Top Foundations for Oily Skin, as Assessed by Beauty Experts Seeking a Matte Appearance Throughout the Day (Following Extensive Trials)
In the world of beauty, finding the perfect foundation for oily skin can be a daunting task. However, several foundations stand out for their ability to provide a matte finish and long-lasting wear, making them ideal choices for those with oily complexions.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation
A classic in many beauty editor and celebrity make-up bags, the Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation is a staple for a reason. Offering long-lasting coverage with a nice matte finish, this oil-free foundation is sweat-, heat-, and humidity-resistant, delivering a flawless matte finish that lasts up to 24 hours.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Foundation
Suitable for oily skin due to its long-wearing, water-resistant formula, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Foundation provides a blurred, skin-like matte finish that lasts up to 12 hours (extendable to 24 hours with setting spray). It also contains hydrating ingredients to avoid excessive dryness.
ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick
For those who prefer a stick foundation, the ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick offers a matte finish without feeling cakey or heavy. It combines a matte look with skin nourishment, making it a great option for oily to combination skin types. It provides medium to full coverage, blurs pores, and lasts up to 12 hours.
Other Notable Mentions
- The No7 Stay Perfect Foundation SPF30 is loved by contributor Grace Lindsay for its long-wearing formula that keeps shine at bay while still leaving a radiant finish.
- The Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick is a solid stick foundation that melts into the skin like butter, blending out beautifully with fingers or a make-up brush, offering a very soft matte finish.
- Makeup artist Ruby Hammer MBE recommends the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation for oily skin, paired with Milk Hydro Grip Makeup Primer.
- The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturiser Oil Free Natural Skin Perfector SPF 20 is an oil-free version of Laura Mercier's iconic tinted moisturiser, offering light, comfortable coverage with a semi-matte finish.
Special Considerations
- The Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup is a lightweight, oil-free formula that conceals blemishes while actively tackling them and preventing their return.
- The Lisa Eldridge Seamless Skin Enhancing Tint is a lightweight skin tint suitable for oily skin that delivers lightweight coverage, blurs over blemishes, and diffuses the appearance of pores, along with an array of hydrating skincare ingredients to strengthen and support the skin barrier.
- The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF40 is not technically a foundation but functions like one, offering medium coverage and treating blemishes with clay, tea tree extract, and oil-absorbing charcoal.
In conclusion, while there is no one holy grail product that is best for oily skin, these top recommendations offer a variety of options to suit different preferences and skin types. The first question to ask is what finish you are looking to achieve. Whether you prefer a matte finish, a more natural look, or something in between, there's a foundation here to suit your needs.
- The Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Foundation, a favorite among beauty editors and celebrities, offers a matte finish and long-lasting coverage, making it ideal for those with oily complexions.
- The Anastasia Beverly Hills Impeccable Foundation, suitable for oily skin, provides a blurred, skin-like matte finish and contains hydrating ingredients to avoid excessive dryness.
- For stick foundation preference, the ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick offers a matte finish without feeling cakey or heavy, making it a great option for oily to combination skin types.
- The Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick offers a very soft matte finish and melts into the skin like butter, blending out beautifully with fingers or a make-up brush.
- The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF40 functions like a foundation and offers medium coverage while treating blemishes with clay, tea tree extract, and oil-absorbing charcoal.