The Mattifying Primer Your Oily Skin Needs for a Long-Wearing Look

If you have oily skin, then chances are, you put a lot of faith in your makeup primer. Primer can make a huge difference in the way your makeup wears throughout the day, but only when you find the right one. Truthfully, not all primers are created equal and when you have oily skin, finding something that is mattifying, long-wearing and blurring is just the bare minimum. 

Lucky for you, we’ve found the best primer for oily skin that is going to keep your makeup intact, hide imperfections and keep oils at bay all day. Read on as we share what primer does for oily skin, how to use one and most importantly, which primer you want to add to your routine, stat.

Do I Need Makeup Primer If I Have Oily Skin?

Primer can be particularly useful for those with oily skin because it can help create a smooth base for your makeup while extending the wear time. Although applying one may add a few seconds to your morning makeup routine, it’s a smart move if you have issues with your makeup shifting throughout the day. 

Of course, primer for oily skin does more than just keep your makeup in place. When you use a mattifying primer, the formula helps to combat one of the biggest oily skin woes — a shiny complexion. Along with that, it will also help to blur pores, imperfections and texture, creating a smoother base for your makeup, leading to a more flawless end result. 

What Is the Best Primer for Oily Skin? 

When it comes to choosing the best makeup primer for oily skin, look for a matte primer like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer. This face primer helps to blur large pores (a very common concern for those with oily skin), texture and imperfections while keeping shine at bay. 

It’s the perfect first step in your makeup routine and a little bit goes a long way. While this primer is mattifying and long-wearing, the water-based formula gives it a weightless feel that won’t dry out the skin.

How to Use Makeup Primer When You Have Oily Skin

To make the most out of your mattifying primer, it’s important to use it the right way. Follow these simple steps to achieve a flawless base for your oily skin.

1. Start with Skin Care

Before reaching for your mattifying primer, it’s best to work your way through your skin care routine. Applying your primer and makeup on top of a clean base gives it the best chance for success. First, cleanse with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift 3.5% Glycolic Acid Cleanser and then, moisturize with the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Day Lotion SPF 30 to knock out moisturizing and SPF in a single step. 

2. Apply the Primer Dot By Dot

Take the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer and apply it dot by dot to the skin, to ensure that you get full surface coverage. Then, blend it out in a gentle circular motion over your entire face or on targeted areas, such as under your eyes, your cheeks or your T-zone.

Editor’s tip: If you have combination skin, apply the mattifying primer only to the areas of your face that get oily. This will help to address your skin’s multiple needs best, without calling attention to your dry patches.

3. Reach for Foundation 

To boost the longevity of your matte primer, the obvious choice is a matte foundation. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Fresh Wear Foundation in a Powder is everything your oily skin needs — long-wearing, weightless, sweatproof and non-comedogenic. While this is a powder foundation, it covers like a liquid and the matte finish has a blurring effect to mask large pores, texture and imperfections.

Additionally, the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation is a liquid foundation with a demi matte finish to help keep shine at bay without making the face look flat or dry. With medium coverage and a light, airy texture, it feels comfortable on the skin and suits different makeup looks. 

4. Finish Your Makeup with Setting Spray

Once the rest of your face is complete, misting your complexion with setting spray is of prime importance. This final step when you have oily skin can make a big difference in the way your makeup look wears and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be doing it. 

The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Spray and Set Make-Up Oil-Free Setting Spray locks your makeup in place while keeping it looking fresh, sans smudging or settling into fine lines. Shake well and hold the spray ten inches away from the face, close your eyes and spray four to six times in an X & T motion.

Next: 5 Tips to Keep Powder Foundation From Clogging Your Pores

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photographer: Chaunte Vaughn, Art Director: Hannah Packer, Associate Creative Producer: Becca Solovay, Prop Stylist: Catherine Pearson, Prop Assistant: Lindsay Jones