How To Use a Tinted Serum On Oily Skin

Glistening, glowing skin is always in, but for those with a complexion that leans toward the shiny side, there is a fine line between dewy and just plain greasy. If you want that fresh, lit-from-within radiance without the extra grease, a tinted serum is exactly what your routine needs. It provides the perfect middle ground between a traditional foundation and a lightweight moisturizer, giving you just enough coverage to even out your complexion and enhance your skin while letting it breathe.

With the right application technique, a tinted serum can work beautifully year-round, even for the oiliest complexions. Keep reading to learn what oily skin types need to know to achieve a soft, balanced look. It is possible to embrace a skin tint for oily skin without sacrificing a comfortable, refined finish.

What Is Tinted Serum?

A tinted serum is a sheer, buildable alternative to other complexion products, including traditional foundation, tinted moisturizers, BB creams, and CC creams. This formula acts as a lightweight skincare-meets-makeup hybrid that keeps your complexion looking fresh.

The L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum is a 1% hyaluronic acid-infused serum that offers sheer coverage for a plumped look. You can use the dropper to apply it directly to your skin and blend with your fingers for a finish that looks just like your natural skin, but better.

If you are looking in general for great lightweight options, here are three fan favorites you might also want to try:

• L'Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Glotion Natural Glow Enhancer is a liquid glow highlighter that hydrates and luminizes the skin for an all-over natural glow. You can wear it alone or under foundation to boost your radiance.

• L'Oréal Paris Lumi Le Glow Skin Tint is a dewy skin tint for oily skin that provides 24-hour hydration and a healthy-looking glow. It features an oil-infused formula with vitamin E and shea butter to nourish the skin while providing light coverage.

• L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50 is a radiant foundation designed specifically for mature skin that provides lightweight coverage and sun protection. This foundation and skin tint guide helps you understand how it offers a smooth and even complexion.

Is Tinted Serum Good for Oily Skin?

Using a tinted serum is definitely a betteralternative to a tinted moisturizer for oily skin, thanks to its lightweight, breathable formula. Tinted serums are often non-comedogenic, which means they are specifically formulated not to clog your pores. This product is ideal for those who want a natural makeup finish , giving you a healthy glow that looks intentional rather than oily.

So, if you are searching for the best tinted moisturizer for oily skin, a serum-based hybrid might be your answer, offering a perfect balance of hydration and oil control.

However, tinted serum can look shiny if you do not apply it properly or skip the setting step. Read on to find out the right way to apply this product to your skin.

Tinted Serum vs. Foundation for Oily Skin

Deciding between a tinted serum, like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum, and a foundation for oily skin, such as the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation, depends on your desired finish and coverage level.

Check this comparison table to help you find the right base for you:

How to Use Tinted Serum on Oily Skin

Applying a liquid base to a surface that is prone to oil production requires a bit of strategy to ensure it stays in place. The goal is to maximize the skin-loving benefits of the formula while minimizing the risk of a midday meltdown. Here’s a three-step routine for a flawless result:

Step #1. Prep and prime

The key to keeping the tinted serum in place on oily skin is to prep the surface. It is highly recommended to look for a primer that helps to eliminate oil, shine, and makeup slippage.

L'Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Blurring Face Primer Infused with Serum is a pore-minimizing base that blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines. This blurring primer uses serum-infused technology to minimize the appearance of pores and create a smooth canvas for makeup. You can apply a few pea-sized dots of this serum-infused primer onto clean skin to create a soft canvas.

Step #2. Warm and pat

Now comes an application trick for tinted serum we bet you didn’t know. Add a few drops of the L’Oréal Paris True Match Hyaluronic Tinted Serum into your hands and rub your palms together to warm it up. Once it’s warm, apply it to your face using your fingers or a makeup blender, working from the center outward in circular motions. Using your fingers helps the skin absorb hyaluronic acid more easily, resulting in a dewy finish that isn't greasy.

Step #3. Set

After you finish applying your base, reach for a shine-minimizing powder to lock everything in place. This creates a matte skin tint for oily skin that stays put.

The L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder is a translucent, finely milled powder that provides a soft-focus matte makeup finish and controls oil. This finely milled powder offers a soft-focus matte finish that blurs imperfections and controls excess shine. Use a powder brush to apply a little extra to the T-zone to keep shine at bay.

How To Keep Tinted Serum From Looking Greasy

To maintain a fresh look all day, a few extra steps can make all the difference. These tips help control shine and ensure your skin tint for oily skin wears beautifully for hours.

• Set with translucent powder: As we already mentioned, dust a light layer of the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Blur-Fection Longwear Loose Setting Powder on your T-zone to lock in your look. This translucent powder provides a soft-focus matte finish that blurs imperfections and absorbs excess oil throughout the day.
• Use blotting papers: Keep blotting papers on hand to absorb excess oil throughout the day without disturbing your makeup. This is a great way to ensure your base looks great without adding more layers of product.
• Choose oil-free formulas: Opt for lightweight, oil-free moisturizers like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Micro Hyaluronic Acid + Ceramides Line-Plumping Water Cream to hydrate without adding shine. This oil-free formula provides deep hydration and line-plumping benefits using micro-hyaluronic acid and ceramides while absorbing quickly.
• Avoid heavy skincare: Using a multi-tasking moisturizer with SPF, like the L'Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power Moisturizer with SPF 30, can prevent too many heavy layers. This multi-action moisturizer firms the skin and reduces wrinkles while providing essential sun protection to streamline your morning routine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When using a tinted serum, a few common mistakes can lead to excess shine. Avoiding these pitfalls will help you maintain your best look throughout a busy schedule:

• Using too much product: Tinted serum offers buildable coverage, so start with a few drops and add more only where needed. This lightweight formula lets your natural skin show through while evening out your complexion.
• Skipping primer: Never skip primer when your skin is oily, as this provides the necessary grip for your makeup. Primer is an essential foundation for long-lasting wear and helps refine skin texture so your base doesn't slide.
• Not setting: Failing to set a dewy formula on oily skin will almost always result in a greasy appearance by midday. Always reach for a loose powder to ensure your makeup remains in place and shine-free.
• Mixing with oily skincare: Layering a hydrating tinted serum over heavy, oil-based creams can cause makeup to slip and lead to excess shine. Stick to water-based or oil-free skincare to keep your goals on track.

Next Up: What Type of Foundation Is Best for Oily Skin?

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris