Growing up with acne-prone and oily skin taught me many things. Namely, how to conceal a spot, the quickest way to take down a breakout overnight, and that moisturiser is not the enemy. It also taught me that when it came to makeup application, I had to be incredibly picky about the products I used on my face. Choosing formulas that felt light and not greasy, that wouldn't clog my pores or irritate spots, and that would minimise shine and make my makeup last longer became my top prerogative.
My skin is much less oily now—I learned the hard way that over cleansing and scrimping on moisture was not the way to deal with it—but when I need to ensure my makeup lasts all day or stands up against hot, humid weather, I employ the same useful tips and techniques that I learned as an oily-skinned teenager.
Essentially, I know how annoying it is when your makeup has slid down your face by midday, when no amount of powder will prevent your T-zone from shining, and when your pores seem to be visible no matter how many layers of foundation you apply.
My secret weapon? Primer. These days, many of the best makeup primers are designed to hydrate skin, to add glow and radiance, and to give skin a fresh, dewy finish. But if you have oily skin, then you probably want the exact opposite. The best primers for oily skin will mattify your complexion, reducing shine, preventing oil from disturbing your foundation, blurring the appearance of pores, and keeping your makeup locked in place from dawn 'til dusk.
The best formulas rely upon ingredients like silicones to create a physical barrier between makeup and skin, while creating a smooth canvas for makeup. What's more, many primers for oily skin contain ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid, which help in the long term to control oil, reduce breakouts, and balance skin's moisture levels.
I've tried and tested hundreds of primers over the years, so there's no better person to share an ultimate list of the best primers for oily skin.
Best Primers for Oily Skin, Listed
1. Best Overall: Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Face Primer
2. Best Budget Primer: The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer
3. Best for a Matte Finish: Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
4. Best for Mature Skin: Beauty Pie Velvet Finish Primer
5. Best for Easy Application: Refy Face Primer
6. Best for Teen Skin: e.lf. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer
7. Best Luxury Primer: Estée Lauder The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer
8. My Personal Fave: Dr. Jart+ Pore Remedy Soothing Primer
9. The Makeup Artist Fave: Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
10. The Beauty Editor Fave: NARS Soft Matte Primer
11. Best Skincare Formula: Paula's Choice Shine Stopper
12. Best for Long Wear: ONE/SIZE Beauty Secure The Sweat Primer
13. Best for a Glowy Finish: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer
14. Best Underrated: Indeed Labs Nanoblur Instant Skin Finisher
15. The Influencer Fave: e.l.f. Cosmetics Matte Putty Makeup Primer
1. Benefit Cosmetics Porefessional Face Primer
An oldie but a goodie, this pore-smoothing primer has been a favourite of mine since I was a teenager. Since it's kept my makeup intact on many a night out over the years, it's one I always come back to.
Pros: Great for skin with enlarged pores and blackheads
Cons: Small amount, runs out quickly
2. The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer
Silicones sometimes get a bad rep in the skincare world, but they're actually a very underrated ingredient. Since they can't be absorbed into pores, they sit on top of skin, creating a smoothing layer that makeup adheres too. The layer also acts as a barrier to prevent oil from coming through and disturbing the makeup.
Pros: Affordable
Cons: If you don't love silicone textures you may not enjoy using this
3. Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
If you prefer a silicone-free formula (the texture can be a little jarring for some), this is an excellent option. It's formulated specifically for oily and combination skin types, so contains a blend of helpful ingredients like niacinamide and bakuchiol.
Pros: Packed with skincare benefits
Cons: Totally mattifying, so removes all glow
4. Beauty Pie Velvet Finish Primer
Don't be decieved by the thick, moisturiser-like texture. This immediately melts into a silky solution which blurs the appearance of pores, mattifies skin, and creates an even canvas for makeup.
Pros: Feels hydrating
Cons: The jar packaging means it's not the easiest or most hygienic to use
5. Refy Face Primer
Of course, not everyone with oily skin wants a matte finish. I love this primer for days when I want to maintain a bit of a glow and radiance. Plus, it contains niacinamide to help control excess oil.
Pros: Feels really lightweight and is totally invisible
Cons: Roller applicator isn't very hygienic
6. e.lf. Cosmetics Power Grip Primer
There's a good reason why this primer has racked up hundreds of five star reviews and gone viral on TikTok. The water-based, jelly-like formula is lightweight and non-greasy so looks and feels totally invisible on skin. Despite this, it impressively locks makeup in place for hours on end.
Pros: Affordable
Cons: Frequently sold out
7. Estée Lauder The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer
Ideal for those who have very oily skin and wear their makeup all day (or all night), this silicone-based primer has a velvety texture which gives skin a true matte finish.
Pros: Really long-lasting
Cons: Can pill with some silicone-based moisturisers
8. Dr. Jart+ Pore Remedy Soothing Primer
I tried and tested this one over the summer, so take it from me, this one really stands up against hot temperatures and humid climates. It's a skincare-makeup hybrid, so as well as locking down makeup it utilises gentle exfoliating acids to target dead skin cell buildup and unclog pores.
Pros: Contains skincare benefits
Cons: Not suitable for sensitive skin types
9. Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer
We all know and love Urban Decay's makeup setting spray, but this primer doesn't always get the recognition it deserves. it utilises the same makeup-locking formula to keep your face looking fresh for up to eight hours.
Pros: Very durable and long-lasting
Cons: Can feel quite heavy on skin
10. NARS Soft Matte Primer
If your skin is oily but prone to occasional dryness, it can be hard to find a primer that works perfectly for you. Enter Nars' Soft Matte Primer. The unique formula features a climate balancing technology which absorbs excess moisture in humid climates while retaining skin hydration in dry ones.
Pros: Great for combination skin types
Cons: Not super long-lasting
11. Paula's Choice Shine Stopper
Some primers can feel thick and heavy on skin, and if you're prone to oiliness and breakouts, you may be concerned about makeup clogging your pores. Put your mind at rest with this skincare-makeup hybrid from Paula's Choice. It instantly works to keep skin shine free, while working in the long term to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
Pros: Helps to treat and prevent oiliness
Cons: Totally mattifying, so removes all glow
12. ONE/SIZE Beauty Secure The Sweat Primer
Since it's water-proof, sweat-proof, and oil-proof, shine doesn't stand a chance against this primer. It promises an impressive 12 hours of wear time.
Pros: Really does lock makeup in place all day and night
Cons: Always sold out
13. Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Primer
It may be expensive, but truly, no one does base makeup quite like Hourglass. This skin-perfecting primer not only controls shine, but also creates an airbrushed finish which minimises the appearance of pores and breakouts.
Pros: Blurring finish
Cons: Not totally mattifying, but great if you still like to have some glow
14. Indeed Labs Nanoblur Instant Skin Finisher
I know many a makeup artist who counts this product as a staple in their kit. Formulated to give skin a photo-ready finish, it mattifies and smoother while light-diffusing pigments blur and filter imperfections.
Pros: Really does blur over enlarged pores
Cons: Small tube doesn't last very long
15. e.l.f. Cosmetics Matte Putty Makeup Primer
When you need your makeup to hold up in extreme conditions, look to this TikTok favourite, which influencers swear by ahead of a long day filming under hot lights.
Pros: Affordable and easy to get hold of
Cons: Can be hard to use and apply
This story was previously published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
