If you have oily skin, you know how difficult it can be to find makeup that works for your tricky skin type. By 1 pm, you can feel your foundation melting off and you’re probably reaching for those blotting papers. Sound familiar? You’re probably using the wrong makeup! With just a few key matte products, you can keep those oils in check AND get your makeup to stay in place all day long. Keep on reading for the six best matte makeup products for oily skin.
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MATTE MAKEUP MUST-HAVES
1. PRIMER
A mattifying makeup base is the most important step for getting makeup that lasts all day. Skip primers that “hydrate” or “illuminate” the skin because those will just make you more oily. Instead go for a matte primer like this one from Clarins, which is great for larger pores and blurring skin imperfections. Another great option is this oil-free one from Smashbox!
Pro tip: Let your primer set for a minute before applying foundation!
2. FOUNDATION
I definitely recommend an oil-free foundation to help keep your skin shine-free all day. Always go for a long-lasting matte one like the YSL All Hours foundation, which lasts up to 24 hours (so worth the splurge) or my favorite drugstore foundation from Maybelline.
3. SETTING POWDER
To soak up any excess oil on your face, a translucent powder is a must! The key is to set your whole face rather than just the T-zone with a damp beauty blender (detailed steps here). My favorite splurge setting powder is the La Mer Powder, but I also swear by this drugstore one from Covergirl.
4. BLUSH
When picking a blush for oily skin, a good rule of thumb is to choose a matte one over a shiny one. The Bobbi Brown matte blush is my go-to, but a great drugstore dupe is the Maybelline Fit Me blush.
5. HIGHLIGHTER
Just because you have oily skin, doesn’t mean you can’t get that sun-kissed glow. The Laguna Cali Glow highlighter is great for a soft, subtle highlight that won’t look greasy!
6. SETTING SPRAY
One of the biggest concerns with oily skin is getting your makeup to stay put. I recommend an oil-control setting spray (like this one from Urban Decay) to help lock in your makeup all day!
What are your summer weather must-haves for oily skin!? Share your faves in the comments below!
39 Comments
Absolutely agree! Primer is for me the most important part of my makeup!
Definitely moisturizing before primer. Your skin is oily because you’re not getting enough water! So definitely drinking more water and applying a daily moisturizer (with spf!) I think is key.
Daily moisturization is so important. I can’t live without my creams!
I love mixing and matching different products for the best base! Smashbox primer water keeps me hydrated but not greasy! Then I like to go with a semi matte foundation and the coty airspun powder! The tarte Amazonian clay blushes have been amazing and last ALL day on my oily skin! And I always finish it all off with the NYX matte spray! (It’s such a great dupe for my old favorite all nighter!)
Thank you for this article! I’m always looking for new products to keep my oily skin under control. I like to use a hydrating gel day creme because oily skin also needs hydration, but because it’s a gel it won’t make your skin look greasy. I often use mineral powder instead of a foundation, especially when I’m in a hurry. La Roche Posay is my favorite!
Aww I’m so glad this post was helpful love, xx.
I have dry dry skin, and these products are probably not for me anyways, but I love ♥️ reading your post, always with great tips. ♥️?♥️
Merci for sharing your thoughts.
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Do you prefer the La Mer powder versus the Laura Mercier powder for oily skin?
I love both powders, the La Mer is my favorite but it’s definitely more of a splurge so the Laura Mercier is an amazing alternative!
I love this post! I am always looking for new products to try for my oily and acne prone skin! Can’t wait to try some of these! I love the soft matte primer from Rihanna’s line!
So glad you were loving this post my love. Hope you have an amazing weekend, xx.
I have all the inexpensive products listed on here, so proud of me lol
Please follow this up with the best products for dry skin. I buy anything I can get my hands on to make my dry skin look dewy! Love your posts!
Although i do not comment everytime but i follow your blog regularly!!! And it always helpful!!
Awww, thank you so much babe, so happy that it’s helpful. Thanks for shouting out!
Thank you for this post. Most of the people I watch seem to have dry skin and I have oily skin so this post is super helpful. I’ve never tried the Covergirl powder and now I’m really curious to try it out. I really want to get the YSL foundation but for $58 I might have to save up for that. I would love to see a post on your favorite drugstore makeup.
I’m happy this was helpful for you love. The CoverGirl powder is amazing for setting the day’s makeup!
With all my posts I usually add some drugstore options, but thanks for the idea! I love getting ideas from you guys, xx.
Thanks for this list. I finally tried the CG powder you recommended & I love it ?
Love this article! I have oily combo skin and I always feel like my makeup starts to disappear by the afternoon. I definitely need to try a different primer and add a setting spray to my routine and see if that works for me. And I love my Persona Laguna highlighter for a subtle day glow! Thanks for the tips Sona! #24hrclub
Awww, so glad that you’re loving Laguna. I’m sure it looks so beautiful on you love. Primer and setting spray will make such a huge difference in how your makeup turns out for the day!
Thank you, Sona!!! I’m new to the whole makeup world, especially skin care! So knowing all these helpful tip comes in handy when purchases products for my oily skin.
Omg Soma thank you for this post! You mentioned some products I already have & work great for me. Definitely would like to try the rest. This is very helpful. Love you ❤️ #24hrclub
Sona* Opps (autocorrect) ??
So many great tips ! I got a sample of the YSL but I need to try it with a few different primers. I’m usually combo skin where I’m at in WA (Dryer in the winter). When I’m in FL visiting family I’m an oily mess. When I tried the YSL it made me oily but I used a more hydrating primer. (I wasn’t mad about the oil though!) I miss oily skin. I have seen you use the Clarins one! That’s definitely one I want to try for my tzone. I really want to try the cover girl powder! The one mattifying product that has been my go to has been the too faced peach powder. That one smells yummy and works great! The covergirl is definitely more affordable so that will be on my list to purchase soon! Thanks for these great tips and product recommendations!!!!
I surely love dewy skin for Spring and Summer, but like to stay on top of it for friends that ask for some advice when it comes to oily skin. Question, would you say to completely stay away from illuminating primers even if it says oil-free? I’m curious. As always Sona, you’re crushing it! :) #24hrclub
I don’t have oily skin but I like your posts!!
It’s a live saving post for me. I have a oily skin, i have many shine issues during summers. I use rimmel powder for setting my foundation. It helps me a lot. My go to foundation is Fit me by maybelline. I can’t wait to try Cover girl translucent powder.
Best blog for Oily skin peeps. Fit blush is very nice. I love it on my skin.
Do best products for normal and dry skin too
I love the rimmel London setting powder. ❤ great post I love when you share your tips.
Girl, I am super oily and always have been. I use UD de-slick spray before makeup and to set my makeup. I used to use Benefit Porefessional primer but now I’m using this L’Oreal Magic Perfecting Base and that works just as well. I don’t get nearly as oily as I used to. I always use an oil free matte foundation and set my face with a damp beauty blender. All of these steps take so long but it’s worth it!
Sona, I know you rave about the La Mer setting powder and I just wanted to know which one you prefer, the loose or the pressed. I really only set my undereyes and find that all loose powders make that area look dry and crepey, even if I hydrate that area really well. Which would you suggest ?
Love this! I have very oily skin (and acne prone and still at my age of 39) so these suggestions are very helpful! Thank you!! ❤️❤️
Sona thank you for sharing , I have a Question about a sunblock which is better ?
PS love your live insta ?
this is such a useful post, thankyou for making it drugstore and high end friendly
So so curious about that Lamer powder; heard so many good things about it!
Jae
http://www.allthatjae.com
i love the smashbox primer !! it work so well !! and the La Mer powder is my favorite !!
Hi, Sona!! Very new follower due to this post, I’m an oily skin large pores girl, but I won’t wrinkle/age like other women my age. ? I was just curious, Sona what you prefer or think is the best method to apply makeup? Makeup brush, beauty blender type sponge or what? Thanks!!
I find making sure my skin is hydrated enough in the first place helps me produce less oil. Estee Lauder’s Double Wear foundation was also my go-to foundation when my skin was more oily.
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