Water-Based vs. Silicone-Based Primers: Which Is Right for You?

August 08, 2023

By: Mary Honkus | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

If you’ve ever experienced a foundation mishap, like the formula slipping and sliding all over your face or flaking off, your primer may be to blame. It doesn’t matter how good the foundation is — it will only stay locked in place and look smooth if it’s compatible with the primer you’re using.

Like foundations, face primers are typically water- or silicone-based, and celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman emphasizes the importance of picking the one that will work with your foundation. “If a primer is not compatible with the foundation you use, it will coagulate on your skin, creating a broken finish texture,” she says.

Below, she and Morgan Leigh, makeup artist and representative of Kite Beauty, explain the key differences between the different types of makeup primers and tips for selecting one that will work best for you. We’re also sharing some of our favorite primers to shop now.

Water-Based Primers

What Are Water-Based Primers?

Like other kinds of primers, water-based primers help set your makeup in place so it will last longer and stay looking flawless. When looking for a water-based primer be sure to look at the ingredients — water or glycerin should be one of the top three listed. “I love a water-based primer because it's generally more moisturizing,” notes Leigh.

How to Use Water-Based Primers

Ultimately, the formula of your primer shouldn’t really affect how you apply or use it. “Both silicone- and water-based [primers] are used similarly,” says Leigh. “Before using either, I'd always recommend cleansing your skin with your favorite cleanser, followed by a great moisturizer and then lock all that good stuff in with your primer and create a beautiful canvas for the products to follow (such as foundation or concealers).”

Silicone-Based Primers

What Are Silicone-Based Primers?

“Silicone-based primers have silicone in them to give that blurred effect,” Leigh explains. “It almost adds a layer on your skin to help to blur and fill pores to give a very smooth canvas to the skin, while also helping your makeup to stay in place all day.” As with water-based primers, you can identify a silicone primer by taking a look at the ingredient list: cyclopentasiloxane or dimethicone should be mentioned as one of the top three ingredients.

How to Use Silicone-Based Primers

“You would use a silicone-based primer the same way that you would a water-based primer,” says Leigh. “After you've cleansed and moisturized your skin, you'd then apply it either all over the face or in areas that you'd like to blur, or possibly control shine like your nose or forehead.” Once you’ve laid down your primer base, follow it up with your usual makeup routine.

What's the Difference Between Water-Based and Silicone-Based Primers?

Though it is crucial to make sure your foundation is compatible with your primer, it can also be helpful to understand how water- and silicone-based primers differ and individually benefit the skin. “Water-based primers are best for dry and dehydrated skin — they will last longer and look better on dry skin,” says Dorman. “Whereas silicone-based primers look better on oily skin, as the silicone creates a layer that keeps the oil from breaking through.”

That said, water-based primers will provide you with a more natural look because they “let your skin texture shine through,” says Dorman.

Adds Leigh, “I'd recommend water-based over silicone-based for people who have drier, thirstier skin as silicone will always be more mattifying, which will accentuate dryness.”

If your goal is to create a smoothed-out surface for makeup application, you’ll want to find a silicone-based foundation and primer. “If you're someone who has more oily skin and prefers a more matte, flawless finish, then I’d grab the silicone-based primer as it will give a very blurred, matte skin texture,” says Leigh.

Now that you understand the key differences and what to look for in silicone- and water-based primers, find some of our editor-approved favorites below.

Our Editors’ Favorite Water-Based Primers

NYX Professional Makeup Face Freezie Cooling Primer + Moisturizer

We love a multi-tasking beauty product and this primer from NYX Professional Makeup also serves as a moisturizer thanks to niacinamide and snow mushroom in the formula. It smooths, tightens and sculpts your face while effectively gripping your makeup. Bonus: The cooling feel is so refreshing on hot summer days.

YSL Beauty Nu Glow in Balm

Crafted with shea butter and glycerin, this primer doubles as a moisturizer that can be worn both alone and under makeup. Because it’s infused with light-reflecting pearls, you’ll look naturally dewy throughout the day.

Valentino Beauty V-Lighter Face Base and Highlighter

Available in two shades — Rosa for fair complexions and Ambra for medium to deep complexions — this multipurpose face illuminator works as a primer to smooth skin for makeup application, a highlighter for a subtle glow and as a hydrating facial moisturizer.

Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte Poreless Primer

If you have combination skin and struggle with both oiliness and dryness, consider using the Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte Poreless Primer. A mattifying primer with a water-based formula, it instantly blurs pores and controls shine.

Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer

Don’t be fooled by the sheer, lightweight texture — the Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer is seriously nourishing. Use it as the first step in your makeup routine for fresh-looking glowy skin that will last all day.

Alpyn Beauty Triple Vitamin C Brightening Bounce Cream

Dorman likes to use this brightening cream as a primer because the bouncy texture locks in hydration and boosts elasticity, which allows makeup to go on more seamlessly.