Top 5 Best Primers For Acne Scars In 2023:
- E.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer
- Touch In Sol No PoreBlem Primer
- Benefit PoreFessional Primer
- NYX Pore Filler Primer
- Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
What Primers To Use To Conceal Acne Scars?
If you are a beauty enthusiast then you know the importance of primer. Primer basically works as a base coat for your face. It is the first layer of makeup you apply after you have moisturized. Primer can be helpful in many well-known ways, which we will tell you more about in a little bit, but did you know that primer can also help to conceal acne scars?
We all have them, those pesky dark spots and indentations that throw off our look. Well, using a good primer can help to fill in and conceal those spots, leaving you with a beautifully refined complexion.
In this article, we will provide you with our picks for some of the best primers that you can use to help with acne scars. We will also give you a quick rundown on primer, why you should use it, and how you can choose the best one for you.
Detailed Reviews: 5 Best Primers For Acne Scars In 2023
There are thousands of products on the market that can help you to achieve the look you want. Check out these great picks and afterward, we’ll tell you which ones we like the best.
1. E.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer
E.l.f. is dedicated to creating products that you can feel good about using. Their makeup is cruelty-free and vegan, so also guilt-free. This primer is also free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates, so it is safe enough for those with sensitive skin.
This primer is designed to help you achieve a smooth base on which to apply your foundation. It helps to fill in uneven areas, such as scars, and minimize the look of pores. It will also help to increase the longevity of your makeup, helping your makeup to look good all day.
One of the best benefits of this primer is that not only will it help your skin look good on the outside, it will also protect and hydrate so your skin will look good under the makeup as well. It contains grape extract and Vitamins A, C, and E to nourish your skin and give you a natural glow.
You can use this primer as a base for your full makeup regime, or as a simple moisturizer and concealer for light days. Since it is non-drying and nourishing, it is great for everyday wear. The small price tag also makes this a great choice for everyday use.
Highlights:
- Cruelty-Free
- Paraben and Sulfate-Free
- Safe for Sensitive Skin
- Nourishing
2. NYX Pore Filler Primer
NYX has an entire line of professional-grade makeup that won’t break your budget and, happily, this primer is part of that line. Not only is it a professional grade primer, but it is also totally within the budget. It is designed to help fill in large pores and decrease oil, so this is an awesome choice for those of us who are still fighting the shine.
This product is talc and oil-free, so it is the perfect base for your matte makeup looks. It is designed to go on easily and evenly, so you have a smooth canvas on which to work your magic.
Since it is full of vitamin E, a vitamin that encourages healing, this primer will help you on your quest to having healthier skin that will look good with or without makeup. NYX is also a cruelty-free company, so you can look good and feel good when you choose this primer.
As the name implies, Pore Filler is designed to help conceal large pores, giving your skin a more even look. It also goes on clear, so even those with darker complexions can use it without looking ghosty. If you have trouble with oil and large pores then this is definitely the choice for you.
Highlights:
- Professional Grade
- Decreases Oil
- Oil and Talc-Free
- Cruelty-Free
- Conceals Large Pores
3. Touch In Sol No PoreBlem Primer
Creating a primer that decreases oil without being overly drying can be a challenge, but Touch In Sol did it with their No PoreBlem Primer. This hydrating, gel-like primer works to decrease sebum while still keeping your skin healthy and protected.
Made with a combination of green tea extract and soluble collagen, this primer helps to energize your skin, giving you a healthy glow. It is designed to smooth away the look of fine lines and wrinkles as well as fill in large pores.
As a base for your favorite foundation, No PoreBlem creates a velvety canvas that will keep your makeup in place all day. It is lightweight too, allowing your skin to breathe and feel fresh and clean. The collagen in it also helps to improve the elasticity of your skin, so it hides wrinkles and helps to decrease them at the same time.
This primer has a light and airy texture that is comfortable enough to be worn alone or as the base for even your most elaborate makeup routine. It is also cruelty-free and vegan which just adds to the beauty of it. It also comes in a full 1oz bottle for a moderate price, so you will not have to replenish as often and it won’t be too painful when you do.
Highlights:
- Controls Oil
- Green Tea Extract
- Contains Collagen
- Evens Out Fine Lines and Wrinkles
- Cruelty-Free and Vegan
4. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Maybelline is well-known for creating quality makeup that everyone can use and afford, so it is not surprising that they would make it onto our list of great primers. Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is the perfect primer for those who struggle with large pores that are difficult to conceal.
This primer was designed to smooth away the look of pores, blemishes, and scars, leaving behind a velvety finish that is the perfect base for your makeup routine. When combined with one of Maybelline’s steller foundations or powders, you are sure to achieve the complexion you want.
You can also use this primer by itself, for a clean, smooth, even-textured look that will last all day. And even though this product is meant to last, it is also easy to remove. Simply cleanse your face with a little micellar water and you are good to go.
This is the least expensive product on our list, per ounce, and you can find it pretty much anywhere that makeup is sold, so it is easy to find and within anyone’s budget.
Highlights:
- Conceals Large Pores
- Helps Cover Blemishes and Scars
- Use Alone or With Makeup
- Easy to Remove
5. Benefit PoreFessional Primer
When Benefit decided to call this product PoreFessional, they were not kidding. This translucent, lightweight primer is designed to make your skin smoother than smooth, meaning that it evens out scars, blemishes, fine lines, and wrinkles. This product will leave your skin perfectly primed for the day, no matter how much or how little makeup you feel like wearing.
Infused with Vitamin E, this primer will protect and nourish your skin while helping you to look your best. It is light, silky, and can be used under or over makeup. You can apply it right after your moisturizer, like you would any other primer, to hold your makeup in place. Or, you can use it on top of your makeup to touch-up problem areas.
This primer is also oil-free, so it will not add unwanted oils that could clog your pores. You can use this product alone, over your entire face, or just on problem areas if you want to go with a minimalistic look. Basically, however you want to use your primer, PoreFessional will do the job.
This product is a little on the pricey side, compared to our other picks, but sometimes the benefits outweigh the cost. One plus is that it is available in a mini size if you want to try it out without buying an entire tube.
Highlights:
- Lightweight
- Contains Vitamin E
- Conceals Pores
- Oil-Free
- Multi-use
Why Prime?
Since you have read our list of great products, you have probably already picked up on a few of the great benefits of using a primer. As we mentioned in the beginning, it is the base coat for your face, so it acts as a shield. That thin layer of coverage can protect your skin from foreign particles and pollution. It can also serve to protect your skin from other makeup products that may stain or harm your skin
Primer helps to hold your makeup in place, preventing smudging, creasing, and fading. And as you now know, it also helps to smooth out your complexion, filling in scars and fine lines and concealing large pores. It creates a clean smooth surface on which you can apply your makeup with ease.
Some primers can also work to even out the color of your skin. If you struggle with redness or dark under-eye circles, a good primer can work as a color corrector. This will even out your skin tone and decrease the amount of concealer you need.
You may have noticed that many of these products can be used alone. This is the perfect option for those who do not want to wear a lot of makeup but still want a smooth complexion. Since primers are designed to stay in place, you do not have to put anything over it to keep your skin looking smooth. Simply apply your chosen primer over your entire face or just problem areas. It will minimize pores and even out texture, leaving you with a smooth natural look.
How To Choose The Best Primer For Acne Scars
There are a few things you should keep in mind when you are choosing a primer.
1. What Do You Need?
The first thing you need to determine is what you need your primer to do. If you need something thicker that will fill in larger areas, then you would want to choose something like the products we have listed here, such as NYX’s Pore Filler. Since this is a primer specifically designed to help with large pores and scars. If you are just looking for something to hold your makeup in place, you may want to choose something a little more lightweight.
Also, remember to choose according to your skin type. If you have dry skin, avoid anything that says it helps with oil because it will dry your skin out even more. If you have acne-prone skin, read on because we have a bit to say about that.
2. Know Your Ingredients
This is a very important thing to consider when making your choice. If your skin is prone to breakouts then you need to avoid products that have a lot of talcs, oils, and/or parabens. All of these ingredients can clog your pores and only make the problem worse. You would also want to avoid anything that has alcohol in it. Although alcohol helps to remove oil, it is also very drying which then makes your skin create more oil to compensate.
Another ingredient that you should try to avoid if you have particularly acne-prone skin is silicone. You have probably heard that before, but how do you know which products have silicone and which don’t? Thankfully, many companies are now listing it on their packaging if they are free of these ingredients because it is such a good selling point. But, just in case your favorite makeups don’t say one way or the other, here are a few names you can look for on the ingredient lists:
- Amodimethicone
- Cyclomethicone
- Dimethicone
- Methicone
- Trimethicone
Keep in mind that these ingredients are in A LOT of skin products, even some high-quality ones. The reason so many primers have silicones in them is that these ingredients work really well for filling in scars and pores and because they are inexpensive. In fact, all the primers on our list have silicones in them.
That does not mean you should avoid these products completely or immediately throw away everything in your makeup box. You should simply be aware of what you are using and make your product selections accordingly. If you are prone to breakouts, just know that these ingredients can make your symptoms worse.
And, of course, if you do choose to use these products, just make sure you use a quality makeup remover and never go to bed with makeup on your skin. Take care of your skin and you will have a natural glow that will only be enhanced by the right products.
Things to Watch For:
- Oils
- Talc
- Parabens
- Silicones
3. Desirable Ingredients
Now let’s talk about the ingredients that you would definitely want to see in your primer. Look for products that are hydrating and nourishing, such as e.l.f’s Hydrating Face Primer. Products like this give your skin the moisture and nourishment it needs so that it can heal itself and not produce excessive oil. Look for products that are heavy on the vitamins and minerals and light on the filler ingredients.
You will find that many of the natural products are more expensive. This is because manufacturing products with silicones is a lot cheaper than using minerals, but there are good products out there. You just have to know what you are looking for and do a little research.
Expert Tip: Once you have chosen a primer, make sure you avoid foundations and powders that contain shimmery elements. Shimmery makeup can add shine that enhances uneven skin. Choose a matte foundation to go with your primer, it will result in a smooth velvety-looking complexion.
Things You Want to See On the Label:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Hydrating Elements
Our Favs Primers For Acne Scars
Knowing all the great benefits of these products, you are probably still wondering which one you should choose. Well, don’t worry, we’ve already picked our favorites.
- Best Overall: e.l.f Hydrating Face Primer. This one gets top billing because not only is it free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, it is also cruelty-free and vegan. It is safe for sensitive skin, works on all skin tones, and evens out acne scars with ease. It also has the moisture and vitamins that we want in a good primer.
- Best Budget Pick: This was a toss-up since all of our picks were moderately priced. Since e.l.f. won best overall, we had to go with Touch In Sol for the budget pick. This primer comes in a 1oz bottle, which is nearly twice the size of the other products, and still at a very reasonable price. It is also hydrating, lightweight, and cruelty-free.
- Runner Up: Our runner up for best choice has to be Benefit’s PoreFessional. It is multi-use, great for touch-ups, and creates that even-textured complexion that you are looking for. The only reason it didn’t get the top pick is because of the price-point, but even that is not too bad for such a great product.
Conclusion
Acne scars can be frustrating, but you are not suffering alone, many of us are dealing with the same issues. That is why we created this list for you. Keep in mind that each person is different, and what works for some may not work for others.
Do not be discouraged if it takes a little time to find the perfect primer, there is one out there for you! We hope that this information has given you the knowledge and the confidence you need to get out there and find the right primer for you.