Best Drugstore Primer For Your Oily Skin and Large Pores 2023

We’ve all been there – standing in front of the mirror, carefully examining the inner workings of our pores, and asking the profound yet eternal question: does primer make pores look smaller? Well, it’s no secret; primer is often touted as a saviour for those with enlarged pores. But does it really do the trick?

How to keep your makeup fresh and glowing all day long? The answer is simple: primers! Therefore, choosing best primer for oily skin with large pores is so important for girls with more oily skin texture and big pores as recommended below.

Best Primer For Oily Skin With Large Pores at Drugstore

Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Face Primer	Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer	Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer	Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer Makeup, Blur + Pore Minimize	NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Pore Filler Primer
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Does primer make pores look smaller?

Put simply, the answer is both yes and no. Primers can help reduce the appearance of enlarged pores in two different ways. Firstly, primers are formulated with a variety of ingredients that absorb excess oil and sweat, diminishing the amount of visible skin residue present in the pore. Secondly, primers contain silicones that fill the pores and create an even skin surface, allowing light to diffuse around them and making them appear smaller.

Although primers can be great at evening out the look of pores, the effects are only temporary. As soon as you remove the primer, your pores will look the same as they did before. That being said, regularly using primer can help build up a lasting effect that can help to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.

Another point to consider is that primer alone won’t cure your pores. To really make a lasting difference, a skincare routine that focuses on hydration and oil control should accompany the use of primer. As enlarged pores usually come about from dehydrated or oily skin, these routines help to reduce their appearance over time. Choosing suitable skincare products will not only help to shrink pores in the long term, but also provide younger-looking, healthier skin.

Oily skin causes large pores

Did you know that oil texture under your skin can enlarge pores? When your skin produces too much oil, the excess coupled with dirt and sweat can collect in your pores and clog them. This will gradually make your pores appear much larger. Many primers are formulated to shrink them so if you can choose the best primers for large pores then don’t worry!

What causes oily skin and large pores? How to prevent them?

The ultimate question which let me bring you back to basics.Why are my sebaceous glands more hyperactive? Oily skin can come from a number of reasons. It is best that you have a firm grasp of your skin texture to prepare better steps to protect it and choose suitable makeup products

Genetics

Turns out oil can run in the family too! Check your parents and siblings. If they’re also struggling with greasy skin, chances are you got it from them. Sadly it isn’t just a phase and you’re going to have to live with it.

Hormones

Did you start noticing the increase of facial oil when puberty started? Yep, that’s your body acting up. During your menstrual cycle, you will experience hormones fluctuations, and when your estrogen levels shift, your skin is likely to react and produce more oil than usual. The excess will probably make your pores appear larger and will also clog them, creating acne breakouts.

Weather and season

Things can go bad in the summer. The temperature and the risen humidity are going to affect your skin tremendously and trigger more oil than usual. The hot climate will cause your body to produce more sweat, which is likely to mix with the oil on the skin and make your face look extra greasy. Your widened pores will also be more visible. 

You should definitely adopt a more thorough skincare routine in this season with gel cleansers and moisturizers with some serum to treat breakouts.

Stress

Having so much on your hands can produce a lot of stress, which in turn will raise hormone levels. As mentioned above, this will speed up your natural oil production process. 

Don’t overthink. Spend more time on yourself by relaxing, taking up a new hobby, maybe Netflix and chill, and your body will thank you later!

Bad diet

Consuming too many carbohydrates (in bread, rice, and sugar) can boost your levels of glucose and insulins, which are, in fact, the culprit of more sebum, which means more oil on your skin surface.

If you’re used to a not so healthy meal plan, it’s time to change things up! A good and balanced diet with exercise is as important as skincare if you want your skin to glow up. You should consult with a doctor or someone experienced to adjust your diet and exercise for maximum results!

Ineffective skincare routine

This can come from so many problems. Under-cleansing or over-cleansing your skin can lead to more oil and large pores. I would advise that you cleanse your face with a gel cleanser twice a day and another after working out. If you overdo it, your skin will be irritated and your cells exhausted, leading to more oil production.

Check out our ingredients research here.

A well-planned and consistent routine is very much needed, also. Make sure to include moisturizing, and forget that myth about how moisturizers make your skin produce oil. If you’re suffering from breakouts, use serum and cream treatments after a layer of toner too. You have to stick to it to see the results.

Quick Comparison: 5 Best Primer For Oily Skin With Large Pores

Here is a quick glance at our options:

Let’s dive into these products to find out which primer suits your skin best!

Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Face Primer

This primer has been a cult classic for years now. The name pretty much explains everything itself. Its pore-minimizing effect is amazing. It’s a real lifesaver for enlarged pores as it will shrink your pores and keep your makeup smooth throughout the whole day. It does a good job keeping your t-zone oil at bay too.

The color is a bit creamier compared to other primers but it will blend in perfectly with your skin and create a really natural look. It also has some extra light floral scent that you won’t find irritating at all.

• Pros
• Cons

• Smooth texture
• Even out skin tone
• Pore-minimising
• Long-lasting
• Shine-controlling
• A bit expensive

Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer

This has a more mattifying effect than others mentioned in this article. Many consider this the best primer for large pores oily skin. 

If you have a very oily and shiny skin surface, you would really love this. It blurs out the appearance of huge pores and fine lines and sucks up all the grease on your t-zone, leaving on your skin that matte finish that truly lasts all day long.

Its texture is not as creamy as others, but it really helps fortify your makeup layers as your foundation and concealer won’t end up looking cakey right after, especially since it’s sweatproof.

• pros
• Cons

• Matte finish
• Pore-minimising
• Waterproof
• Good base for makeup
• Long-lasting

• Quite expensive
• More powdery texture

Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer

If you want your makeup base to be a bit more radiant and glowy, this is it for you. When you apply it onto your skin, it will have a light shine, but not the greasy kind, a bright sun-kissed shine that feels really smooth on the skin. 

This primer can go well with a matte look too. It locks in your pores and keeps your makeup intact for hours. You also get a lot of products with this one.

It’s waterproof, so the primer doesn’t dry out your skin and still covers the oil entirely. The brand is cruelty-free and paraben-free so check it out.

• Pros
• Cons

• Cruelty-free
• Creates smooth skin surface
• Long-lasting
• Waterproof

• Silicone texture
• A bit thick

Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer Makeup, Blur + Pore Minimize

Maybelline Studio line does a really good job with facial products. For a primer, this can moisturize the skin and leave quite a natural glow that can make your top layer flawless. It has a very lightweight formula that doesn’t cling to your skin, so after applying makeup, your face won’t feel weighed down at all.

Besides controlling oil excess and covering up your pores, this product can also protect your skin from sun damage as well as correct some redness on the face. You can also wear it alone without foundation for a luminous look.

• pros
• Cons

• Lightweight
• Natural finish
• Color correct
• Good base for foundation
• Sun protection

• Not very long-lasting
• Doesn’t cover pores entirely

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Pore Filler Primer

If you’re looking for something a bit different, the NYX E-infused vitamin formula can really surprise you. It softens your skin nicely and doesn’t clog your pores even if you apply a bit much. 

The cream color also helps to cover the appearance of pores around your nose and control the shine on your forehead, giving your skin a healthy and flawless look.

It can also even out your skin tone and leave your makeup weightless until the end of the day. And did I mention that this product is also cruelty-free?

• Pros
• Cons

• Softening
• Good coverage
• Lightweight and color balancing
• Cruelty-free

• Thick texture
• Hard to get the product out of the packaging

Product Name	Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Face Primer	Smashbox Photo Finish Pore Minimizing Primer	Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer	Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer Makeup, Blur + Pore Minimize	NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Pore Filler Primer
Image
Oil-Controlling
Pore-minimising	A++	A+	A	B	A
Lightweight	4.6	4.4	4.4	4.6	4.4
Price	$$$	$	$	$	$$
More detail

Recommending a skincare plan

Choosing the best primer for large pores oily skin can only work if you have a suitable skincare routine as the base.

• Face cleanser: with salicylic acid 
• Exfoliate: only 2-3 times a week
• Toner
• Specific treatments: serums or essences
• Moisturizer: choose one that includes glycerin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate your skin and even out skin tone
• SPF (if you’re going out): use a sunscreen with at least SPF 30

For more tips on how to apply primer flawlessly, check this out: 

Final Thoughts

After a lot of consideration, I believe that the Benefit Cosmetics POREfessional Pro Balm Face Primer is the best one out of the five. I love it and it offers everything I’m looking for in a primer for oily skin with large pores. What about you? Which do you think is the best primer for oily skin with large pores?