Which Foundations Are Best For Oily Skin?

Are you feeling like you are constantly battling shine and breakouts? Frequently getting blackheads? Your foundation could be your culprit, so read on to discover the best foundation for your oily skin.

Before getting into the nitty gritty, I wanted to make it clear that you should never skip moisturiser, even if you have oily skin. It may seem counterintuitive, however stripping your skin of moisture could be adding to the problem. Stick with an oil-free or oil balancing moisturiser, my current fave is the Simple All Day Mattifying Moisturiser, it not only mattifies but contains ingredients which are proven to help fight spots, without drying out the skin.

Finding the perfect foundation consists of a lot of trial and error. So, this handy guide should help to narrow down your search and get you on the way to a flawless base.

Drugstore Foundations for Oily Skin

Not everyone has the budget to splurge out an expensive foundation, but honestly, you don’t have to. There are some great affordable foundations which are perfect for those of us with oily skin. Mattifying foundations are going to be your best friend. Try to avoid ‘glowy or dewy’ foundations were possible, these will only accentuate your oils.

L’Oréal Infallible 24HR Matte Foundation – £9.99

A soft, natural looking foundation, the L’Oreal Infallible is full coverage so will perfectly hide any redness or dark spots. Although matte, it does not have a cakey appearance and helps to blur prominent pores. At under £10, you cannot go wrong. It has many of the benefits of high-end foundations but without the hefty price tag. Not only that, this foundation contains SPF 18 to protect the skin against sun damage (although I would recommend applying SPF separately rather than relying on the SPF in your foundation).

Max Factor Facefinity 3 in 1 Foundation – £13.99

Another affordable full coverage foundation which helps to control the shine from oily skin. It claims to be a primer, foundation, and concealer all in one bottle, however I would still recommend applying both a primer before, and a concealer after. This also contains an SPF, slightly higher than the L’Oreal foundation, at SPF 20. Despite containing an SPF, it does not make the skin appear any oiler, which is exactly what we are looking for. It has a breathable formula which feels lightweight on the skin.

Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation – £7.99

The final drugstore foundation, and the most affordable at under £8, it is such a steal!! I have used this foundation for quite some time and I have a full review, albeit old, on it here. It contains flexible micro-powders which help to control shine and blur larger pores. It has a medium coverage but can be easily built up if required. The Matte + Poreless range has over 40 shades, which is brilliant, especially for a drugstore foundation.

High-End Foundations for Oily Skin

If high-end makeup is your thing, then listen up. Before diving in at the deep end and spending £30+ on a foundation, ask at the brands beauty counter for a sample of their foundation. This is a great hack which will allow you to trial the foundation without spending a small fortune.

Fenty Beauty Soft Matte Foundation – £27.00

In over 50 shades, the Fenty Soft Matte Foundation is perfect for keeping the skin shine free for hours upon hours. I have an in-depth review on it here. It is a buildable medium to full coverage foundation, but make sure to prep your skin using a moisturiser and primer. This foundation can cling to dry patches if you are not careful, so make sure your skin is fully hydrated before applying.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation – £34.00

The priciest out of them all, but in my opinion, the best! Again, I have a full review here. The Estee Lauder Double Wear has the largest foundation shade range that I’m aware of, with over 60 different shades, that’s incredible! It has an oil-free formula, helping to control the natural oils of the skin. For me, I do not need to powder regularly when wearing this foundation. The only time I need to powder is when I have first applied my makeup. I cannot recommend this foundation enough to any one with oily or combination skin.

This guide should have given you a head start when searching for a foundation for oily skin. Look out for mattifying foundations and read reviews to discover what others with a similar skin type think. Get samples where you are able, so you can try before you buy.

Until Another Day x