Primers act like the insurance policy of your makeup routine.

While they often smooth, blur, and prep the skin, their main purpose is simple: help your makeup last longer and look seamless. A good primer keeps your foundation from fading, separating, or turning patchy throughout the day.

Many formulas even come with bonus ingredients like SPF, mattifying agents, or skin-soothing components. Today, let's compare two popular primers and see which one comes out on top!

1. Spotlight Second Skin Primer

This primer focuses on creating a smooth, shine-free canvas. Formulated with Tea Tree Oil and Kaolin Clay, it helps manage excess oil, calms irritation, and blurs pores and fine lines. It performs similarly to high-end products but at a more affordable price point. Based on my experience, this one does the best job at controlling oil without making the skin look heavy or cakey, making it my preferred choice between the two.

2. Sace Lady Real Skin Primer

This primer aims to extend makeup wear while giving the skin a soft matte finish. It reduces the look of pores, fine lines, and uneven texture. While it works decently, I find it to be pretty average overall. My main issue is that my makeup doesn't adhere as well when I use it—almost as if the base is too slippery, causing my foundation to shift more easily.

Both primers offer mattifying benefits and promise smoother-looking skin, but Spotlight stands out for its dependable staying power and oil control. If you need a primer that truly holds your makeup together from morning to night, it's the stronger option.