Do You Actually Need a Primer?

Apr 14, 2025

OK so here is the truth,

Just as with all makeup, it's not a one size fits all situation.

Let’s break it all down. We’ll keep it light, keep it real, and by the end, you’ll know whether you actually need to bother with primer — or if you can leave it right there on the shelf, next to that neon eyeshadow palette you know you’ll never use.

What Is Primer, and Why Is Everyone Talking About It?

In the simplest terms, primer is a base layer that goes under your makeup. Think of it as the undercoat for your foundation — the Spanx of your beauty routine, if you will. It’s supposed to smooth things out, help makeup last longer, and sometimes give your skin a certain finish (matte, glowy, poreless, etc.).

Now, that all sounds fabulous. But here’s the kicker: you might not actually need it — and in many cases, it’s doing less for you than you think.

Here’s the Truth: Primer Isn’t for Everyone (Anymore)

We’re going to say it louder for the people in the back: primer is not a must-have.

Yes, back in the day, when makeup and skincare were more like estranged cousins than besties, primers had a bigger role to play. But today’s skincare game is strong — and in many cases, a good skincare routine has replaced the need for a traditional primer altogether.

That said, there are a few scenarios where a primer might still have a place in your kit. Let’s go over those first, and then we’ll talk about when to just... skip it.

Who Might Actually Benefit from Using Primer?

1. People with Oily Skin

If your forehead shines brighter than your future by lunchtime, you know what i'm talking about.

Primers that are designed to control oil — like One/Size’s Oil Sucker primer— can help mattify your skin and reduce that mid-afternoon sheen. They’re especially helpful when used just in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), where oil tends to collect.

But even here, moderation is key. Slapping oil-absorbing primer all over your face can sometimes make makeup cling in weird ways. A light touch in the oily spots is usually enough.

2. Those with Rosacea or Redness

If you have rosacea or redness then a green-tinted primer might be worth a shot.

These primers work on the principle of colour correcting — green neutralises red. It’s not going to eliminate redness (it’s makeup, not magic), but it can give a more even base under foundation. Just don’t expect miracles — think soft blur, not full vanishing act.

3. People Hoping to Blur Pores

Let’s have a quick moment of truth: You cannot get rid of pores. And you wouldn’t want to — they’re important little vents for your skin.

But if you’ve got enlarged pores (especially on the cheeks or around the nose) and you’re hoping to smooth them out, a pore-filling primer can help slightly. And I do mean slightly.

Also something to bare in mind when listening to recommendations for pore filling primers is what are their pores like, if they are telling you their pores totally disappear when they use it but their pores are infact tiny to begin with then yes, they probably did watch their pores pull a houdini before their very eyes. But for those of us with larger pores it's unrealistic to have those expectations.

Primers with silicone (look for ingredients ending in -cone, like dimethicone) can temporarily smooth the appearance of skin texture, but again — we’re talking filter-lite, not full-on FaceTune.

When Primer Is More Fuss Than It’s Worth

Okay, now that we’ve given primer it's props, let’s talk about when you can confidently walk away from it.

💧 Hydrating Primers? You Don’t Need Them.

Back in the day, hydrating primers were the secret to making foundation look dewy and fresh. Now? Skincare’s got it covered.

A good hydrating serum followed by a moisturiser that seals in hydration does a better job — and plays nicer with makeup. In fact, many hydrating primers are either redundant or can cause issues like foundation pilling.

So unless your skin is as dry as the group chat, skip the hydrating primer and let your skincare do the heavy lifting.

🧲 Sticky Primers Can Be Tricky

You know those primers that feel like glue and promise to “grip” your foundation all day long? Sometimes they work. Sometimes they cause your makeup to separate, cling to dry patches, or just generally misbehave.

Unless you’ve tested it and know it plays well with your foundation, it might be more trouble than it’s worth.

What You Should Focus On Instead: Skin Prep

This is where the magic really happens. Want your makeup to sit better, look smoother, and stay fresh throughout the day — without needing five extra products? Focus on your skin prep.

Here’s the routine that does more for your makeup than any primer ever will:

✨ 1. Exfoliate (But Gently)

Dead skin = patchy, dull makeup. Use a gentle exfoliator 1–2 times a week to keep your skin smooth and fresh. No need to sand your face — just something mild to help cell turnover and remove buildup.

Oilier skin you might want to try a BHA exfoliator

Sensitive skin, go for an enzyme exfoliator

Dry skin, go for an AHA

If you are using a strong or prescription strength retinol, then don't worry about it, that's already doing all the work for you.

💧 2. Hydrate With a Serum

A really hydrating serum, ideally with multiple hydrating ingredients will not only hydrate but also plump your skin and give you a radiance to your skin and makeup. It also helps foundation glide on more smoothly. This is what something our ALL IN Hydra-Firm Serum is incredible for.

🧴 3. Moisturise, Moisturise, Moisturise

Use a hydrating, multi-purpose moisturiser to lock in all the goodness from your serum. Let it absorb for a few minutes before you apply makeup — this gives you a smooth, nourished canvas without the need for extra “primer” layers.

Bonus: Your skin will be hydrated enough that it won't try to suck the moisture from your foundation halfway through the day, which is usually what causes it to break up or look patchy.

So… Do You Need a Primer?

Let’s recap.

Oily skin? A mattifying primer might help — just on the T-zone.
Redness or rosacea? Try a green-tinted primer to gently neutralise.
Visible pores? A pore-blurring primer could give a soft-focus effect.
Everyone else? Probably not.

If your skincare routine is solid, your foundation is compatible with your skin, and your makeup isn’t slipping off your face by lunchtime, you don’t need a primer.

Let’s not make makeup more complicated than it needs to be. we've got enough on our plates — life admin, hormonal shifts, possibly kids, or work drama, or trying to remember if you defrosted the chicken. Your makeup routine shouldn't make things any harder.

Final Thoughts: Makeup Is Personal — So Is Primer

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to anything in beauty, and primer is no exception.

If you are standing in front of the mirror wondering if you are missing out by not using a primer, your probably not.

If you find a primer that works for you, awesome! If not, don’t stress. Focus on nourishing your skin, choosing makeup that suits your texture and type, and enjoy the process — whether you’re a five-minute-face kinda gal or someone who’s starting to fall in love with getting glam.

Much Love & Speak Soon