Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best foundation for oily skin?
Contrary to what you might think, having oily skin doesn’t mean you’re sentenced to matte makeup forever. “I don’t believe oily skin automatically dictates one specific type of foundation,” says Ventre, who generally considers natural-matte, soft-matte, and satin finishes forgiving starting points. Instead, she recommends looking for formulas with good adhesion and longevity that retain enough flexibility to keep skin from appearing flat or rigid. The coverage level matters, too, as a highly pigmented foundation can provide ample coverage with a very thin layer, rather than requiring multiple coats that may be more prone to separating as oil comes through.
Just as important is what’s underneath your foundation. Oily skin can also be dehydrated, and aggressively cleansing, skipping moisturizer, or piling on mattifying products can leave you with surface oil and tight, textured skin. Ventre’s rule of thumb: “Prep for the skin condition and choose the foundation for the finish.” In other words, properly hydrate and support your skin barrier first, strategically control oil where you need it, then choose the foundation finish you actually like.
How can I make foundation last longer on oily skin?
Making foundation last longer on oily skin starts well before you break out the foundation bottle. “Skin prep is probably one of the most underestimated parts of long-wearing makeup,” says Ventre. Rather than piling on skin care, she recommends using just enough hydration for your complexion and allowing products to fully absorb—“excess slip or emollience can create an unstable base that causes foundation to move around,” she says. From there, target oil control where you actually need it—such as the forehead, nose, and between the brows—instead of mattifying your entire face. Ventre applies foundation in “the thinnest effective layers,” building coverage only where necessary, then strategically sets oil-prone areas with finely milled powder and uses a long-wear setting spray to lock everything down.
And when shine inevitably starts creeping through? “Blot before you powder,” says Ventre. “Adding fresh powder directly over accumulated sebum can eventually create heaviness and emphasize texture, so absorb excess oil first, then press the smallest amount of powder necessary onto the area,” she says. Ultimately, “longevity isn’t one miracle product”—it’s the combination of thoughtful skin prep, thin layers, targeted powder, and a great setting spray that keeps foundation intact without sacrificing a natural, dimensional finish, she says.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best foundations for oily skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
