Let me tell you now, if you have dry or dehydrated skin like me, then you need to have hydrating primers on your radar. Why? Well, because you'll know the struggle of getting your makeup to last all too well, especially throughout the autumn and winter seasons. With the chilly temperatures, harsh winds and frosty air fighting to pull moisture from my skin and its barrier, I find that my foundation becomes extremely flaky and patchy. But the product that can help the most with this? The hydrating primer, of course.
Whether you prefer an I-woke-up-like-this makeup look or a full face of glam, a primer plays a crucial role in creating a smooth canvas for your products to adhere to and last all day. There are plenty of primers on the market at the moment that claim to be the best primer for dry skin, but let’s be real, we’ve all probably felt the disappointment of purchasing one that ends up dehydrating skin instead.
Well, never fear, as I sat down with professional makeup artist Jane Richardson to get answers to my burning questions on how to choose the best hydrating primers for glowy and healthy-looking makeup that will last all day. Here's what she had to say.
What Does a Primer Actually Do?
Richardson says, "A primer prepares the skin for makeup application. Primarily, it works to improve the texture of the skin, making sure that the surface is as smooth and even as possible so that your complexion products glide on, look incredible and last. Next, with key ingredients, they can target specific concerns such as oil control, blurring fine lines, reducing redness, softening the appearance of pores and increasing radiance on the skin." For serious skin radiance, look towards illuminating primers.
Should People With Dry and Dehydrated Skin Use a Primer?
"Yes! When the skin is dry and dehydrated, you will see more textural issues, more visible fine lines, as well as an overall lack of radiance. Any moisture from the foundation will simply be taken on by the skin, leaving the pigment sitting on the top looking cakey and patchy. With the use of a targeted primer, you can bring back radiance as well as create a hydrated surface that allows the complexion products to better adhere to."
What Hydrating Primers Are Best?
"I would recommend a water-based primer with moisturising properties, as it will feel lightweight and breathable. Skin can often be prone to sensitivity simply because it is dry, and silicone-based formulas, whilst excellent primers for oily skin as they smooth and fill in fine lines, can, for some people, cause more irritation and dryness long term."
What Ingredients Should a Hydrating Primer Contain?
"Look for hyaluronic acid as it is a powerful humectant helping to attract and retain essential moisture, and glycerin as it is also key for drawing in moisture as well as soothing and calming. Other key ingredients to look for would be squalane, ceramides, peptides and tocopherol (vitamin E)."
With that information in mind, I went on the hunt to find the best hydrating primers to leave my makeup looking glowy and dewy all day. Keep scrolling if you, too, are interested in finding out which hydrating primers are best for winter 2025 and beyond.
Best Hydrating Primers 2025
1. Best Overall Hydrating Primer: Erborian Skin Hero Perfector, £38
2. Best Hydrating Primer for Mature Skin: By Terry Hydra-Primer, £45
3. Best Hydrating Primer for Sensitive Skin: Merit Great Skin Moisturizer, £34
4. Best Luxury Hydrating Primer: Dior 24hr Hydration Forever Glow Veil, £44
5. Best Affordable Hydrating Primer: Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer, £11
1. Erborian Skin Hero Bare Skin Perfector. £38
Key Ingredients: Korean white ginseng complex
Richardson says, "With Erborian's Glow Creme being a staple in my kit for a few years now, I introduced the Erborian Skin Hero to my kit, and it didn’t disappoint. It's a lovely lightweight texture that smooths and blurs, without drying out the skin whilst also delivering anti-inflammatory benefits."
2. By Terry Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
I don't have mature skin, but I often find myself turning to mature-skin primer recommendations due to the crossover of ingredients and formulas that help to boost the skin’s hydration. A powerful smoother and rich in antioxidants, By Terry’s Hyaluronic Hydra-Primer helps to create an even base for makeup, making it ideal for mature skin types.
3. Merit Beauty Great Skin Moisturizer
Key Ingredients: Great skin™ complex (peptides, spermidine, barrier polysaccharide), oat extract, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, biomimetic emulsifier.
Dehydrated and sensitive skin often go hand in hand, so it’s important to find primers with ingredients that are soothing and won’t irritate your face. Merit’s Great Skin moisturiser is pH-balancing to help support a healthy skin barrier, as well as oat extract to soothe, and the Great Skin™ complex to firm the skin. Not to mention that it's fragrance-free, which is always a plus for sensitive skin.
4. Dior 24hr Hydration Forever Glow Veil
Key Ingredients: Natural-origin hyaluronic acid, red hibiscus extract, wild pansy extract.
I love a beauty buy on a budget most of the time; however, every so often, a pricier product comes along that feels well worth the extra splurge. Dior’s Forever Glow Veil is a radiance primer that promises 24-hour hydration. Composed of 97% natural-origin ingredients, including 100% natural-origin hyaluronic acid, the serum-based primer refines texture, illuminates the skin and leaves a smooth base for makeup that lasts all day.
5. Maybelline The Grippy Serum Makeup Primer
Key Ingredients: 2% niacinamide, panthenol, glycerin
Richardson says, "This one was a surprise as it came through my door unexpectedly one day, and something I wouldn’t have thought of looking at before I tried it. Maybelline's Grippy Serum Primer hydrated and plumped my skin and kept my complexion looking great all day. It contains niacinamide to boost hydration, reduce moisture loss, and support a healthy skin barrier. But the best part? The price point!"
6. Fenty Beauty Grip Trip Hydrating Primer
Key Ingredients: Maple sap extract, butterfly lavender extract
If you have dry or dehydrated skin, then you’ll be grateful for a primer that both preps the face for makeup and provides you with the benefits of skincare as well. Formulated with maple sap and butterfly lavender extract to help hydrate and plump the skin, Fenty’s Grip Trip Hydrating Primer is described as a “dual-action skincare and primer swirl”. The best part? It resists sweat and humidity, making it perfect for any and every occasion.
7. NARS Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer
Key Ingredients: Double hyaluronic acid, squalane, peptides
Richardson says, "Nars Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer does everything that you want a primer to do, and brings a wonderful radiance to the skin. Not to mention that it's great for those who work at computers all day, as it contains ingredients that shield your skin from blue light."
8. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, shea butter, rice bran, rosa gallica flower extract
If you’re on the hunt for a hydrating formula, then you’re most likely after a glowy finish that still looks natural, and Armani Beauty’s Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer will do just that. It takes the same candlelit approach to luminosity as the brand's cult Luminous Silk Foundation, and delivers a gloriously smoothing base while it's at it. It truly is one of the best primers around.
9. Refy Glow & Sculpt Primer
Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, glycerin, vitamin E
If you want all of the glow without the glitter, Refy’s Glow & Sculpt Primer was created to give you a glowing, glass-skin finish. This serum-based formula comes with a roller applicator to smooth and brighten the skin as well as reduce puffiness, extending your makeup’s longevity for up to 8 hours. My tip? I keep it in the fridge for a cooling and soothing effect whenever I use it.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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