The best foundation for oily skin that we swear by
Finding the best foundation for oily skin can be a bit of a trek. It might look fab when you first apply it, but give it a couple of hours and whooooosh, it's all but disappeared. The problem is, if you're oil prone, more often than not, you need a hard-wearing formula to last through the day, but you don't want one so thick that it will block your pores.
The solution: an oil-free, non-comedogenic, mattifying and long-lasting foundation to help skip shine and keep your skin looking beautifully balanced throughout the day.
We've already curated the top foundation formulas for different skin types and coverage needs, but oily skin calls for extra options. So, we went on a mission to find the best foundation for oily skin that will stay on throughout the day, no matter the weather or your sebum production.
But we're not the only one to be conducting our own experiment. Over on TikTok, users have been sharing their top hit and miss foundations for oily skin. And one user, @sashinspires even put together an at-home test to work out which oil-free formulas really deliver on the promise. She tested out four of the most popular oily-skin foundations on a piece of paper to see which stayed put and which leaked oil all over the place.
The outcome? Estee Lauder's Double Wear is iconic for a reason. It held up best (like we knew it would), which is why it's deserving of the hype and a space in our stash.
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As for high street options L'Oreal's Infallible 24H Matte Cover barely budged an inch – and bonus, costs under a tenner – making it a drugstore champ.
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Before you start shopping (and because we're helpful), we also found the best foundations for dry skin, the best bb creams, the most helpful cc creams for coverage tailored to you the best foundation for combination skin, the best full coverage foundation and the best foundation brushes. All bases (sorry) covered.
Scroll for our full edit of the best foundation for oily skin.
Best high-street foundation for oily skin
L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H-Matte Mattifying Foundation, £9.99, LookFantastic
There are few purse-friendly foundations that really do the job well, but this one is a bit of a wonder-product. Matte but not drying with medium-high coverage, this formula is best suited to skin slightly on the oiler side. Due to its 24-hour wear, it's ideal for warmer weather.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best overall foundation for oily skin
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup, £35, LookFantastic
There's a reason this foundation is so iconic. The coverage is unmatched, giving beautifully balanced looking skin. As for controlling oil, it remains cool, calm and collected throughout the day. Top marks.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best satin finish foundation for oily skin
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, £30, Boots
Fenty's Global Makeup Artist Hector Espinal said it best: "Pro Filt'r is the sh*t for oily skin." The medium to full coverage foundation will keep it's satin-matte finish no matter what your day throws at it. Oil-free, but won't clog your pores and best of all – it's comfortable.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these Boots discount codes.
Best Charlotte Tilbury foundation for oily skin
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £34, Cult Beauty
Airbrush is right. This foundation looks perfect on skin and does not move. The staying power is award-worthy and the coverage only gets better and more natural throughout the day as it melds with the oils on skin, without becoming too dewy.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Best affordable foundation for oily skin
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation, £5.99, Boots
A favourite among our editors and makeup artists, this is a top budget recommendation as it stands up against more expensive foundations and feels much more high end. The medium coverage contains flexible micro-powders to control shine and blur pores throughout the day.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these Boots discount codes.
Best high end foundation for oily skin
YSL All Hours Liquid Foundation, £36, LookFantastic
This may be boujee but the rich but fine pigments provide beautiful coverage without looking cakey. It keeps skin looking balanced, without drying it out and stays put all day.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best on-the-go foundation for oily skin
Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Stick, £45, LookFantastic
A foundation stick is great for building coverage and touching up during the day. Unlike many sticks, Hourglass' adds a nice glow but stays on all day without sliding down the face. We love this new addition to the line.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best lightweight foundation for oily skin
It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream Oil-Free Matte, £32.50, LookFantastic
Yes, technically this is a CC cream, but the amount of coverage means it works more as a medium coverage foundation. This pore--minimising, blemish-covering formula is our favourite product from the range – and it's perfect for skin on the oiler side.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best hydrating foundation for oily skin
Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Hydrating Foundation, £31, LookFantastic
Just because you have oily skin, doesn't mean it should be starved of hydration. This foundation gives you the best of both worlds, keeping the skin comfortable and quenched without wearing off. Shine stays under control with the satin-matte finish and the long-wear will save you from touching up all day long.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best semi-matte foundation for oily skin
Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF15, £35, LookFantastic
This 16-hour formula not only keeps oil at bay all day but it also has a multidimensional matte finish, meaning that even though it keeps things covered, it never looks flat or dull, but rather creates a natural-looking second skin.
Save when you shop for the best foundation for oily skin with these LookFantastic discount codes.
