Top 6 Foundations for Oily Skin in 2025: Expert-Recommended Picks
Discover the best matte, long-lasting foundations tested by beauty experts to keep your skin shine-free all day.
Understanding Oily Skin and Foundation Needs
Oily skin can be a makeup challenge, especially when seeking a foundation that controls shine and lasts all day. While a dewy finish is trendy, it often exacerbates oiliness, making a matte finish the preferred choice. Finding the right foundation ensures a balanced, flawless complexion without the unwanted greasy residue.
Top Foundations for Oily Skin: Estée Lauder & Maybelline
Estée Lauder's Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation is a favorite for its long-lasting, full-coverage formula that resists fading and smudging. It offers a wide shade range and is oil-free, making it ideal for oily skin types. On a budget? Maybelline's Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation provides a similar matte finish without breaking the bank, effectively controlling shine and minimizing pores.
Full Coverage Picks: Anastasia Beverly Hills & Fenty Beauty
For those seeking full coverage, Anastasia Beverly Hills' Impeccable Blurring Foundation delivers a seamless, natural finish that minimizes imperfections while remaining lightweight. Similarly, Fenty Beauty's Soft’Lit Longwear Foundation is excellent for acne-prone skin, offering medium coverage that reduces shine and hydrates the skin for a balanced look throughout the day.
Lightweight and SPF Options: IT Cosmetics & Clinique
If you prefer a lighter feel with added protection, IT Cosmetics' CC+ Color Correcting Foundation is a great choice, boasting SPF 50+ and breathable coverage that doesn't clog pores. Clinique's Even Better Makeup SPF 15 Foundation also offers a natural finish with vitamin C benefits, making it a solid option for those wanting both coverage and skincare benefits in one product.
Testing Methodology: Ensuring Quality and Performance
Selecting the best foundation for oily skin involved extensive testing over five years, evaluating factors like longevity, oil control, shade range, and ease of application. Each foundation was applied consistently using the same tools and skincare routine to ensure fair comparisons. Hourly check-ins helped determine which products truly stood up to the demands of oily skin throughout the day.
Conclusion: Achieve a Flawless Matte Finish
Choosing the right foundation can transform oily skin from a frustration to a feature. Whether you opt for high-end options like Estée Lauder or budget-friendly choices like Maybelline, the key is finding a product that offers a matte finish, controls shine, and lasts all day. With the right foundation, you can enjoy a smooth, balanced complexion that looks natural and feels comfortable.