The 10 Best Green Primers to Neutralize Redness and Invite In Radiance
If you struggle with redness due to acne or rosacea, or even just have a reactive skin type, then a primer with a green-toned base can be a life saver for your makeup. Green primers pull a double-duty effect of toning down redness on any skin tone while also prepping the skin so that makeup stays in place, all day long.
“The best tip on using the primer is placing a dot of product on your ring fingers then blending it on the areas of redness,” says makeup artist Nydia Figueroa. “People usually have redness in the center of the face, so that is a good place to start. Take the primer and blend out towards the outer perimeter of your face. My secret weapon to a flawless primer application is also using a skincare brush.” Find a few of our fave green-toned primers that are perfect for combating redness below.
Meet the Expert
Nydia Figueroa is a celebrity makeup artist and beauty expert based in New York City.
1. Best Skincare Infused Green Primer:
PÜR 4-in-1 Correcting Primer
“This primer not only helps with reducing the redness in your skin, but it also helps smooth out uneven texture, fine lines, and wrinkles,” says Figueroa. This product is a makeup primer, redness reducer, color corrector, and skin-tone-evener, all in one.
2. Best Natural Finish Green Primer:
MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Primer Color Corrector - Redness Corrector
This primer works well with all skin types and also comes in a few different shades, depending on your skin tone needs. It helps makeup stay put for 24 hours, but you can also wear it alone to neutralize redness. “This has been a staple in my kit for years, and while neutralizing redness, it also helps add luminosity to the skin while helping the makeup last for 24 hours,” says Figueroa.
3. Best Drugstore Green Primer:
HERO COSMETICS Rescue Balm Green Tinted Balm
For less than the cost of lunch, you can pick up this tinted-green balm that helps reduce the appearance of redness on the spot. The formula features color-changing capsules that activate as you blend into the skin, so the end result matches your skin tone.
4. Best Matte Finish Green Primer:
E.L.F. Tone Adjusting Face Primer
Green primers are also a great way to cover acne flare-ups. When you’re dealing with a bout of inflammation, swipe on this tone adjusting primer that has a silky feel when it goes on and dries to a matte finish. It’s perfect for when you’re extra oily due to breakouts.
5. Best Green Primer With a Filter Effect:
SMASHBOX Photo Finish Correct Anti-Redness Primer
If you have dry skin, this primer is for you. “I would base the type of green primers you want to use on our skin type on [the product’s] finish,” says Figueroa. “If you have oily skin, I would focus on a matte finish, and if you have dry skin, I would pick a more hydrating formula.”
This hydrating formula from CLINIQUE also contains SPF so you can get protection from environmental aggregators that can cause even more redness on the skin’s surface.
7. Best Lightweight Formula:
NYX Studio Perfect Primer
If you want something light on the skin that will even out texture, discoloration, and redness, this is your primer. The best part is that it makes the skin perfectly dewy and never greasy upon application. A lot of reviewers say this is a great dupe for the SMASHBOX photo finish primer.
8. Best Full Coverage Formula:
LANCÔME Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Color Corrector
If you need something a little stronger than sheer coverage, reach for this full-coverage corrector that’s ultra pigmented to cover up all of your redness in one application. Remember, green neutralizes redness while yellow brightens and minimizes dark spots.
This corrector is good for all skin types and is non-comedogenic, so it won’t cause further irritation to your skin by clogging your pores.
9. Best for Darker Skin Tones:
BLACK RADIANCE Long Lasting & Toning Face Primer
Why just color-correct when you can infuse your skin with ingredients like a rosa-hybrid flower extract and chamomile to hydrate skin and improve elasticity over time? This serum does it all, including helping makeup last all day long while neutralizing stubborn redness.
10. Best for Radiant-Boosting:
CLARINS SOS Primer
This oil-free primer uses pearls and soft-focus powders to not only eliminate redness but add an extra boost of light-reflecting radiance to the skin. It’s like having a ring light on you all day long. Plus, since it’s formulated with ingredients like sea lily for extra hydration, skin will never appear flaky or dull after using it. Use it alone or layer it under your foundation base.
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