Which are the Best Foundations for Oily Skin

Post last updated: 26/09/2023

Finding the right foundation to suit oily skin can be a challenge. A foundation with a mattifying finish will help to balance the complexion and control the appearance of unwanted oils and shine throughout the day. However, it can be difficult to find a foundation that achieves this effect without drying the skin, thereby making it feel uncomfortable and look cakey. 

We have curated an edit of 10 of the best matte foundations for oily skin, that we have tried and tested and can confirm are the best face bases if you suffer from excess oil and unwanted shine. These foundations are formulated specifically for oily and combination skin types and provide long-lasting wear through breathable formulas that are easy to blend and build upon.  

Our Picks of the Best Foundations for Oily Skin

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation
2. Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15
3. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF40
4. Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation with SPF 39
5. NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation
6. bareMinerals Matte SPF15 Foundation
7. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
8. Lancôme TeintIdôle Ultra Wear 24H Foundation
9. Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup
10. Revlon ColorStay Make-Up Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

Shop All Matte Foundations for Oily Skin on LOOKFANTASTIC

How to Apply Foundation to Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, use these essential products within your makeup routine to reduce the appearance of shine and enhance the longevity of your complexion makeup for all day wear.

1. Mattifying primer - try The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer, which hydrates, mattifies and smoothes the skin for optimum makeup application.
2. Use a matte or oil-free foundation - (see our top picks below).
3. Powder - try Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, which combats unwanted shine and oily finishes, keeping your skin matte all day, while still boasting a subtle luminosity.
4. Setting spray - try the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray as a final barrier against potential shine.
5. Blotting paper - try using the DHC Blotting Paper throughout the day to absorb excess oil if your skin becomes a little too shiny.

Advice

The Best Mattifying Primers for Oily Skin

Balance and perfect your complexion with our edit of the best primers for oily skin. Keep oils at bay and enhance the longevity of your foundation with our favourite products from benefit, Bobbi Brown and Cover FX.

05/01/2021 By Team LF

1. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup 30ml (Various Shades)

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup 30ml (Various Shades)

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RRP: £39.50Current price: £29.63

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The iconic Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation is a global bestseller for a reason. Offering up to 24 hours of wear, this foundation is one of the best options for an oily complexion, blending seamlessly into the skin to create a canvas that prevents unwanted shine and movement throughout the day. Providing buildable medium-to-full coverage, this foundation works to blur the look of imperfections and provide an airbrushed finish, without feeling heavy on the skin.  

• Coverage: Medium to full.
• Why we love it: The formula is water, sweat, heat and humidity resistant.
• Read what our customers say here. 

3. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF40 32ml (Various Shades)

IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF40 32ml (Various Shades)

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This IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream provides flawless full coverage with an airbrushed, matte finish. The multi-tasking formula contains charcoal, collodial clay and tea tree extract, which help to minimise pores and absorb oil and shine, making it ideal for those with oily skin. Blended with hyaluronic acid, this oil-free CC+ Cream lends a quenching burst of hydration, while still being comfortably matte.  

• Coverage: Full.
• Why we love it: Multi-tasker. This product can be used as both a CC+ cream and a foundation.
• Read what our customers say here.

4. Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation with SPF 39 25ml (Various Shades)

Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation with SPF 39 25ml (Various Shades)

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RRP: £42.00Current price: £33.60

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This YSL All Hours Luminous Matte Foundation offers up to 24 hours of buildable medium to full coverage, depending on your preference. With a 77% skincare-based formula, one of the foundation’s key ingredients is hyaluronic acid, which provides the skin with long-lasting hydration, while still maintaining a matte finish and feather-light feel. Apply using your fingers for a more natural to medium coverage or with a makeup brush for a medium to high coverage makeup look.  

• Coverage: Medium to full.
• Why we love it: Provides the skin with long-lasting hydration.
• Read what our customers say here.

5. NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation 45ml (Various Shades)

NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation 45ml (Various Shades)

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4.27 stars out of a maximum of 5

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RRP: £34.00Current price: £27.20

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NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation is blended with a botanical-based Anti-Oxidation Complex, which helps to prevent the colour of the foundation from shifting, thereby providing 16 hours of colour-true wear with a full-coverage finish. Featuring humidity and sweat-proof properties, the formula minimises excess oil production and leaves the skin with a shine-free, seamless finish.  

• Coverage: Full.
• Why we love it: Diffuses seamlessly into the skin.
• Top tip: Apply the NARS Soft Matte Primer underneath this foundation to enhance the longevity of your face base.
• Read what our customers say here.

6. bareMinerals Original Matte Loose Mineral Foundation SPF 15 (Various Shades)

bareMinerals Original Matte Loose Mineral Foundation SPF 15 (Various Shades)

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RRP: £36.50Current price: £29.20

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bareMinerals is a great makeup brand for those with blemish-prone skin as its lightweight formula of natural mineral pigments work in synergy with the skin to let it breathe throughout the day. This foundation delivers buildable sheer-to-full coverage with a comfortable matte finish that lasts for up to 8 hours. This loose powder foundation buffs effortlessly into the skin to diminish the appearance of pores and balance the complexion.  

• Coverage: Sheer to full coverage.
• Why we love it: The breathable, natural formula is ideal for those with blemish-prone skin.
• Read what our customers say here.

8. Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear 24H Foundation 30ml

Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear 24H Foundation 30ml

4.71 stars out of a maximum of 5

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Lancôme’s Teint Idôle Ultra Wear 24H Foundation has been specifically formulated to adapt to every skin tone and skin type, including dry, sensitive, oily and blemish prone. Offering full coverage with a breathable matte finish, this foundation delivers 24 hours of flawless wear. Its formula, blended with an 81% serum of hyaluronic acid, moringa oil and vitamin E, hydrates, nourishes and visibly plumps the skin, while reducing the appearance of imperfections and minimising shine. 

• Coverage: Full.
• Why we love it: Available in 45 shades, this foundation is suitable for every skin tone and skin type.
• Read what our customers say here.

10. Revlon ColorStay Make-Up Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin (Various Shades)

Revlon ColorStay Make-Up Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin (Various Shades)

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RRP: £13.99Current price: £8.39

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This Revlon ColorStay Foundation is an iconic skincare-makeup hybrid, formulated with combination and oily skin types in mind. Providing up to 24 hours of wear, the foundation is blended with salicylic acid to encourage a more balanced, clarified complexion and minimise unwanted shine. The lightweight, mattifying formula blends and builds seamlessly, resisting heat, humidity, and sweat, while nourishing the skin with antioxidant vitamin E.  

• Coverage: Medium.
• Why we love it: A skincare-makeup hybrid.
• Top tip: Use with the Revlon Colorstay Blot Matte Setting Powder to mattify the complexion, minimise oil and reduce the appearance of pores.
• Read what our customers say here.