Best Foundation Primer Serums of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

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Foundation primer serums are a must-have for any makeup lover. These lightweight and silky formulas are designed to be applied before foundation, providing a smooth and even base for makeup application. Many primer serums also contain skincare benefits, such as hydrating ingredients and antioxidants, to nourish and protect the skin. They come in a variety of finishes, from matte to dewy, and can help to extend the wear time of foundation. Overall, foundation primer serums are a versatile and beneficial addition to any makeup routine.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer Cover #TOP 1
Maybelline Grippy Serum Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.8
wet n wild Prime Focus Primer Serum Cover #TOP 2
wet n wild Prime Focus Primer Serum
ftb score rating icon 9.7
L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer Cover #TOP 3
L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Foundation Primer Serums

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 makeup hold
Blurs pores and smooths skin
Lightweight, non-greasy texture
Affordable price
Non-irritating for sensitive skin
#TOP 2

wet n wild Prime Focus Primer Serum

1111598
Orange
wet n wild Prime Focus Primer Serum Cover
wet n wild Prime Focus Primer Serum for Face, Hydrating for Dry Skin, Makeup Primer Serum

wet n wild Prime Focus Primer Serum is a hydrating and lightweight water-based serum that prepares and primes your skin for longer-lasting makeup application. The silky, creamy texture creates a perfect canvas, blurs and softens imperfections, and gives your foundation a luminous, flawless finish. The product contains nourishing ingredients, including Rose Water, Camellia Leaf, and Green Tea Extracts. wet n wild is 100% cruelty-free and offers a wide range of vegan products such as foundation, nail polish, contour palettes, lipstick, makeup brushes, and more.

What We Like
Hydrating and lightweight
Blurs and softens imperfections
Nourishing ingredients
100% cruelty-free
Offers a wide range of vegan products

L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer

071249629000
Primer
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer Cover
L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Face Blurring Primer Infused with Caring Serum Smoothes Liners and Pores

Age Perfect Blurring Face Primer by L'Oreal Paris is a foundation primer infused with a caring serum that can be worn alone or with foundation. It instantly smooths the appearance of lines and pores, giving a natural-looking, soft-focus finish. The universal rosy formula is flattering and helps boost healthy looking, radiant skin. It also works to improve skin appearance over time, leaving skin smoother and softer after each use.

What We Like
Smooths fine lines and pores
Lightweight, silky texture
Blurring and softening effect
Long-lasting makeup hold
Ideal for mature skin

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum

086800196341
Trasnparent
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum Cover
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum, Hydrating & Moisturizing Face Serum-to-Primer Hybrid, Infused with Purified Hyaluronic Acid & Designed to Instantly Hydrate, 1.0 fl. oz

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Glow Booster Primer & Serum is a face serum-to-primer hybrid that helps to hydrate dull skin and create a smooth, glowing surface for makeup application. The 1.0 fl. oz formula is infused with purified hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and leave an energized glow. It can be worn alone for its hydrating serum benefits or before applying makeup. This skin-boosting glow serum to primer hybrid is a versatile two-in-one product that bridges the gap between skincare and makeup.

What We Like
Hydrates dull skin and creates a smooth, glowing surface for makeup application
Infused with purified hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture and leave an energized glow
Can be used alone for its hydrating serum benefits or before applying makeup
A versatile two-in-one product that bridges the gap between skincare and makeup
#TOP 5

Neutrogena Radiant Booster Primer & Serum

086800196334
Pink
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Neutrogena Radiant Booster Primer & Serum Cover
Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Booster Primer & Serum, Skin-Evening Serum-to-Primer with Peptides & Pearl Pigments, Evens the Look of Skin's Tone & Smooths Texture, 1.0 fl. oz

The Neutrogena Healthy Skin Radiant Booster Primer & Serum is a skin-evening serum-to-primer with peptides and pearl pigments to boost skin for a healthy and radiant finish. You can wear it before applying makeup to help prep skin and create a smooth, glowing surface for makeup application, or use it alone as a correcting serum to help even skin tone and smooth uneven texture, leaving your face looking and feeling healthier. The skin-boosting serum to primer hybrid is formulated with peptides and delicate pearl pigments, designed to give a radiant look to your skin, and helps to bridge the gap between skincare and makeup with versatile two-in-one benefits.

What We Like
Two-in-one benefits of serum and primer
Contains peptides and pearl pigments for a healthy and radiant finish
Can be used alone as a correcting serum or under makeup as a primer
#TOP 6

Catrice Skin Glaze Serum Primer

4059729444882
Catrice Skin Glaze Serum Primer Cover
Catrice | Skin Glaze Hydrating Serum Primer | Glass Skin, Hydrating Effect & Prolongs Makeup Wear | Vegan & Cruelty Free

The Catrice Hydrating Serum Primer is perfect if you want a fresh, glowing look. It helps you achieve the popular glass skin effect by giving your skin a natural, radiant shine. Thanks to its light texture and 0.5% squalene, it nourishes your skin while adding a healthy glow. You can wear it alone for a subtle glow or use it under makeup to create a smooth base that keeps your makeup lasting longer. Its pearly finish blends well with all skin tones and adds a soft rose shimmer without feeling greasy, giving your skin a beautiful, lit-from-within appearance.

What We Like
Hydrating and nourishing
Enhances makeup longevity
Lightweight, non-greasy formula
Pearly finish with rose shimmer
Suitable for all skin tones
#TOP 7

NYX Plump Right Back Plumping Serum & Primer

NYX Plump Right Back Plumping Serum & Primer Cover
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Plump Right Back Plumping Serum & Primer, With Hyaluronic Acid

Get the perfect makeup look with NYX Plumping Serum & Primer. This vegan and cruelty-free formula is a lightweight, electrolyte-infused gripping primer serum that extends wear while providing an instant plump look. It keeps your foundation and makeup looking fresh, moisturized, replenished, and energized without looking oily. The supercharged formula is infused with 5 electrolytes and vitamins including Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, Pro-Vitamin B5, Magnesium, and Potassium. It instantly smooths skin for even application, making it easier to apply makeup. Complete your makeup look with NYX's full line of face products to aid in color correction and coverage from concealer, blush, bronzer, foundations and contouring to palettes and powders. NYX Plumping Serum & Primer is a cruelty-free brand, certified and acknowledged by PETA.

What We Like
Vegan and cruelty-free
Infused with 5 electrolytes and vitamins
Keeps makeup fresh and moisturized
#TOP 8

SHEGLAM Melon Melt Niacinamide Primer

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Clear
SHEGLAM Melon Melt Niacinamide Primer Cover
SHEGLAM Melon Melt Niacinamide Serum Primer Smooth Skin Deep Moisturizing for Perfect Makeup

The SHEGLAM Melon Melt Primer offers a unique blend of skincare and makeup benefits to enhance your daily routine. Infused with watermelon extract and niacinamide, it deeply hydrates your skin, keeping it nourished and refreshed. This product acts as both a serum and a primer, meaning it moisturizes your skin while also smoothing its surface for an even makeup application. When you use this primer, your skin will have a radiant, dewy glow reminiscent of fresh morning dew, giving you a healthy and luminous look. Plus, it creates a smooth, blurred base that helps your makeup stay in place longer and look flawless throughout the day.

What We Like
Deep hydration
Serum and primer combo
Radiant, dewy finish
Enhances makeup wear
Cruelty-free

Saie Mini Glowy Super Gel Primer

Saie
Saie
03 - Roseglow
Saie Mini Glowy Super Gel Primer Cover
Saie Mini Glowy Super Gel - Hydrating Makeup Primer and Illuminating Glow Serum Enriched with Vitamin C and Squalane Oil - All-Over Liquid Highlighter Makeup for Instant Glass Skin - Roseglow (0.5 oz)

The Saie Glowy Super Gel is a lightweight luminizer that gives your skin a radiant, glass-like glow. You can wear it alone for a fresh, no-makeup look or mix it with your foundation or tinted SPF to add a natural shine while keeping your skin hydrated. It works well under or over makeup, helping you achieve a dewy finish on your face or even on your chest and shoulders. Enriched with plant-derived glycerin, vitamin C, and rose hip seed oil, this gel not only brightens your skin but also locks in moisture, making your complexion look healthier and more luminous throughout the day.

What We Like
Lightweight luminizer
Hydrating primer
Brightens and moisturizes
Versatile application
Cruelty-free formula
#TOP 10

Scarman 3-in-1 Color Correcting Serum Primer SPF 50

Scarman
Purple Pink Green
Scarman 3-in-1 Color Correcting Serum Primer SPF 50 Cover
3 in 1 Color Correcting Serum, SPF Primer for Face Before Makeup, Sunscreen One Step Makeup Primer,SPF 50 PA+++ Isolation Cream,Color Correcting Facial Serum Oil Control & Moisturizing

The Scarman Color Correcting Primer is a versatile 3-in-1 serum designed to even out your skin tone with its unique spiral swirl cream that targets dark circles and redness. It hydrates and moisturizes your face, leaving your skin clear and glowing, so you can feel confident and refreshed. This primer offers a lightweight, smooth texture that blends naturally without feeling heavy or sticky, helping you achieve a flawless makeup base. Plus, it’s easy to use—simply squeeze and apply the oil-free formula that also provides UV protection, making it perfect for daily wear and enhancing your overall look.

What We Like
Color correction
Hydrating texture
Lightweight and non-sticky
Easy application
UV protection
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our foundation primer serum research, we found 48 foundation primer serum products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 143,648 customer reviews through our big data system to write the foundation primer serums list. We found that most customers choose foundation primer serums with an average price of $12.62.

The foundation primer serums are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of foundation primer serums, including MAYBELLINE, wet n wild, L'Oreal Paris, Neutrogena, Catrice. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

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.