Oily Skin Loves *This* Type of Foundation—Here's Why
With so many different types of foundations out there on the market, you can truly pick one to suit your mood at any given moment. Whether you want a lighter, natural-looking formula or ultra-matte one, I can guarantee there's a fan- and makeup-artist favorite out there that fits the bill. My particular favorite is a water-based formula because they're great for oily, acne-prone skin. You know who else agrees? Dermatologists!
Azadeh Shirazi, MD, says "I think using a water-based foundation can really help acne-prone skin. They're lighter and don’t slip into pores easily like oils which are comedogenic and easily clog them up." So if you're prone to excess oil or breakouts, this type of foundation may just be your new holy grail. If you're looking for a few options to test out for yourself, keep scrolling below for the best of the best and a few Shirazi highly recommends herself.
1. MAC Cosmetics Studio Waterweight Liquid Foundation SPF 30
This formula from MAC is thin and fluid-like so I know it won't be for everyone. But if you do like super-lightweight and sheer coverage, this is an incredible formula to add to the mix. It also provides a soft blurring effect, contains a moisture-fusion complex for comfortable wear, and leaves your skin feeling extra silky all day long.
2. Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Liquid Foundation SPF 15
Bobbi Brown's long-wear formula is perfect for those with oilier skin types. What makes it unique is the high-speed cold fusion process used to create the formula that makes it extra smooth and perfectly balanced. It contains oil-controlling actives and other skin-balancing ingredients that make it feel like a second skin. As a bonus, it's also sweat- and transfer-resistant.
3. Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation
4. Clinique Even Better Makeup Broad-Spectrum SPF 15 Foundation
5. Shiseido Synchro Skin Self-Refreshing Liquid Foundation
I know I say that a lot of foundation formulas look and feel like a second skin, but with Shiseido's Synchro Skin Foundation, I actually mean it. It's literally designed with ActiveForce technology which synchronizes with your skin to feel weightless and even refreshes itself for 24-hour wear.
6. Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
7. Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation
With the addition of ingredients like squalane, vitamin C, and vitamin F, this option from Cover FX provides antioxidant protection and long-lasting hydration. And it's, of course, oil-free and noncomedogenic so you won't have to worry about it irritating acne-prone skin.
8. Chantecaille Future Skin Gel Foundation
This water-based foundation from Chantecaille is one of my all-time favorites. It's such a luxurious formula that glides on smoothly, provides an airbrushed finish, and feels so light on the skin. The shade Sand also matches me perfectly, which isn't always easy to find when I'm shopping for foundation.
9. CoverGirl Clean Liquid Foundation
10. Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil-Free Liquid Foundation
11. Make Up Forever Watertone Skin-Perfecting Tint Foundation
12. Armani Beauty Neo Nude True-to-Skin Natural Glow Foundation
13. NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation
Up Next: Does Skincare-Infused Makeup Actually Do Anything? I Asked Derms
Shawna Hudson is a beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and travel writer with over 10 years of experience. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in journalism and has written for other publications such as Bustle, The Zoe Report, Byrdie, Elite Daily, and more. She is currently a beauty writer at Who What Wear and hopes to continue feeding her (completely out-of-control) beauty obsession as long as she can. Stay up to date on her latest finds on Instagram @shawnasimonee.