Milk Hydro Grip Primer is a cult favorite makeup primer. It is hard to find a good dupe for the Milk Hydro Grip Primer because it has unique properties that make it so effective.
Since it’s not the least expensive product out there, these 10 Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer dupes will get you similar results at a fraction of the price.
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My Top Pick:
E.l.f. Power Grip Primer is my top pick because it:
- Contains similar ingredients to Milk Hydro Grip Primer
- Hydrates your skin like Milk Hydro Grip Primer
- Is lightweight
- Is super affordable
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Milk Hydro Grip Primer
Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer is a lightweight hydrating gel primer that forms a barrier between your skin and your foundation and provides grip so that makeup stays in place all day.
This primer is formulated for up to 12 hours of wear and is a clean formula that is 94% natural.
Milk Hydro Grip Primer Skin-Loving Ingredients
The ingredient list almost looks like it comes from a skincare product.
It is formulated with healthy ingredients like:
- Hemp-derived cannabis seed extract for hydration
- Blue agave extract to smooth the look of makeup and lock in moisture
- Aloe water hydrates and soothes the skin.
- Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) draws water to and plumps the skin
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3) supports a healthy skin barrier, brightens, balances oil production, and even offers anti-aging benefits for the skin.
- Sweet cherry extract is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that protect the skin from environmental damage
Some other great features of this primer include how lightweight it feels on your skin – like you’re not wearing anything at all, without feeling dry or cakey.
There is no silicone in the formula, but it has the texture and smoothness of a formula made with silicone without a heavy layer that dries your skin.
After a full day of wear, this primer continues to hydrate and moisturize your skin.
Formulated for normal to dry skin types, this primer is incredibly natural-looking on the skin. It hydrates and smoothes the skin and makes foundation look much more even for a flawless look without adding any weight to the skin.
If you have dry or mature skin and want a lightweight, oil-free primer that won’t clog pores or cause dry patches underneath foundation, this is the perfect primer for you.
If you hate wearing makeup altogether and would rather not put anything on your face if you can help it, this primer can smooth skin texture and add extra long-lasting hydration, especially during the cooler winter months.
Hydro Grip Primer is silicone-free, oil-free, and comes in a clear formula. It is formulated for all skin tones and is vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and fragrance-free.
10 Milk Hydro Grip Primer Dupes
1. e.l.f. Power Grip Primer
E.l.f. Power Grip Primer is a gel primer formulated to grip makeup while smoothing and hydrating your skin, just like Milk Hydro Grip Primer.
The result is a soft-focus effect that blurs imperfections and preps your skin for makeup.
Power Grip Primer contains:
- Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) provides hydration and plumping.
- Niacinamide brightens your skin and evens out your skin tone.
- Glycerin moisturizes.
- Vitamin E works as a skin-protective antioxidant.
Wear it alone or under makeup. This e.l.f. primer applies clear, making it ideal for all skin tones and skin types.
This Milk Hydro Grip Primer dupe is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from phthalates, parabens, nonylphenol ethoxylates, triclosan, triclocarban, sulfates, and hydroquinone.
For more information on e.l.f.’s line of makeup primers, please see my post on the best e.l.f. primers.
2. Makeup Revolution Hydrate Primer
Makeup Revolution Hydrate Primer is a water-based hydrating primer that is formulated to create a glowing complexion.
- Hyaluronic acid is a key ingredient that hydrates your skin while providing a lightweight base for makeup application.
- Vitamin E helps protect your skin from external aggressors such as UV rays. It also helps nourish your skin for a soft, smooth feel all day.
- Glycerin moisturizes.
- Panthenol provides additional moisture while soothing your skin.
This fragrance-free primer is great for those with dry skin, as it leaves your skin dewy and provides long-lasting hydration throughout the day without leaving a greasy feeling behind.
3. Essence Hydro Hero Primer
Essence Hydro Hero Primer provides 24-hour hydration while blurring imperfections and keeping your makeup looking fresh.
- Hyaluronic acid smooths the look of wrinkles and fine lines while boosting hydration and moisture. As a bonus, your skin gets a plumping effect from hyaluronic acid.
- Cucumber extract hydrates while soothing your skin and calming irritation
- Panthenol (pro-vitamin B-5) soothes and moisturizes.
- Allantoin provides additional soothing benefits for your skin.
The lightweight, clear formula has a silky texture that instantly sinks into your skin and creates a smooth surface for flawless makeup application.
The primer is super hydrating and grips onto makeup for all-day wear. A very affordable alternative to Milk Hydro Grip!
Please note there is an added cucumber fragrance in this primer.
4. NYX Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer
NYX Bare With Me Hydrating Jelly Primer has a non-sticky jelly texture that moisturizes yet leaves a glass-like finish on your skin.
This lightweight water-based primer is made with cucumber and aloe extracts that soothe and moisturize your skin.
It hydrates for up to 8 hours while smoothing the look of enlarged pores. It has that fun, bouncy texture that retains its shape in the jar.
This drugstore dupe helps to even out skin tone and can be worn alone for a no-makeup look, just like Hydro Grip but for less money, making it another great Milk primer dupe.
This NYX primer has a vegan formula that is cruelty-free and PETA-certified.
5. NYX Honeydew Me Up! Plumping Dewy Face Primer
NYX Honeydew Me Up! Plumping Dewy Face Primer is formulated to neutralize the look of redness and discoloration. NYX added light-reflective gold flecks to the formula for a golden, dewy finish.
- Honey extract offers antibacterial and soothing benefits.
- Collagen extract conditions and moisturizes your skin.
- Bifida Ferment Lysate is a probiotic that is healing and supports a healthy skin barrier, and may even offer benefits to sensitive skin.
- Hyaluronic acid hydrates.
- Chamomile extract, allantoin, and panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) soothe your skin.
This gripping primer creates a smooth base for makeup to adhere to. It is lightweight and hydrating with a radiant, glowing finish. It helps your foundation glide on smoothly and lasts all day.
This face primer is vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA-certified.
6. Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer
Good Molecules Lightweight Daily Moisturizer hydrates and smoothes your skin with a natural silicone alternative that leaves your skin feeling silky yet has a lightweight feel.
This moisturizer smoothes your skin’s texture while prepping it for foundation and the rest of your makeup routine.
- Macadamia seed oil and shea butter nourish your skin.
- Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) acts like a sponge to help your skin hold onto water.
- Essential fatty acids from olive oil (sorbitan olivate) support a healthy skin barrier.
- Antioxidant vitamin E protects your skin.
This priming moisturizer has a wonderful smoothing effect while hydrating and softening your skin. It grips makeup well and helps it to last longer. Love it!
Check out my Good Molecules review for more on this moisturizer and other Good Molecules products.
7. Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer
While this may be another unconventional pick for a primer dupe, Olay Regenerist Whip Face Moisturizer acts as a primer and moisturizer in one with its ability to smooth your skin’s texture and hydrate beautifully.
It transforms from cream to liquid on contact to allow your skin to breathe.
Its lightweight formula contains Olay’s Amino-Peptide Complex II, which hydrates your skin, helping to improve elasticity and minimize the look of wrinkles and fine lines.
Ingredients like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate), and Olay’s proprietary firming Amino Peptide offer plumping and anti-aging benefits.
This moisturizer is very underrated for its priming and gripping benefits. It is never sticky and absorbs quickly.
It allows for a smooth application and extended wear of makeup. I’ve gone through countless jars of this priming moisturizer!
8. Hard Candy Hydrating 12 Hour Makeup Grip + Hyaluronic Acid Jelly Primer
Hard Candy Hydrating 12 Hour Makeup Grip + Hyaluronic Acid Jelly Primer is a gel primer that grips makeup to make it last all day (up to 12 hours).
It is formulated with some of the same ingredients as Milk Hydro Grip Primer:
- Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) hydrates and plumps your skin while minimizing the look of fine lines.
- Agave hydrates and moisturizes, and supports a healthy skin barrier.
- Niacinamide brightens, evens out skin tone, has anti-inflammatory benefits, and can even help with acne.
The gel formula absorbs quickly and holds makeup well. Like Hydro Grip, this dupe lasts all day and keeps skin hydrated, nourished, and soft.
9. Touch In Sol Pretty Filter Icy Sherbet Primer
Touch In Sol Pretty Filter Icy Sherbet Primer is a semi-transparent gel primer formulated to provide a cooling effect while hydrating your skin.
The silicone-free and oil-free formula uses Water Capture Powder to hydrate your skin instantly.
The sherbet primer is formulated with:
- Hyaluronic acid (sodium hyaluronate) for plumping hydration
- Paeonia albiflora (peony) flower extract to improve skin texture and elasticity
- Pseudanabaena galeata extract to condition and soothe your skin
This primer provides intense moisture, just like Hydro Grip Primer. Even though it is silicone-free, it smoothes pores like a silicone primer and leaves a natural finish without any heaviness.
Please note that it contains an added floral (rose) fragrance.
10. Wet N Wild Photo Focus Primer Water
Wet N Wild Photo Focus Primer Water is a facial primer water that preps, sets, and refreshes your complexion.
It creates a soft sheen and smooth canvas for makeup application. Foundation applies easily and lasts for hours.
Formulated in a classic floral rose scent, this hydrating mist is infused with good-for-your-skin ingredients like cucumber fruit water, green tea extract, glycerin, panthenol, and arginine.
This primer is cruelty-free.
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Milk Hydro Grip Primer Dupes: Hydrate and Prep Your Skin While Saving Money
The best Milk Hydro Grip Primer dupes will give you the perfect grip for your makeup application.
These makeup dupes help foundation and color cosmetics apply more evenly and last much longer while helping to keep color vibrant.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!