Oily skin hardly finds a foundation that doesn’t come off by brunch. The excess sebum makes most foundations smudge, crease, and ruin a day before it even starts. Hence, a matte foundation for oily skin will do it all, by delivering the coveted finish that won’t make you look greasy. To save you some time, we rounded up the best matte foundations for oily skin that counteract shine and leave you with a velvety flawless look all day long, even in the hot summer.
Why oily skin needs a matte foundation?
Matte foundations lack shine, making them a no-brainer for oily skin. They reduce the look of pores, never look greasy, while soaking up excess oil. Plus, matte foundations don’t contain oils, which makes them last longer.
The best matte foundations for oily skin
Without further ado, here is a list of the best matte foundations for oily skin that hold up to their promise.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
Estée Lauder Double Wear takes the spotlight on the best matte foundations for oily skin that craves full coverage. It’s oil- and fragrance-free, oil-controlling, gives 55 true-to-skin shades, is waterproof, lightweight, and has a velvety matte finish for an impeccable shine-free look that doesn’t need touch-ups. Need more convincing? Double Wear has been a cult staple in makeup artists’ kits and won myriad awards since its launch in ’97. It’ll never let you down, promise.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Longwear Foundation
This matte formula is hard to beat for being hydrating, lightweight, sweat-proof, waterproof, and transfer-resistant. Since it’s been shown to improve skin hydration, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Foundation helps balance sebum production — a special boon for oily peeps. Plus, it packs a mix of peptides and AirCool™, an in-house complex that gives an instant fresh feeling (hence the name), while covering seamlessly any redness, and pimples without the cake.
Jane Iredale Beyond Matte 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation
Jane Iredale Beyond Matte 3-in-1 Liquid Foundation is non-comedogenic, a beau ideal for oily skin. It’s the best matte foundation for oily skin that wants a natural formula spiked with skincare too. Yep, it’s infused with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory botanical extracts to soothe pimples and calm redness, while the jojoba seed oil controls sebum throughout the day. Bonus: this foundation leaves a natural semi-matte finish, like your skin but better, no fuss, no shine all day long.
Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation
The ultimate people pleaser, Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra 24H Long Wear Matte Foundation, gives that natural matte and full coverage while being breathable and transfer-resistant. Oil-free and water-based, this foundation feels like bare skin at its best. And the multitude of shades makes finding your match an easy job — you’ll love it!
bareMinerals Loose Powder Matte Foundation SPF 15
Powder foundations are a godsend for oily skin folks as they soak up excess sebum, so the complexion never looks greasy again. Made only with five natural, safe-for-skin minerals, bareMinerals Loose Powder Matte Foundation is a true skin fetish as it absorbs excess oil, and leaves the complexion looking radiant and matte all day. And you won’t even feel like wearing it.
Dermablend Intense Powder Camo Mattifying Foundation
This foundation feels weightless and has an ultra-blendable soft-powder finish, leaving a feathery feeling and a matte finish that truly lasts. The oil-absorbing and pore-minimizing formula provides coverage throughout the day, keeping shine at bay. Since it includes a mirror and sponge, it allows for easy touch-ups during the day — your go-to pick on busy, long days!
Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation
Do you crave an oil-free, liquid matte foundation with a breathable texture that acts like skincare too? You just found it. Made with a blend of plants, rice bran, hyaluronic acid, and micro-algae, Nars Soft Matte Complete Foundation helps absorb excess oil while assuring full coverage that’s transfer- and sweat-proof. And with 34 shades, it’s impossible you won’t find your perfect match. A cult favorite for those in the know, this is one of the best matte foundations for oily skin in a liquid, long-wearing formula that promises to leave you shine-free.
PÜR 4-in-1 Foundation Stick
Here is where makeup meets skincare. PÜR created an easy-to-use, creamy, velvety matte 4-in-1 foundation stick with age-defying and skin-nourishing ingredients to conceal, contour and highlight. The result? Bright and flawless skin, even tone, high hydration, without redness, pimples, or large pores — it hides it all. There’s more about it: it’s spiked with retinol, squalane, ceramide, lactic acid, niacinamide, so your skin stays protected and conditioned, not only infallible and mattified. Just wow!
Make Up For Ever Matte Foundation
No denying, this is the best matte foundation for oily skin people who’re always on the go. The powder texture absorbs excess sebum for a flawless look while the blurring technology smooths and mattifies, reducing pores for a natural look. Make Up For Ever Matte Foundation has an incredibly staying power, resisting long after the sun is down, and the best part is about to come: it includes a double-faced sponge that allows for both sheer and full coverage.
Clinique Stay-Matte Oil-Free Makeup
Using Clinique Stay-Matte you’ll no longer have to worry about not having a velvety matte finish or the excess sebum messing up your look. Caffeine, aloe vera, and willow bark extract protect and nourish skin, while glycerin hydrates it nicely, balancing sebum. Noteworthy: it’s oil-free, infused with zinc (great for breakouts), resists sweat and humidity, so you can stay matte all day.
Dior Forever Matte Foundation SPF 35
What makes Dior Forever Matte one of the best matte foundations for oily skin? It’s water-based, lacks oils, and blends effortlessly, delivering that natural, matte finish you want. Besides, it’s filled with highly concentrated pigments to create an ultra-fine, flawless finish, giving that maybe-she’s-born-with-it look. On top of everything, the featherweight fluid formula assures SPF 35 protection; hear me out, you’d absolutely want to try this one!
