The Best Foundations for Oily Skin

Time Inc. Digital Studio

When your skin is naturally shinier than a glazed donut, the struggle is real when it comes to finding a foundation that controls excess oil and stays in place all day. To say that wearing foundation when you have an oily skin type is tough may be a massive understatement, but it’s not completely impossible.

More often than not, the reason that makeup slips and slides down oily complexions is because it’s the wrong formula. “Some of the most common mistakes that people with oily skin make is wearing the wrong foundation, explains celebrity makeup artist Daniel Chinchilla who works with Ariana Grande. “They choose foundations that are for dry skin or formulas that have a glowing finish to them. You should definitely stick to foundations that are matte and possibly oil-free.”

Step away from the luminous finish tube, and keep scrolling our 10 favorite foundations for oily skin types.

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SURRATT BEAUTY Surreal Skin Foundation Wand

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$65 Surratt Beauty SHOP IT Opens a new window

Think of Surrat's foundation wand as the makeup equivalent of your favorite Instagram filter. This foundation has a semi-matte finish and leaves complexions with the slightest glow that won't look greasy on oily skin.

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MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation

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$41 Make Up For Ever SHOP IT Opens a new window

No one likes a quitter, so when you're choosing a foundation that will keep you shine-free, opt for a formula that will stick around for the whole day. Along with keeping excess oil under control, MAKE UP FOR EVER's tube offers full coverage that isn't cakey or pills as the day goes on.

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Giorgio Armani Beauty Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25

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$64 Giorgio Armani SHOP IT Opens a new window

Armani's newest foundation is the matte counterpart to its cult-favorite Luminous Silk Foundation. This formula glides on like velvet and will keep oil at bay without settling into any fine lines or wrinkles.

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bareMinerals Matte Foundation SPF 15

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$29 bareMinerals SHOP IT Opens a new window

Bareminerals took their original foundation formula and mattified it. While it may be a powder, the product goes on smooth like a cream and minimizes and clears pores.

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L'Oreal Paris Infallible Matte Foundation

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$11 L'Oreal Paris SHOP IT Opens a new window

Although L'Oreal's tube helps you achieve a shine-free complexion, it won't leave your skin looking flat. Its demi-matte finish conceals imperfections and lasts for up to 24HRS, so those blotting papers in the bottom of your makeup bag are no longer necessary.

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Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup

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$42 Estee Lauder SHOP IT Opens a new window

The next time you find yourself in a heat wave or you're finally taking that SoulCycle class after work, this foundation is your best bet. Its formulated to keep skin from looking like an oil slick throughout heat, sweat, and humidty.

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Maybelline FIT ME! Matte + Poreless Foundation

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$6 Maybelline SHOP IT Opens a new window

This drugstore staple renders pores invisible and de-slicks shiny complexions.

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LORAC POREfection Foundation

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$38 Lorac SHOP IT Opens a new window

A cocktail of vitamins A and E, olive leaf, and papaya extracts leaves skin poreless while working to fight signs of aging.

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CLINIQUE Acne Solutions Liquid Makeup

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$28 Clinique SHOP IT Opens a new window

Get a foundation that does both: Clinique's liquid formula hides breakout-induced redness on oily, acne-prone skin while treating blemishes.

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tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15

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$39 Tarte SHOP IT Opens a new window

This foundation is spiked with Amazonian Clay which sucks up excess oil and erases pores without drying out complexions. Even better: its coverage lasts up to 15 hours, so you can skip your previously scheduled lunchtime touchup.

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The 10 Best Foundations for Oily Skin

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SURRATT BEAUTY Surreal Skin Foundation Wand

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MAKE UP FOR EVER Matte Velvet Skin Full Coverage Foundation

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Giorgio Armani Beauty Power Fabric Longwear High Cover Foundation SPF 25