Control shine, blur pores and camouflage imperfections with foundations made for all-day wear.
The past year has been a gold mine for new foundations. But if you have oily skin, you know the drill: You apply your “long-lasting” foundation, only for it to melt off your face in an hour or two.
Luckily, you can prevent that ever-annoying scenario if you know which foundation to use. We’ve found the best foundation for oily skin, based on ingredients, finish and shade range. With the right fit, you’ll have the confidence to sport the best black lipstick with your flawless base!
What to look for in the best foundation for oily skin
Before you put any foundation on your pretty little face, it’s important to take steps to ensure you don’t end up looking greasy. “Understanding your skin is the first step to choosing the right foundation shade,” explains Gisaura Laporte, owner of Hair and Makeup By Gisaura in Sola Salons.
“If you have oily skin, use a powder foundation or an oil-free liquid one. These contain powders that absorb oil, leaving a smooth, matte finish. Mineral foundations work well on oily skin because the dry particles absorb moisture, preventing shine.”
Laporte takes extra steps when applying foundation for people with oily skin. “Use a matte primer before the foundation,” she says. “This creates a layer that keeps the oil from breaking through.”
In the end, a solid skincare routine does wonders for makeup application. “If you have oily skin, following a daily skincare routine is the best way to reduce breakouts and control shine. Cleansing, toning and moisturizing both morning and night are key ingredients to your daily skincare routine.”
The best foundation for oily skin 2023
Best overall
Maybelline Super Stay Up To 24H Skin Tint Foundation
Say hello to bright skin-like coverage! This skin tint foundation is infused with vitamin C, delivering a youthful glow that brightens skin over time. For a weightless and naturally dewy feeling, this long-wear foundation takes the cake.
Upon first use, this product resists sweat, humidity and fading throughout the day.
Pros
- Affordable price
- Buildable formula that’s easy to apply
- Lasts up to 24 hours
- Offers a natural, skin-like feeling
- Provides medium coverage
- Sops up excess shine
Cons
- Somewhat limited shade range
Best colour range
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Liquid Foundation
In Rihanna we trust. This buildable, medium-to-full-coverage foundation from Fenty Beauty gives your skin a visibly smooth, pore-refined, shine-free finish in seconds.
After doing extensive consumer testing and research, the brand refreshed its shade range to provide the most inclusive formulation yet. With over 40 shades, this foundation is a must-try for any skin tone.
Pros
- Ideal for any skin type
- Long-wearing
- Climate-adaptive technology fights heat, sweat and shine
- Easy to apply
- Mid-price point
- Cruelty-free and vegan formula
Cons
- Some reviewers say the product is hard to blend
Best budget
CoverGirl TruBlend Matte Made Foundation
Inspired by people everywhere whose skin needs weren’t being heard, beauty giant CoverGirl created their TruBlend Matte Made foundation. The formula boasts 12-hour breathable wear and a soft matte yet flawless finish.
Even better, reviewers praise it for its transfer-resistant, pore-minimizing and oil-control benefits. At its affordable price, who can say no?
Pros
- Lasts up to 12 hours
- Soft matte finish
- Easy to blend
- Minimizes pores and absorbs excess oil
- Cruelty-free formula
Cons
Best luxury
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
From cool to neutral to warm undertones, this luxe foundation suits all skin tones. The 24-hour liquid formula delivers a natural, matte finish that unifies uneven skin tones and covers imperfections.
Oil-free and oil-controlling, this highly-praised product lasts in humid weather (the true test) and feels lightweight on the face. Finish the look with silica powder for a soft finish, or wear it solo for a youthful, dewy look.
Pros
- Lasts up to 24 hours
- Matte finish, even for people with oily skin
- Full coverage
- Available in 49 shades
Cons
Best buildable
L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation
This buildable, lightweight foundation offers up to 24 hours of wear. We love the medium-to-full buildable, breathable coverage that lasts all day.
Thanks to its matte properties, the ultra-thin formula applies smoothly to give a fresh complexion that lasts — over 10,000 reviewers agree! Build it into either a dewy or satin finish, the choice is yours.
Pros
- Suitable for all skin types
- Easy to apply, blends evenly
- Medium to full coverage
- Three oil absorbers resist sweat, water and transfer
- Available in 30 shades, which makes choosing a foundation easy
Cons
- The foundation bottle doesn’t include a lid
Best with skincare ingredients
LYS Beauty Triple Fix Serum Foundation
This lightweight formula will satisfy your skincare and foundation fix at the same time. Formulated with ingredients like ashwagandha and hyaluronic acid, this hydrating, foundation reduces the look of dark spots, pores, imperfections and fine lines while highlighting natural radiance.
Even better, it’s fragrance-and silicone-free — a total win!
Pros
- Light to medium coverage
- Ideal for uneven skin texture
- Recyclable packaging
- Available in 31 shades
- Pair with salicylic acid acne products without pilling
Cons
- Some reviewers claim the formula is patchy and peels
Best rated
Revlon PhotoReady Candid Natural Finish Foundation
Get ready to up your selfie game: This feel-good foundation is ultra-buildable and is infused with antioxidants, anti-pollution and anti-blue light ingredients — perfect for snapping a quick photo.
Its creamy texture applies like a moisturizer and blends invisibly to weightlessly even out your skin tone.
Pros
- Creamy, moisturizing formula
- Affordable price
- Easy to apply
- Uses anti-pollution, antioxidant and anti-blue light ingredients
- Buildable coverage
Cons
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.