These primers are lightweight formulas and act as an ideal makeup base. They block the oil coming out of the pores and offer smoother and even skin. They also concentrate on textures, color correctness, hydration, and dullness. In addition, these earth-friendly primers have a non-greasy formula. While finding the right cruelty-free primer can be tricky when countless brands are available in the market, we have your back. In this article, we have listed the 11 best cruelty-free primers according to your skin tone. Keep scrolling to check them out!
11 Best Rated Cruelty-Free Primers – 2022 Update
1. Best Sweat-Proof:Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer
If you have pledged allegiance to K-beauty products and also to invest a few extra bucks, then this cruelty-free Thank Me Later Face Primer from Elizabeth Mott is your best bet. The well-balanced formula of this primer helps you deal with the most frustrating skin woe – pores. In addition, it helps you create the perfect flawless pre-foundation canvas. Besides minimizing pores and fine lines, it renders a silky and super mattifying finish. The primer combats oiliness by controlling sebum levels and gives a crease-free flawless coverage all day without adding extra shine. This cruelty-free brand ensures a perfect look with 100% customer satisfaction. Pros
Sweat-proof Waterproof Non-greasy Long-lasting Lightweight Paraben-free
Cons
Cakey Not very effective on oily skin
2. Best Anti-Aging Formula:Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Makeup Primer
Amp up your look by prepping your face with this Simply Ageless Makeup Primer from Covergirl & Olay. Its unique formulation preps your skin to maximize the results and performs great as a foundation as well. Moreover, it helps combat signs of aging and gives you younger-looking skin instantly. In addition, its super nourishing formula hydrates the skin and makes it plump. It is great for all skin tones. Besides, this cruelty-free anti-aging primer comes in a pump dispenser bottle that provides convenient usage. Pros
Anti-aging Hydrating Nourishing Lightweight
Cons
Greasy Does not last longer Not water-resistant Unpleasant fragrance
3. Best Vitamin-Enriched Formula:e.I.f., Hydrating Face Primer
Take your makeup to the next level with this 100% vegan and cruelty-free Hydrating Face Primer by e.l.f. It offers long-lasting coverage by blurring imperfections, smoothing texture, and hydrating your skin. The primer is infused with grape extract and vitamins A, C, and E – making it a powerful concoction of complexion-boosting formula. It blends well with the skin and fills in pores to leave you with a lovely matte finish. Pros
Paraben-free Phthalate-free Nonylphenol-free Ethoxylate-free Triclosan-free Triclocarban-free Hydroquinone-free
Cons
Unpleasant fragrance Greasy
4. Best Lightweight:Wet N Wild Photo Focus Dewy Face Primer
Prep your skin and minimize its flaws to get a photo-ready look with this Photo Focus Dewy Face Primer from the most trusted beauty brand – Wet N Wild. Create a perfect makeup base with this vegan face prime to boost your glam quotient. Its lightweight formula smooths your skin and holds your makeup for a longer duration. It is infused with pearl pigment and vitamin E that helps moisturize skin and adds glow to your skin. Moreover, this cruelty-free face primer improves your skin texture and offers a studio-ready look instantly! For a more detailed review of this product, here’s a video. Pros
Moisturizing Paraben-free Gluten-free Fragrance-free Vegan
Cons
Too shimmery May look tackey
5. Best Non-Comedogenic:NYX Professional Makeup The Marsh Mellow Primer
Did you know that marshmallows work wonders on your skin to provide a soothing and softening effect? You heard that right! This primer from NYX Professional Makeup is infused with marshmallow root extracts that soften, smoothen, hydrate, and even out your skin tone for up to 16 hours. Its 10-in-1 benefits include blurring fine lines, adding a soft finish, and keeping the makeup fresh and intact. Moreover, this vegan primer is free of toxins and does not cause blocked pores and other skin issues. Know more about this product in this video. Pros
Non-comedogenic Dermatologist-tested Vegan Silicone-free
Cons
Not ideal for oily skin
6. Best Oil-Free:Catrice Cosmetics Prime & Fine Primer
Are you struggling to keep your T-zone free from oiliness? Try out the Prime & Fine primer from Catrice Cosmetics, as it does not add oiliness to your skin. This ultra-light vegan primer accentuates your look without sliding down your makeup. Thanks to its pore-refining and anti-shine features, it controls unwanted shine, hides pores, and creates a great canvas for foundation. In addition, the primer spreads evenly to give a smooth skin with a mattified finish without weighing it down. Pros
Vegan Paraben-free Gluten-free Alcohol-free Oil-free Perfume-free Long-lasting
Cons None
7. Best Long-Lasting:Milani Prime Light Strobing + Pore Minimizing Face Primer
It’s a tricky task to refine and conceal skin imperfections. This Prime Light Strobing + Pore Minimizing Face Primer from Milani has, therefore, got you covered. This helps in blurring fine lines and creates a luminous glow that flatters your looks. Moreover, its vegan formula blends perfectly into the skin and gives a glamorous base for your makeup with its soft-focus pigments. Besides, get an extended makeup wear time with a flawless complexion with this cruelty-free face primer. Pros
Vegan Lightweight Long-lasting Easy to apply
Cons None
8. Best For All Skin Types:Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Give your skin active sun protection while creating the perfect base for a foundation with this Mineral Primer from Hourglass Veil. It brightens your complexion, creates a smooth base, and conceals redness, pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It is enriched with SPF 15 and is a mineral-based formula, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and blemish-prone skin. Its lightweight, silky cloud-like texture blends smoothly and allows the foundation to glide on effortlessly. Moreover, this vegan primer is free from harsh chemicals and is water-repelling, and enables your makeup to last longer. Pros
Vegan Paraben-free Sulfate-free Phthalate-free Nanoparticle-free Fragrance-free Gluten-free Synthetic dye-free Oil-free
Cons None
9. Best Non-Greasy:Fifth & Skin Better’n Ur Skin Mineral Makeup Primer
The Better’n Ur Skin Mineral Makeup Primer from Fifth & Skin checks all boxes since it’s cruelty-free, natural, lightweight, non-greasy, and hydrating. In addition, its formula is packed with nourishing botanical extracts, including aloe vera, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil, rosemary, lavender oil, and others. They work in tandem to hydrate and smoothen your skin. The hydrating features of this primer enhance suppleness, reduce redness, and balance your skin’s pH levels. Its antioxidant-rich properties hide signs of aging and reveal younger-looking skin. It also helps absorb excess oil, thereby creating the perfect makeup base that lasts for 8 to 12 hours. Moreover, the toxin-free primer keeps pores from clogging and reduces skin irritation. Pros
Non-comedogenic Hypoallergenic Gluten-free Paraben-free Fragrance-free GMO-free Preservative-free Talc-free
Cons
May cause breakouts in some
10. Tinted Vegan:Essence My Skin Perfector Tinted Primer
Add a filter to your skin that would buff off your skin imperfections without ripping it dry. This is possible with the My Skin Perfector Tinted Primer from Essence Cosmetics. The mousse-like texture of this primer preps your skin for a flawless look before you put on makeup. This vegan primer’s moisturizing and velvety formula spreads seamlessly to blur your scars, patches, and other blemishes instantly. This cruelty-free product smoothens your skin and leaves it with a natural look that lasts all day. Moreover, this is free from harsh chemicals and comes in six distinctive tinted shades that suit all skin tones. Pros
Matte finish Acetone-free Alcohol-free Paraben-free Oil-free Vegan
Cons None
11. Best For Oily Skin:Beautyblender The Leveler Pore Minimizing Makeup Primer
Create a flawless base for makeup with The Leveler Pore Minimizing Makeup Primer from Beautyblender. This light-medium primer with high-performing silicone smoothens your skin’s texture to give you a professional touch. Its lightweight formula creates a humidity-proof base that stays on all day and night. Besides, it is infused with niacinamide that evens out skin tone and minimizes pores and redness. This vegan primer comes in tan-deep color and is great for normal to oily skin. Pros
Vegan Gluten-free Sulfate-free Phthalate-free Mineral oil-free Formaldehyde-free Oxybenzone-free Coal tar-free Hydroquinone-free Triclosan-free Triclocarban-free Etinyl Palmitate-free
Cons
Contains silicone
The world is becoming more and more conscious in terms of the products it consumes on a daily basis, and the cosmetic industry is happily catering to the wants of many. There is a wide range of options available for cruelty-free primers, and given below are some factors to help you make a choice.
Things To Consider While Buying The Best Cruelty-free Primers
Oily: If you have oily skin, pick a mattifying primer. This will provide a dry base and minimize the shiny, oily appearance of the face.
Dry: Incase of dry skin, choose a primer with moisturizing and hydrating ingredients. Olive oil, hyaluronic acid, and agave leaf extracts neutralize the skin while butters like shea or cocoa offer moisturization. Dewy primers are best suited for dry skin as they make the face glow without making it too shiny.
Sensitive: If your skin is sensitive and prone to breakouts, pick a primer with salicylic acid. This helps treat the problem from inside while giving the face an even texture.
Look for a cruelty-free label and a PETA or Leaping Bunny certification to be sure that the primer uses no animal by-products or test on any. A vegan product is also cruelty-free. Primers form a base and must remain non-cakey and smooth on the skin. Choose a sweat-proof, waterproof, and hypoallergenic formula so that it lasts long without dripping or smudging. Look for a lightweight, non-greasy formula that offers nourishment and is enriched with vitamins A, C, and E. Pick a primer which is free of parabens, phthalates, and silicones and other harmful chemicals. Avoid artificial fragrances and alcohols in your primers as they cause irritation and dryness. Cruelty-free primers are not only beneficial for your skin but also promote our planet’s health. This secret beauty weapon with the cruelty-free formulation is a perfect game-changer for your daily makeup regimen. From a pore minimizing primer from Elizabeth Mott to a blurring primer from Covergirl & Olay, all these primers work great to fix your skin imperfections. Pick your favorite product from the list today!
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup techniques and loves reviewing different makeup products. She has carefully selected these best cruelty-free primers after closely reviewing user reviews and feedback on multiple forums and brand websites. These cruelty-free primers help hydrate the skin, make it plump, and stay on for a long time. Does cruelty-free primer work well with aging skin that has wrinkles? Yes, cruelty-free primers work well with aging skin that has wrinkles. They help fill in your wrinkles and make your skin look smooth. Can we use cruelty-free primers as a lip primer? Yes, you can use cruelty-free primers on your lips. They help you apply lipstick evenly on your lips. Does cruelty-free reduce redness on the face? Yes, cruelty-free primers reduce the redness on your face. Are cruelty-free primers long-lasting? Yes, cruelty-free primers last long and keep your skin hydrated.
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