Best Clear Foundation Primers of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 5, 2025

* We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Foundation primers are a must-have for anyone who wants to achieve a flawless makeup look. These clear primers are designed to be applied before foundation, creating a smooth and even base for makeup application. They help to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and other imperfections, while also helping to extend the wear time of your foundation. Clear foundation primers are perfect for all skin tones and types, as they do not add any additional color or texture to the skin. They are a great addition to any makeup routine and can help to create a long-lasting, flawless finish.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

BODYOGRAPHY - Foundation Primer: Anti-Aging, Moisturizing, and Safe-to-use Cover #TOP 1
BODYOGRAPHY - Foundation Primer: Anti-Aging, Moisturizing, and Safe-to-use
ftb score rating icon 9.9
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer Cover #TOP 2
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.8
W7 Prime Magic Face Primer Cover #TOP 3
W7 Prime Magic Face Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Clear Foundation Primers

BODYOGRAPHY - Foundation Primer: Anti-Aging, Moisturizing, and Safe-to-use

BD-FD-7050
Cranberry
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
BODYOGRAPHY - Foundation Primer: Anti-Aging, Moisturizing, and Safe-to-use Cover
BODYOGRAPHY - Foundation Primer (Clear): Flawless Anti-Aging Salon Makeup Primer w/Vitamin E, A, Jojoba, Grapeseed Oil | Control Shine | Gluten-Free, Cruelty-Free, 1 oz.

Get the perfect makeup base with BODYOGRAPHY Foundation Primer. The clear tone and lightweight silicone-based formula are perfect for all skin types, neutralizing your skin tone and smoothing out the look of fine lines and pores while prolonging your foundation's wear. The primer also moisturizes and rejuvenates your skin with Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter, leaving a natural glow and creamy base. What's more, the product is free from harmful parabens, gluten, lead, and talc, making it a safe and vegan-friendly option you can trust.

What We Like
Clear tone for all skin types
Moisturizes and rejuvenates with Jojoba Oil and Shea Butter
Safe-to-use formula free from harmful parabens, gluten, lead, and talc

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer Cover
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer, Vegan Face Primer - Clear

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Studio Perfect Primer is a vegan face primer that creates a smooth matte surface for foundation and prolongs the wear of your makeup. It is available in three shades: clear, lavender, and green. The clear primer covers fine lines and large pores, the lavender primer brightens and illuminates yellow undertones, and the green primer eliminates redness. The formula is easily absorbed, ensuring the longevity of your makeup. It is cruelty-free and certified by PETA.

What We Like
Vegan formula
Comes in 3 shades for color correction
Creates a smooth matte surface for foundation
Prolongs the wear of your makeup
Cruelty-free and certified by PETA
#TOP 3

W7 Prime Magic Face Primer

W7
W7-169488
Clear
W7 Prime Magic Face Primer Cover
W7 Prime Magic Face Primer - Clear Makeup Base Priming Formula For Flawless Skin - Vegan Makeup

Introducing the W7 Face Primer, a professional quality makeup primer designed in London. This clear, light formula effortlessly glides over your skin, minimizing pores, blemishes, and imperfections. Say goodbye to uneven skin surfaces and hello to a flawless complexion. Not only does this primer create a smooth canvas for your makeup, but it also helps your makeup stay in place for longer, reducing fine lines. Apply a pea-sized amount after moisturizer and before foundation, blending it evenly with your fingertips. With its cruelty-free and safe-for-sensitive-skin formula, the W7 Face Primer is a must-have for women and teens of all ages who love high-quality cosmetics.

What We Like
Minimizes pores
Creates a smooth canvas
Helps makeup stay in place
#TOP 4

Wet n Wild Prime Focus Impossible Primer

1111905
Clear
Wet n Wild Prime Focus Impossible Primer Cover
wet n wild Impossible Primer Stick, Enriched with Gooseberry & Jeju Blossom for a Brightening Durable Makeup Base, Vegan & Cruelty-Free-Clear

Wet n Wild Prime Focus Impossible Primer is a foundation primer that provides a perfect base for makeup, with a matte finish that works well for both natural and creative makeup styles. It also contains skin-loving ingredients like Gooseberry and Jeju Blossom Extract to naturally brighten your skin, while deeply hydrating it to keep it moisturized under makeup. The product is cruelty-free, as are all wet n wild products.

What We Like
Provides a perfect base for makeup
Naturally brightens the skin with skin-loving ingredients
Intensely hydrating to keep skin calm and moisturized
Matte finish smooths out complexion and blurs lines
Cruelty-free

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer

1114753
Partners in Prime
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer Cover
wet n wild Face Primer Photo Focus Matte Face Primer Clear Partners in Prime

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte Face Primer is a lightweight spray that acts as a primer to create a smooth base for any foundation. It evens out the skin tone while filling in pores and blurring imperfections, leaving a gorgeous matte finish. The weightless formula utilizes the power of Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to keep the skin feeling fresh and hydrated. Moreover, it extends makeup wear and is cruelty-free.

What We Like
Creates a smooth base for any foundation
Helps to keep shine at bay
Utilizes the power of Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to keep the skin feeling fresh and hydrated
Extends makeup wear
Cruelty-free

Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer

309976150000
Clear
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer Cover
Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer, 1 Fl Oz, Clear

Almay Smart Shade CC Luminous Primer is a foundation primer that comes in #100 Clear shade, providing a luminous finish and broad spectrum SPF 15 protection. It is dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, and can soften and smooth the skin.

What We Like
Provides broad spectrum SPF 15 protection
Can soften and smooth the skin
Has a luminous finish
#TOP 7

LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Spackle Super-Size Primer

0107-0025016
02 Original
2 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Spackle Super-Size Primer Cover
LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Spackle Primer - Original - Super-Size 2 Fl Oz - Hyaluronic Acid Makeup Primer for Mature Skin

LAURA GELLER NEW YORK Spackle Super-Size Primer is a clear makeup primer that creates a smooth canvas for improved foundation application and wear. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula is perfect for normal to combination skin types. The primer is formulated with good-for-you ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and antioxidant botanicals that brighten and replenish skin for a healthier, suppler complexion. It is easy to apply and can be worn with or without makeup.

What We Like
Long-lasting makeup
Non-greasy formula
Good-for-you ingredients
#TOP 8

COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Makeup Primer

46200002772
PRIMER
1 Ounce (Pack of 1)
COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Makeup Primer Cover
COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Makeup Primer

COVERGIRL Outlast All-Day Makeup Primer prepares your skin for makeup application by hiding pores and reducing the look of imperfections. It extends the wear of your regular foundation for a long-lasting look. The clear, translucent formula works for any skin color and won't clog pores or irritate sensitive skin. Plus, it is cruelty-free and never tested on animals.

What We Like
Prepares skin for makeup application
Extends the wear of foundation
Clear, translucent formula fits any skin color
Safe for sensitive skin and won't clog pores
Cruelty-free and never tested on animals
#TOP 9

Bodyography Clear Foundation Primer

Bodyography Clear Foundation Primer Cover
Foundation Primer - Clear by Bodyography for Women - 0.53 oz Primer

The Bodyography Clear Primer is designed to create an ideal canvas for your makeup. It provides a transparent layer that smooths out your skin, making it easier to apply foundation seamlessly. By minimizing the appearance of pores and fine lines, it helps you achieve a more polished look. This primer also ensures your makeup stays put throughout the day, so you can feel confident without frequent touch-ups. Plus, it features a hydrating formula that caters to all skin types, whether you have dry or oily skin, without feeling greasy.

What We Like
Smooths skin texture
Minimizes pores and lines
Long-lasting hold
Hydrating for all skin types
Lightweight and non-greasy
#TOP 10

Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer

0041554097993
Clear
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer Cover
Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer, Hydrating Makeup Primer with 2% Niacinamide For Up To 24HR Make Up Wear, Clear, 1 Count

The Maybelline Grippy Primer is designed for long-lasting wear, gripping your makeup for up to 24 hours. Its unique Serum-To-Grip technology transforms from a fresh serum into a sticky texture, ensuring your makeup stays in place. This water-based formula includes 2% Niacinamide, providing hydration and a plumped skin appearance. You’ll appreciate that it applies smoothly without leaving a greasy residue or white cast, making it suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. It layers well with various makeup products, giving you a perfect canvas for any look.

What We Like
Long-lasting wear
Hydrating formula
No greasy residue
Suitable for all skin types
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does clear makeup primer do?

Primers are the photoshop of the makeup world. They're used underneath eyeshadow, foundation, tinted moisturizer, and mascara to create a smoothing effect that enhances makeup coverage and helps your makeup stay on longer — all while targeting concerns like oily or dry skin.

2. Which Foundation Primer is the best?

The best primer for you. Best overall: Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer.Best multitasker: MAC Prep and Prime Fix+ Primer and Setting Spray.Best value: Elf Hydrating Face Primer.Best for blurring pores: Rare Beauty Pore Diffusing Primer.Best for oily skin: It Cosmetics Your Skin but Better Makeup Primer+

3. What is the difference between primer and foundation primer?

Differences Between Primer and Foundation While a primer is used to help makeup last longer, reduce transfers, ensure an even application and produce a smoother surface, a foundation is used to create a smooth and even complexion, while also hiding blemishes and redness.

4. Are foundation primers necessary?

If your foundation is sitting well on top of your skin, you don't need a primer. However, if you have oily skin or big pores, you can use a mattifying primer to help smooth out the skin. If you have dry skin, you can use a hydrating primer. For dull skin, a luminizing primer is a great option.

Editor's Notes

During our clear foundation primer research, we found 48 clear foundation primer products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 130,502 customer reviews through our big data system to write the clear foundation primers list. We found that most customers choose clear foundation primers with an average price of $10.84.

The clear foundation primers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of clear foundation primers, including Bodyography, NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP, W7, wet n wild, Almay. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 4,523 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.