Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10

New to the UK, Italian beauty brand Superfluid has got an attitude we can all get behind with a small line-up of beauty products inspired by real, unedited skin. This standout primer manages the difficult task of mattifying and hydrating at the same time, making it suitable for all skin types. Enriched with super-moisturiser hyaluronic acid, it has the texture of light cream that absorbs in an instant, leaving behind a semi-matte, soft complexion with an even surface ready for make-up. We found this gave our skin enough moisture when used with serum alone – making it a true and impressive moisturiser-primer hybrid.

Best: For dry or dehydrated skin

Rating: 9/10

Much loved by beauty experts and consumers alike, this primer still remains hard to beat on performance. It’s ideal for complexions that need an extra hit of hydration (don’t we all), with its cocktail of moisturising ingredients, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, hemp-derived cannabis seed and blue agave. Your skin will drink in the cool gel-like texture instantly, but for best results, you have to leave it for a minute while the grip of the formula takes hold ready to lock in your make-up. A modern beauty classic.

Best: For all-in-one

Rating: 9/10

For those that like a simplified skincare routine, this is one of those superstar skincare products that does it all. First and foremost, it’s a next-generation sunscreen that will encourage you to wear it, as you should, every day – with not a white mark or greasy cast insight. But it’s also a moisturiser, boasting hydration-boosting vitamin B5, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide, as well as an excellent primer with a dewy, pearlescent finish that makes skin look luminous.

Best: For summer

Rating: 8/10

New to the beauty shelves, this is another multi-tasking product made for those that take their skincare seriously and wear a high SPF50 every day. It provides a non-greasy, high protection from both UVA rays that cause visible damage to the skin, and UVB rays that cause the skin to burn. As well as skin protection, it’s hydrating enough to skip moisturiser if you layer over serum, and sits under make-up well without causing it to cake or crease. It even blurs lines and pores too, making them less noticeable.

Best: For minimising pores

Rating: 9.5/10

If enlarged pores or acne scars are your skin bugbear, this bestselling primer in the prestige market needs to be under your foundation. Apply the lightweight balm sparingly and watch it instantly blur pores and even out imperfections creating an even and matte finish. We found make-up looked flawless throughout the day when layered underneath foundation but also loved using it on its own on no make-up days. It also works a treat when used over make-up for oily or combination complexions that can’t go without topping up in the day.

Best: For dull skin

Rating: 9/10

Lacklustre complexions that need a little pick-me-up, should reach for this light-reflecting formula with pearlised pigments. A hero product from Irish make-up artist, Aimee Connolly’s cosmetic brand, shows she knows the secret behind creating glowing, radiant skin. Boasting broad spectrum SPF30 for everyday protection and hyaluronic acid and peptides for added moisture and skin-plumping, this is yet another all-in-one product for a speedy morning routine. Expect it to leave skin feeling like velvet with a beautiful natural luminous glow, and of course creating a smoother complexion for better foundation application that stays in place all day.

Best: For combination and oily skin types

Rating: 8/10

Turn to this oil-free mattifying formula if you’re looking to keep shine at bay, and soften imperfections like enlarged pores and fine lines. It makes an ideal base for complexions prone to oiliness, keeping make-up even and in place for longer. For days when you want to go make-up free, it also works well as the last step in your skincare routine, leaving skin feeling silky and looking like it’s had a soft-focus filter applied.

Best: For lines and wrinkles

Rating: 9/10

More mature skin types with deeper-set lines should turn to this magic formula. It’s a must for anyone that finds their foundation or concealer sits in creases or cakes throughout the day, drawing attention to wrinkles. Filling lines and effortlessly blurring the look of imperfections, the primer creates a smooth and even base for make-up. It also boasts skincare benefits too, with the brand’s NIA-114 complex (a form of vitamin B3) that strengthens the skin barrier.

Best: For normal skin types

Rating: 9/10

It’s hard to pick a favourite in Laura Mercier’s line-up of primers, as there’s one that provides an ideal base for each skin type. By a whisker, the original version is our favourite for its suit-all, hard-working formula. It’s non-greasy and water-based with vitamin E for hydration, so it will work for combination and dry skin types alike. With added skin protection in the form of SPF30 and vitamin C, this primer goes the extra skincare mile as well as keeping make-up immaculate all day.

Best: For blemish-prone skin

Rating: 8/10

The brand’s poreless putty primer has been a huge beauty star all over TikTok, and we predict this latest putty primer launch designed for breakouts will follow in its footsteps. The formula boasts 1.8 per cent salicylic acid, known for its brilliant blemish-fighting abilities, as well as zinc to reduce inflammation and green tone to colour correct any redness. We tested it on hormonal breakouts, where it smoothed over spots effortlessly, allowing for concealer to stay in place without any touch-ups needed in the day. A must for period skin.