Best Foundations for Oily Skin – Learn How to Achieve a Flawless, Matte-Looking Skin
I am so happy to share this list of best foundations that are great for oily skin. If you want to control your oily skin while at work, or you feel like you need foundation to go to the gym, it’s okay. I got you.
However, the main reason for my excitement is the fact that makeup has truly evolved over time. Now we can find foundations that can help us achieve a trendy looking dewy skin, but without looking oily, greasy or shiny.
You want to know how exactly is this even possible? Keep reading to find out.
1. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
This is truly a best seller for a reason. Rihanna delivered, alright! Pro Filt’r foundation is super lightweight on the skin and it feels like you have nothing on your face. It gives a medium coverage, but you can build it up to be full coverage.
Work fast while applying it, and in small thin layers, because it dries quickly. This is a good sign when looking for a foundation for oily skin.
The shade range is spectacular and you can easily find your shade using their guide (even online). If you need to decide between two shades, they say to pick the lighter one. Once you test it, make sure it dries down so you can be sure your shade is a match.
2. Huda Beauty #FauxFilter Foundation
If you’re looking for a waterproof and transfer proof foundation, FauxFilter could be the one. It doesn’t settle into fine lines and it helps to blur out your skin. This one is also great for special occasions.
Make sure to start with ONE pump while applying it, because it might be just enough. You get full coverage and a blurred, “filtered” skin.
Some of you might even get away without setting the foundation with powder or a setting spray, because it mattifies the skin beautifully.
FauxFilter works really well with a primer. This is important to know, in case you want to achieve medium coverage. To make it work, create a mixture with half a pump of the foundation and a bit of the primer (I recommend Paula’s Choice SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish). Blend this onto your skin using this type of a foundation buffing brush.
3. Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation
Maybelline Fit Me is an excellent option if you want an “easy-to-use” product. It applies quickly and gets the job done. It gives medium coverage but quickly builds up to a full coverage. The foundation mattifies your face but still gives you a skin-looking, radiant finish.
It is lightweight but covers acne scars and dark spots beautifully. This is a good foundation for daily use, especially considering the shade range – which is very good.
If you tend to get really oily throughout the day, set those areas of your face with a translucent powder like this one.
4. L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
The L’oreal Pro-Matte is a medium coverage and lightweight foundation. It is water-based and great for oily skin! This foundation goes on smoothly, giving you a demi-matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours.
The color does tend to oxidize in some shades, but it is nothing big, still looks great in my opinion. With other products on top, it is barely noticeable.
Layering up to get a full coverage is also easy to do with L’Oréal Pro-Matte. It has a unique formula that really makes your skin look flawless and it keeps the shine away. You will forget that you have it on your face.
You can apply it with your fingers or a brush. If you feel like the application is tricky, try to apply it with a damp beauty sponge, or just blend in the critical areas of your face with the sponge.
5. MAC Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation
As the name suggests, this is a long lasting foundation. Only a small drop is sufficient for your entire face. The coverage is great, but if you feel you need extra, just apply a second layer. You can also reapply it only on the areas that need a bit more coverage.
The micronized pigments allow for a seamless blending, and for the foundation to stay true to color with a soft matte finish. Once you apply it, for the best result, set it with a powder to really lock it in place.
This foundation is oil-free and non-acnegenic. As MAC says, it really is lightweight and comfortable. The water-repelling formula of this foundation immediately hydrates your skin, gives you a subtle luminosity and it doesn’t crease at all.
As I was mentioning in the intro, oily skin people deserve hydration, too.
6. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Foundation
Wow, do I love this Lancome foundation. For special occasions – it’s a dream! This foundation will keep you matte and flawless until you’re ready to remove it. It is easy to apply, and blends well into the skin. Feels like second skin, actually.
The formula is lightweight, great at covering redness and keeping skin looking smooth, matte and beautiful. To get flawless full coverage, apply it with a brush and layer it where necessary. Set it with a fine setting powder like this one and you are good to go.
Bonus points, so many shades to choose from!
7. NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation
NARS Soft Matte is a full coverage foundation. It does not oxidize and it gives your skin a natural looking finish. However, if you need to decide between two shades, go with a lighter one, since this formula runs a bit deeper than other NARS foundations.
This is a silicone based foundation that really helps you with shiny oily skin throughout the day. Its formula is great because it lets you blend it nicely into the skin, but after a couple of minutes, it sets and doesn’t move anymore. You will not feel it if you touch your face, which I love!
This one is actually so easy to apply, that you can just massage it into your skin, using your fingers. The formula is very forgiving and it’s a big YES from me.
8. Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation
MUFE has some of my favorite complexion products. This foundation is one of them. A full-coverage and waterproof foundation. It covers acne scars, age and dark spots, all you can think of.
I also love it because it doesn’t settle into fine lines and it doesn’t get patchy throughout the day. The shade range is quite amazing, I must add.
It provides a velvety-matte finish and you will be able to wear it for up to 24 hours. Keep in mind you need to prep and set your skin, just like with any foundation, depending on your skin type.
9. Smashbox Skin 24 Hour Hydra Foundation
This foundation is also a hit for oily skin. It is a water based foundation and it is best to use it with a water based primer. I recommend using the primer from Smashbox as well. It is humidity resistant, and transfer resistant.
You can choose from a variety of shades, especially for neutral undertones, that are hard to find in my opinion.
Studio Skin does not oxidize on your skin nor does it cause breakouts. It’s formula is infused with hyaluronic acid that nourishes your skin. This is great because it is not too matte, but also not too glowy.
The formula truly is long lasting. You are able to really blend it into your skin, to take your time with it. But once it’s set, you are ready to go to the gym, take a day trip, you name it. It will not disappoint!
10. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Estée Lauder Double Wear is probably the most popular foundation and product from this brand. It is also very popular worldwide in general, and for a good reason, too. I personally love this foundation for a special occasion, but love it on a daily basis as well.
It is very long lasting, almost tattoo-like, but still looks natural. You can achieve a medium to full coverage look with it.
This foundation is oil free, and it dries down to a skinlike, matte finish. Just make sure to work with it in sections, since it dries down quickly. Prep your skin really well and you will be amazed at the finish it gives you. Also, shake it before you use it!
11. Dior Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation
Such a creative name for this foundation. They say it lasts up to 24 hours and it really is worth trying. I have noticed it is not sticky and it dries down fast, meaning that it is transfer proof.
This also implies that Diorskin Forever Undercover does not oxidize. You just need to be sure to pick the correct shade as follows: swatch it and wait for it to dry on your skin. This way you’ll be sure that you got the best color match.
It is somewhat liquidy, so you can apply it easily (not too watery, not too sticky). The water-based formula blends into a full coverage look. It feels so lightweight and you get a natural matte, second-skin finish. Also, it looks amazing in photographs!
You can layer other makeup products on top of it as much as you like. This is why professional MUAs like it so much. It looks invisible, so I also understand why regular people like to use it on a daily basis.
12. ILIA True Skin Medium Coverage Serum Foundation
This medium-coverage foundation is becoming more popular each day. It is an amazing option for oily-skin people that are not afraid of hydrating foundations. You get a bright, even, and dewy looking skin.
Ilia truly did their best in creating a unique product that is so skin focused, meaning that this foundation provides skin care benefits for real. It is a serum foundation, infused with niacinamide and allantoin that nurture your skin. However, they also suppress sebum or oil production.
This foundation will collaborate with your skin care products and help your skin balance out its oil production in the long run. And if you don’t like to wear a lot of makeup, make sure you try this one.
13. Catrice True Skin Hydrating Foundation
If you ever wanted to find a very pigmented foundation, but also very affordable – this might be the one for you. Its texture is great, a very watery foundation, but because of the pigment, you really need just a small amount to cover your entire face.
With Catrice True Skin you get a long lasting effect, and a dewy look. This is huge for a foundation that is recommended for oily skin. It is super easy to apply and blend. Your other products will layer great on top of it.
This foundation, as Catrice says, does the following: leaves you with a feathery light texture and an incomparable matte, ‘real skin’ finish.
14. Milk Makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation
Last but not least, Milk Makeup has brought us this delight and ever since it came out, I really really appreciate it! This is an ultra-weightless, full-coverage foundation that lets your skin breathe and just be.
It is oil-free and silicone-free. The formula is quite unique – a rather thick consistency – but so so smooth. A little bit goes a long way so the product itself lasts you a long time.
This foundation does not look cakey at all, which is amazing for a full coverage long wearing foundation. But also, worth mentioning, you need to powder after applying it to get the best result.
All that being said, I love this foundation because it doesn’t change a bit – your skin looks like skin all day long.
What Foundation Works Best on Oily Skin
Well, probably the one that keeps you looking matte and flawless throughout the day. If I had to pick one, it would be the Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation.
For a budget friendly alternative, it would be the Maybelline Fit Me Foundation.
In this video you can try a bunch of good tips for oily skin:
How to Find the Best Foundation for Oily Skin
If you’re wondering what to look for in foundations for oily skin, here is my advice.
The best type of foundation for oily skin would be the one that is oil-free. Look for a water-based foundation, but don’t forget to match it with a primer for oily skin. You can also try to find ones that are long lasting.
Consider the shade range as well, since it seems like going for a shade lighter is usually the best option. I have noticed that my oily forehead gets a bit darker if my natural oils cling onto the foundation.
Should You Wear Foundation if You Have Oily Skin
Yes, you should wear foundation if you have oily skin, but only if you want to. That is completely up to you. To get the best result, use a foundation that gives you a matte finish.
If you are a beginner, maybe start with this highly rated powder foundation, since it is very easy to use. Or try the Ilia one that I’ve mentioned above, that gives you a skin care feeling.
If you feel like it doesn’t look good on you, or you think you will get less oily without it, don’t use it. You can just use some concealer to even out your skin tone. But there is definitely a good foundation for oily skin out there.
Is Liquid or Powder Foundation Better for Oily Skin
It is honestly up to you and your preferences.
Some people want to control their shine, but still keep the luminosity on their skin. You can achieve this with some hydrating foundations, as mentioned above.
Other people have very oily skin and do prefer to stay matte the entire day. For this type of a situation, a combination of both might be good to try.
Powder foundation is great for touch-ups and easy to apply for all of you busy people.
Powder formulas absorb excess oils and it is less likely for you to get clogged pores. This is why it is good for acne-prone and sensitive skin.
Stay informed,
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