If you have oily skin, you know how difficult it can be to find long lasting makeup that won't fade or rub off. Many products are suited toward dry or combination skin, and do not last for more than a few hours on oily skin. Finding the right products becomes even more difficult in the summer, when high temperatures and humidity put any makeup to the test. Here is a list of the best products for oily skin that will allow you to stay shine-free and fresh faced during any season.
After exfoliating and using an oil-free face wash, you should apply a primer before using foundation, in order to smooth the skin & help makeup bond to the skin. The right primer will protect pores from foundation, while giving you a perfect air-brushed finish. Those with oily skin should avoid primers with a high silicone gel content, as most of them do not effectively absorb oil and can plug pores. The best primers for oily skin are:
Clarins Instant Smooth Primer - a pale pink thick primer that easily glides onto skin and becomes transparent. Very gentle on any skin type, and especially compatible with oily skin to reduce the appearance of pores, lines and blemishes.
Mattify! Cosmetics Ultra Powder - a clear powder primer that soaks up 5 times its weight in oil, blurs blemishes, and refines pores. The Mattify Powder is highly effective alone, but those with extra oily skin may want to apply the Clarins Primer first, and then the Mattify Ultra Powder. This method provides the most oil control and the longest lasting foundation.
Don't bother spending money on:
Derma Doctor Tease Zone Oil Control Gel / Primer May work on combination skin, but does absolutely nothing to stop very oily skin. Gives a slick coat to the skin when used under makeup, and actually doesn't allow for long wearing foundation. Skin gets oily within an hour of application.
Don't bother spending money on:
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Light Leave this for those with dry or combination skin. Does not allow for long wearing foundation on oily skin, and actually causes skin to feel oilier. The high concentration of silicone gel in the product can also clog pores and lead to breakouts.
Next, apply a foundation designed for oily skin. Most drugstore liquid foundations do not provide long wear on oily skin, so you are better off with high-end brands. Investing in a quality foundation is well worth the extra cost, especially if you want to avoid constant touch-ups. If selecting a mineral foundation, avoid those with Mica and Bismuth (as these ingredients cause oily skin to look even greasier). Here is a list of the best foundation for oily skin:
Clarins Truly Matte Foundation (Liquid) - provides medium to full coverage, sweat resistant, lasts 6-8 hours
Estee Lauder Max Coverage Foundation (Liquid) - full coverage, light weight & water resistant, lasts 8-10 hours
Illuminare Ultimate All Day Mattifying Mineral Foundation (Liquid) - full coverage, mineral makeup, water resistant, lasts 8-10 hours
Colortration Primary Color Foundation (Liquid) - full coverage, light weight & fully waterproof, lasts 10-12 hours
Mark Powder Buff Natural Skin (Pressed Powder Foundation) - medium coverage, very blendable, light weight, lasts 4-6 hours
L'Oreal True Match Blendable Compact (Pressed Powder Foundation) - medium coverage, blendable, lasts 4-6 hours
Don't bother spending money on:
Revlon Colorstay Foundation Feels thick, heavy & greasy on oily skin. Provides minimal coverage and does not stay put for more than a couple of hours, even when primer, setting powder, and fixative spray are used.
Now, to maximize the longevity of your foundation, apply a setting powder. It is important to either pat the powder onto skin, using a powder puff or gently brush onto skin with a fluffy powder brush. Never rub the powder onto skin, or it will cause foundation to streak and smudge - giving you an uneven finish. Powder will set your foundation for long wear, and help absorb skin oil that would otherwise disrupt your makeup. The Mattify! Ultra Powder mentioned as a primer above also works beautifully as a setting powder. It is ideal to use as a re-touch powder, because it is transparent and does not look heavy even if reapplied several times throughout the day. Avoid repeated touch-ups with dark colored powders, as this can lead to heavy "cakey" looking makeup. Also avoid powder formulas that contain mica because they cause oily skin to look shinier. Here is a list of top face powders for oily skin:
Mattify! Ultra (Loose Transparent Powder) super oil control face powder, blurs imperfections & pores, perfect for touch-ups, sets makeup 4+ hours
Estee Lauder Double Matte(Pressed Colored Powder)- somewhat oil absorbent, stay-true color with a perfect finish, sets makeup 3+ hours
Maybelline Mineral Powder (Pressed Colored Powder) - smooths skin, covers minor blemishes, sets makeup 2+ hours
Don't bother spending money on:
Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder This strangely tinted white/lilac face powder does absolutely nothing to absorb oil. Most drugstore brands of pressed powder are better than this one.
Don't bother spending money on:
Diorskin Crystal Nude Matte Skin Perfector - A waxy, sticky compact that does very little to control oil and smudges makeup when applied over foundation. Also, when you blot the sponge over your face, sebum transfers from your face to the sponge to the container creating a breeding ground for bacteria.
As a person with incredibly oily skin, I have tried hundreds of products that failed the test of longevity. The items I mention in this article are tried-and-true for long wear on oily skin, and many are items I use consistently to achieve a flawless shine-free face. I've spend hundreds maybe even thousands of dollars trying various products to control my oily skin. About 80% of all I've purchased were not worthy of repeat purchasing. To date, the products mentioned above are the top products I've found for shiny skin. Following this guide can help you select the best products for oily skin, without having to spend a fortune guessing which items are suited for a shiny face!
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