Having oily skin [1] can be challenging when it comes to getting foundation and concealer to last. But with the help of a good makeup primer, it can be easy to control oil and reduce the appearance of shine throughout the day.
Primers create an extra layer between your skin and makeup. They are not, as Karl Hodson [2], makeup artist and head of education for Laura Mercier points out, a replacement for your moisturiser and serum(s). "Primer should always be treated as an extra layer of makeup, not as your skin care," he tells POPSUGAR, meaning to get the best results from your primer, it's key to properly prep and hydrate your skin [3] first.
There are a wide variety of primers on the market, many of which are meant for different skin types and concerns. Primers formulated specifically for oily skin help mattify, lock base products in place, and absorb excess sebum on the skin (which also contributes to your makeup lasting longer). In some cases, they can also blur pores, fill in fine lines, and even out skin tone.
If you have oily skin, look out for primers with the following terms on the packaging or in the product description: mattifying, shine control, oil control, pore-less, or pore-minimising. "You should also look out for primers that are noncomedogenic primers, as they won't clog your pores," says Dr Kemi Fabusiwa from Joyful Skin Clinic in Croydon [4].
As we mentioned above, to get the most out of your primer, it's important to ensure your skin is clean and well moisturised. Then, don't go slathering it on all over your face like a cream. According to makeup artists, the most common mistake people make with primer is often applying too much.
Using either your fingers or a sponge (a brush will just spread the product around), gently dab the primer onto the areas of your skin that are the oiliest, which is usually along the centre of the face (i.e. the T-zone). "It is important to make sure that you wash the sponge regularly to avoid the transfer of bacteria onto your face," says Dr Fabusiwa, adding that you should "allow the primer to set and dry before following up with your makeup." Most makeup artists recommend waiting at least a minute until you layer anything on top of your primer.
Keep reading to discover some of the best shine-stopping, makeup-prolonging primers we could find that are ideal for people with oily skin.
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer [5] (£28), was quite possibly the first makeup primer, ever — and was created with the purpose of helping makeup last longer on set. With a clear, gel texture, it's nondrying and gives the skin a smooth finish, thanks to the fact it includes silicone, a key ingredient in many of traditional primer formulas. "Silicone helps to fill in the gaps in the surface of your skin, helping your skin to feel smoother," says Dr Fabusiwa. It also helps create a blurred effect on top of the skin (hence why this formula is labelled as "The Original Smooth and Blur") which softens the appearance of pores.
The fact this classic formula truly locks makeup in place, blurs pores, and is oil-free makes it great not just for people with oilier complexions but all skin types.
Nars Cosmetics Pore & Shine Control Primer
Oil-free and noncomedogenic, the Nars Cosmetics Pore & Shine Control Primer [6] (£29) helps control oil production with ingredients like African whitewood and oleanolic acid, so that your makeup stays looking flawless all day long.
In addition to keeping skin looking matte, because this primer contains silicone, it has a blurring effect, which means you can even wear it without foundation or concealer on top. But don't worry about it feeling heavy or greasy; the texture is incredibly lightweight, so you won't feel like you're wearing lots of layers of makeup on your face.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer
When Laura Mercier launched her line back in 1996, one of the five products she started with was primer, inspired by the legendary makeup artist's background in painting (a canvas always gets primed before you start painting on top of it). Two decades later, the brand reformulated all the primers in the range, including the Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer [7] (£32), which is ideal for oily skin types as it creates a protective barrier that extends makeup wear. (It's also free from parabens, sulphates, and fragrances, so it isn't just good for your skin, it's also good to your skin as well.)
"The Pure Canvas Blurring Primer is the perfect primer for oily skin," says Hodson. "It contains blurring powders that provide a mattifying effect while optically blurring the appearance of pores. This primer also contains glycerin to attract moisture to the skin whilst remaining flawlessly matte and locking your makeup into place all day."
This primer formula also has a very strong grip, so if your makeup routine is speedy and requires minimal effort, then this primer would be a welcome addition to your makeup bag.
Becca Cosmetics Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector
If you work long days and are tired of having to reach for your blotting powder every two hours, then Becca Cosmetics Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector [8] (£28) is worth a try. The oil- and silicone-free formula promises to mattify skin and control oil production for up to 12 hours.
Unlike many of the other primers on this list, this formula doesn't contain silicone and has more of a fluid-like texture — almost like a lightweight face lotion. And while it doesn't do as good of a job of concealing pores as the formulas that have silicone, it will definitely keep your skin from looking greasy during the day, even if you have very oily skin. One tip: avoid applying this onto any dry patches of skin as it will make those areas look even drier under makeup.
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Primer
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Primer [9] (£29) has received rave reviews for its ability to minimise the appearance of pores (hence the name), but it also smoothes out fine lines and keeps skin matte — ensuring your foundation looks flawless for hours.
The award-winning formula has the texture of a silky, lightweight balm (that would be thanks to the silicone in the formula); it's also oil-free, and because it's translucent, it complements all skin tones, which is a bonus. It can also be used on top of makeup to spot treat areas that look exceptionally shiny or pores are quite visible.
For those with oily skin who want a natural-looking glow (and that won't attract attention to those shiny problem areas), this primer will give your makeup the justice it deserves.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mattifying Primer
When Rihanna [10] launched her first Fenty Beauty foundation, the formula was developed to withstand humid temperatures — like her home country of Barbados — keeping skin looking fresh and matte all day long. And anyone who has tried the Fenty Pro Filter Soft Matte Foundation can attest to how long it lasts, even on very oily skin types.
It should come as no surprise, then, that the singer's Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mattifying Primer [11] (£24), which is formulated with oily skin types in mind, is just as good, boasting thousands of four- and five-star reviews, many of them explicitly calling out the fact it helps keep makeup in place and shine at bay even in the hottest, humid of climates. Additionally, it does contain silicone, which helps ensure your makeup glides on easily, and provides a slight blurring effect.