Primer With SPF: Essential For Healthy Protected Skin This Summer

Hot girl summer is here, and with that comes days spent lounging by the pool, festivities at rooftop bars, and a beautifully bronzed glow. However, the downside of this summer fun is annoying sunburn and makeup that doesn’t seem to stay in place. But your summer doesn’t have to be ruined by smudged eyeliner or a burnt nose, not when you’re wearing a primer with SPF!

What is Primer?
Makeup primer has the very important job of making your makeup look its best. Primers come in gels, creams, sprays, or liquid formulas that you apply to your skin before your foundation. They fill in large pores, even skin texture, and smooth your skin getting it ready for your makeup application. With a primer, your foundation won’t crease under your eyes or smile lines, flake around dry patches, or melt off during the day. (Phew.)
In need of a new foundation for summer? Click here for our top picks.

Why Choose a Primer With SPF?
Primers come in a zillion different formulas suitable for all skin types, and that includes primer with SPF. Sure, you could opt for a primer without SPF and layer on your moisturizer, sunscreen, and primer before your foundation. But that’s one extra step we could avoid, and who has time for all that!?
Choosing a primer with SPF will make your foundation look flawless and keep it in place all day long. But most importantly, it will protect your skin from the horrible effects of UV rays! Plus, it saves you one extra step in your skincare routine, so it’s a win-win situation.
Our 10 Picks For The Best Primers With SPF
Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Primer SPF 30
Murad’s perfecting shield primer is non-comedogenic and formulated with mushroom peptides to promote youthful-looking skin and elasticity and fight signs of aging! With a refreshing cucumber scent, the primer promises to provide 12 hours of flawless makeup wear.
Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime SPF 30
Maybelline’s facestudio primer is a super affordable choice for keeping your makeup in place and protecting your skin from sun damage. The formula is water-based and has a weightless feel on the skin. The primer blurs imperfections and smooth fine lines, all without feeling greasy.
NYX PROFESSIONAL Bare With Me Primer SPF 30
This primer by NYX is their first triple threat primer. You can wear it under makeup to prep and prime your skin. Or wear it alone to protect your skin from the damaging UVA and UVB rays. This cruelty-free primer also hydrates your skin with Sativa seed oil that keeps your skin moisturized for 24 hours!
Glo Skin Beauty Tinted Primer SPF 30
Glo Skin’s beauty tinted primer conceals blemishes & evens skin tone making it the perfect base for your foundation. The tinted primer also provided sheer coverage when worn alone, and it includes natural mineral broad-spectrum sunscreen ingredients, perfect for days at the beach.
Colorescience Skin Perfecting Face Primer SPF 20
Colorscience’s skin-perfect primer comes in four different formulas. The bronzing primer, mattifying primer, calming primer, and brightening primer, all of which are made with chemical-free mineral actives. On top of that, these primers are water and sweat-resistant, hypoallergenic, and fragrance and paraben-free!
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15
This silky “state-of-the-art primer” promises to elevate your foundation and extend its wear while perfecting your complexion. The primer is vegan, cruelty-free, and never tested on animals! Plus, it’s paraben, sulfate, oil, and fragrance-free. It’s perfect for those wanting to conceal redness or rosacea while creating a smooth, even canvas.
BareMinerals Prime Time BB Primer BareMinerals Prime Time BB Primer SPF 30
BareMinerals prime time primer provides just a hint of color to correct uneven skin tone and diminish the appearance of blemishes. Suitable for all skin types, the primer combats both excess dryness and oil. The primer can be worn underneath your foundation, making the perfect base for a smooth complexion. Or it can be worn alone to protect skin against environmental stressors.
Smashbox Photo Finish ProtectSmashbox Photo Finish Protect SPF 20
This primer provides a photo finish by smoothing and illuminating skin, diffusing imperfections, and offering a flawless makeup base. Additionally, the primer has proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and large pores over time. Since the primer controls shine breakthrough, those with oily skin will want to snap this one up!
Heimish Artless Glow Base SPF 50+ PA+++
If you haven’t heard of Hemish, they are iconic in the Korean beauty space. Their artless glow base not only works as a primer but doubles as a sunscreen and anti-wrinkle formula! It’s suitable for all skin types, lightweight, and has a pearl-like base that makes your skin shimmer and glow.
Tarte BB Tinted Treatment 12-Hour Primer SPF 30
This vegan, non-comedogenic, AND Dermatologist tested primer by Tarte is a one-stop-shop for protecting and priming your skin. Suitable for sensitive skin, the primer promotes smoother, brighter, and softer skin. The 12-hour primer can be worn under foundation or worn on its own, offering buildable overage and coming in multiple shades!
How To Apply a Primer With SPF
Primer is applied after your skincare routine and before your foundation. You want to make sure your moisturizer or face oils are completely absorbed into your skin before you go in with your primer.
A dime-sized amount should be your go-to, and for the best application, apply it with your (clean!) fingers. Take the time to focus on patting the primer into the areas you want to fill, like large pores or wrinkles. Then, wave goodbye to creasing foundation and burnt skin!
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