Managing oily skin with makeup is quite a task. Even if more secondary makeup products don’t necessarily align with the specific needs of your skin, just having the best foundation for oily skin can be quite a savior! Formulated with astounding oil-controlling abilities and skin-mattifying properties, such foundations help you achieve smooth, shine-free, and natural-looking skin canvas. 

While our team had already worked with powder foundations, which is a predictable makeup choice for oily skin, we tried to look into other formulations, such as liquids and creams, as oily skin deserves to be hydrated a bit too, right? Packed with sebum-absorbing and mattifying components, each foundation we finalized helps prevent oil breakthroughs, thereby keeping your makeup look intact all day (though we still recommend using primers for oily skin to achieve that). 

Based on our observation, a few of the foundations also help conceal fine lines, while soothing and nourishing the skin a bit. Additionally, they even out the skin tone and keep greasiness at bay. Without further delay, let’s quickly dive into some of our best selections that will help you attain and experiment with all types of makeup looks on your wishlist. 

• 1
  Best Overall

  Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation - Ivory

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A lightweight foundation that mattifies and refines pores seamlessly is none other than Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation. What made this foundation earn the top spot on our list is its buildable coverage and natural finish that definitely prevents oily sheens and gives a soft-focused aesthetic to your look. 

In addition, its oil-free formula ensures that your pores don’t get clogged. Furthermore, it spreads easily for a silky-smooth application with no requirement for touch-ups or blending battles. 

Key Ingredients:  Vitamin E, iron oxides, and titanium dioxide, and crosspolymers

Shades: 40

Coverage: Medium 

Finish: Matte 

Size: 1 Fl Oz

2

Editor’s Pick

Revlon ColorStay Long Wear Makeup Foundation - Medium Beige

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Based on our first-hand research, beauty experts and enthusiasts have labeled Revlon’s ColorStay Long Wear Makeup Foundation as the best matte foundation for oily skin types. We went ahead and analyzed a few of its features. To our surprise, this foundation worked wonders to help you attain a smooth and flawless look that lasts straight for up to 24 hours. 

Featuring a transfer-resistant, waterproof, and mask-friendly formula, it is highly suitable for anyone dealing with combination and oily skin. Plus, this foundation comes with earth-sourced, multi-mineral powders that control oil breakthroughs. 

Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, vitamin E, bisabolol, silk powders, mallow extracts, and lily bulb extracts

Shades: 43

Coverage: Medium to full

Finish: Matte 

Size: 1 Fl Oz

Quick Tip:

Dispense 1 to 2 pumps of the product in your palms and dot your face with it — cheeks, chin, forehead, and nose. Start blending from the center of your face to the peripherals with a dampened beauty blender. Don’t use a sponge as this formulation is a bit creamier to work with that.

3

Best Ultra-lightweight Formula

Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation - 030 Sand Beige

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Moving on to the next cult favorite — it is the HD Liquid Coverage Foundation from Catrice that has been making rounds on the internet for quite a long. Immensely appreciated for its ultra-lightweight and long-lasting formula, we assure you that this foundation is going to be your makeup staple for all the right reasons. 

It flawlessly mattifies your skin and aids in creating a silky-smooth, even, and flawless complexion. What’s more? The effect of this foundation lasts for up to 24 hours while its unique dropper applicator paves the way for a mess-free application. 

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, iron oxides, titanium dioxide, and crosspolymers 

Shades: 25

Coverage: Full

Finish: Opaque 

Size: 1.1 Fl Oz

Quick Tip:

Prep skin your skin with Catrice's The Perfector Poreless Blur Primer and then apply the foundation. Blend it with a blender, bush, or sponge.

4

Best Organic Formulation

Fifth & Skin: Better’n Ur Skin Liquid Foundation - Soft Beige

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For anyone who is looking for a foundation that’s 100% natural and good for your skin’s health, snatch a glimpse of the Better’n Ur Skin Liquid Foundation by Fifth & Skin. Crafted not only for oily skin but also dry, normal, and combination skin types, this foundation conceals the appearance of skin imperfections like blemishes, freckles, sun spots, red spots, and blackheads. Its buildable mineral formula surprisingly also delivers a slight dose of dewiness — a feature that left us in awe!

Key Ingredients: Aloe vera

Shades: 8

Coverage: Buildable 

Finish: Dewy

Size: 1 Fl Oz

5

Best Talc-free Foundation

Glo Skin Beauty Luminous Liquid Foundation - Tahini

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This delectable, velvety foundation from Glo Skin Beauty is yet another mineral-based foundation that aims to improve uneven skin tone and correct imperfections if any. Another standout feature is that it contains a good amount of SPF 18 to keep you protected against the harmful rays of the sun. 

Adding to that, the light-diffusing diamond powder enhances your complexion and makes it look more dewy and youthful. A user shares, “Glo foundation is light, not greasy-you don’t feel like you have any makeup on. It has a soft finish and is easy to apply! Blends in nicely on your skin!”

Key Ingredients: Vitamins A, C, E, and green tea extract

Shades: 9

Coverage: Sheer to medium

Finish: Dewy

Size: 0.1 Oz

6

Best Sweatproof Foundation

Cover FX Power Play Foundation

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For those who are looking for a foundation that lets the skin breathe while also providing a sublime coverage, this little gem from Cover FX is a reliable choice. What’s impressive? It possesses a buildable coverage to help you conceal your skincare woes to perfection while its weightless formula promotes silkier, softer skin. All thanks to the potent blend of key ingredients that makes your skin appear more hydrated with every use for unbeatable comfort.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, fermented algae extract, prebiotics 

Shades: 20

Coverage: Medium to Full 

Finish: Matte

Size: 1.18 Fl Oz

7

Best for Sensitive Skin

No7 Protect & Perfect Advanced All in One Foundation

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Formulated with SPF 50 and antioxidants, this foundation not only improves the appearance of your skin, it also protects it from environmental aggressors. This foundation is a real deal for its light texture that diminishes redness, blurs the visible appearance of pores, and provides 24-hour hydration. In addition, with its Skin Expert technology, it analyzes your skin tone and looks as natural as possible. 

A happy customer shares, “Wow. I’ve used everything and this is by far my favorite everyday foundation. It’s better than the popular CC and for me, it’s a spot-on color match, which I’ve never found with any foundation I’ve ever used. And no oxidizing! So affordable, it’s my go-to for every day.”

Key Ingredients: Octinoxate, octisalate, titanium dioxide, peptides, vitamin E, and ginseng root extracts 

Shades: 12

Coverage: Full 

Finish: Natural

Size: 0.2 Fl Oz

8

Most Cost-effective

Covergirl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation - Classic Ivory

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Designed mindfully to suit different skin types, tones, and undertones, the Clean Matte Liquid Foundation from Covergirl is regarded as the best water-based foundation for oily skin. Its oil-control formula glides onto your skin seamlessly and blends to perfection. Plus, it is unscented and won’t clog pores.

What we really appreciate is the fact that this foundation conditions your skin and helps prevent dryness. So, for achieving a clean, smooth, flawless makeup base, this is the magical elixir that you need to invest in. 

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides

Shades: 12

Coverage: Light

Finish: Matte 

Size: 1 Fl Oz

9

Best Water-resistant Formula

FV Skin Nourishing Liquid Foundation

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Looking for a water-resistant foundation? Your search ends here — as the FV Skin Nourishing Liquid Foundation is perfect to suit your needs! What makes it stand out is the fact that it refines your pores, lays a blanket over your skin imperfections, and also corrects discoloration. 

For a natural-looking soft matte finish, this foundation lends you a smooth, clean, and clear canvas. Bonus — it is featherlight, sweatproof, and allows your skin to breathe even with up to 12 hours of long-wear makeup.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin

Shades: 6

Coverage: Medium 

Finish: Matte 

Size: 1.06 Fl Oz

10

Best Opaque Finish

Yensa Super Serum Silk Foundation

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This is another foundation for oily skin that stole our hearts for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is enriched with age-defying properties that make your skin look super-charged all day long. Additionally, it brightens and firms your skin by effortlessly concealing imperfections if any, and offering you flawless and even toned skin. 

A satisfied consumer reviewed — “This flawless longwear foundation feels like skincare to a degree. It’s moisturizing and looked great even through winter when my skin was literally flaking from dryness. I’m almost 41 and have signs of aging and this foundation has looked the most natural in my skin and doesn’t accentuate fine lines or pores.”

Key Ingredients: Vitamin C, E, peptides, black sesame oil, green tea, nettle, borage seed oil, shiitake mushroom, ferulic, and bakuchiol oil 

Shades: 15

Coverage: Full

Finish: Opaque 

Size: 1 Fl Oz

11

Almay Clear Complexion Foundation - 100 Ivory

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Oily and acne-prone skin dealers, assemble! We have got you a saviour — Almay Clear Complexion Foundation. This foundation will help you take due care of your skin even when you wear a foundation to achieve the makeup look of your dreams. 

What makes this makeup product so special? Its non-comedogenic formula, lightweight feel, and creamy texture make application a breeze and totally safe for your skin. Besides, it also aids in treating and preventing acne breakouts without making your skin feel dry or dehydrated. 

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, aloe vera, and prebiotics

Shades: 17

Coverage: Medium

Finish: Matte

Size: 1 Fl Oz

12

Christian Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation - Neutral

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The next on our list of recommendations is Christian Dior’s Backstage Foundation coming in the shade ‘neutral’. Its waterproof and sweat-resistant formulation is what makes it a huge hit while delivering a desirable medium coverage. Perfect for the face and body, this foundation is highly versatile and looks very natural.

This foundation neither clogs pores nor causes any irritation to your skin — be it oily, normal, dry, or sensitive. Just put a light sheer layer on, blend it with the Dior Backstage Fluid Foundation Brush and it looks similar to your bare skin!

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, glycerin, aluminium hydroxide, titanium dioxide, and iron oxides

Shades:19

Coverage: Medium 

Finish: Natural 

Size: 1.6 Fl Oz

13

Kevyn Aucoin The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation

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For anyone who yearns for a natural, luminous, and airbrushed appearance, this is your ideal pick! While analyzing the features of The Etherealist Skin Illuminating Foundation, we found that it is every makeup artist’s go-to. Very much comfortable on the skin, shine-free, smooth, and primarily moisturizing! We simply adore its cushiony, lightweight texture that allows one to create a smooth canvas. 

Undoubtedly, this foundation is the brand’s best-selling lightweight foundation for all the right reasons! To amp up your radiance a little more, you can add a pea-sized amount of Kevyn Aucoin Glass Glow Face, combine it well, and then begin applying it to your face.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid and jojoba seed oil

Shades: 15

Coverage: Medium to full 

Finish: Satin

Size: 0.95 Fl Oz

That was our comprehensive list of the best foundations for oily skin. Now, let us run you through a detailed buying guide.

Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best foundation for oily skin: 

Skin Type: Make sure you analyze your skin type before investing in any of the best foundations for oily. If you possess extremely sensitive oily skin, then look for foundations that feature a mild and gentle formula. Likewise, for those dealing with excessive sebum production and acne, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic foundations will be the right choice for you. 

Ingredients: Next comes the list of ingredients. Ensure that you vouch for foundations that contain natural and clean ingredients. As per our research, it is wise to pick those that are enriched with silica powder, clay, charcoal, and salicylic acid as these ingredients are found to help absorb oil or decrease sebum production. Avoid foundations that contain alcohol, isopropyl myristate, lanolin, mineral oil, paraffin, petrolatum, silicones, sodium chloride, synthetic fragrance, and wax as they exacerbate oil production. 

Formula: Check the formula of the foundation. As per our findings, it is good to pick foundations that feature an oil-free and lightweight formula with a good ability to refine pores. Please note that thicker or extremely heavy formulas can clog pores or lead to acne breakouts.

Texture: Analyze the texture of the foundation. It should be easy to spread, featherlight, blendable, and primarily non-sticky and non-greasy. Secondly, the application should be a breeze and not look patchy or cakey. 

Finish: If you have oily skin, then a matte-finish foundation is by default the correct choice to make in order to minimize excessive shine and control oil. However, if you wish for a dewy, semi-matte, and sheen finish, then look for foundations that tend to be a little more hydrating and nourishing. 

Coverage: For a breathable and natural-looking base, pick a foundation that offers sheer coverage. Drawing from our observations, people who have active breakouts or notice redness should invest in a full coverage foundation.  

After penning down the above key aspects, let us acquaint you with a few of the application tips. 

1. Make sure you complete your skincare regime before applying makeup. Prioritize hydration, especially with an oil-free and water-based moisturizers.
2. Always use a good-quality primer for oily skin that also offers skincare benefits.
3. Use a damp sponge instead of a foundation brush to apply the product for best results.
4. To prevent makeup from creasing or melting due to excessive oil production, set your makeup with a loose powder, followed by a few spritzes of a setting spray suitable for your skin type.
5. When powdering the foundation in place, focus on the T-zone more.
6. Don’t go overboard with the powder, because that can exacerbate oil production.
7. After you’re done with the base makeup, consider touching up a bit with a blotting paper.