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Whether you have large pores, acne scars, or want to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, pore primers can make your skin the perfect base for makeup. That's why our editors searched Japanese e-commerce sites (such as @cosme, Amazon, and Rakuten) for the best pore primers. We then chose the 20 most popular products and tested them.
We focused on three things: how well it covered pores, how good the finish looked, and how durable it was. We then compiled everything we learned into a buying guide about and list of the best Japanese pore primers available online.
She's a freelance hair and makeup artist and an expert in aromatherapy certified by the Aroma Environment Association of Japan. She also pens beauty columns. She studied under Mr. Hiroki Murooka from the hair and makeup studio ThreePEACE for four years before going independent.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are three big things to look out for.
Having a layer of texture-evening pore primer is important, but what's even more imperative is that you can get the job done with just a thin layer of product. Since it's a base makeup, you run the risk of your foundation looking caked-on with a thick base.
And since pore primer is mainly for minimizing the appearance of pores, you should look for specific color control or concealer products if you're also concerned about skin tone.
Just like a normal foundation primer, you should pick a pore primer that lasts. It reduces the number of touch ups you'll feel compelled to do throughout the day.
There are many that use pore primers for specific oily areas like their T-zone, so you should pick something that will either run out of steam at the same time as your normal primer or something that will last even longer.
Whether you're looking to cut down on products or you're in the middle of hot summer months, you'll find joy within primers that have UV protection. Ideally, they should be the same strength or even stronger than your preferred sunscreen.
Some people may feel safer with a triple layer of sunscreen, primer, and foundation, but more products can suffocate pores even further and cause irritation. Reduce products when you can for the sake of your skin.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dr. Ci Labo Labo Labo Keana Cover-UV | $12.71 Low Mid | The Very Best Pore Primer for Minimizing Pores | ||
2 | Kanebo Coffret D'or SPF 50+ UV Make up Base | $24.10 Mid | The Pore Primer with the Best Finish and UV Protection | ||
3 | Acro Amplitude Complete Fit Cream Base | $77.97 High | The Best Pore Primer for Dry Skin | ||
4 | Napo Mimura SS Cover | $42.53 High Mid | The Best Mattifying Pore Primer | ||
5 | Kose Esprique Perfect Keep Base | $34.45 Mid | The Best Pore Primer for Oily and Combination Skin | ||
6 | Ishizawa Laboratories Keana Nadeshiko Goodbye Pore Makeup Base | $22.00 Mid | A Great Pore Primer with a Soft-looking Finish | ||
7 | Kokuryudo Point Magic Pore Cover Cream | $13.16 Low Mid | A Pore Primer with Decent Coverage and Finish | ||
8 | e'quipe RMK Creamy Polished Base N | $38.98 High Mid | The Best Brightening and Moisturizing Pore Primer | ||
9 | Kose Decorte Complete Flat Primer | $35.00 Mid | A Great Finish That Requires Touch ups | ||
10 | msh Time Secret Mineral Make up Base|Cover Matte | $16.16 Low Mid | A Durable Pore Primer with a Great Finish |
What we liked about Labo Labo Keana Cover-UV so much is that it blended into our skin well and minimized pores in tough areas like around our nose and cheeks.
This creamy primer comes in a bright beige color that's not suited for all skin tones, but if it matches yours, it will even out your complexion in terms of color as well.
It's also durable enough against sweat that you could use it in summertime!
This primer has a watery texture and comes in a bright beige that provided our skin with a lively finish. It even fixed the slight red discoloration around our nose!
We wish it had provided just a little more coverage in terms of pore minimizing, so we'd recommend this for those with normal skin who are looking for some good UV protection.
We could definitely feel some moisturizing effects from this pore primer, and it gave our skin a dewy finish. It also minimized the appearance of pores rather than filling them in, so this may not be the best for those with larger pores.
We also wished it could stand up to sweat a bit better, but it should be fine if you're not going to be in a hot place. We'd recommend this to those with dry skin considering its moisturizing properties.
Not only does SS Cover have a pleasant matte finish; it also evens out your skin tone. Its texture that falls between moisturizing and watery makes it suitable for any skin type.
It's also durable against sweat and oil, so this would be a good primer to use in hot weather.
This pore primer may not conceal your pores perfectly, but it has a smooth and brightening finish that would make it great for those with oily or combination skin.
It also evens out your skin texture and fixes discoloration, so you could probably use it to minimize the appearance of acne scars as well.
This pore primer was a little lacking in the pore coverage department, but it gave our skin an extremely soft-looking finish that we loved.
This product could make your skin dry out during the day, though, so we highly suggest pre-application skincare. We also liked its soft, mousse-like texture and the fact that it could stand up to sweat and oil.
While we found the texture of this primer to be a bit on the stiff side, we couldn't complain much about its pore minimizing effects or its finish. It also did a fairly good job standing up to sweat. If you're on a budget, this could be a viable option.
While this pore primer scored well in a couple of our tests, we weren't crazy about how it blended into our skin.
However, it did have a bit of glitter that gave our skin a more livened look, and it has enough moisturizing power that we'd feel safe recommending it to those with dry skin.
We'll admit that this pore primer didn't have the kind of pore coverage or durability we were looking for, but it did give our skin a pretty dewy-looking finish with even color.
We'd recommend this product if you're not super concerned about the appearance of your pores and you're in a cool place.
This is another pore primer that didn't do so hot in the pore covering department, but it was fairly resistant to sweat and had a finish that was somewhere between dewy and matte.
It won't hide your large pores, but we think you should use it if you're looking for a pore primer that won't cake up throughout the day.
We put each of the pore primers through a series of three tests to gauge their value. One test looked at its level of pore coverage while the other two focused on finish and durability.
We applied each of the products to the skin of sudachi, a Japanese citrus fruit, since it appears to have large pores.
We wanted to know which primers would cover pores as well as even out the sudachi rind's uneven texture.
We found that primers with a mousse-like texture do the best at filling in pores and evening skin texture. Think of it as a smooth veil over your skin.
It's clear to see which sudachi skins were evened out and which weren't. Just because a pore primer fills in your pores doesn't mean it will look good; a flat and smooth skin texture is what you should aim for.
Next, pro makeup artist Fujiwara applied each primer on a human model to gauge its finish - that is, whether or not it improved the look of our skin.
The best primers in our ranking had three things in common:
The lower-ranked products often made it seem like our pores were filled in with a product our skin wouldn't be able to absorb. Make sure your primer has the above-listed qualities and you should be good to go.
I recommend a pore primer that's not too matte or heavy. The best ones will spread out to fill in and minimize pore appearance with little effort.
If you're just looking for something to fill in your pores, you're better off with a clear primer. You can also fix discoloration with another primer.
To test each primer's durability, we applied each to a sheet of artificial skin.
Then, we applied a durable foundation over each product.
Finally, we sprayed each square with fake sweat (horse oil and warm water) to see which products would be able to stand up to it.
Our test results showed us that products with a higher concentration of silicon-based products were able to withstand more environmental factors. If your main concern is having a long-lasting primer, look for ingredients like dimethicone or cyclopentasiloxane listed on the label.
As with any cosmetic product, there are both ineffective and effective ways to apply pore primer. The key is to take a small amount of product and massage it gently onto your skin in small circles. The science behind this is that pores tend to go in all directions, so horizontal and vertical motions aren't going to give you adequate coverage.
Be wary not to apply too much or else your foundation will look heavy; and if you're worried about discoloration, consider a separate concealer. It's also okay to apply it before your main foundation primer (unless the label states otherwise).
When a powder foundation is applied to your skin with a trusty brush, it can help minimize the look of large pores. You can apply it on your face the same way as you would your pore primer, using small circles that work their way over problem areas. Luckily, we've reviewed some Japanese powder foundations that could suit your needs.
It's evening and your pores are starting to reemerge - what should you do? We recommend taking a clean makeup sponge and lightly patting problem areas. Then follow it up with a touch of powder foundation. Ta da! Your pores are nice and hidden again.
Don't let that oily shine bring you down! Take control of excess sebum with the help of these products.
No. 1: Dr. Ci Labo|Labo Labo Keana Cover-UV
No. 2: Kanebo|Coffret D'or SPF 50+ UV Make up Base
No. 3: Acro|Amplitude Complete Fit Cream Base
No. 4: Napo|Mimura SS Cover
No. 5: Kose|Esprique Perfect Keep Base
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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