Choosing the best foundations for oily skin comes with its little challenges: When your face already gets greasy and shiny easily, you don’t want to add anything to your T-zone that’s going to enhance the sheen you’ve got going on. Then there’s the question of how long it’ll hold up in heat and humidity. You may feel like your foundation is quickly melting away when it should be providing you with a clear, healthy-looking complexion. Lastly, if you have oily and acne-prone skin, many of those lightweight foundation options on the market aren’t going to cut it when trying to cover up the surprise whitehead that popped up this week. We spoke with a few makeup artists to give us some of their picks, plus a few guidelines to make finding the right foundation and concealer a little easier.
What should you look for when shopping for foundations for oily skin?
Ultimately, to find the best foundation for your oily skin, you’ll want to look for products that have long-lasting, smudge-resistant, and/or transfer-free formulas—along with enough coverage to conceal any blemishes or acne. “People with oily skin often have a hard time finding a foundation that doesn’t smudge off or fade throughout the day, so look for options that promise a longer wear time,” makeup artist and beauty founder (Beautini and Beia) Brittany Lo tells SELF.
It may seem obvious, but you’ll want to steer clear of any oil-based foundations. “Oil on top of oil equals more oil,” makeup artist Kathleen Peara tells SELF. She warns that excess oil can lead to clogged pores and even greasier skin.
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To help prevent this, makeup artist Andrea Claire recommends looking for foundations with the words semi-matte and matte written on the label or written in the product description. And on that note, avoid products that mention glowy, dewy, or radiant effects since these will only create the appearance of more shine.
Below, see the products that makeup artists use on clients, plus a few extra picks that follow their guidelines. You’ll find a range of non-cakey coverage options, shades, and price points, which include everything from wallet-friendly drugstore staples to splurge-worthy full-coverage foundation.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Source: SELF
