Shoppers Say This Primer Makes Them ‘Look 10 Years Younger’

You don’t need Botox—try this wrinkle-smoothing makeup primer instead. 

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There’s so much more to flawless makeup than a full-coverage foundation and lengthening mascara. Primer is a crucial step in any makeup routine, regardless of whether you love a full glam or minimal look. But not every primer is built equally. Skin changes with age, and with it so should your makeup products. According to reviewers with mature skin, the solution is Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch, a Clarins primer that blurs every imperfection for a flawless base. 

What is Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer? 

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As a primer that works similarly to an anti-aging cream, the Clarins primer melts into your face to create a smooth veil. It comes in a 0.5-ounce tub, which may seem tiny at first but nestles perfectly in a makeup bag. Since you only need to use a small amount at a time, you can expect the product to last a while.

Contrary to other makeup primers, the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer does more than just provide a base for foundation or cover up redness. It aims to smooth wrinkles and fill in fine lines to make you look visibly younger, no needles or filters necessary. 

Acacia plant micro-pearls and Vitamin E create a hydrating finish to give the primer a similar effect to a night cream, with peace of mind knowing you won’t look cakey at the end of the day. 

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How to use Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer 

While the cream is technically a primer and first step before makeup, there are different ways to use it. The first is to apply the primer as a standalone product, perhaps with a bit of tinted moisturizer for a natural look. You can also use it as a traditional primer as a base underneath foundation for aging skin. The third is to mix it with foundation for a two-in-one effect.  

Take a small amount of product and, unless you’re taking the mix approach, apply a small amount to your face with your fingertips or a blending makeup brush. Try applying in upward motions so as not to drag sensitive skin downward. Pat and blend the cream into your skin and let it set. 

Whichever way you decide to apply, the primer will reduce the appearance of fine lines, pores and wrinkles, working in collaboration with your favorite retinol serums and anti-aging concealers. Clarins develops its makeup with the same philosophies as skincare, so results derived from nature are key. 

After applying the Clarins primer with the makeup tricks that’ll make you look younger, head out the door in a confidence-boosting outfit trick to feel your best. You might even feel so inspired, you’ll take a selfie to celebrate your new extra-plump and smooth skin.

The best user reviews 

Regardless of age or makeup expertise, the Clarins primer is a go-to for many. Find out what makes the anti-aging primer a must-have for these real-life users. 

Terry Mac, a Sephora reviewer with a maturing under-eye area, swears by this primer. “This primer does what it claims to do,” Terry writes. “When I apply a small amount before applying undereye concealer, it takes years from my undereye. And it stays like that! I’m using this primer forever!”

No other primer covered Ena V‘s pores better than Clarins. “You can tell the difference right away if you apply a sheer foundation afterward,” she writes in a Sephora review. “I can tell how much Clarins put effort into this product when I see the ingredients. I just wish I knew about this brand earlier.”

Cindy Rae, a Clarins reviewer from Texas, says she can’t live without this primer. “As a young woman I did none of the things I should have to take care of my skin and many of the things I shouldn’t have, so at 62 I have plenty of lines and wrinkles,” she writes. “Instant Smooth is one product that actually helps and makes me feel better about my appearance. Try it!”

Where to buy Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer 

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Shop the Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer on the Clarins website, Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom and Macy’s. The power-packed jar costs $40. Looking for a solution to fine lines? Then the Instant Smooth primer should be an instant investment.

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Andrea Carrillo
As a former associate shopping editor at Reader's Digest, Andrea is a lifestyle writer covering all things e-commerce. She has covered streetwear, sustainability and culture for a variety of publications. When she's not on deadline, you can find her reading, collecting vintage fashion and furthering her goal of visiting every country in South America.