Last Updated on December 3, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti
Look, I get it. You’re standing in front of the mirror trying to do your makeup, and those acne scars are staring right back at you. You’ve watched countless makeup artists on TikTok make it look so easy, but when you try it yourself? The foundation just sits there, highlighting every single indented scar and uneven texture instead of covering it. Been there, done that, bought way too many products that didn’t work. Here’s the thing though: the right primer can be your secret weapon. I’m talking about that smooth canvas everyone keeps promising you but you’ve never actually achieved. In this article, we’re going to talk about what actually works when it comes to finding the best primer for acne scars, what ingredients you should be looking for (and which ones to avoid), and I’ll answer all those questions you’ve been Googling at 2am.
What To Look For In A Primer For Acne Scars
Okay so here’s where most people mess up: they think any old primer will do the job. But acne scars are a whole different beast, especially if you’re dealing with deep scars or that uneven skin texture that makes your makeup look patchy by lunchtime. Here’s what you need to look for instead:
- Silicone-based formula: This is the big one, like absolutely non-negotiable. You need dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane in the ingredients because that’s what physically fills in those indented scars and creates that smooth canvas everyone keeps promising you. It’s got this slippery, almost gel-like texture that literally fills in uneven skin texture so your foundation has something smooth to sit on instead of sinking into every scar. Without silicone, you’re basically just putting makeup on top of bumpy skin and hoping for the best, which spoiler alert, doesn’t work.
- Long-wearing formula: Your primer needs to actually stay put all day, otherwise what’s the point? If it breaks down after a few hours, your foundation is going to settle right back into those scars and you’ll look worse than when you started. You want something that keeps that smooth surface intact from morning to night so your makeup looks the same at 5pm as it did at 9am.
- Non-comedogenic: This means avoiding heavy oils and thick ingredients that are going to clog your pores. Stay away from coconut oil, palm oil, or really rich butters in your primer. The whole point is covering old acne scars, not creating new ones because your primer is sitting on your skin all day causing breakouts.
- Green tint (optional): If you’re dealing with dark spots or red marks on top of textured scars, green-tinted primers can help neutralize redness using color theory. It sounds weird, I know, but it actually works. You put the green primer just on the red areas, then your regular primer over your entire face, and then foundation. It’s not for everyone and it depends on your personal preferences, but for special occasions or if you’re going for full coverage foundations, it can make a difference.
Skin types also matter:
- If you have oily skin, you need a mattifying primer with silicone. Trust me on this. The only thing worse than visible scars is visible scars that are also shiny by noon. Look for something that controls oil production without being too drying. The Benefit Porefessional is popular for this reason, though the only downside is the price.
- Dry skin needs a hydrating primer with hyaluronic acid. You want something that’s going to prevent your foundation from clinging to dry patches around your scars. A dewy glow can actually help minimize the look of pores and scars better than a matte finish sometimes. It’s all about creating that smooth finish with a bit of light reflection.
- Sensitive skin should look for fragrance-free formulas with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and avoid anything with too many actives. The best way to figure out if something will irritate you is to patch test first (annoying extra step but better than a red, angry face).
Related: Are Silicones Bad For Skin?
Best Primers For Acne Scars
- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($34.00): This is the one everyone talks about for a reason. That silicone formula creates such a smooth canvas that your makeup looks professional even if it’s your first time really trying to cover scars. Works well with different skin types, though if you’re super oily you might want the oil-free version. Available at Ulta
- Benefit Porefessional ($25.20): Great for large pores and texture. The only thing is it’s better as a spot treatment for your scarred areas than an all-over primer because it can feel heavy on the entire face. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and Ulta
- NYX Pore Filler ($15.00): Budget-friendly dupe situation. Good for creating that smooth surface without spending a fortune while you figure out what works for your skin concern. Available at Asos, Boots, Superdrug, and Ulta
- Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer ($18.00): If you need something that works under full coverage foundations and doesn’t pill or separate, this is it. Especially good for indented scars. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic and Sephora
How To Actually Use Primer For Best Results
Okay so this is where a lot of people mess up. You can’t just slap primer on and expect magic. First, do your skin care. Let it absorb. Wait like 5 minutes – I know, annoying, but if your moisturizer is still wet, your primer is going to slide around. Then take a tiny amount of primer. Seriously, less than you think. Start with your problem areas (those scarred zones) and press it in with your fingertips. Don’t rub. Press and pat. You want to fill in those scars, not just smear product over them.
If you’re using a green-tinted primer for redness, that goes first in just the red areas. Then your regular primer over everything. Wait another minute or two before foundation. This is the best way to make sure everything sets properly and your makeup actually lasts. Some people like to use different primers on different parts of their face depending on their skin concerns – like a pore-filling one where you have scars and a hydrating one on your cheeks. There’s no rule that says you can’t.
Does Primer Actually Help With Makeup Looks?
Real talk: yes, but it’s not going to make your scars disappear. The right primer creates a barrier between your skin and your makeup so everything sits better and lasts longer. It fills in texture so your foundation doesn’t settle into scars throughout the day. And depending on the formula, it can control oil, add hydration, or blur imperfections. But if you’re expecting a primer to completely erase deep scars, that’s not realistic. What it WILL do is make your makeup application smoother, help your foundation look more even, and give you that flawless makeup application you see on TikTok. It’s about creating the best possible surface for your makeup, not miracle-working.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a regular primer and one specifically for acne scars?
Honestly? A lot of it is just marketing trying to get you to buy more stuff. But the ones that actually work for scars usually have way more silicone to deal with texture, and sometimes they throw in niacinamide or whatever to help fade the dark spots too. Regular primers are just trying to make your makeup stick around longer, they don’t really care about your bumpy skin.
How much primer should I use?
Barely any. I’m serious, like a tiny pea-sized amount. Maybe a bit more if your scars are really bad in certain spots. Everyone uses way too much and then wonders why their makeup looks like crap and pills up. Just dab a little bit into the scarred areas with your fingers and call it a day.
Can I use primer every day or just for special occasions?
Use it whenever you want, nobody’s stopping you. If you’re doing a full face every day then yeah use it every day. Some of them have decent ingredients that are fine for daily use. But if you’re just throwing on some concealer to grab coffee, who cares, skip it. It’s really just about how much effort you feel like putting into your makeup that day.
Will primer clog my pores and cause more breakouts?
It shouldn’t if you’re using a decent one, especially silicone because that just sits on top instead of getting all up in your pores. But you gotta actually wash your face at night. Like properly wash it, not just splash some water and call it good. Most people who break out from primer are either leaving it on way too long or using something cheap and terrible. Just get a non-comedogenic one and wash your face, you’ll be fine.
Do I need to wait for primer to dry before foundation?
Yeah you gotta wait like a minute. I know, it’s annoying, we all have places to be. But if you don’t wait and just smack foundation on top immediately, everything mixes together and looks like garbage. Just wait 60 seconds while you check your phone or whatever, then do your foundation. It makes an actual difference.
Can I use a color-correcting primer with a regular primer?
Yeah you can totally do both. Slap the green one on your red spots first, wait a sec, then put your normal primer all over. Then foundation. It’s extra but if you’ve got redness AND texture to deal with, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Just don’t put them on at the same time or you’ll end up with a weird muddy mess.
The Bottom Line
Look, primer for acne scars really comes down to one thing – silicone. Get something with dimethicone that matches whether you’re oily or dry, use less than you think you need, and stop expecting it to make your scars disappear. It’s gonna make your makeup sit better and last longer, and honestly that’s enough. Try a cheap one first, and if it works, great. If it doesn’t, try another. Your face is different from everyone else’s so what works for someone on TikTok might not work for you. Just find what creates that smooth base for your foundation and stick with it.
