12 of the best foundations for oily skin
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones & Ayesha Muttucumaru
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 8 minutes
Keep shine at bay with these mattifying, skin-loving, long-lasting foundations & bases
When it comes to finding the best foundation for oily skin, the dream is one that controls shine but allows our natural skin texture to peek through. Today’s formulas do just that, with the cakey coverage of old replaced with natural-looking finishes that offer both shine-control and comfort.
If you're tired of foundation that goes patchy by noon or skin that looks overly slick this summer, you’ve come to the right place. Cue our all-bases-covered guide on what to look for and what to avoid.
From full-coverage to a subtle matte finish, we ask the experts for their top tips and recommendations for finding a foundation for oily skin.
What is oily skin?
First things first: sebum is definitely not a bad thing. In fact, it has many benefits, including lubrication for the skin, antibacterial properties and supporting skin healing.
“Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands producing excess sebum,” explains Garnier scientific advisor, Jessica Tierney.
“This can be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, genetics or environmental factors. The face and scalp are often the most affected areas.
“Overproduction of sebum can result in the face looking shiny and feeling greasy, especially around the T-zone area (forehead, nose and chin), and skin may be more prone to clogged pores, congestion and blackheads.”
Despite its more well-known pitfalls though, oily skin can actually be a plus when it comes to wearing make-up, explains Hollie Ellis, Bobbi Brown pro artist.
“Foundation will always glide onto oily skin far more smoothly and appear more polished,” she enthuses. It all comes down to finding the right formula.
Formulas with mattifying mineral powders such as perlite give a mattifying, shine-free effect
How to choose foundation for oily skin
Coverage, finish and feel are key things to bear in mind. “If you’re looking for a foundation to cover and control the oils, then opt for a formula that’s oil-free with a good coverage,” suggests Hollie. These can span powder, cream and liquid formulas.
“If you’re looking for something lighter that can control oil, opt for lightweight formulas such as an oil-free, water-based foundation or an oil-free tinted moisturiser.” Mattifying skin tints can be a great option here, too.
Remember though – it can be liberating to throw out the rulebook. Go with your natural glow if you want to. “If you love the glowy look that your oily skin gives you, choose any formula with luminosity,” adds Hollie. “Word to the wise: it won't last as long on the skin, if you're prone to shine, so make sure to set your oily T-zone with a mattifying powder to help control the oil and give it some sticking power.”
There are a few bits of jargon to look out for on the packaging, too. “Formulas with mineral powders such as perlite give a mattifying, shine-free effect, as these are known for their absorption properties,” explains Jessica.
“Products that are described as ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘oil-free’ are good for people with oily or congestion-prone skin, as these are less likely to clog pores and usually contain mineral powder for oil control,” she adds.
These types of non-clogging bases are also brilliant for those with a sensitive skin type, as their lightweight, buildable formulas are easier to remove (check out our guide for the best face washes for sensitive skin to get the lowdown on low-lather cleansers).
How to prep oily skin for foundation & make-up
A healthy skincare routine can help make-up look and last better on oily skin types. “A good, regular cleansing and exfoliation routine is important to help remove excess oil and keep skin clean,” says Jessica.
“Regular clay-based masks may also be helpful to absorb excess oil from the face and draw impurities from pores.”
PSA: oily skin can still be dehydrated skin. “Many people with oily skin think prepping the skin with skincare makes the skin more oily. But without using any skincare, skin can think it has no moisture and produce more sebum,” warns Hollie.
“Water-based products are your best bet to help keep oil levels at bay,” she adds. “Hydration at each step of a skincare routine can help keep skin feeling and looking supple.
“And last but not least, always wear an oil-free SPF before applying make-up.” Give it a few moments to sink in and then it’s time for a base.
For sun shield inspo for the shine or congestion-prone, check out our guide to the best sunscreens for oily skin.
How to apply foundation for oily skin
Application can make all the difference. “Avoid using the fingers to apply product as this can transfer more oil from the hands to your face,” suggests Jessica.
“Fingers contain oils, so if you use the fingers to apply make-up you’re adding more oil onto the skin, which can cause make-up to move throughout the day,” Hollie agrees.
“Brushes are the best way to apply make-up,” she tells us. “Pressing and stippling the brush into the skin over the T-zone will provide a good coverage and help hold the make-up in place in those areas where oil normally surfaces.” We also recommend using a good beauty sponge for this part if you prefer the texture.
Jessica adds: “Always set make-up with a setting spray and use pressed powder throughout the day to absorb any excess oil that may start to appear.”
Avoid using the fingers to apply product as this can transfer more oil from the hands to your face
Are those make-up brushes looking a little, er, grubby? Discover the quickest and best way to clean and dry make-up brushes with our easy-to-follow tutorial.
12 of the best foundations for oily skin
Whether you’re looking for medium or full coverage, a matte finish or a formula that helps your natural radiance shine through, we’ve got all bases covered. Here are 12 buys to try for all skin tones.
Best foundation stick for oily skin
Try: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
• Size: 9g
• Available in 44 shades
• Medium-to-full buildable coverage
• Sweat, water and humidity-proof
This long-wearing foundation stick is a dream to apply. Portable and designed to provide a featherweight finish, it can be applied all over, or on areas that need a little extra coverage, to suit all your on-the-go needs.
Best budget foundation for oily skin
Try: Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Liquid Foundation
• Size: 30ml
• Available in 27 shades
• Medium coverage
• Oil-free
• Vegan-friendly
Ideal for normal to oily skin types, this lightweight liquid foundation features flexible micro-powders to help control excess sebum and blur pores throughout the day. A medium coverage, it leaves a natural finish on the skin for that coveted natural make-up look.
Best powder foundation for oily skin
Try: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation
• Size: 15g
• Available in 32 shades
• Medium-to-full coverage
• Sweat and humidity-resistant
Remove a step from your make-up regime with this powder and foundation hybrid that keeps skin velvety matte throughout the day (or night). Available in a wide shade range, it helps reduce the appearance of pores without drying, streaking and settling. Plus, it won't bounce back a camera flash if you're capturing memories of a special day.
Best mineral foundation for oily skin
Try: bareMinerals Original Loose Powder Foundation SPF15
• Size: 8g
• Available in 26 shades
• Buildable sheer-to-full coverage
• Non-comedogenic
• Vegan-friendly
• Cruelty-free
This is a cult beauty favourite for a reason. Formulated with five vegan ingredients, this lightweight, talc-free, mineral foundation provides sheer-to-full coverage and, despite being a powder, applies smoothly and feels refreshingly non-cloying.
Best gel foundation for oily skin
Try: Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free Make-Up
• Size: 30ml
• Available in 14 shades
• Medium coverage
• Oil-free
• Lightweight gel-cream texture
Blended outwards from the centre of the face with a brush, this lightweight gel-cream base provides the kind of all-day mattifying finish you’d expect from a powder foundation in a barely-there liquid formula. Its shine-absorbing formula helps keep oil breakthroughs at bay for as long as you’re wearing it – even in the heat and humidity of high summer.
Best shade range for oily skin
Try: Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Powder Foundation
• Size: 9.1g
• Available in 50 shades
• Buildable light-to-full coverage
• Sweat, humidity and crease-resistant
If you always feel as if your foundation shade is just a fraction off, you need many options: enter Fenty. Legend has it Rihanna loves a poreless, blurred finish to her skin but couldn’t find a product that delivered for her – this 50-shades product is the result. Light as air, yet long-wearing, this matte-finish make-up delivers buildable light-to-full coverage for the ultimate, blurred finish that’s sweat, humidity and crease-resistant.
Best matte foundation for oily skin
Try: L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Powder Foundation
• Size: 53g
• Available in 13 shades
• Buildable, medium coverage
• Water, sweat and humidity-proof
For mattifying coverage that lasts, look no further than this compact powder. Just a single sweep offers the long-wearing coverage of a liquid foundation but keeps shine at bay, like a powder, hour-after-hour. Its water, sweat, heat and humidity-proof credentials make it ideal to pack into a make-up bag for a hot summer at home or away.
Best full coverage foundation for oily skin
Try: KVD Beauty Lock-It Powder Foundation
• Size: 9g
• Available in six shades
• Full coverage
• Transfer-resistant
• Refillable
• Vegan-friendly
• Cruelty-free
Packaged in a sleek, refillable compact, this is the instantly-blurring powder foundation you won’t want or need to throw away. Formulated with rice powder extract and kaolin (a clay mineral), it helps absorb excess oil for a diffused matte finish that doesn’t feel dry. And, as the name suggests, once it’s on, it’s staying put.
Best foundation for combination and oily skin
Try: Revlon ColorStay Foundation For Combination/Oily Skin
• Size: 30ml
• Available in 23 shades
• Buildable coverage
• Oil-free
• Fragrance-free
• Heat, sweat and humidity-resistant
This oil-free, long-lasting foundation for oily and combination skin provides smooth, buildable, matte coverage that’s both transfer-proof and breathable. We also love it for its skin caring benefits – vitamin E nourishes, while SPF15 helps protect. A base that truly goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Best lightweight foundation for oily skin
Try: NYX Professional Make-Up Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation
• Size: 30ml
• Available in 22 shades
• Buildable medium coverage
• Cruelty-free
If you’re looking for make-up that’s matte but not flat, this blurring and smoothing tint is your perfect match. Infused with smoothing glycerin, matcha and niacinamide and available in a diverse shade range, a little of this enhancing medium coverage base goes a long way and can be built from a blurring, radiant tint up to fuller coverage.
Best versatile foundation for oily skin
Try: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Matte Powder Foundation SPF10
• Size: 12g
• Available in 24 shades
• Sheer to full coverage
• Oil-free
• Non-comedogenic
• Waterproof
• Sweat and humidity-resistant
• SPF10
Silky-soft and weightless, this versatile and waterproof powder is great worn solo or used for touch-ups throughout the day. Sweat and humidity-resistant, switch between sheer, medium and full coverage with a simple flip of the two-sided applicator – perfect for dialling down coverage for the sticky summer months.
Best multitasking foundation for oily skin
Try: Max Factor Facefinity All Day Flawless 3 in 1 Vegan Foundation SPF20
• Size: 30ml
• Available in 25 shades
• Full coverage
• Foundation, concealer and primer in one
• Vegan-friendly
• Water, heat and humidity-proof
• SPF20
If you’re looking for a make-up base that works as hard as you do, this multitasking formula acts as a mattifying primer, concealer and foundation in one. Pretty impressive. Long-wearing, thanks to its flexi-hold technology and three oil-absorbing powders, it glides on effortlessly for breathable and vegan-friendly coverage you’ll look forward to applying.
