Best Primers if You Have Oily Skin and Need Shine Control

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If you’ve been neglecting using a primer with your foundation, you may be missing out on having your makeup look that much better! This is especially true for oily skin that develops shine throughout the day. A primer can be used underneath your makeup to reduce oily skin and give your skin a matte finish. They can also help your makeup stay on and last longer so you don’t have to bother with frequent touch-ups. There are many primers available, but there are some things you should pay attention to if your skin is oily.

Here are some things to look out for when shopping for a primer that works for oily skin

This probably goes without saying, but it’s best to look out for primers that are oil-free. Many primers will leave you with a matte finish, but if you have oily skin, you don’t have to worry. Primers that leave your skin matte may look a little more flaky for those with dry skin. However, excess oil will not harm your skin and give you a natural finish.

You may also want to look out for primers that can serve as a moisturizer as well, so you don’t have to pack on as much product. You can use your favorite moisturizer in place of your primer. That said, you may find that your primer is all that you need to secure hydration — plus supreme oil-control benefits! Some primers have skin-blurring capabilities. If you choose the right primer from our list, you don’t necessarily have to wear your foundation as often as you used to. Continue reading to learn more.

Our Top Picks for Oily Skin

MAC Studio Fix Mattifine 12-Hour Shine-Control Primer

This is an OG primer that’s been available for ages, and it’s maintained its status as one of the best ones around! It’s designed to help your foundation last for up to 12 full hours, so if you have a busy day ahead and want to avoid makeup touch-ups, this is a solid primer to pick up.

Pros

• Long-lasting
• Shine control
• Matte finish
• Pore minimizing

Cons

• A little pricy
• Combination skin may not work

Available at: Nordstrom. Ulta. Amazon

First Aid Beauty Hello FAB Pores Be Gone Matte Primer

If you have oily skin that’s prone to sensitivity, this is an excellent primer to try out. This is as much of a nourishing skin treatment as it is a primer, so you’re getting a ton of benefits from this single product. Alert! Beauty bang for your bucks alert!

Pros

• Oil-free
• More minimizing
• Great for sensitive skin

Cons

Available at: Nordstrom

Nars Pore & Shine Control Primer

Shoppers claim that this primer has been their favorite for years. The staying power it gives foundation combined with the lightweight formula may leave your skin feeling like it’s naturally flawless, and you get the added pore and shine control so your skin feels smooth and balanced.

Pros

• Oil-free
• Pore minimizing
• Blurring effect

Cons

• On the more expensive side
• May leave white residue

Available at: Nordstrom, Ulta, Saks Fifth Avenue

Benefit from The POREfessional Primer for Faces

When you’re not putting on a full face of makeup but want to give your complexion a boost, this is the perfect primer to use! The results are amazing, according to customers who swear by this product. This formula is unmatched in its ability to reduce pores.

Pros

• Matte finish
• Tried and tested formula
• Long-lasting

Cons

Available at: Nordstrom. Ulta. Sephora. Amazon

It Cosmetically Sculpts Your Skin but Better Oil-Free Primer

Although this primer is not oily, it does provide hydrating benefits that your skin will absorb. It has blurring effects that one user compared to Photoshop. This is a great compliment! As an added bonus, it may help brighten your complexion.

Pros

• Long-lasting
• Oil-free
• Hydrating feeling

Cons

Available at: Nordstrom. Amazon. Ulta

Paula’s Choice SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish Oil Control Primer

This primer may be for you if you are tired of using oil blotting paper all day and want a way to stop. It’s specifically designed for anyone who deals with excessive oiliness, and reviewers claim it works like magic! It can stay on your skin all day without any oily residue and will give you that shiny, healthy look we all desire.

Pros

• Oil control
• Long-lasting
• Alcohol-free
• More affordable

Cons

• May leave some white residue

Available at

Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer

If you don’t want to blot your face all day, this gel-based primer is another solid option. It can completely eliminate shine and give you a natural-looking matte look for hours. It is also super blendable and sheer, which is a big plus for shoppers.

Pros

• Transparent, lightweight finish
• Long-lasting
• Blurring effect

Cons

Available at: Amazon.com, Ulta. Sephora

LAURA GLEVER NEW YORK Spackle Matte Makeup Primer for Skin Perfecting

This primer is suitable for oily skin and helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines. You’re left with a more even-looking complexion after application, and it also has a light tint that can help you go makeup-free if you don’t feel like throwing on a full foundation look.

Pros

• Lightly tinted
• Oil-control
• May make skin look smoother

Cons

• More expensive
• For darker skin tones, the tint may not be effective

Available at

Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer

This may be the most inexpensive primer out of our roundup, but don’t let the low price fool you! It’s garnered thousands of five-star reviews and truly gives you a ton of bang for your buck. Shoppers say they were pleasantly surprised with how well it works for their oily skin — so if you’re looking to save some money and get a noteworthy primer, this one is hard to beat!

Pros

• Super affordable
• Tons of glowing customer reviews
• Greta shine control

Cons

• Super oily skin may not be able to use this product

Available at

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKINGUP SHINE KOMBLER Mattifying Primer

This primer can be used to tackle any kind of shine, as its name implies. It’s particularly effective in the T-zone region, where there is the most oil production. It can be used all over your face or targeted at specific areas of your skin that tend to become oilier throughout the day.

Pros

• Affordable price
• All skin tones are welcome
• Matte finish

Cons

• Some may not last as long as others

Available at: Amazon, Ulta, Target, Walmart

Elizabeth Mott, Thank You Later Face Primer for Oily skin

This is arguably the top-selling primer on Amazon, and shoppers say they haven’t found a better one at this price point since! It is affordable and may even help you to even out your skin tone. Some have even compared it with higher-end products and found it does the job better.

Pros

• Affordable price
• Matte finish
• Skin-smoothing Benefits

Cons

• Some may not last as well.

Available at

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