Oily skin is the bane of any woman’s existence. If you don’t think so, then you’ve never had to worry about being a reflective surface under a midday sun. If you’ve ever found yourself comparing your shiny skin to a newly glazed donut, then the foundation you’re using is all wrong. The best foundation for oily, acne-prone skin isn’t one that provides you with a sheer, dewy finish. You’ve already got that covered, thank you very much. What you need is something that will not clog your pores, dry your face, or irritate your skin; the best foundation for you is something that will keep you looking fresh and shimmer-free all day long. And we’ve rounded up 10 best foundations for oily skin that fit this bill perfectly.
Top 10 Foundations For Oily Skin Of 2020 Reviewed
1. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
This matte foundation ensures you enjoy a smooth complexion up to 24 hours without making you look flat. This is a liquid foundation that has an air-light and creamy texture; it’s not too thick or too cakey. You can use it for medium or full coverage. However, you may find that you’ll use a bit more with this product than with others but its affordability balances that out. It’s also very easy to remove. What we don’t like is that it’s pretty hard to tell one shade from another so you may find it hard to get the color that matches your skin tone. Also, it does dry a bit quickly. Women with dry or sensitive skin may want to skip this one.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lasts for 24 hours
- Light and creamy
Cons:
- Not for dry or sensitive skin
- Hard to choose between shades
- Dries quickly
2. bareMinerals Broad Spectrum SPF 15 Matte Foundation
This mineral foundation is a step up from the original BareMinerals that we all love. It turned a classic into a powder foundation that is mattifying but creamy if you could believe that. It smoothly applies to your skin, helps reduce enlarged pores and makes your skin look flawless. Even better, there are 30 shades for you to choose from so you’re sure to find one that matches you perfectly. Those with a combination and oily skins will love this very light foundation as it will provide them with a very natural look.
However, some users have reported feeling that the foundation is too dry for winter. It is a bit pricey though not as expensive as some high cosmetics. And it doesn’t last a full day.
Pros:
- Excellent coverage (medium)
- 30 options
- Smooth application
Cons:
- A bit more expensive
- Does not last a full day
- Dries out the skin of some users
3. Neutrogena Skinclearing Makeup
Get rid of those blemishes, present, and future. Neutrogena’s SkinClearing oil-free makeup has salicylic acid to combat blemishes. Not only that, it leaves you feeling slightly airbrushed – no more shine, smooth silky skin, and no cakey feeling. The MicroClear technology unclogs your pores and delivers acne-fighting medicine straight to the source. It goes on pretty smoothly. However, this is light to medium coverage so if you’re looking for full coverage, this is not it. Also, it would be better if this had a pump. Lastly, it does not last all day so you’ll be blotting oil from your face by midday or afternoon.
Pros:
- Acne-fighting properties
- Gives a natural look
- Easily applied
Cons:
- No pump
- Medium coverage only
- Does not last all day
4. Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation
Oil-free and fragrance-free, this light, silky matte liquid mousse foundation reduces pores and provides you with a natural-looking finish. The formula makes use of gel emulsifiers that gives it an airy mousse texture. With only a small amount of product, you can easily get full coverage with this foundation and enjoy an airbrushed look. However, it is a bit thick and some users have found it hard to apply evenly. A bit of a learning curve to use this product. Also, there are 16 shades to choose from but the darkest shade is reportedly too light for some darker skinned individuals.
Pros:
- Full coverage
- A little goes a long way
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Needs more shade options
- Hard to apply evenly
- A bit drying on some skins
5. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup
This drugstore foundation provides medium coverage that makes your pores invisible and your skin velvety smooth. The micro-powders absorbs oil so those with combination skin need to use moisturizer to ensure the foundation doesn’t make your dry spots even more visible. But we do love that more coverage does not make this look cakey though a little does go a long way. Don’t let the creamy consistency of this foundation fool you. It really provides you with a matte finish that lasts you for a good long while and it’s very easy to apply. Even better, there are 40 shades to choose from so you’re bound to get one that really matches your skin tone.
Pros:
- 40 shades
- Full coverage
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Some users have reported needing reapplication in the afternoon (humid environments)
- Some have reported allergic reactions
- Oxidizes after a few hours
6. Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Need something that stays on during the hottest days of summer? This oil-free foundation is one of our favorites because it gives you a powder-matte finish that stays on all day long, even after your workout. And the goodness doesn’t end there. This foundation has staying power and is transfer-proof as well as waterproof. It is a bit hard to remove. You’ll need a really good cleanser or makeup remover. The foundation comes in 38 shades and each shade has 3 categories – cool undertone, neutral undertone, and warm undertone. It provides you with flawless coverage, from medium to full.
However, it can be a bit drying for some users. It also dries really quickly so you need to blend it out fast. We wish it would come with a pump, especially since the price is a bit higher than most of our picks.
Pros:
- 38 shades, 3 categories
- Stays on all day long
- Transfer-proof and waterproof
Cons:
- Hard to remove
- Dries quickly
- Expensive
7. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup
This water-based foundation can provide you with medium to full coverage. You can use this to neutralize any redness and hide any blemishes from the public eye without having to use a concealer or making you feel cakey. As an added bonus, the foundation also contains ingredients (2% salicylic acid to be specific) that help treat your blemishes. There are 12 shades for you to choose from so there are not as many options as some of our other picks. We do love the fact that a little goes a long way with this product. But you’ll need to keep this in mind as well since it can be quite thick and hard to get the excess off if you use too much.
Pros:
- Hides away blemishes
- Stays on for a full 8 hours
- Little goes a long way
Cons:
- A bit thick; hard to blend
- Only 12 shades
- Dries quickly
8. Revlon ColorStay Makeup for Combination/Oily Skin SPF 15
Whether you have oily or combination skin, the Revlon ColorStay Makeup is the best foundation for you. It is a liquid foundation that comes with a dedicated matte finish for a better than average look. Due to its liquid formulation, this foundation is able to control shine and oil absorption. Thus, this product is what you need to cut out the shiny nature of oily skin.
It is an oil-free that is fully SPF-15 fortified. That means it has the ability to protect your skin from the harmful effects of ultra-violet rays. With this foundation, you will get anything between medium-to-full coverage. Unlike other products, which feel uncomfortable on the skin, this particular is the product is exceptional. You can wear it for up to 24 hours, which is long enough for you to have gone through what you need to do for the day. You will never complain about missing out on the perfect shade for you, given that it comes with up to 43 shades.
Pros:
- Comes with a wide array of shades
- Has an oil-free formula
- Has SPF-15 capabilities
Cons:
- Complaints about it not mixing properly
- Reports of it not reducing the shine
- May fail to minimize pores
9. LORAC POREfection Foundation
Get a silky smooth, flawless complexion with Lorac POREfection Foundation. This is an oil, paraben, and fragrance-free formula made up of vitamins A and E as well as olive leaf, lemon, and papaya extracts to soothe, nourish, and renew your skin. Plus, this formula contains SPF 20 so you remain protected from UVA/UVB rays. Aside from making your skin look good and feel good, this foundation doesn’t cake and lasts all day. However, it has caused some users to break out and it is a bit pricey for an everyday foundation. And while it is fragrance-free, the smell of the SPF 20 is there.
Pros:
- Contains vitamins A and E plus natural extracts
- Doesn’t cake
- Lasts a long time
Cons:
- Pretty thin
- Pricey
- Some reports of breaking out
10. MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation SPF15 NC25
This foundation from M.A.C. is a cult-favorite and we can definitely see why. It gives you with flawless, shine-free skin and UVA/UVB protection. This oil-free foundation absorbs oil but not to the point that it makes your skin dry. It is extra thick and you’ll get medium to full coverage with this product. It does set quickly so you have to work fast. You may need to apply it in thin layers to avoid a cakey appearance. The good news is that it lasts a good long while so you don’t have to worry about retouching it throughout the day. However, it doesn’t come with a pump that makes getting to the last bits of the foundation a bit of a messy endeavor.
Pros:
- UVA/UVB protection
- Flawless appearance
- Lasts long
Cons:
- Can get cakey if applied incorrectly
- Dries quickly
- No pump; can get messy
How To Choose the Best Foundation For Oily Skin: The Ultimate Buying Guide
Nobody has naturally flawless skin except Disney princesses and maybe vegans. So, it’s no wonder that a foundation is a must-have in any makeup arsenal. Even those who haven’t the inclination to use makeup have some foundation on hand. You know, for those days when breakouts occur. And it’s even more imperative if you have oily skin. You don’t want to look shinier than a freshly glazed donut, do you? Unfortunately, when it comes to foundations, one size does not fit all. What looks good on your friend will not always look good on you. So the quest for the perfect one can be a frustrating endeavor. This is where our brief guide comes in. While we can’t really tell you which product will work best with your skin, we can definitely help you sort out your options.
Ditch the Shine
It’s one of the main reasons why you want a foundation which means you need to look for products that are described as shine-free, oil-free, or matte finish. These can be liquid or powder foundations that contain a powder that absorbs excess oil on your face.
Skin Tone
Even if a foundation is the bomb in taking away your shine, if it doesn’t match your skin tone, it won’t do you any good. The wrong shade will, at the very least, announce to everyone that your flawless look isn’t so natural after all. There goes your confidence. So how do you find out what your skin tone is? Well, here’s a tip: if your veins look green, it means you have a yellow undertone and you need a foundation that has the same undertones. Those labeled warm tone should suit you best. On the other hand, blue veins mean pink undertones which, in turn, means you need to choose a cool tone.
If you’re not sure about your skin tone and the right shade for you, it’s best to seek the help of a professional or to test the products in store until you find one that blends in with your skin color. Here’s another tip: check the shade in the daylight because lighting in stores can be deceiving. Also, test the foundation on your jawline or neck to prevent choosing a shade that will look like a mask on your face because the color didn’t match the rest of your skin.
Coverage
Light coverage foundation provides you with a slight glow, something that you don’t need. Instead, stick with foundations that will not only absorb excess oil, it will also hide any of your blemishes. Oily skin benefits most with medium to full coverage.
Breakouts
If your oily skin tends to break out a lot, you’ll need to choose a product that has ingredients that prevent acne such as salicylic acid which dries up the oil-producing glands in your pores to prevent pimples.
Matte Liquid, Powder, Cream-to-Powder
In general, the safest choice for oily skin is a matte finish foundation because it dulls the shine, absorbs oil, feels light, and has a buildable coverage. However, blending must be done correctly as it can be hard to correct once the foundation sets unless you want streaks showing on your face.
Powder foundations (pressed or loose) are great for slightly oily skin because it feels light and is easy to apply. And it can easily absorb oil. However, this type is not buildable because it tends to look cakey and tends to oxidize.
Cream-to-powder foundations are easy to blend though it can look heavier. This type can provide a range of coverage but isn’t suitable for very oily skin because it does not absorb much of the shine.
Which is the Best Way to Wear a Foundation?
There are many ways in which you can wear a foundation. For instance, you could spread it on your palms before massaging it into your skin with your fingertips. Alternatively, you could apply a foundation using a makeup sponge or brush. You can spread it until it evenly blends into the skin. The way you use it largely depends on your personal preference.
What Is the Best Way to Remove Foundation?
You can remove foundation in a wide array of ways. First, you may wipe it from your skin using a dry piece of tissue. Alternatively, you may use a makeup remover or cotton balls. The biggest mistake you can make is to wash your face directly before you remove the makeup. That’s because you will lack the time you need to fully remove the makeup.