My skin is so oily that I used to not wear highlight because half an hour after setting my makeup I would get so oily it would look like I piled on the highlighter. I have tried so many primers for my oily skin and none of them controlled my oily skin except for the ones in this list. These are the best primers for oily skin and I think you’ll love them as much as I do if you have oily skin.
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Should I Use Primer If I Have Oily Skin?
Primer is really important for any skin type when you’re applying makeup, but especially if you have oily skin. That’s because with oily skin, after a couple of hours your skin will create excess oil and it can slip your makeup around, not make it last, and leave your skin overly skin.
Using a makeup primer helps minimize the appearance of pores, provides a smooth canvas to put your makeup on, and control excess shine.
If you have oily skin, then a good makeup primer is ESSENTIAL for you.
Which Type of Primer is Best for Oily Skin?
The biggest problem with applying makeup when you have oily skin is that after a while your makeup looks greasy because of how shiny and oily your face has become.
My face gets so oily without a oil control makeup primer that it looks like I’ve caked a pound of highlighter all over my face.
The best type of primer for oily skin is a mattifying, oil control makeup primer that will keep your oily skin in check all day long.
I’ve listed my favorite high end and drugstore primers for oily skin below!
Best Primers for Oily Skin
Pat McGrath Sublime Perfection Primer
This primer is like all of Pat McGrath’s other makeup products I have tried – perfection.
This primer glides on onto the skin and keeps my skin from getting shiny and oily all day long, especially on my t-zone which tends to get oiliest quickest.
This product is so underrated – more people need to be talking about how incredible it is!
Tarte Poreless Mattifying Primer
If you have oily skin, then you need a mattifying primer and this one from Tarte is such a game changer.
It stays on for 12 hours and keeps your face shine free the entire day, without needing any touch ups.
When I wear this primer it looks like I have a smoothing filter on my face because of how flawless the base is.
LOVE this primer.
Best Drugstore Primers for Oily Skin
Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer
Even though I swear by the primers I’ve mentioned above, I know spending $30+ on a makeup product is a lot.
That’s why this Rimmel primer is a good alternative.
It smoothes the skin and controls shine, but I have noticed that I have to touch up with powder to control my oil after every few hours.
But for $3, it’s a steal!
Elf Matte Putty Primer
Elf’s products are so underrated, and this matte putty primer is one of them.
The thick formula blur the pores – it works super well on my nose! – and keeps your skin matte on a budget.
Thank Me Later Face Primer
This mattifying makeup primer lasts super long, controls your shine, while also making your skin feel plump and hydrated.
Such a great affordable option for a base for oily skin.
Kokie So Matte Face Primer
This is an awesome starter primer for oily skin.
If you’re kind of new to the makeup world but want something simple, effective, and affordable, then this Kokie So Matte primer is for you.
Palladio Rice Primer
My favorite part of this primer for oily skin is the consistency.
It just glides onto the skin and feels so nourishing and velvety, and gives a subtle but noticeable smoothing effect to the face.
Ardell In Her Prime Face Primer
I have really big pores on my nose and my laugh lines are pretty noticeable now, and I love using this primer to smooth over them.
It doesn’t get rid of them completely, but there’s a big difference and my face looks a lot more even and a lot less textured with makeup when I use this product.
If you were looking for the best primers for oily skin, I hope this article helps you find one that will keep your shine in control and make your makeup look so much better.
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