The 10 Best Foundations For Oily Skin
Trying to find a foundation that will stay on all day when you have oily skin can be a nightmare. There are so many different brands out there stating they have super long-lasting wear and the ability to mattify oil all day long. Add that to numerous influencer sponsorships, and it can get very confusing. Which ones actually live up to the hype?
One of the highest-rated foundations for oily skin is Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation; however, there are so many different options on the market nowadays. There are products for all budgets, so if you’re worried about burning a hole in your pocket – don’t worry! Let’s delve into the details and find a perfect fit.
The Best Foundations for Oily Skin
It’s not always a ‘one size’ fits all situations when it comes to makeup, especially foundation. Everyone’s skin reacts differently to different ingredients. Some people are prone to breakouts, some are sensitive, and some have more oil than others. You can find an oily face treatment in that article to further help your situation!
Now let’s get into the details of each foundation to make your choices a little clearer.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Dear God, this really is the holy grail of foundation – there’s a reason this one is at the top of the list!
This foundation is a global seller that really lives up to the name – you really do get double the wear. Once it’s on your face, it’s not moving for the remainder of the day – and night! Estee Lauder Double Wear is quite heavy while you’re applying it and may look a little daunting, but once applied, your mind will be blown.
Estee Lauder Double Wear has incredible coverage, so if you’re an acne sufferer (or just struggle with the odd pimple here and there), this is an amazing choice. It is easy to blend and comes in over 60 different shades, so if you’re looking for something that will match your skin tone – this is it!
Estee Lauder Double Wear has been on the market since 1997, and it is still highly used worldwide. At $43 for 1oz, it is quite pricey. But if you’re looking for something with a little more wear-time for those special occasions, this is a great option.
A lot of makeup artists swear by this product and its ability to stay put. Got a Wedding to attend? No doubt, this will hold up until the DJ plays that last song – and until the next morning, if you’re too drunk to wash it off!
It’s also a great tool for shielding the skin from harmful environmental factors that may cause damage. It also comes with an SPF 10, which can be a great way to keep the sun damage at bay – however, remember to wear sunscreen alongside it!
The only downside is, as easy as it is to blend, it’s not the best at building up. Sometimes when you try to apply another layer, it can remove the first layer. However, disregarding this issue – it’s totally worth the hype. Visit the Estee Lauder website to find your perfect shade: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup
Check out this review to see the staying power: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation Review and Demo
Urban Decay All-Nighter Liquid Foundation
Urban Decay All-Nighter is a little on the newer side, but it’s a great contender!
This foundation is a great option for oily skin, with an oil-free, gel-based formula. This is exactly what you should be looking for when you struggle with a little extra oil. Urban Decay states that since the foundation is ’25 % pigmented’, that there is no need to apply multiple layers. One layer should be sufficient coverage, which is great for making the product last longer.
At $40, you really want to get that bang for your buck, as it’s on the higher end of the foundation scale. This foundation is very easy to blend, keeps the skin matte, and contains ingredients that blur the skin’s texture, giving you a smoother base.
There is a range of Urban Decay All-Nighter products, such as a setting spray amongst other cosmetics, which can work brilliantly with the foundation. And with a great makeup organizer, you can have all the products you need set-up and ready for you to apply your makeup!
You can find the Urban Decay Foundation here: All Nighter Makeup
Clinique Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup
This is the perfect solution to oily skin and breakouts.
Clinique Acne Solutions has been cleverly formulated with salicylic acid, which is an amazing ingredient for dissolving away the oil, dirt, and dead skin cells – which could potentially clog up your pores. It’s a great preventative option for your skin, as well as providing fantastic coverage – the perfect combination.
Oily skin sufferers are more likely to break out with whiteheads and blackheads, and applying makeup on top of the problem usually isn’t the best idea. However, this is a great choice that allows you to have your skin looking it’s best while preventing future issues from occurring.
At $31, this foundation is still a little pricey, however more affordable than the likes of Estee Lauder and Urban Decay. Want to find your shade? Unfortunately, the only downside is that the shades are a little limited, but here they are: Acne Solutions™ Liquid Makeup
MAC Studio Fix Fluid
This foundation has the highest staying power of all the MAC foundations, with 24 hours of tested wearability. This makes it a great option for both daily use and for special occasions if you struggle with that little extra oil.
It’s not heavy; on the application, it feels lightweight and blends well. Combining a matte finish and buildable coverage which allows you to go medium to the full depending on the look you’re going for. It has SPF 15, which is a great extra tool for keeping those UV rays out – however, remember to wear sunscreen as well! For $33, this sounds like a great deal!
It also comes in a whopping 67 shades! MAC is well known for its diverse shade ranges to match all skin tones. Want to give it a try? Check it out: Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte is highly rated and promises to stay put for up to 24 hours after application. Compared to the others on this list, it’s demi-matte, so if you’re looking for something that won’t completely flatten your features but still helps control oil production – this is the one.
It’s very light and creamy, but has excellent coverage, and is a buildable – bonus! It’s a great price, at $12.99, for those who can’t afford to splash out on higher-end makeup. But just because it’s a drugstore brand doesn’t mean it won’t work for you!
Expect baby smooth, even skin, for a fraction of the price! However, if you’re extremely oily, this one may not be the best option to keep you matte all day. The shades are also quite limited compared to other brands. Find your shade here: Pro-Matte Foundation
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Foundation and Full Coverage Moisturizer
It Cosmetics are well known for creating more subtle and natural-looking foundation bases, whilst still giving great coverage. They strive to change the traditional foundation and create something more beneficial for the skin.
The Bye Bye Foundation is a full coverage moisturizer, which saves you the hassle of layering up multiple products. If you’re looking for efficiency in your routine, as well as something that works, this is a great product.
With SPF 50+ included, it gives your skin great protection from the harsh UV rays, as well as providing an even, smooth and moisturizing layer to the skin. We do still recommend using sunscreen under this foundation; however, if you don’t have time, you know your skin has more protection than with other foundations.
It’s ideal for all skin types, as it is moisturizing and mattifying. However, the shade range is limited, and it’s quite pricey at $39.50. Want to know more? Check it out: Bye Bye Foundation Full Coverage Moisturizer SPF 50+
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation
Charlotte Tilbury has a reputation of being a luxury, high-end brand, which is quite pricey for most. At $44, the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Longwear Foundation proves this, but it’s worth the hype.
With around 50 shades, it’s got great diversity, as well as great staying power for oily skin. This foundation does what it says in the name: ‘Airbrush’. If you’re looking for something that will stay put all day, feels like your own skin, mattifies, and gives you that flawless airbrushed look – this is a good one to try.
Charlotte Tilbury also states that this foundation works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles by up to 22% after eight weeks of use, and is designed to limit exposure of pollutants to the skin. Which is a great little extra bonus! You can find the Charlotte Tilbury foundation here: Airbrush Flawless Foundation
Check out this great review of the Charlotte Tilbury foundation: New Holy Grail Foundation? Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation Review
Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation
At $48, this is the most expensive on the list – but it’s a great contender.
Laura Mercier is known worldwide for its high-quality range of makeup. Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear foundation is an extremely high performance, giving instant oil control that stays put for 15 hours.
Are you going to a concert, on holiday, to the gym? This foundation will last through sweat, humidity, and water – and is transfer resistant. It’s a lightweight formula which doesn’t feel heavy on the skin and has great buildability.
It’s a pricey option and has a medium range of shades compared to other brands. However, if you can find a shade that matches your skin, totally give it a try. Expect a comfortable foundation that lasts throughout the day and minimizes the appearance of pores.
Want to give it a try? Check it out: Flawless Fusion Ultra-Longwear Foundation
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’ r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
The baby of the list, but a great contender.
Fenty Beauty was founded in 2017 by a famous pop idol, Rhianna. Making it the youngest on the list, however, it’s definitely worth the hype. And at $35, it’s a little cheaper than most high-end brands.
Pro Filt’ r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is a 2018 Allure Best of Beauty award winner, created with 50 shades to cater to all skin tones. It’s an oil-free formula that has climate-adaptive technology making it resistant to sweat and humid environments.
It’s created to be a perfect balance between matte and shiny; however, it does control oil. So it’s great for oily skin, but if you suffer from extreme oil production, you may need something a little more matte.
It also won’t clog your pores, which is a bonus for those who suffer from acne and breakouts! Check out the Fenty Beauty Foundation: Pro Filt’ r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage Foundation
James Charles is obsessed!
Morphe was founded in 2008 but has blown up in recent years. You may have seen hundreds of influencers raving about their products, and the Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage Foundation is a great one!
Available in 60 shades, it has an extremely diverse range. They strive to deliver a full-coverage foundation that caters to everyone’s skin hue, stays put for 24 hours, and doesn’t burn a hole in your wallet.
At $18 dollars, this foundation is a steal! You may find it doesn’t stay put as long as the likes of Estee Lauder and Laura Mercier, but for this price, it’s worth a try! It promises to be sweatproof, transfer-resistant, water-resistant, oil-free, and provides 24 hours of wear.
Find it here: Morphe Fluidity Full-Coverage Foundation
Final Thoughts
It’s a tough decision, but to round up, Estee Lauder comes in at number one for staying put, coverage, and diversity of shades. If you’re willing to spend a bit of extra dollar on a product, this is the OG of high coverage foundations that would stay intact through an apocalypse.
Morphe comes in at the best foundation for those scrimping the cents, giving high coverage and great staying power at a budget price.
And if you’re looking for something in the mid-range, why not give MACs Studio Fix Fluid a go? It’s a well known and loved brand that’s been on the shelves for decades. It’s widely used by makeup artists and will keep you looking fresh all day.
Further more, if becoming a makeup artist is one of your dreams, there are a variety of makeup courses online that could help you start your journey in the beauty industry.
