During my time as a beauty editor, I’ve learned a lot about skincare and makeup in general, but I’ve also made some pretty important discoveries about my own skin and how it reacts to different products (joys of the job). Growing up, my skin was always extremely oily, something I spent years fighting with harsh scrubs and drying acne medications (lesson learned). Now though, I find that my skin gets dehydrated but remains oily on the surface. You can imagine this makes shopping for makeup products like foundation and concealer really tricky.
I finally learned that matte products just don’t work well for me—they leave my skin even more dehydrated and looking flaky. I then turned to hydrating formulas that are still noncomedogenic and that seemed to do the trick. If you have a similar problem, you’re going to want to keep reading. I spoke to a dermatologist to clear a few things up about oily skin and how to choose the right concealer for you. Read on below for the best options for oily skin types.
I might not need to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway. If you have oily skin, drying it out isn’t the fix. It’s also important to understand the difference between, dry, dehydrated, and oily skin. Personally, I’ve struggled with dehydrated skin that still gets oily on the surface—making it tough to find a concealer that works well for my skin. Board-certified dermatologist Azadeh Shirazi explains a little bit more about this.
“Dry skin produces less sebum, the oily substances secreted by our sebaceous glands,” she says. “Our skin needs lipids in oil to protect against external irritants, support the moisture barrier, and maintain hydration. Dryness refers to a skin type whereas dehydration is considered a skin condition or state where skin cells lack adequate water, not oil. Oily skin types naturally produce more oil than dry skin types. It’s important to also note oil secretion is heavily influenced by our body’s hormonal climate. Dehydrated skin is mostly due to external factors that result in diminished water content within the skin like dry weather. Now if the skin is over stripped with too many exfoliants or harsh cleansers, or if it becomes irritated, then it may signal the oil glands to rev up oil production to compensate and those with oily skin will become oilier.”
There are a few different factors that determine your skin’s oil production levels. According to Shirazi, the main ones are genetics, stress, and hormones. But like I said above, over scrubbing or drying it out isn’t the answer, either. “If you over cleanse or over scrub your skin, it will compensate by increasing oil production,” says Shirazi. “It’s best to use lightweight moisturizers, water-based makeup removers, and gentle cleansers to maintain a strong skin barrier.”
Finding the best concealer for your oily skin will depend on the above things. It took me a while to realize that I needed a hydrating, noncomedogenic formula and not a matte formula. If you also struggle with skin that gets dehydrated but remains oily on the surface, you may want to try one of the hydrating formulas below. Shirazi says to also look for hydrating formulas with humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid. Most importantly, look for a label that says “noncomedogenic.” For both some hydrating and matte concealer options, keep scrolling below.
I only started using this Ami Colé concealer recently, but I love how creamy and blendable it is, plus it never dries out my skin in any way. It just keeps my under eye area perfectly balanced with nourishing ingredients like baobab seed extract, hibiscus flower extract, and pumpkin seed extract.
Saie’s Hydrabeam is loaded with ingredients that help skin retain moisture like squalane, glycerin, and cucumber extract.
A makeup artist favorite, Milk Makeup’s Future Fluid works so well for both dry and oily skin. It contains hyaluronic acid, caffeine, aloe vera, arnica, and ingredients that support and protect the skin barrier. I love that it hydrates without creating a greasy film on my skin after a few hours.
I’m a huge fan of both the Luminous Silk Foundation and concealer for oily or acne-prone skin. Both formulas provide a hydrating finish, but are also completely free of pore-clogging oils.
Maybelline’s Instant Age Rewind is a fan-favorite from the drugstore because it’s crease-resistant, hydrates, and is totally noncomedogenic.
Packed with hydrating squalane and protective vitamin E, this option from Rose Inc. is another great one for those with dehydrated skin that gets oily on the surface still. It’s buildable and creamy, but is also noncomedogenic.
The Dior Backstage Concealer does leave more of a radiant finish, so it may not be great for those with extra oily skin, but I’ve found that it works great for my dehydrated skin that gets oily on the surface. It’s smooth, hydrating, and infused with caffeine to perk up the under eye area.
Although this is technically labeled a matte formula, I’ve found it to be pretty hydrating. It never dries out my under eye area like some matte formulas do, it never creases or flakes, and it doesn’t turn into an oil slick after a few hours, either. It’s the most-used concealer in my makeup bag at this point. It also happens to be a makeup artist favorite. “My favorite concealer for oily skin is Tarte’s Shape Tape Concealer because it stays in place all day and does not move. With oily skin, products tend to slide and breakdown but Tarte Shape Tape is so long-wearing it is ideal for oily skin. To make concealer last longer on oily skin, always set with a loose powder.” —Sara Talias, celebrity makeup artist
This Nyx formula is a true matte and works wonders for those who like a waterproof, full coverage formula.
Fenty Beauty’s concealer and foundation are fan-favorites for oily skin. The formula is so light and airy but leaves a soft matte finish that won’t crease or flake.
This soft matte concealer from Nars is so good it’s often sold out. It’s full coverage, oil-free, and perfect for those extra oily days.
I love that this Make Up For Ever option leaves a natural matte finish—it never looks too cakey and is totally breathable.
This is more of a medium coverage option that works well to blur out imperfections. It’s also infused with skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish and hydrate the skin while remaining matte.
Up Next: How to Apply BB Cream Like a Makeup Artist (Because Application is Everything).
