If you have oily skin, you’re familiar with the makeup challenges it brings. It often feels like an endless battle against shine and smudging. Fortunately, there is a solution that can make a huge difference: a primer for oily skin. A primer is a blend of skincare and makeup that acts as a base for your makeup, smoothing your skin before foundation.
But we’re just halfway through the battle. With so many products out there, picking one can be confusing. To help you choose the best product, we highlight the 10 best makeup primers for oily skin to stay fabulous and shine-free all day.
1. e.l.f. Cosmetics Matte Putty Makeup Primer
e.l.f. Cosmetics is a favorite among professional makeup artists, and it’s easy to see why. Their Matte Putty Primer has become a viral sensation on TikTok because of its impressive performance in humid conditions. It absorbs oil and creates a smooth, matte finish on the skin, making it perfect for a flawless look. Ingredients like kaolin and charcoal work together to minimize the appearance of pores and control shine, making it the best face primer on the market.
2. The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer blurs the appearance of pores and minimizes imperfections for smoother makeup application. This alcohol-free, vegan formula harnesses the power of silicone to hydrate and blur the skin without leaving any greasy residue. Also, it acts as a protective barrier, preventing oil from disturbing your makeup throughout the day.
3. NARS Soft Matte Primer
As the brand claims, this lightweight makeup primer provides instant mattification and glides gently over the skin. With no parabens and alcohol, it instantly fills in the uneven texture, preparing your skin for a smoother foundation base without clogging pores. Its exclusive climate-balancing technology ensures your complexion stays flawless in any weather, keeping your makeup look fresh all day.
4. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
The award-winning Milk Makeup primer delivers a hydrating glow that keeps your makeup intact for up to 12 hours. Composed of 94% natural ingredients, it contains blue agave, hyaluronic acid, hemp seed extracts, vitamin B3, and aloe water for a fresh, dewy look. Additionally, it is vegan and free from parabens, silicones, and added fragrances for your foundation to blend smoothly.
5. Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
The result of 95% of consumers getting their makeup on flawlessly says all about this primer. With vitamins A and E, this primer has a velvety and lightweight formula to keep your shiny skin at bay. It lets the right amount of glow shine through your skin and blurs your fine lines and pores even after sweating. Not only that, but it also acts as a skin barrier and helps your skin look free from dirt.
6. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty offers a primer that diminishes the appearance of pores and controls oil throughout the day. Suitable for all skin types, this oil-free primer smooths the skin to create a flawless base for foundation. Formulated with glycerin as its primary ingredient, this product ensures your makeup remains fresh and sweat-free throughout the day.
7. Tarte Poreless Mattifying Primer
Tarte Poreless Mattifying Primer is a silky gel primer that effortlessly blurs pores, leaving a velvety matte finish lasting up to 12 hours. It includes avocado, T5 super fruit complex, rosemary leaf extracts, and safflower seed to filter out imperfections and soften skin. According to the clinical trials, users noticed smoother and softer skin after applying the primer.
8. Neutrogena Shine Control Primer
Neutrogena Shine Control Primer is an effective makeup primer for oily skin. Infused with rice protein technology, it keeps your skin oil-free and fresh-looking all day. It enhances makeup application for a smoother, longer-lasting finish while minimizing the visibility of pores. Its lightweight, non-greasy formula offers full coverage for oily skin, withstanding shine for up to 8 hours. True to its promise, it leaves no white residue on your face.
9. Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
Maybelline’s Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is an excellent drugstore primer that delivers on its claims. This lightweight, fragrance-free primer has a key ingredient—silica—which makes it suitable for all skin types. Customers witnessed that it applies easily, makes larger pores less visible, and covers fine lines and wrinkles. And this is why many people consider this the best primer for oily skin.
10. Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Velvet Finish Primer
The Beauty Pie Wonderfilter Velvet Finish Primer gives you a soft, matte finish and controls oil, especially in the T-zone. With vita rose extract and evanescent oils, it gradually reduces the appearance of pores and fine lines. You can wear it alone over moisturizer or under foundation to help makeup blend better and last longer. In their trials, 97% of users reported a silky-smooth application.
Finding the best primer for oily skin is a trial-and-error process. But once you find the one that works for you, it is like striking gold. The right primer keeps your makeup intact, controls excess oil, minimizes pores, and provides a smooth, even base for your foundation.
The ones mentioned above have proven their worth through quality and price. So, visit your nearest store or order your best makeup primer online to experience the benefits first-hand.
