles with powder ones.
Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
Rimmel
Stay Matte Primer
Best for Everyday Use
With a matte finish formula that controls oil and shine, this primer is ideal for all-day wear.
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Pros and Cons

PROS
  • With a blend of oil-fighting ingredients, this mattifying face primer leaves you with a soft and smooth complexion that makes skin look even, poreless, and shine-free.
  • Great to wear as a base to makeup or on its own, you’ll have an even, velvety skin tone all day long.
CONS
  • Other buyers noticed fragrance in primer was a little strong.
Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

Click here for testing insights
First Reviewed
December 11, 2021
52
Models
considered
12
Hours
researched
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Melinda Harris
Written by Melinda Harris

Updated December 2021

Mattifying primers are applied under foundation to keep makeup matte and in place for long stretches of time. Additionally, applying primer helps to smooth out fine lines and large pores, giving your skin an even, flawless appearance. You can find both water-based and silicone-based primers. A good rule of thumb is to match your products. For example, a water-based primer would not mix well with an oil-based foundation. More often than not, a little bit of primer goes a long way, so even a smaller bottle will last you. Much like foundation, mattifying primers have a shelf life of roughly one and a half to two years.

Our Top Picks
Dr. Brandt Skincare
Best of the Best
Dr. Brandt Skincare
Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
Bottom Line
The best matte primer for completely blurring imperfections.
Shop Now
Too Faced
Best Bang for the Buck
Too Faced
Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer
Bottom Line
A high-quality, long-lasting matte primer with a peachy twist.
Shop Now
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna
Top Pick
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna
Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer
Bottom Line
The best way to stay matte all day without drying out your skin.
Shop Now
Coola
Top Pick
Coola
Daydream Mineral Primer SPF 30
Bottom Line
With SPF 30, this is the best matte primer for sun protection.
Shop Now
Rimmel
Top Pick
Rimmel
Stay Matte Primer
Bottom Line
With a matte finish formula that controls oil and shine, this primer is ideal for all-day wear.
Shop Now
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