# Primer that doesn't break you out

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/beauty/primer/doesnt-break-you-out/
Category: Beauty > Face primer. Updated 2026-10-11. Based on 217 counted first-hand reports from Ulta and Sephora shopper reviews, Jul 2019 to Aug 2026.

**Question:** Which primer doesn't break you out?

**Short answer:** Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer has the best record here, with 19 of 25 shoppers saying it didn't break them out, followed by Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer at 22 of 39 and Benefit POREfessional Primer at 23 of 51. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Too Faced Hangover Primer both sit at 11 of 28, with NYX Marshmellow Smoothing Primer weakest at 5 of 21. Each record counts just shoppers who said whether it broke them out, and since people tend to bring up breakouts when they happen, low records are common.

**What stands out:** From Benefit POREfessional Primer down, more shoppers for each primer said it broke them out than said it didn't.

## Ranking (buyers who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | No breakouts | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer | 19 of 25 | 76% | yes |
| 2 | Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer | 22 of 39 | 56% | no |
| 3 | Benefit POREfessional Primer | 23 of 51 | 45% | no |
| 4 | Smashbox Photo Finish Primer | 11 of 28 | 39% | no |
| 5 | Too Faced Hangover Primer | 11 of 28 | 39% | no |
| 6 | NYX Marshmellow Smoothing Primer | 5 of 21 | 24% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

Longer-lasting makeup comes up in 27% of its 30 reviews and a smooth base in 23%, though 10% call it too expensive.

- Praised for: Makeup lasts longer (27%), Smooth base (23%), Controls oil (13%)
- Complaints: Too expensive (10%), Drying (7%), No visible difference (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 2. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

Wear time is what shoppers praise here, with 44% of its 43 reviews saying makeup lasted longer and 9% saying it grips makeup, though 7% find it too sticky.

- Praised for: Makeup lasts longer (44%), Hydrating (12%), Grips makeup (9%)
- Complaints: Too sticky (7%), Too expensive (5%)
- Reports counted: 43

### 3. Benefit POREfessional Primer

More shoppers stated a result for it than for any other primer here, 51 in all. Of its 56 reviews, 23% mention a smooth base, while 7% say it pills.

- Praised for: Smooth base (23%), Makeup lasts longer (9%), Controls oil (9%)
- Complaints: Pills (7%), Drying (7%), Too expensive (5%)
- Reports counted: 56

### 4. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer

Smoothness comes up in 39% of its 36 reviews, while 17% call it greasy or slippery and 8% saw no visible difference.

- Praised for: Smooth base (39%), Makeup lasts longer (17%), Lightweight (6%)
- Complaints: Greasy or slippery (17%), No visible difference (8%)
- Reports counted: 36

### 5. Too Faced Hangover Primer

A hydrating feel comes up in 33% of its 30 reviews and a smooth base in 20%, though 10% saw no visible difference.

- Praised for: Hydrating (33%), Smooth base (20%), Makeup lasts longer (17%)
- Complaints: No visible difference (10%), Too expensive (7%), No difference (7%)
- Reports counted: 30

### 6. NYX Marshmellow Smoothing Primer

Shoppers call the base smooth in 36% of its 22 reviews, while 14% saw no visible difference.

- Praised for: Smooth base (36%), Makeup lasts longer (14%), Works on combination skin (9%)
- Complaints: No visible difference (14%)
- Reports counted: 22

## Questions

**Which primer did shoppers say didn't break them out?**

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer has the best record (19 of 25), followed by Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer (22 of 39), Benefit POREfessional Primer (23 of 51), Smashbox Photo Finish Primer (11 of 28), Too Faced Hangover Primer (11 of 28) and NYX Marshmellow Smoothing Primer (5 of 21). Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and Too Faced Hangover Primer have the same record, so treat their order as a tie.

**How many shoppers are behind each record?**

The second number in each record is the group size. It runs from 21 shoppers for NYX Marshmellow Smoothing Primer to 51 for Benefit POREfessional Primer. Group size is already built into the order, so a card's rank reflects both its share and how many shoppers stated a result.

**Which of these primers are sold on Amazon?**

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer is sold on Amazon by the brand or Amazon itself and is both the leader and the best pick sold on Amazon. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer, Benefit POREfessional Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Too Faced Hangover Primer and NYX Marshmellow Smoothing Primer have no buy link here, because too few shoppers reported a good result for us to recommend them.

**How should I read these records?**

The counts are what shoppers said after using each primer, not a test of ingredients or of how skin reacts, so follow the label directions. Skin reacts differently from person to person, so a record here is a comparison between primers, not a prediction for you.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/