Korean primers are some of the best in the business to achieve a flawless, natural finish. Korean primers are worth considering if you’re looking to perfect your base makeup and cover up any skin imperfections. Here, we’ll look at some of the best Korean primers you don’t want to miss!
Table of Contents
What is a Korean Primer?
Korean primers are base makeup products that are applied before foundation. It provides a natural glow, helps to achieve glass skin, and keeps your skin looking fresh all day long. Additionally, Korean primers often contain skin-loving ingredients like Hyaluronic acid or Niacinamide to help brighten and nourish the skin. And Korean primers usually have SPF sun protection to help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Do Koreans usually wear Primer?
Koreans usually wear a primer to achieve a skin fresh and natural moisture makeup looks, and it helps keep the skin hydrated. A primer can help your makeup look better and last longer, hydrate your skin and give it a more youthful glow. If you have dull skin, using a primer before the foundation can be especially helpful in brightening your complexion.
Korean women have a very elaborate makeup routine, and they take great pride in looking their best. One of the staples of their routine is using Primer, which helps to give them a smooth finish, and polished look!
Are primers bad for your skin?
Primers are not bad for your skin, but they can dry if you misuse them.
Primers should be applied after your moisturizer and before your foundation. They help fill in uneven skin texture, smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and control excess sebum production.
Suppose you are looking for lightness and airiness like a pearlescent finish that looks naturally radiant. Look for a lightweight formula if you have oily skin or are in a hot climate. Avoid using too much Primer, as it will cake up and make your makeup look heavy. Instead, apply it sparingly to problem areas and blend well.
Does Korean Face Primers necessary?
Like all makeup, Primer is a personal preference. Some people love it and feel like their makeup goes on smoother with it, while others find it unnecessary and feel like their skin doesn’t need the extra layer.
Whether you use a makeup primer or not is ultimately up to you, but I would recommend at least trying one if you haven’t before. The primer comes in different formulas for different skin types, and they can help minimize the appearance of pores and give your skin a more flawless appearance. Some even contain beneficial extracts that can help nourish and protect your skin.
What are the Benefits of a good Primer?
A primer can provide a smooth canvas for foundation application, help disguise slight imperfections, and extend the wear of your makeup. But beyond that, a good primer can also offer other benefits to your skin.
Many primers now contain herbal extracts or antioxidants, which can help to protect your skin from free radical damage. Others contain unique ingredients such as Hyaluronic acid or Peptides, which can help to plump up the skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. And still, others have a hypoallergenic formula which is great for those with sensitive skin.
But by far, the best benefit of using a primer is that it helps create a natural moisture barrier on the skin. This barrier helps to keep moisture in and keep environmental aggressors out. It is essential when the heat and humidity can cause your makeup to melt right off your face in the summer months!
What’s the Difference between Korean Primer and General Primer?
Korean Primer is unique in that some of them contain natural ingredients like green tea extract, egg extracts, and natural minerals, which help to soothe and protect the skin. It also has a high concentration of active ingredients such as collagen, which helps to plump up the skin and give it a youthful appearance.
A general primer is designed to fill in fine lines and wrinkles, while a Korean primer creates to hydrate and nourish the skin. General Primer often contains harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, which can harm the skin. Korean Primer is made from all-natural ingredients and is gentle on the skin.
How many types of Primers?
There are various primer types, from liquid to gel cream primers. Each type has its own unique set of benefits for your skin.
Liquid primers are perfect for creating a flawless complexion; they help smooth out your skin texture and create a matte finish.
Gel primers are suitable for achieving a dewy, glowing complexion. They provide extra hydration and help to minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines.
Cream primers are an ideal base for aging or dry skin. They help to plump up the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin tone and texture. Cream primers also provide a healthy dose of collagen in skincare, beneficial for overall skin health.
How to choose a primer for your skin type?
Choosing the suitable Primer for your skin type is crucial to achieving a flawless skin finish.
Oily skin, you’ll want something with a mattifying finish that will help control oil and keep your skin looking soft and matte all day long.
Dry skin, look for a primer that hydrates and gives your skin a glow while creating a smooth, flawless canvas for your makeup. Look for a primer with a smooth texture and collagen to help plump and smooth fine lines, leaves skin, and wrinkles.
Sensitive skin, find a primer free of harsh chemicals and fragrances, as these can often cause irritation and skin problems. Use a primer that won’t irritate your skin or cause bacterial growth. Look for a primer made with gentle ingredients, like mineral oils and botanical extracts that won’t clog your pores. A perfect base will soften and protect your skin while providing a smooth surface for foundation application.
Acne-Prone skin, look for an acne-fighting ingredients bacteria and help reduce inflammation, which has Salicylic acid or Benzoyl peroxide. Another consideration is the form of collagen. Some primers contain collagen in the form of a powder, which helps to fill in enlarged pores and create a smoother surface on the skin.
Uneven skin, you might want to choose a silicone-based primer or other silky ingredients that can create an invisible layer between your perfect makeup and skin that helps the foundation go on smoothly and prevents creasing or caking.
Normal skin, look for the Primer that is moisturizing and has a sheer finish. Ingredients like Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, or Sodium PCA will help hydrate your skin, give your skin a soft, healthy glow, and help your skin firmer. Silicone-based primers are also suitable as they create a smooth surface for the foundation to glide on top.
Combination Skin, choose a primer with tea tree oil if you want to control oil production and achieve a matte finish. Tea tree oil is a natural astringent that can help reduce shine and keep pores clear. Opt for a lightweight formula that won’t clog pores or add excess weight to your skin. A good rule of thumb is to select products that are labeled “non-comedogenic” or “oil-free.”
Best K-Beauty Product Korean Primers For All Skin Types 2022
Our pick
ETUDE Face Blur Smoothing SPF 33 PA++
ETUDE’s Face Blur Smoothing SPF 33 PA++ is the perfect solution for those who want smooth, hydrated, and healthy-looking skin. This unique formula is packed with five types of hyaluronic acid, which work to moisturize and plump up the skin deeply. It also contains SPF 33 to protect against harmful UV rays and PA++ to shield against environmental aggressors. Plus, its light lavender hue helps to even out the skin tone. Apply after moisturizer and before foundation or BB cream for a flawless finish.
A liquid primer that smooths your complexion and protects your skin from free radicals. This Primer is fitted with Baby Pixel powder, Cover Powder, and Airy Skin powder for a bright, pinkish finish that minimizes pores. The Mattifying version boasts a lightweight coverage over blemishes. In addition, it delivers a blurring, silky effect thanks to infused Sliding Powder, so whether you’re looking for a flawless base for your makeup or just wanting to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
As someone who has many acne pockmarks, I’m hesitant to try products that promise to “blur” my skin, but I must say that this product impressed me. It doesn’t only claim to do what it says it will (blur pores, smooth discolorations), but it’s also incredibly light and non-oily! I’ve wasted a lot more money on primers that promise to perform the same as this one, but they never last as long because I have such oily skin. I apply it in the morning and don’t have to blot or reapply it throughout the day. It will now be my regular Korean makeup primers routine.
Our pick
INNISFREE Pore Blur Primer
Are you looking for a primer that will keep your skin looking flawless all day long? Then look no further than INNISFREE No Sebum Blur Primer! Formulated with natural ingredients like mint, minerals, Jeju green persimmon, and green tea extracts, this Primer not only covers up enlarged pores, fine lines, and blemishes but also keeps skin hydrated and radiant. Plus, it has a refreshing scent that will leave you feeling invigorated. Apply a thin layer all over your face and pat gently until absorbed. Avoid using too much to prevent flaking or clumping.
I purchased this product based on the many other reviews that said it was a cheaper imitation of higher-end Benefit products, and I am delighted with my purchase. What I’m most pleased about, however, is that the Primer hasn’t clogged my acne-prone pores or irritated my sensitive skin, which has happened before with previous primers. So overall, I’m thrilled!
Our pick
VDL Lumilayer Primer
It is a primer that will give your skin a lit-from-within glow. This violet-hued Primer is made with a combination of red and blue light-reflecting pigments that help to brighten and clarify the complexion. Plus, the red light helps to add a touch of warmth to the skin, while the blue light creates a luminous, healthy-looking finish. Mix the Primer with your foundation in a 1:1 ratio and apply it evenly to your face for a natural, dewy slay.
It has been hyped for a long time, but it deserves all attention! I’ve already finished one bottle and am now on my second. It provides consistent results of dewy, prismatic, glowy skin. I’ve used it under makeup, over makeup, even just on its own on the skin, and everyone always tells me how beautiful I look. Thinly applied for a delicate sheen or set with a powder highlight for a megawatt strobe effect are two ways to use it.
The consistency is similar to milk or a moisturizer gel, and the sheen is a neutral peachy hue. The glass bottle feels hefty and long-lasting, and the pump makes it sanitary. VDL added a new fun lid design for this last bottle, which I will save for my empties collection.
Our pick
HEIMISH Artless Glow Base
Suppose you are looking for a base that will give you a gorgeous glow while protecting your skin from the sun. Then, HEIMISH Artless Glow Base is perfect for you! This makeup base is fitted with powerful sun protection of SPF 50 PA++++ to shield your skin against UVA and UVB rays while leaving a radiant finish. Plus, it contains plant-based ingredients such as Rosa Canina (Dog-rose) fruit and thyme extracts to even skin tone, and origanum Majorana leaf and peppermint extracts to protect skin against external aggressors. So not only will your skin look amazing, but it will also be healthy and protected!
Add a touch of luxury to your makeup routine with the HEIMISH Artless Glow Base. This pearl-infused formula provides a subtle tone-up effect, leaving your skin looking radiant and refined. The lightweight texture glides on effortlessly, creating a smooth canvas for makeup application. Whether you wear it alone or under foundation, the Artless Glow Base is perfect for achieving a natural-looking glow.
I love it so far! There’s a faint scent of fresh lotion, which is barely perceptible but smells very clean and not overpowering. The foundation truly benefits from the base! My face always separates on itself and appears cakey, regardless of how little I apply or how well moisturized my skin is when I use different foundation types.
The foundation melts away when I put it on, and it just looks so natural! It feels lightweight yet hydrating on my skin as if I’m wearing nothing at all. So many people find that this base complements the Charlotte Tilbury Instant Look Complexion Perfector Foundation! The bottle is not as comprehensive as in the image, but it comes with a pump that effectively dispenses the product over time. So if you’re searching for a light-feeling, dewy-looking base, this is the one!
Can I wear Primer without makeup?
It’s magnificent to wear Primer without makeup! Some people find that their skin looks and feels softer when using a primer as part of their beauty routine. Primer can also be an excellent base for makeup, helping it stay in place and look smoother. But, of course, you can always choose to wear makeup or not – it’s entirely up to you!
Steps of How to use a Primer
- Cleanse your face and make sure it’s dry before you start.
- Use Korean moisturizer skincare all over your face to nourish the skin initially.
- Apply Primer to your entire face or just to problem areas, avoiding the eyes and lips.
- Gently spread the Primer over your skin with your fingers or a brush until it’s fully absorbed.
- Let the primer dry completely before applying the foundation.
You can also wear Primer on its own for a natural look or use it as a base for other makeup products like blush or bronzer.
When should I use a primer?
You can use a primer at any time, but it’s beneficial to use one before applying makeup. It will help create a smooth, flawless surface for your foundation or other Korean makeup products. You can also wear Primer on its own for a natural look or use it as a base for other makeup application products like blush or bronzer.
How often should I use a primer?
You can use a primer as often as you like, but most people find that once a day is enough. However, if you have dehydrated skin, you may want to use a primer more frequently to help keep your skin hydrated and looking its best.

Amelie Mason is the author of the beauty category. She’s explored learning a new makeup technic, especially Korean and Japanese make-up styles. She loves to experiment with new looks and share them with her followers. Amelie also has a passion for skincare, and she’s always looking for ways to improve her complexion.
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