Growing up with acne-prone and oily skin taught me many things. Namely, how to conceal a spot, the quickest way to take down a breakout overnight, and that moisturiser is not the enemy. It also taught me that when it came to makeup application, I had to be incredibly picky about the products I used on my face. Choosing formulas that felt light and not greasy, that wouldn’t clog my pores or irritate spots, and that would minimise shine and make my makeup last longer became my top prerogative.
My skin is much less oily now—I learned the hard way that over cleansing and scrimping on moisture was not the way to deal with it—but when I need to ensure my makeup lasts all day or stands up against hot, humid weather, I employ the same useful tips and techniques that I learned as an oily-skinned teenager.
Essentially, I know how annoying it is when your makeup has slid down your face by midday, when no amount of powder will prevent your T-zone from shining, and when your pores seem to be visible no matter how many layers of foundation you apply.
My secret weapon? Primer. These days, many of the best makeup primers are designed to hydrate skin, to add glow and radiance, and to give skin a fresh, dewy finish. But if you have oily skin, then you probably want the exact opposite. The best primers for oily skin will mattify your complexion, reducing shine, preventing oil from disturbing your foundation, blurring the appearance of pores, and keeping your makeup locked in place from dawn ’til dusk.
The best formulas rely upon ingredients like silicones to create a physical barrier between makeup and skin, while creating a smooth canvas for makeup. What’s more, many primers for oily skin contain ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid, which help in the long term to control oil, reduce breakouts, and balance skin’s moisture levels.
I’ve tried and tested hundreds of primers over the years, so there’s no better person to share an ultimate list of the best primers for oily skin.
An oldie but a goodie, this pore-smoothing primer has been a favourite of mine since I was a teenager. Since it’s kept my makeup intact on many a night out over the years, it’s one I always come back to.
Silicones sometimes get a bad rep in the skincare world, but they’re actually a very underrated ingredient. Since they can’t be absorbed into pores, they sit on top of skin, creating a smoothing layer that makeup adheres too. The layer also acts as a barrier to prevent oil from coming through and disturbing the makeup.
If you prefer a silicone-free formula (the texture can be a little jarring for some), this is an excellent option. It’s formulated specifically for oily and combination skin types, so contains a blend of helpful ingredients like niacinamide and bakuchiol.
Don’t be decieved by the thick, moisturiser-like texture. This immediately melts into a silky solution which blurs the appearance of pores, mattifies skin, and creates an even canvas for makeup.
Of course, not everyone with oily skin wants a matte finish. I love this primer for days when I want to maintain a bit of a glow and radiance. Plus, it contains niacinamide to help control excess oil.
There’s a good reason why this primer has racked up hundreds of five star reviews and gone viral on TikTok. The water-based, jelly-like formula is lightweight and non-greasy so looks and feels totally invisible on skin. Despite this, it impressively locks makeup in place for hours on end.
Ideal for those who have very oily skin and wear their makeup all day (or all night), this silicone-based primer has a velvety texture which gives skin a true matte finish.
I tried and tested this one over the summer, so take it from me, this one really stands up against hot temperatures and humid climates. It’s a skincare-makeup hybrid, so as well as locking down makeup it utilises gentle exfoliating acids to target dead skin cell buildup and unclog pores.
We all know and love Urban Decay’s makeup setting spray, but this primer doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. it utilises the same makeup-locking formula to keep your face looking fresh for up to eight hours.
If your skin is oily but prone to occasional dryness, it can be hard to find a primer that works perfectly for you. Enter Nars’ Soft Matte Primer. The unique formula features a climate balancing technology which absorbs excess moisture in humid climates while retaining skin hydration in dry ones.
Some primers can feel thick and heavy on skin, and if you’re prone to oiliness and breakouts, you may be concerned about makeup clogging your pores. Put your mind at rest with this skincare-makeup hybrid from Paula’s Choice. It instantly works to keep skin shine free, while working in the long term to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
Since it’s water-proof, sweat-proof, and oil-proof, shine doesn’t stand a chance against this primer. It promises an impressive 12 hours of wear time.
It may be expensive, but truly, no one does base makeup quite like Hourglass. This skin-perfecting primer not only controls shine, but also creates an airbrushed finish which minimises the appearance of pores and breakouts.
I know many a makeup artist who counts this product as a staple in their kit. Formulated to give skin a photo-ready finish, it mattifies and smoother while light-diffusing pigments blur and filter imperfections.
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