Having oily skin 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.
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.
Primers create an extra layer between your skin and makeup. They are not a replacement for your moisturiser and serum(s). Primer should always be treated as an extra layer of makeup, not as your skin care meaning to get the best results from your primer, it’s key to properly prep and hydrate your skin first.
Experts Featured in This Article
Dr Kemi Fabusiwa is a junior doctor and founder of the Joyful Skin Clinic in Croydon.
Why Does Oily Skin Need a Primer?
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 Fabusiwa.
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.
How to Use a Primer on Oily Skin?
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.
– Additional reporting by Lauren Ezekiel
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Wet n Wild Photofocus Face Primer Matte
If you’re in the market for a primer under £10 then this Wet n Wild Photofocus Face Primer Matte (£7) should be on your radar.
This silcone-formula glides on to skin to give your base something to grip on to. It’s best to use a thin layer to prevent any peeling under the foundation for a longlasting oil-free finish that lasts all day.
sephora.co.uk
Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse
Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse (£35) is a lightweight water-based cream primer blurs the look of pores and fights shine for a long-lasting, soft-matte finish. The formulation contains 90% natural, noncomedogenic, ingredients to absorb oil and fight shine. It is silicone-free and feels refreshingly cool on the skin thanks to chamomile which is designed to soothe the skin too.
sephora.co.uk
One Size Oil Sucker Extreme Mattifying Alkaline Primer
If you’re looking for the ultimate in longlasting primers then this One Size Oil Sucker Extreme Mattifying Alkaline Primer (£34) could be for you. It is dermatologically tested for its mattifying oil control thanks to its alkaline pH which also tightens as its absorbs the oil.
It is best applied to dry skin, so either without skincare, or allow for skincare to full absorb before applying the primer as the alkaline formulation is designed to suck away excess oil from the surface of the skin while a film is created as the primer dries, resulting in a visible, tightening to pores and lasting reduction in shine.
refybeauty.com
Refy Blur and Hydrate Primer
With its cooling metal applicator this Refy Blur and Hydrate Primer (£24) instantly soothes the skin as you apply over your face. It is designed to blur imperfections, control oil, and prime the skin, without leaving the skin looking too matte. This is ideal for those who want to control oily skin but still want it to look plumped and radiant.
elfcosmetics.co.uk
Elf Matte Putty Primer
If you find you are constantly reaching for your blotting paper than this Elf Matte Putty Primer (£10) is the one for you. It can be applied to any areas which are particularly oily – like the T-Zone – to ward off any shine for hours.
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Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Primer
Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Primer (£22, originally £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.
lookfantastic.com
Nars Cosmetics Pore & Shine Control Primer
Oil-free and noncomedogenic, the Nars Cosmetics Pore & Shine Control Primer (£30) 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.
lookfantastic.com
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 (£17, originally £22), 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.)
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.
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Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mattifying Primer
When Rihanna 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 (£28), 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.
Kelle Salle is a London-based freelance writer and blogger who has contributed to PS, Byrdie, Stylist, Brown Beauty Talk and Freelancer Club.
Lauren Ezekiel (she/her) is an associate editor at PS UK, where she writes about all things beauty and wellness. With a degree in journalism she began her career in 2008. Lauren is obsessed with skincare, hair and makeup. A mum of two, Lauren is an advocate for the benefits of beauty and self-care for your mental well-being, which inspired her award-winning charity initiative We C U 2020. Her work has been published in Grazia, OK!, Health & Beauty, The Sun, Asda, Dare and Metro.
