Hear us out: finding the best primer for oily skin is challenging but not impossible. Ideally, you want an oil-controlling (and potentially mattifying) formula that will keep your makeup in place without resulting in a cake-y look. Anyone whose skin is on the oily side will be able to confirm that there’s nothing more frustrating than having your foundation, contour and blush slide off and separate just hours after applying.
And generally speaking, if you want your makeup to last you a good while, having a primer in your beauty cupboard is essential. Of course, all primers serve different purposes: some are blurring, others help control oil and shine, while some even feature gripping formulas to make your foundation stick and stay in place. Think about your primer as a barrier between your skincare and makeup. Speaking of skincare, don’t forget to prep your skin with a quality moisturiser as well as a broad-spectrum face SPF before even thinking about applying your makeup.
Looking to top up your beauty arsenal? Check out our guides on best foundations for oily skin, best sunscreens for oily skin and best moisturisers for oily skin.
Best primer for oily skin at a glance – our top picks:
- Best for mattifying: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer, £28, Sephora
- Best for blurring pores: Benefit The POREfessional Pore Primer, WAS £24.80 NOW £23.99, Amazon
- Best for oil-and-shine controling: Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer, £18, Space NK
- Best silicone-free primer: Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer, £39.50, LookFantastic
That being said, not all primers for oily skin will be a perfect fit for everyone. If you’re after a matte finish, consider a mattifying and an oil-controling formula, and if you’re after a dewy finish, try a primer with a lightweight (almost gel-like) moisturising feel that will hydrate without resulting in a greasy feel.
But considering the sheer amount of options on the market, choosing the primer that will work best for you can be an overwhelming task. To help you pick the right primer that will tick all the boxes, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide of all the best options for oily skin, which includes trending products as well as some all-time classics from brands like Fenty Beauty, Tatcha, e.l.f Cosmetics, Benefit and others. We’ve also included our tried-and-tested picks that come approved by the GLAMOUR team, who have tested hundreds of makeup and skincare products over the years to bring you the crème de la crème of all things beauty. Enjoy.
For more beauty and wellness content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Twitter @deniseprimbet and Instagram @deniseprimbet.