I tried a dozen non toxic primers over the last decade and created a guide to help you find the right one for YOU. The best clean primers will be made with natural and organic ingredients in the US and be free of parabens, talc, synthetic fragrance, phthalates, dyes and petrochemicals.

Let me be the first to tell you, primers will literally make or break your makeup. They have the biggest impact on how foundation looks and wears throughout the day. Makeup primers are amazing for smoothing out skin texture, controlling oil and shine, preventing makeup from settling into fine lines, hydrating the skin and making makeup last longer. In short, your base is the difference between a smooth flawless look versus a patchy one.

How to choose the right primer

My tip is to look for a primer that will work for your skin type AND give the desired finish (matte or dewy).

• Check the ingredients to make sure there’s nothing that will irritate skin or clog pores.
• Look for whether the primer gives a matte, natural or dewy finish (usually in the name of the product or description).

Ingredients to avoid

• Parabens: These are preservatives that may cause irritation or hormonal disruption.
• Phthalates: Used for flexibility but linked to potential hormone disruption.
• Fragrance: Can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
• Alcohol (e.g., Isopropyl Alcohol, Ethanol): Can dry out or irritate sensitive skin.
• Silicones (Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane): May clog pores and cause breakouts.
• Mineral Oil: Can clog pores and be comedogenic.
• Bismuth Oxychloride: Can cause irritation, especially for sensitive skin.
• Talc: Linked to respiratory and skin issues
• Sulfates: Can be drying and irritating to the skin.
• Artificial Dyes: May cause allergic reactions or skin sensitivity.

I tried OGEE Skin Enhancing Primer SPF 40

This is the newest clean makeup primer on the market, and I’ve gotta say I’m blown away! OGEE’s Skin Enhancing Primer surpasses other non toxic primers in a number of ways. First of all, it provides a high sun protection factor of SPF 40 with 10% zinc oxide. Second, it’s certified organic (74% to be exact), vegan, gluten free and entirely naturally derived. I find the consistency to be super silky and smooth and it feels very lightweight and breathable on the skin. I love the ever so subtle tint it has that helps brighten my skin when it’s looking dull. I find that it creates a nicely hydrated base that’s prepped for smooth makeup application.

Price: $56 for 1 oz
Key ingredients: Microalgae extract, Zinc Oxide, Gooseberry Fruit Juice and Cranberry Seed Oil
Varietals available: Skin Enhancing Primer, Botanical Activated Primer
✔ Certified Organic ✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty free ✔ Gluten free ✔ Made in USA ✔ 100% natural ✔ Sun protection ✔ Silicone free

Use OBL15 for 15% off

Shop Here

I tried Saint Jane Beauty Luxury Sun Ritual

In all my testing I found Saint Jane Beauty’s Luxury Sun Ritual to perform most similarly to a conventional primer. It instantly gives my skin a smooth, filtered look while creating a second skin canvas. It’s just really really good, lightweight with a decent amount of “grippiness”. The only downsides is it does have some silicone & phenoxyethanol and I find the scent is on the strong side. But it’s great for someone who wants something that performs like a professional product while being safer to use. Saint Jane also offers the best value for money as it’s got nearly twice the amount of product than any other clean beauty primer on the market.

Price: $38 for 1.7 oz
Key ingredients: Jasmine, Hibiscus, Green Tea, Zinc Oxide

Use OBL for 20% off

Shop Here

I tried 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Primer

This is the OG 100% natural makeup primer and it’s still top tier. The Fruit Pigmented Primer is entirely silicone free and comes in both a matte and glow version. It gives a radiant finish thanks to light reflecting pigments and has a bunch of skincare ingredients like resveratrol, vitamin E, green tea and aloe. I love how light, silky and hydrating it feels. It basically preps the skin to look hydrated and luminous with makeup.

Price: $45 for 1 oz
Key ingredients: avocado, resveratrol, vitamin E, green tea and aloe
Varietals available: Luminous Primer, Mattifying Primer
✔ 100% natural ✔ Silicone free ✔ Vegan ✔ Cruelty free

Use ORGANICBEAUTYLOVER for 20% off

Shop Here

I tried Inika Organic Matte Perfection Primer

This is one of the cleanest and highest quality primers available. I tried both INIKA Organic’s Pure Perfection Primer and Matte Perfection Primer and love the matte one! The Pure version gives a dewy finish and feels thin and silky while the matte version is lightweight with just a tiny bit more grip. It absorbs oil and covers the look of my pores while creating a hydrated base that grips makeup well.

Price: $54 for 1 oz
Key ingredients: Kangaroo Paw, Hyaluronic Acid, Willowbark Extract, Apricot Kernel Oil and Geranium Oil
✔ Certified Organic ✔ Vegan ✔ Leaping Bunny Cruelty-free ✔ Silicone free

Shop Here

I tried Juice Beauty

Juice Beauty’s primer was the first natural primer I ever tried and I feel like it’s still an excellent option even with all of today’s options. It’s all natural and organic with so many fantastic ingredients like organic aloe, apple, grape, Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. It makes my skin look so glowy and pretty that I don’t even feel like covering it up with foundation.

Price: $36 for 1 oz
Key ingredients: organic aloe juice, grape, apple, and lemon juice, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid
✔ Vegan ✔ Organic ✔ Cruelty-free ✔ Silicone free

Shop Here

I tried Suntegrity 5-in-1 Tinted Primer SPF 30

Suntegrity is the most heavy duty clean primer I’ve used! It’s got so much grip and has a thicker consistency. I find it to be extremely versatile though since it works as a sunscreen, primer, moisturizer and BB cream. It comes in 4 shades (there are no darker shades unfortunately) and provides a decent medium coverage for me. It’s packed with a lot of antioxidant-rich superfoods like pomegranate, red algae and green tea. My makeup wears better when I use this.

Price: $48 for 2 oz
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Astaxanthin, Red Algae, Aloe Vera, Jojoba Oil, Sunflower Oil, Pomegranate, Cucumber, and Green Tea
✔ Vegan ✔ PETA & Leaping Bunny certified ✔ Titanium dioxide free ✔ Nanoparticles free ✔ Fragrance free ✔ Silicone free

Shop Here

I tried Honest Beauty Everything Primer Glow

I tried a variety of affordable clean primers like Honest, Pacifica and Mineral Fusion and I would choose Honest if I were on a tight budget. It’s got great skin-beneficial ingredients like two types of hyaluronic acid and gives skin a luminous finish. It’s got a subtle amount of shimmer to it and helps brighten my complexion and feels light and hydrating.

Price: $18.99 for 1 oz
Key ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, Watermelon, Apple, Lentil Extract
✔ Vegan ✔ Leaping Bunny Cruelty-free ✔ Silicone free