The Best Foundations for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you know how tricky it can be to get your foundation to last throughout the day and just how slim the margin is between looking dewy and looking greasy. It’s like no matter what you do, your face is shiny by midday and the oily feeling follows. 

Setting powder, primer and the right skin prep can help but ultimately, the right foundation can make a world of difference. Matte finishes, powder foundations and oil-free formulas tend to perform well for oily skin and work to combat excess shine. So, take notes as we share the best foundations for oily skin so you can bid farewell to greasy, heavy makeup for good.

L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup 4-in-1 Tinted Face Balm Foundation

Makeup can feel heavy as the skin starts to get oily and there is no better way to eliminate that then with an ultra-lightweight base. This tinted balm melts into the skin for smooth, buildable coverage that feels like you aren’t wearing anything. Additionally, it’s infused with firming serum, rivaling luxury foundations and offering stellar skin benefits, including firming skin overtime and smoothing fine lines. Contrary to popular belief, oily skin can still experience dehydration and this tinted balm serves as the perfect skin pick-me-up.

Editor’s tip: Pairing your foundation with a matte primer like L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro Matte-Lock Primer can really help your makeup last throughout the day if you have oily skin. This one helps to prep the skin for makeup, blur imperfections and lock in a seamless matte finish.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder

This powder foundation has gone viral on TikTok because it’s that good — especially for oily skin types. The lightweight, matte finish stays fresh all day long and helps to keep excess shine at bay. The formula is oil-free, waterproof, heatproof, sweatproof and non-comedogenic so oily skin can enjoy all the long-wearing benefits without having to worry about clogged pores. The small compact comes with a sponge so it’s great to throw in your bag for touch ups (ahem, midday T-zone shine) throughout the day. 

Editor’s tip: Oily skin can hack powder foundation and use it as a setting powder for more matte coverage or even grab a darker shade to use as a long-wearing bronzer.

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation 

It’s true, matte foundation and oily skin make a great team. The Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation  has an oil-free formula with 24-hour wear, an air-light texture and a demi-matte finish. This means it will help to keep oils at bay without looking completely flat, allowing for a more natural-looking complexion that never looks cakey or feels heavy. It’s definitely a win for oily skin types and creates a flawless base for any type of makeup look.

Next: Powder vs. Liquid Foundation — Which One Is Better?

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Design by: Crystal Simone