Top 7 Best Foundations For Oily Skin, According To Beauty Experts

Do you feel as though you are fighting shine and breakouts all the time? Do you have a lot of blackheads? It turns out that your foundation may be the problem. Certain foundations are formulated specifically for oily skin to magnify shine and conceal blemishes. But there are so many on the market. That’s why we turned to beauty experts to figure out the best foundations for oily skin that change the makeup game.

While the only surefire way to improve any skin concerns is consulting a dermatologist, changing your makeup routine can be a small step in the right direction towards feeling happy in your own skin. We combed through nine expert makeup reviews to compile this list of the top seven best foundations for oily skin you can buy now. Don’t agree with our ranking? We would love to hear from you in the comments down below!

A woman with problematic skin applying foundation
A woman with problematic skin applying foundation (Photo by Vladimir Gjorgiev on Shutterstock)

The List: Best Foundation For Oily Skin, According to Makeup Gurus

1. L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

Oily skin is no match for L’Oreal’s Pro-Matte formula! It’s true that oily skin and matte foundation go well together. The Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation boasts an air-light texture, an oil-free formula, and 24-hour wear. In Style calls it “long wearing in the truest sense, it’s simultaneously — surprisingly — lightweight.”

SkinScripted says this foundation provides a 24-hour demi-matte finish, making it perfect for every day, extended wear. What exactly does “demi-matte” mean here? According to The Cut, the matte finish reduces shine while also keeping things dewy. They warn that if you have really oily skin, this may not be the right option for you if you are solely looking for a mattifying foundation.

2. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation

Fenty Beauty Filt'r Soft Matte Foundation
Fenty Beauty Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation in Shade 470

Thanks to its Climate Adaptive Technology, this amazing foundation seamlessly adjusts to your skin’s demands in any situation. It absorbs extra oil, lessens shine, and gives you a gorgeous matte complexion. SkinScripted assures that “it can handle sweat and humidity like a pro.”

You won’t have to deal with retouches thanks to this Fenty Beauty product, which adjusts to the weather and has an incredible selection of 50 shades. Forbes also notes that it never feels heavy or cakey, which is a feat in itself.

Because it combats heat, sweat, and shine while remaining flexible and non-drying on the skin, Fenty is ideal for oily skin types. In Style says it doesn’t settle into your nooks and crannies.

3. NARS Soft Matte Long-Lasting Foundation 

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation
NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation in Mali

NARS has oil reduction down to a science. Its oxidation-resistant formula and 16-hour wear mean you won’t have to worry about your makeup fading throughout the day. Its shine, transfer, and sweat resistance pair up with being oil-free and non-acnegenic, making it an ideal option for individuals with oily or acne-prone skin. SkinScripted loves that it is available in 34 shades.

If you have oily skin, you most likely are on the hunt for a foundation that hides blemishes, reduces the visibility of pores, and avoids an intense glare from your shiny face. Well, this just might be the product for you! The formula absorbs oil does a fantastic job of giving the appearance of a second skin. Forbes says the key ingredients here are hyaluronic acid and micro algae. The Cut even says, “if you hate matte foundations, this one might make you convert.”

4. Make Up For Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear

Make Up For Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear
Make Up For Ever HD Skin Undetectable Longwear in Alabaster

This enhanced, invisible liquid foundation is designed to conceal and mask flaws for an astounding twenty-four hours. It synchronizes with your skin to provide a true-to-skin finish that looks fantastic in any light, thanks to its micro-skin technology. SkinScripted informs us that it’s also vegan, non-comedogenic, waterproof, and sweat-proof.

Forbes labels this foundation as not only the best foundation for oily skin, but the best overall. It can be challenging to wear makeup with an oily complexion because it is hard to achieve a matte, even look without having a thick layer of foundation on your face. However, it’s difficult to even notice that you’re wearing foundation with this formula, thanks to its subtle yet effective application.

Look no further than the silky foundation from Make Up For Ever if you’re going for an ultra-glam finish. It will be able to manage your oil with ease because it can even survive a swim in the pool. Glamour says you can either buff it out or build it up for a more dramatic look.

5. Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Foundation

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation in Sun Beige

 

This foundation hides pores so well that The Cut recommends it as a primer as well. Fit Me Matte comes in 40 hues, and several of those are darker shades which are new to the collection. This foundation is a well-liked option because of its large color selection and miraculous ability to reduce shine and blur pores.

Despite being a liquid formula, it includes micropowders to regulate sheen for a poreless appearance. Their shade selections are among the best available for people with darker complexion tones. Glamour says its a jack of all trades for combining its reasonable price, blending qualities, and range of colors.

6. BareMinerals Barepro Powder Foundation

BareMinerals Barepro Powder Foundation
BareMinerals Barepro Powder Foundation

The way that powder foundations manage shine without sacrificing breathability is great, and that is exactly what this Bare Minerals powder offers. In addition to absorbing oil, this talc-free solution with squalene from sugarcane and peony extract gradually evens and smoothes tone. Forbes also likes that it can cover blemishes for 16 hours of coverage and can control shine for up to 24 hours.

With just five cruelty-free, vegan ingredients, this formula won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts. The loose powder builds easily for both a subtle finish and a full beat. Glamour tells us that wearers have long praised Bare Minerals’ mineral foundation for being an excellent choice for sensitive skin in addition to addressing shine.

Causes of Oily Skin:

Genetics: One of the main reasons for oily skin is genetics. If your parents have oily skin, you’re more likely to inherit the same tendency. Your genes influence the number and activity of your sebaceous glands.

Hormonal fluctuations: Hormones play a significant role in sebum production. Changes in hormone levels throughout life, such as puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, can trigger an increase in oil production.

Age: Sebum production is generally highest during adolescence and young adulthood, then naturally decreases with age. So, oily skin is more common in teenagers and young adults.

Climate and weather: Hot and humid climates tend to make skin oilier. Sweating increases, and your sebaceous glands might also become more active in response to the heat and humidity.

Certain medications: Some medications, such as birth control pills or anabolic steroids, can alter hormone levels and lead to increased sebum production.

Diet: While research on the exact link is ongoing, some studies suggest a possible connection between a high-glycemic diet (rich in sugary or processed foods) and oily skin.

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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.