The best foundations for oily skin have to strike a delicate balance, packing seamless, long-lasting coverage in a formula that isn't too thick, matte or flat-looking – and all to your ideal shade and finish preference.
All that said, the hunt for the best foundation is easier now than ever before, as many modern formulas work to keep shine levels down while covering imperfections with ease – all in natural-looking, true-to-skin shades, of course. So what does a makeup artist advise you to look for when shopping for a good match for oily skin?
After putting dozens of formulas through their paces, we compiled this detailed guide to the best matte foundations with shine-proof finishes that don’t look flat or chalky, plus dewier and more radiant bases that play well an oily complexion.
The best foundations for oily skin, reviewed by our beauty experts
RRP: £39 | Number of shades: 50 | Finish: Natural matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Stephanie Maylor
What looked to be quite a thick foundation when we first dispensed it offers medium, skin-like coverage that builds easily for a fuller look. The foundation minimises the looks of large pores – ideal if, like us, your oily skin makes them appear more prominent – and gives a naturally matte finish to the skin.
Powders in this formula are key to that visible blurring of blemishes and fine lines, and we found it comfortable to wear all day without the need for touch-ups. It's both oil-free and contains hyaluronic acid, but to help it last for long as possible we recommend using both setting powder and primer.
Pros
- Broad, inclusive shade range
- Blurs the look of pores and fine lines
- Buildable, medium coverage
Cons
- We found requires setting powder for best results
RRP: £38 | Shades: 30 | Finish: Velvet matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Rhiannon Derbyshire
Don't be fooled by the youthful branding, because this is excellent stuff for skin of any age. We cannot get enough of this foundation for oily skin, impressed by its all-day mattifying properties. Thanks to the near-flawless coverage, it quickly became a go-to for testers for evenings out or long working days. The well-balanced formula combines lasting pigment, non-pore-clogging and hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid and coconut water, plus mica, a mineral powder with a soft-focus glow (often found in the best highlighters, too). We think its medium-to-full coverage will be enjoyed by many, but it definitely left us looking "done", so avoid if you prefer sheer, barely-there tints.
Pros
- Lightweight-yet-full coverage
- Waterproof and oil-free formula
- Blurring effect
Cons
- Won't suit those who want something semi-sheer
RRP: £39 | Shades: 44 | Finish: Matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Naomi Jamieson
The Airbrush Flawless Foundation offers a matte finish and the fullest coverage from Charlotte Tilbury's repertoire, so if you like lighter bases or dewy finishes, this won't be for you. That said, it's buildable, doesn't go cakey when applying and a little goes a long way, meaning it feels quite light on the skin. However, as is the case with all very full coverage foundations, we would say that if you apply too much it can look a little mask-like. The broad range of 44 different true-to-skin shades is very impressive and it blurs the skin well, disguising any large pores or uneven skin texture nicely. The finish isn't too matte, and we also love how resistant it is to sweat and transfer. To that end it's become one of our testers' go-to camera-ready formulas, so we highly recommend it for special occasions.
Pros
- Last all day
- Full coverage finish
- Only a small amount required to cover the entire face
Cons
- Won't suit those who want a slightly dewy quality from their base
RRP: £28 | Shades: 30 | Finish: Satin
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
In a word, we would say that this Sculpted by Aimee foundation is b-e-a-utiful. It builds well, gives excellent coverage, and, rather impressively, we found that one pump is enough to cover the entire face (for very full coverage, two pumps are plenty). Despite yielding such full coverage and promising long wear, it's non-comedogenic and doesn't feel at all heavy on the skin while you are wearing it.
As for the finish, as the name satin suggests this strikes that nice balance between matte and glowy – we'd describe it as a healthy-looking, skin-like matte. Also, very importantly for oily skin, we found that it doesn't go shiny throughout the day. When testing the sweat-resistant pigments in the formula impressed us and the nice cocktail of skin-loving ingredients involved here, too, including hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, vitamin E and centella asiatica. All in all, it only confirms our hypothesis that founder Aimee Connolly (who wore this foundation on her own wedding day) can do no wrong when it comes to creating makeup products.
Pros
- Full coverage
- Soft matte finish
- Great longevity
Cons
- Won't suit those who like sheer or dewy bases
RRP: £34 | Shades: 58 | Finish: Soft matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
This is the best Fenty foundation suited to oily skin. As well as its shade range, what really impressed us is its ability to stave off shine all day or night long – even without setting spray – something that's no mean feat in oily skin and something our testers agreed is a rarity.
Despite its thick consistency, it offers medium to full coverage, and we loved how buildable the formula is when buffed in with a firm brush. With a nice soft matte finish that doesn't look at all heavy, it also won't creep into any fine lines. The shade selection now stands at 50, so you're even more likely to find your perfect match.
Pros
- True matte finish; no need for setting powder
- Great inclusive shade range
- Lasts brilliantly well
Cons
- Needs to be blended quickly
RRP: £39.50 | Shades: 60 | Finish: Matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Rhiannon Derbyshire
This is an absolute classic long-wear foundation and easily one of the most well-known, best-selling buys on the market. Even faced with the oiliest T-zone on the most humid day – and let’s throw a hot flush in the mix, too – this stuff seriously does not budge. This makes it an absolute godsend for those with very shiny skin or acne, particularly as the formula is oil-free. Naturally, the trade-off for that supreme wear is that this is a full-on, full-coverage foundation.
There's no building up to full coverage here; you get it from the get-go as it is absolutely loaded with pigment, so it wouldn't suit those who want a natural look. It’s also on the thicker side, so although the texture certainly feels comfortable for how hard-working it is, we would also point out that it dries down or 'sets' in place quite quickly. Another aspect of Double Wear that ticks our testers' boxes is that it has an exceptionally strong shade range with 60 different options on offer. Estée Lauder offers a handy virtual try-on tool for its colour products, making shopping for foundation online much easier.
Pros
- Ultra long-wearing
- Oil-free and oil-controlling
- Won’t clog pores
- Excellent shade range
Cons
- You prefer a natural-looking finish to full coverage
RRP: £34 | Number of shades: 32 | Finish: Radiant
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Rhiannon Derbyshire
In our experience, this is without question one of the best radiant foundations for oily skin – it looks naturally glowy without becoming super shiny and too glowy within the first hour or two of applying it. According to the brand, the hydrating gel-cream base works by fusing to the skin seamlessly, rather than sitting on top of the skin in thick layers.
By all our testers' accounts, it manages to achieve just that, building nicely and buffing seamlessly into the skin to create a natural, healthy-looking finish in 32 different shades. And on top of that, a bottle lasts ages – all that means it scores very highly among our beauty team.
Pros
- Light to medium, buildable coverage
- Radiant finish but doesn't become shinier with wear
Cons
- Quite glowy, for those who prefer a matte finish
RRP: £56 | Shades: 32 | Finish: Soft glow
Reviewed by: Naomi Jamieson
If you want to keep oily skin at bay without giving up your glow, this is the foundation for you. This foundation is the definition of "your skin but better"; it feels weightless upon application and throughout the day whilst simultaneously protecting the skin. There's a lot we love about this formula. The fact that it lasts all day (it promises 16-hour wear, but we don't typically keep our makeup on that long). The added blue light protection and the buildable coverage that blurs the appearance of fine lines and blemishes, all while still looking like skin and offering a gorgeous glow. Infused with vitamin E and white tea extract, the clever formula protects the skin from free radical damage, too.
Pros
- Formula comes with skin-caring benefits
- Customisable coverage that can be built to your preference
- Lasts well through the day
Cons
- Not the most matte finish, for those who prefer this
RRP: £52 | Number of shades: 37 | Finish: Matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen
As you'd expect from a fashion house's beauty brand, Dior's Forever Matte is luxuriously priced – but the formula doesn't disappoint. Velvety smooth, buffing into the skin with ease, we found that it manages to completely even out the complexion without feeling thick, heavy, or overly matte. We also loved that it sets in place, leaving the skin looking like a smooth piece of fabric – no doubt due to its skincare-first formula that cares for the skin while you wear it – with the effect lasting all day. An investment foundation, yes, but great for complexions on which makeup usually slides off easily.
Pros
- Evens out skin tone brilliantly for a flawless-yet-natural look
- Wears well through the day
Cons
- Very expensive compared to others on the market
Which foundation type is best for oily and acne-prone skin?
Foundations generally have one of three bases: oil, water, or silicone. “Water-based foundations provide long-term hydration in the skin,” explains Ellis. “They are normally slightly lighter weight in formula and are great for all skin types."
“Silicone-based foundations are best used on normal-oily skin types. The silicone helps to control oils in the skin, and normally provides a matte finish." Silicones tend to give foundations a kind of slippy feel, but they often help to blur the look of enlarged pores and smooth out their texture, as well as helping to control oil levels.
"Oil-based foundations are best used on normal-dry skin types," Ellis continues. "The oils in the foundations help to provide long-term moisture in the skin, give a gorgeous glow, and help with skin texture.” Therefore, for oily skin, water or silicone bases are generally the go-tos.
Is liquid or powder foundation better for oily skin?
While powder was once the go-to for oily skin, many modern liquid formulas are excellent at controlling oil and providing a long-lasting, shine-free finish. That said, it’s often a good idea to set any particularly shine-prone areas with a little setting powder to keep your base in place – though it’s important to apply carefully to avoid looking cakey.
“Use a sheer [loosely packed] powder brush and sweep the powder foundation onto the skin for a lightweight finish,” Ellis advises. “On any areas where you may want a little extra coverage, a full coverage face brush provides a cushion effect, so simply press and stipple into the skin. Tailor where you want coverage to avoid the skin looking cakey.”
How we tested the best foundation for oily skin
A selection of the foundations one tester trialled for this guide
To ensure that our guide contained the very best foundations for oily skin, a few oily-skinned testers wore the foundations for at least one full day, in order to share their first-hand experience of how well it applies and stays in place. When testing, we took all of the following factors into account.
- Number of shades: Is there a broad and inclusive
- Packaging: Is the packaging fuss-free and easy to dispense the right amount of product, or messy and tricky to use?
- Ease of application: How well did the product buff and blend?
- Buildability: Was it easy to layer the formula to build coverage, or did it cake?
- Finish: If it was matte, dewy or somewhere in between.
- How it wears through the day: Did it go shiny, patchy or transfer?
- Cost: Was the product's performance in line with its price, therefore offering good value for money?
Our expert panel
Lucy Abbersteen is a freelance beauty editor and one of woman&home's contributing beauty editors. With close to a decade of experience in the industry, she's tried hundreds of makeup bases over the years. And with a very oily complexion, she knows what makes for a lasting foundation formula on these skin types, therefore serving as a perfect primary reviewed for this guide.
Rhiannon Derbyshire is Senior Beauty Editor at woman&home and other women's titles. During her career, she's specialised in beauty, fashion, interiors and health, but beauty remains her favourite topic – meaning she's tried dozens of foundations over the years and knows which ones perform better than the rest.
Stephanie is an experienced beauty editor who works across Future's women's titles, including woman&home.
Naomi is Digital Beauty Writer at woman&home, where she covers everything from skincare to makeup but specialises in fragrance and nail trends – sharing her expertise on the latest beauty buys and must-have manicure styles. As well as showcasing her beauty knowledge, she reviews products and shares personal shopping recommendations – including many foundations.