Oily skin and makeup! Fret not, get the perfect makeup look on that oily skin of yours, that too, without breaking the bank. Be prepared to have that air-brushed finish of your dreams with the best drugstore foundations for oily skin. 

A good foundation base determines a good makeup finish. But oily skin is not easy to work with. You need to use the right products under the foundation to get that flawless base. Shedding some more information about the products to be used under foundation, our contributor Maya Adivi, who is a certified makeup artist, says, “I think it's very important to wear sunscreen under foundation if you're going out in the daytime. Other products you may want to use include moisturizer, which will help hydrate the skin and smooth down dead skin cells for more even application. A primer for oily skin will help improve foundation longevity while keeping the skin at.” 

For once you want your foundation to lock in without a greasy film forming on top and you frantically searching for blotting sheets. Opting for high-quality foundations, specifically made for oily skin, can give you your desired base layer, and the cherry-on-top, you can find most of them at your nearest drugstore. The drugstore brands possess some high-performing foundations that provide you with the smoothest and lightest canvas for your makeup. They are super-charged with skin-caring ingredients and are cruelty-free, alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and preservative-free.  Drawing from our experience, here is a curated list of 14 drugstore foundations for oily skin.

While on our hunt for the best drugstore foundations for oily skin, we looked for formulas infused with skin-loving and oil-absorbing ingredients, including salicylic acid, along with high-performing makeup pigments. We also searched for words like “matte” and “shine-free” while looking for oil-free formulas that can make your skin greasy in the long run. To note, oily skin tends to produce excess sebum and the pores easily get clogged, resulting in acne, dark spots, and breakouts. It becomes very hard for oily skin to control the film of sheen that seeps through the makeup and forms on top, melting away everything. Using oil-blotting sheets carries the danger of the makeup getting wiped away while layering with powder results in caking and creasing. We have picked out some of the best oil-free drugstore foundations that do not sit heavy on the skin and deliver an airbrush effect without clogging the pores. They are specifically made for oily and acne-prone skin with non-comedogenic formulas and mattified finishes. Boasting of lasting round-the-clock without transferring or smudging or melting, these foundations have a wide array of shades and are extremely cost-effective.

• 1
  Best overall

  Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Oil-Free Foundation Makeup

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The reason why Maybelline Fit Me Foundation has bagged the top position is that it checks all the boxes - non-comedogenic, oil-free, blurs pores, and stops shine. The best part, it is from a well-known brand, has over 40 shades, and is insanely affordable. Adding to that, it contains micro-powders that absorb excess oil and prolong the wear of your makeup. Plus, it provides medium coverage and is dermatologist and allergy-tested. Apply with fingers, a foundation brush, or a sponge, and it will refine your pores to give you a matte look that will last all day. 

Skin type: Normal to oily 

Finish: Natural

2

Best shade options

e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation

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A Flawless Finish Foundation by one of the most popular drugstore brands, e.l.f. boasts a semi-matte finish with medium to full coverage. You will love how it improves uneven skin tone and conceals blemishes flawlessly. Ladies! Do not worry about missing out as there is a shade for every skin tone, light to medium to deep. The lightweight foundation for oily skin is infused with glycerine that hydrates and softens your skin.

Skin type: Oily

Finish: Sheer

Quick Tip:

Apply a primer before painting your face with an oil-free, matte foundation, blend well with a brush, set your base with a powder, and finally use a setting spray to seal the look.

3

Best long-lasting

Maybelline New York Super Stay Full Coverage Liquid Foundation

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Another one from one of the best drugstore makeup brands, Maybelline, is this transfer-resistant, sweat-resistant, and water-resistant foundation. Claiming to last up to 30 hours, the ultra-light foundation glides smoothly over the skin, providing full coverage. Best suited for oily and combination skin, the high-performance formula provides a mattified canvas to put makeup on. Besides, the saturated color pigments reduce the appearance of imperfections and scars to provide a flawless complexion. The best feature about this oil-free drugstore foundation is there isn't any need for touch-ups as it is transfer-proof.

It delivers 24-hour long-wearing coverage with a flawless look. The saturated colored pigments infused in the foundation minimize the appearance of imperfections and reduce blemishes and acne breakouts.

Skin type: Oily and combination

Finish: Matte

4

Best matte finish

Liquid Foundation by Revlon

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From light beige to deep mocha, find the shade that fits you right from over 40 diverse shades offered by Revlon's Colorstay foundation. The foundation is formulated with broad spectrum SPF 15 and earth-sourced minerals that prevent oiliness, minimizing pores for up to 12 hours along with providing sun protection. It also carries the goodness of Vitamin E and has medium to full buildable coverage. The antioxidant Vitamin E nourishes the skin, shielding it from the adverse effects of pollutants. Get a radiant matte finish with this sweat-proof foundation that wears for up to 24 hours.

Skin type: Oily and combination

Finish: Matte

5

The most easily blendable

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation

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Hide those blemishes and dark spots with the magic stroke of L’Oreal Infallible foundation that lasts for up to 24 hours. It glides along the face smoothly to give a seamless, even complexion and it is so light, you don’t feel any weight wearing it. The texture is creamy and is formulated to provide medium coverage, perfect for everyday use. It can be blended easily with a foundation brush, a makeup sponge, or with the fingers. Start at the center of the face and gradually blend, working in a rolling motion, towards the jaw and hairline for a flawless makeup base. 

Skin type: Normal to oily

Finish: Semi-matte

Skin type: Normal to oily

Finish: Semi-matte

6

Best oil-controlling

Catrice | HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

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A foundation, by Catrice, that not only provides a natural-looking matte finish but also has the goodness of niacinamide incorporated in it. The high-coverage liquid foundation covers up imperfections like a pro, leaving a smooth, even complexion for you to work your makeup on. It has a unique dropper applicator and it delivers air-light texture for up to 24 hours. The niacinamide in the formula reduces pigmentation, providing an even skin tone while preventing the appearance of new discolorations. It also helps in slowing down the production of excess oil.

Skin type: Normal to oily

Finish: Matte

7

Best powder foundation

MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation by Jerome Alexander

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Jerome Alexander's MagicMinerals foundation gives a lightweight buildable coverage suitable to all skin types. Infused with anti-aging components and minerals, you get a soft, matte finish without any creasing or caking. You will love the Kabuki brush which lets you blend the foundation easily to give a smooth airbrush texture. The triple power of hyaluronic acid, Argireline, and matrixyl 3000 keeps the skin moisturized, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and revealing a youthful and vibrant complexion.

Skin type: All

Finish: Matte

8

Best shine-control

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Can't Stop Won't Stop Foundation

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NYX Professional Makeup is another drugstore brand that has great, high-performing makeup products. The Can't Stop Won't Stop foundation is no different. It is lightweight and highly pigmented, delivering a matte finish and color that stays put from AM to PM. The wide range of creamy shades is transfer-resistant, gliding on smoothly for an even skin tone. The skin-friendly ingredient hidden within, Vitamin E, keeps the shades from oxidizing and prevents premature aging of the skin by shielding it against free radicals.

Skin type: All

Finish: Matte

Quick Tip:

To ensure that your foundation doesn’t crack, it's vital to use gel-based skincare products (that won't slip off and leave streaks on your face) in conjunction with your cosmetics.

9

Best light-diffusing

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Dewy Liquid Foundation

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The Photo Focus foundation is a high-performance drugstore foundation for oily skin from Wet n Wild that provides flawless coverage, lightweight, and is buildable. It has a silky and creamy texture that does not pose any difficulty while blending. The specialty of Photo Focus is that the products are formulated with a light-diffusing complex that not only delivers a radiant complexion but also prevents the white cast in photographs. The super-nourishing formula blurs imperfections and minimizes pores, covering, and concealing to give you your desired matte or dewy finish.

Skin type: All

Finish: Dewy and glowy

10

Best non-cakey

COVERGIRL TruBlend Matte Made Liquid Foundation

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Transform your oily skin makeup to a smooth finish with the help of COVERGIRL's TruBlend foundation. It coats the face with a strong, flexible layer of mattified look. The Flexi-hold technology used in creating the foundation prevents the makeup from looking cakey or dry. Enjoy long-lasting coverage with this transfer-resistant formula, blending it upwards and outwards in light, feathery strokes. The mattifying powder absorbs excess oil and minimizes the appearance of pores to give you that polished, smooth skin. 

Skin type: Normal to oily 

Finish: Matte

11

Dermablend Flawless Creator Multi-Use Liquid Foundation

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Oily skin is prone to redness and acne, and most of the time, using makeup products tends to aggravate these symptoms. Dermablend's multi-use liquid foundation has a non-comedogenic formula which is ideal for oily, sensitive skin. The high-performance pigments, which meet standards as prescribed by dermatologists, glide smoothly to give an airbrush coverage that almost feels like a second skin. It covers all dark spots, hyperpigmentations, redness, and discolorations without clogging the pores. Blending the foundation with your fingertips after applying primer will ensure a long-wearing soft finish. For a natural skin-like finish, use a firm brush to dot and blend the foundation. Mixing moisturizer with the foundation will give you a tinted finish. 

Skin type: Oily and sensitive

Finish: Natural

12

Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Acne and Blemish Fighting Liquid Foundation

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Neutrogena's SkinClearing liquid foundation is formulated with MicroClear technology to treat blemishes and prevent future breakouts. The clinically-tested blemish-fighting technology works to treat acne while the silky makeup pigments deliver a seamless finish. The oil-free drugstore foundation is enhanced with 5% salicylic acid specifically for acne-prone skin to provide fast acne relief. It absorbs oil to control shine and keep the pores from getting clogged. 

Skin type: Acne-prone

Finish: Natural

13

Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define Foundation

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With the Makeup Revolution Conceal and Define foundation, you can either enhance your natural complexion or use it for full coverage, concealing blemishes and dark spots. The lightweight foundation for oily skin gives an even skin tone and a long-lasting demi-matte finish. The creamy formula is oil-free which prevents creasing and caking. An exclusive collection of 50 shades is available for all skin tones and types, making this foundation a favorite due to its inclusive sha

Skin type: All

Finish: Demi-mattede range.

14

COVERGIRL Clean Matte Liquid Foundation

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Formulated with oil absorbers and conditioners, the COVERGIRL clean liquid foundation controls excess oil and prevents skin dryness. It keeps the pores unclogged, the skin oil-free, and your makeup shine-free. This drugstore foundation for oily skin is safe to use on sensitive skin as well. It keeps the skin clear and delivers a nice light matte coverage that lasts long. With a smooth coating, it effectively covers blemishes and dark age spots without making your skin feel greasy or sticky.

Skin type: Sensitive, normal, and oily 

Finish: Matte

15

Almay Clear Complexion Makeup

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The Almay Clear Complexion Makeup in the shade 510 Natural Ochre is a game-changer for all makeup enthusiasts. The versatile foundation is not only lightweight but also allows you to build makeup coverage without caking. Moreover, suitable for acne-prone, combination, and oily skin types, the product containing salicylic acid works wonders to conceal blemishes, control shine, minimize pores, and suppress acne flare-ups, all while allowing your skin to breathe. It is also dermatologically tested, hypoallergenic, and fragrance-free, further making it suitable for sensitive skin types. 

Skin type: Acne-prone, combination, sensitive, and oily 

Finish: Matte

Now that you have seen our product recommendations for the best drugstore foundations for oily skin, glance through our buying guide to make an informed purchasing decision.

Choosing a drugstore foundation for oily skin can be quite overwhelming with so many products available. The pointers mentioned below might be able to help you in doing so:

• Formulation: Foundations for oily skin should be oil-free. A formulation that is shine-controlling and gives off a matte finish is ideal.
• Non-comedogenic: Oily skin tends to suffer from clogged pores due to the production of excess sebum. Always look for non-comedogenic formulas that do not clog pores with dirt or excess oil.
• Coverage: Foundations with lightweight coverage that allows the skin to breathe is suitable for oily skin. As the facial skin remains covered in makeup, it is essential to use products that let the skin breathe.
• Customer Reviews: Last but not least, customer reviews can be your unexpected guide while choosing the right foundation for oily skin. The reviews will let you know how well a foundation performs regarding oily skin and its accompanying complications.

When you have oily skin, prepping up your skin before applying foundation is as important as finding the right foundation. Follow the steps mentioned below to lock in your foundation for a flawless makeup finish:

Cleanser: A clean base is essential for the foundation to set properly. Cleansing will remove all the dirt, oil, and impurities, leaving behind clear, hydrated skin. Select a cleanser for oily skin and with a cotton pad, gently clean your face and neck.

Moisturizer: Moisturizing provides the required hydration to oily skin. Select an oil-free and non-comedogenic formula with hyaluronic acid as it reduces the appearance of pores, hydrating and plumping up the skin.

Primer: Our contributor Maya Adivi, a certified makeup artist, shares, “You can use a primer without foundation, even if you have oily skin! Using a primer alone can help blur the look of the pores and provide some oil-control, but without the heaviness or need for blending that can come with foundation.”

Primer is necessary to control shine and make sure the makeup stays for a longer period. Choose a matte primer and prime your face, including the lips and eyelids.

Powder: Dust a light layer of loose powder on the T-zone before applying the foundation. It will lock in makeup and prevent oiliness.

Foundation: Select a foundation with a mattifying and long-wearing formula designed to prevent shine. Avoid foundations that claim to be dewy or luminous. A matte finish powder foundation is best for oily skin. Take a foundation brush or a blending sponge and lightly cover your face and neck with the foundation. Build a light coverage without looking cakey. Finish with a layer of pressed powder when using a liquid foundation for it to set correctly. You are ready to apply the rest of your makeup products.

Contributor: Maya Adivi, Certified Makeup artist, Click here for blog