The best foundations for oily skin – long-lasting, natural-looking coverage that won't melt
Our oily-skinned beauty editors have put these softly mattifying, breathable and non-pore-clogging formulas to the test
The best foundations for oily skin strike that delicate balance between coverage and a formula that isn't too thick, matte or flat-looking.
The hunt for the best foundation is, at least, easier now than ever before. Many modern formulas work to keep shine levels down while blurring any blemishes or fine lines with ease – all in natural-looking, true-to-skin shades across much broader and more inclusive ranges than days gone by.
"Make sure to look for foundations that specifically say 'oil-free', advises Bobbi Brown Pro Artist Hollie Ellis. "If you want your foundation to last all day, this is key helping the makeup stay in place." Non-comedogenic also indicates the formula doesn't contain pore-clogging ingredients. As for making it last on a naturally oily base? "Dust a little powder through the T-zone after your foundation to control the oils," Hollie says. She recommends the brand's Sheer Finish Pressed or Loose Powders as they don't add coverage, therefore won't cake.
After putting dozens of formulas through their paces, several woman&home team members and contributors with oily skin set about writing this detailed guide to the best matte foundations. Ahead you'll find those coveted picks that cover shine-proof finishes that don’t look flat or chalky, as well as dewier and more radiant bases that play well an oily complexion.
The best foundations for oily skin, reviewed by our beauty team
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: £39.50 | Shades: 60 | Finish: Satin-matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Fiona McKim
Estee Lauder recently reformulated their classic long-wear foundation - which was a risk, given that it's easily one of the most well-known and well-loved bases for oily skin on the market. The original was known for being extremely high pigment without the need to build it up, and very budge-proof. However a caveat of that was it did feel and look like a full coverage foundation - a little heavier and more 'set' than others on this list.
And what's the newbie like? Still mattifying, but not as strongly, and still long lasting, albeit slightly less robustly so. If you have oily-combination skin and want a base that goes the distance without feeling weighty, this new version will please. Those with the oiliest skin who like a completely uniform look may wish v1 was still available though. Personally, we prefer this version as it has a more modern, lightly radiant finish - and still has the exceptionally strong shade range of 60, with a handy virtual try-on tool to help you find a match.
Pros
- Oil-free and oil-controlling
- Won’t clog pores
- Excellent shade range
Cons
- Not as long lasting or full cover as the original
RRP: £36 | Number of shades: 30 | Finish: Radiant satin
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim
As the owner of a permanently shiny T-Zone, I feel confident in saying that not everyone with oily skin wants an ultra mattifying base. Some of us want something that will stick around without melting or going all slick, but still gives the impression of glowing skin. And if you relate to that sentiment, Jones Road's superlative foundation stick could be a perfect choice for you.
The fact it's in stick form is good news for naturally oil prone skins as it's got a drier more rigid texture that applies beautifully over lager pores and congestion - plus it's incredibly portable and easy to apply, making top-ups so easy. The feel is creamy and hydrating so this never sinks into lines, and the coverage is medium, although you could apply less for a light wash or more for a fuller coverage look.
Pros
- Easy to apply and top-up
- Polished finish
- Buildable, medium coverage
Cons
- Not ultra-mattifying
RRP: £38 | Shades: 30 | Finish: Velvet matte
Reviewed by: Lucy Abbersteen, Rhiannon Derbyshire
Don't be fooled by the youthful-looking branding, because this is excellent stuff for skin of any age. We simply 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.
This 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
Airbrush Flawless Foundation offers a matte finish and the fullest coverage of Charlotte Tilbury's repertoire, so if you like lighter bases or dewy finishes, it 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. But as is common in 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 true-to-skin shades is very impressive and it blurs things like large pores or uneven skin texture well. The finish isn't too matte; we also loved its sweat and transfer resistance. It's become one of our tester's 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: £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 thicker consistency, it actually offers medium to full coverage, and we loved how buildable the formula is when we buffed it in with a firm foundation brush. Once applied, it has a nice, soft matte finish that doesn't look at all heavy, plus it won't creep into any fine lines. Fenty Beauty is also known for setting the standard of what it means to offer an inclusive foundation shade range today; the Pro Filt'r Soft Matte shade selection now stands at 50, so you're even more likely to find a perfect match than before.
Pros
- True matte finish; no need for setting powder
- Great inclusive shade range
- Lasts brilliantly well
Cons
- Needs to be blended quickly
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
A selection of the foundations one tester trialled for this guide
How we tested the best foundations for oily skin
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 the shade range both broad and inclusive in terms of options?
- 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 into our testers' skin?
- Buildability: Was it easy to layer the formula to build coverage, or did it go caky?
- Finish: If it was matte, dewy or somewhere in between – and the accuracy of the product's description of the finish.
- How it wore 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 overall?
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.”
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 naturally rather oily skin, she knows what makes a lasting foundation formula on similar skin types, serving as our ideal primary reviewer for this guide.
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.
Stephanie is an experienced beauty editor who works across Future's women's titles, including woman&home.
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.
Hollie Ellis is an experienced makeup artist and a member of the Bobbi Brown Pro Team. Working with makeup clients on an almost daily basis, she has the expert eye for choosing foundation formulas that suit oily skin specifically, meaning they apply and wear for the best results. In this guide, she shared her professional insights on how to choose and apply the best foundation for oily skin to help you find your perfect match.