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Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
If you have oily skin, then you know the drill. You apply your longest-lasting foundation, wait an hour or two, then find the nearest mirror or front-facing camera to touch up your melting makeup. In the summer, when humidity rises and temperatures soar, you're even more likely to see your makeup crease, smudge, and move beyond control.
Luckily, you can help prevent that ever-annoying scenario if you know which foundation formulas to use. We asked a few expert makeup artists to reveal their no-fail foundations for oily skin.
Ahead are the best foundations for oily skin that will keep you looking matte and creaseless—no matter the temperate outside.
Best Overall
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation
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Courtesy of Make Up For Ever
Feels comfortable on the skin
Buildable and blends seamlessly
Has a natural, skin-like finish when dry
May accentuate textured or dry, flaky skin
Who else recommends it? The Cut also picked the Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin Foundation.
"This is an OG makeup artist go-to," says Christina Chen, the makeup artist behind Makeup by Quis. "It has amazing coverage but is also very buildable and blendable. It has a soft matte finish, feels light, waterproof, and works great even without a primer."
Price at time of publish: $40
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 40 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
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Byrdie / Khera Alexander
What Our Testers Say
"Because it blended effortlessly and was really pigmented, it didn’t take very long for my skin to have the finish and coverage I was looking for from this product." — Khera Alexander, Product Tester
Best Splurge
Dior Diorskin Forever Undercover Foundation
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Blends into skin seamlessly
Covers imperfections
Looks natural
Some shades have been discontinued
Chen also recommends Dior's long-wear foundation. She uses it when she's working on brides, models, or editorial shoots since it has great coverage, a natural feel, and a waterproof finish. Apply this foundation with a stippling brush to build up to your desired coverage.
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 14 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Shade Range
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
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Inclusive shade range
Applies and wears smoothly
Lasts all day
Can cling to dry patches
If your skin has a dewy glow all on its own, matte is the way to go. This best selling foundation goes on undetectably for a soft matte, shine-free finish that easily builds from medium to full coverage. Rihanna really delivered with a boundary-breaking 50 shades of breathable foundation, so you're bound to find your ideal fit.
Price at time of publish: $39
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 50 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pro Filt’r’s rich pigments need a moment to dry down to their truest color, so when you're testing shades, remember to let the formula dry completely to find your best match.
Runner-Up, Best Shade Range
Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation
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Make Up For Ever
Lasts all day
Buildable without caking
Covers imperfections
Takes some layering to achieve full coverage
Blum also recommends this long-wearing foundation from Make Up For Ever. "Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation is my jam as a makeup artist working in film and TV, and it works great on oily skin or skin that can get oily under hot lights," she says. "I can create medium to full coverage that's undetectable, even in 4K, and offers a natural skin finish."
Blum also uses this foundation on herself when she wants her oily skin to look "fresh, not made up." She adds, "It never feels greasy, doesn't pool in my T-zone, or settle into my pores. Plus, with 50 shades available, anyone can find their perfect match."
Price at time of publish: $43
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 50 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Full Coverage
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Liquid Foundation
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Nordstrom
Doesn't budge or transfer
Covers imperfections
Inclusive shade range
Can be difficult to blend in
This Estée Lauder foundation has a slightly thicker consistency compared to the above mentioned Dior formula. Thankfully, it offers a medium to full coverage that manages to look natural, stays put, and is available in 56 shades. Plus, you won't have to worry that the color will oxidize (aka it doesn't transform into a darker orange shade a few minutes after you apply it to your skin).
Price at time of publish: $43
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 56 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Spray
Luminess Air Airbrush Ultra Dewy Finish Foundation
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Courtesy of Amazon
Goes on very light
Buildable without caking
Skin looks even and radiant
Packaging could be improved
Stephanie Massie, the head makeup artist on Modern Family, is a fan of this under-the-radar spray foundation. "I recommend Luminess foundation, especially when working on set under hot lights with my clients," she says. "I like it because it uses 10 times less makeup and goes on in thin layers, so it lets skin breathe, helping to reduce shine while still giving even coverage."
Price at time of publish: $35
Coverage: Medium | Shade Range: 12 | Finish: Satin | Size: 0.6 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Buildable Coverage
Face Atelier Ultra Foundation Pro
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Amazon
Comes in unique shades
Lightweight
Range includes built-in color adjustors
Contains parabens
Makeup Artist Jenn Blum says it all comes down to skin preparation and application technique. "As a makeup artist, I can make many foundations work for most skin types," she says.
If pressed, Blum does have a few go-to formulas for oily skin, like this one from Face Atelier. "I love it," she says. "I use it on myself and in my kit. It leaves the skin looking dewy, not oily or greasy, needs no primer, provides lightweight, buildable coverage, and is silicone-based, which is great for oily skin." Plus, you don't need to set this liquid foundation with powder to help it stay in place.
Price at time of publish: $38
Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 20 | Finish: Natural | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
Revlon ColorStay Makeup Longwear Liquid Foundation
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SPF 15
Helps control oil and prevent blemishes
Buildable without caking
Can cause flashback in photos
If you're in the market for a budget-friendly foundation, Blum says you can't go wrong with Revlon's ColorStay Foundation. "It is super affordable, oil-free, and transfer-resistant while giving medium to full coverage," she explains. "It has salicylic acid, which helps control oil, and even SPF 15, so you get sun protection too."
Just be sure you avoid wearing this foundation when you're going to take photos. "Its active ingredient is titanium dioxide, which causes a flashback, the annoying white cast that shows up in photos," Blum says.
Price at time of publish: $14
Coverage: Medium to full | Shade Range: 16 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Vegan
Uoma Beauty Say What?! Foundation
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UOMA Beauty
Sits well on the skin
Six different formulas to target varying skin needs
Inclusive shade range
Easy to apply too much
This blurring foundation is matte enough to handle your oily skin, but hydrating enough to prevent that dry, cakey look. With 51 shades to choose from, you can give your skin a flawless finish while feeling good about the vegan, cruelty free ingredients. The buildable coverage blurs the look of pores and fine lines, and users say it delivers smooth skin all day long.
Price at time of publish: $39
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 51 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What Our Testers Say
“No matter your skin tone or type, the Uoma Beauty foundation can give you the customizable matte finish you've been looking for, all while wearing nicely throughout the day.” — Celeste Polanco, Product Tester
Best Soft-Matte Finish
Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation
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Keeps skin looking matte
Feels velvety on skin
Dries to a powdery finish
Takes a lot of product to cover blemishes
"It has a liquid-to-powder formula, so it absorbs oils and evens out skin tone. It does look like you have makeup on, but you won't need powder or blotting papers, so you can put it on in the morning and go all day," says Blum. Kaolinite clay found in this vegan and paraben-free formula helps keep oil at bay, so you look glowy, not greasy throughout the day.
Makeup artist Ashley Rebecca also swears by this formula. "It has a soft-matte finish and holds up to any oil or sweat," she says. "If you pair it with their Veil Mineral Primer, it immediately becomes waterproof and sweatproof, making it a staple product to use all summer."
Price at time of publish: $60
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 22 | Finish: Matte | Size: 1 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Powder
IT Cosmetics Celebration Full Coverage Powder Foundation
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Matte without looking too dry
Has skincare benefits
Lightweight
Limited shade range
According to Williams, this foundation "gets better the longer you wear it. When first applied, the powder covers any uneven texture and tone, creating a glowy-matte look to the skin. There's a soft-focus or eggshell-like luminosity that you don't find with many other powder foundations." Since it's a powder foundation, it will immediately mattify the skin and keep shine at bay.
Price at time of publish: $44
Coverage: Full | Shade Range: 7 | Finish: Matte | Size: 0.3 fl. oz | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What to Look For in Foundations for Oily Skin
Finish
The type of finish you prefer for your foundation depends on your personal preference. While many people with oily skin may lean toward a matte look to prevent oiliness, there are foundations for oily skin that can provide a more natural or satin look.
Our list contains foundation options that will reduce oil and adhere well to oily skin with various finishes. You don’t have to commit to the matte look just because you tend to have oilier skin.
Coverage
The amount of coverage you need or prefer is essential for choosing a foundation for oily skin. If you also tend to have breakouts, you may need a full-coverage foundation or one that’s buildable up to full coverage. Others may prefer a more sheer, natural amount of coverage.
If you tend to only break out during certain times of the month, look for a foundation that provides medium coverage that you can build up to provide full coverage.
Shade
The correct shade for your skin is vital when looking for a foundation. A brand with wider shades is more likely to have a shade that matches seamlessly with your skin tone. It’s wise to have a solid idea of your undertones and general skin tone so you can choose from warm, cool, or neutral foundation shades.
Longevity
When you have oiler skin, one of the most significant concerns is the longevity of your foundation. Melting or sliding foundation is an issue when you have oily skin, so be sure to look for a foundation that can stand up to the task of staying put for as long as you need it to. Look for a more extended wear foundation if you need your makeup to last a full day.
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