Priyanka S
Oily skin does look glorious, but managing it could be a hassle. If you have oily skin, you may have a hard time finding the right makeup product. Everything wears off in a few hours, and your face starts to shine as though you took an oil bath. But we have a solution for you – a perfect foundation for your oily skin that is also easy on your wallet.
Here, we have listed the 15 best drugstore foundations specifically meant for oily skin. These add life to your makeup. Take a look.
Table Of Contents
15 Best Drugstore Foundations For Oily Skin
1. Best Rated: Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup
The Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Liquid Foundation is extremely lightweight. It mattifies and refines pores and leaves a natural, seamless finish. It covers all scars and blemishes and makes your skin look flawless and refreshed. The foundation contains micro-powders that absorb any excess oil for a matte and poreless looking finish. It provides medium coverage with long-day makeup wear. It is dermatologist- and allergy-tested and does not clog pores. You can choose from 40 shades as per your skin tone.
Pros
- Non-comedogenic
- Matte finish
- Long-lasting
- Available in 40 different shades
- Dermatologist-tested
- Allergy-tested
- All-day wear
Cons
- May stain clothes
- Leaves a cakey appearance
2. Best Foundation With SPF: RevlonColorstay Makeup Foundation
The Revlon ColorStay Makeup Foundation wears for up to 24 hours. It offers the best coverage with SPF 15. It glides on smoothly onto the skin, leaving a gorgeous look. It also withstands the oil and greasiness and stays on the skin throughout the day. It does not settle into the fine lines. Its time-release technology, which is specially formulated for combination or oily skin, controls oil secretion and shine and leaves a matte finish. The foundation is available in 43 different shades, ranging from light to medium to dark.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fortified with SPF 15
- Wears up to 24 hours
- Minimizes the appearance of large pores
Cons
None
3. Best Overall: Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Foundation
If you want a natural coverage and blur your breakouts, the Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Foundation is the right pick. The foundation is formulated with MicroClear technology that is scientifically proven to dissolve oil and help boost the natural salicylic acid formation. It helps treat blemishes and prevents acne breakouts. It provides excellent breathable coverage and controls shine for long hours. This natural coverage with a matte finish is perfect for combination, oily, or even sensitive skin. The foundation is non-comedogenic and reduces the appearance of large pores.
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Clinically-proven
- Hypoallergenic
- Non-comedogenic
- Naturally breathable coverage
- Treats blemishes
- Helps fight acne breakouts
Cons
- Leaves an orangish tone
4. Best Long-Wear Foundation: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation
The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation gives you a matte finish and keeps oil at bay for up to 24 hours. It has medium coverage and is perfect for everyday use. The product itself is lightweight and creamy. It glides onto the face smoothly, creating a flawless base and hiding any imperfections.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Long-wearing
- Leaves a matte finish
- Transfer-resistant
- 24-hour shine control
Cons
- Leaves a streaky orange finish
5. Maybelline New York Superstay Liquid Foundation
The Maybelline New York Superstay Liquid Foundation provides a full-coverage and glides on to the skin smoothly for a luminous matte finish. It delivers 24-hour long-wearing coverage with a flawless look. The saturated colored pigments infused in the foundation minimize the appearance of imperfections and reduce blemishes and acne breakouts. The product does not settle into fine lines. It is lightweight, dermatologically-tested, and non-comedogenic.
Pros
- Provides full coverage
- Easily glides on the skin
- Long-lasting
- Dermatologically-tested
- Non-comedogenic
- Lightweight
Cons
- Leaves a cakey appearance
6. Best Lightweight Foundation: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation
The Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation is something that deserves a notable mention. It is lightweight and has an airy mousse texture that will keep your skin from feeling oily or greasy throughout the day. It blends in well with the skin and minimizes pores. It offers a flawless, shine-free, and natural finish.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Fragrance-free
- Leaves a matte finish
- Reduces the appearance of pores
- Available in 23 shades
Cons
- Leaves a thick, cakey look
- May not blend well with skin
7. Covergirl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation
The Covergirl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation is made of ultra-light absorbers and is gentle on the skin. This product is specially made for oily skin and gives supreme shine control. It does not dry the skin out. It is non-comedogenic and is suitable for sensitive skin.
Pros
- Provides full coverage
- Provides natural, dewy finish
- Non-comedogenic
- Suits sensitive skin
Cons
- Difficult to wash off
8. Best Acne-Fighting Formula: l.f. Acne-Fighting Foundation
A heavyweight, cakey formula often leads to skin bumps and acne breakouts. The e.l.f. Acne-Fighting Foundation is lightweight. It is infused with natural ingredients like salicylic acid, witch-hazel, camphor, tea tree extract, and soothing aloe vera that fight blemishes, reduce acne breakouts, and improve skin tone. The anti-inflammatory properties of the natural botanical extracts reduce acne redness, soreness, and clear your skin.
Pros
- Fights acne
- Long-lasting
- Natural ingredients
- PETA-certified and cruelty-free
- 100% vegan
- Improves uneven skin tone
Cons
- May leave an orangish tinge
- Unpleasant smell
9. Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation
The Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation is a high-performing, skin-perfecting formula that delivers a radiant-looking complexion. It is formulated with a matte, light-diffusing complex. It also helps prevent the white cast in photographs. It delivers buildable coverage without any cakey appearance.
Pros
- Made with a light-diffusing complex
- Prevents white cast in photographs
- Provides buildable coverage
- Cruelty-free
- Flawless finish before bright lights
Cons
- Unpleasant fragrance
- Consistency is too thin
[ Read – Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation Reviews ]
10. Best All-In-One Foundation: Milani Conceal+ Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation
If you want a multi-tasking formula with a dewy finish and high coverage, The Miliani Conceal+ Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation is the ideal beauty edition. It is a lightweight, oil-free formula that reduces dark undereye patches and unwanted redness. It blurs other skin imperfections with just a tap. It is a water-resistant concealer and foundation that gives you a bright, bold finish and retains your natural look. This smart formula serves all purposes and evenly blends with the skin tone to conceal and brighten your appearance. It provides a medium to full coverage and long-day makeup wear.
Pros
- Long-wearing
- Lightweight
- Water-resistant
- Glides easily on the skin
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
11. Best Travel-Friendly Foundation: Maybelline New York Fit Me Shine-Free+ Balance Foundation
If you are a frequent traveler, the Maybelline New York Fit Me Stick Foundation can be ideal for you. It easily fits into your purse for long-day wear. The lightweight pigments easily blend into your skin tone, leaving a fresh, natural look. It is oil-free and blurs the appearance of blemishes and skin redness. It also reduces pore size.
Pros
- Reduces acne breakouts
- Blends easily with the skin tone
- Travel-friendly
- Easy to apply
- Breathable coverage
Cons
- Sticky consistency
12. Best For High Coverage: Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation
The Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Foundation gives full coverage that mattifies the skin and blurs the signs of imperfections for up to 24 hours. It is ultra-lightweight and easily blends with the skin tone. It leaves an oil-free, shine-free matte finish. This foundation is a perfect illuminator for normal to oily skin types.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Provides high coverage
- Alcohol-free
- No added fragrances
- Gluten-free
Cons
- May dry the face out
13. Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Make-Up Foundation
The Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Make-Up Foundation is an oil-free formula that provides full coverage for any makeup application. It enhances skin tone and reduces skin imperfections for a matte, dewy finish. It glides smoothly on the skin for a natural look.
Pros
- Full-coverage formula
- Glides smoothly and evenly
- Available in different shades
Cons
- Not suitable for sensitive skin
14. NYX Professional Makeup Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation
The NYX Professional Makeup Foundation provides full-coverage with a mineral-enriched matte finish. It is a lightweight, water-based formula that blends easily with the skin complexion and leaves a gorgeous matte makeup finish. The buildable coverage evens the skin tone and blurs imperfections for a flawless look. It provides a matte finish with just a single tap, but never flats your look.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Water-based formula
- Blends smoothly
- Mattifies uneven skin tone
Cons
None
15. Best For All Skin Types: l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation
The e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation is an oil-free formula that provides a semi-matte finish. It is lightweight and glides smoothly over the skin, leaving a shine-free, gorgeous, plump look. The liquid formula helps restore uneven skin texture, reduces blemishes, and provides a brighter look. This is a perfect liquid foundation for all skin types.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Suitable for all skin types
- Lightweight
- Blends easily with the skin
- Provides semi-matte finish
Cons
- May clog pores
These are the 15 best drugstore foundations for oily skin. In the following section, we have discussed how you can apply a foundation to oily skin. Check it out.
How To Apply A Foundation To Oily Skin
- Before starting your makeup application, it is essential to clear excess oil, dirt, and impurities. Use a suitable cleanser and an exfoliant to cleanse your skin and buff away the dead skin cells.
- Apply an oil-free moisturizer to nourish the skin.
- Tap excess oil with a tissue paper.
- Ensure you use a primer before applying the foundation. It helps hold the makeup properly by creating a canvas.
- Apply the foundation to the forehead, cheeks, in between the brows, and smoothly blend with a makeup blender.
- After setting the foundation, tap some translucent powder to absorb the oil.
The following section discusses the factors you need to look for before purchasing a foundation for your oily skin.
Best Drugstore Foundations For Oily Skin – A Buying GuideÂ
- Check the label or instructions – your foundation should be oil-free to give a natural dewy finish.
- The foundation must offer long-lasting makeup wear. Foundations that are not specifically formulated for oily skin may fade away with the formation of excess sebum.
- The foundation should be able to provide medium to full coverage.
- Choose a foundation that suits your skin tone and budget.Â
Oily skin could be the cause for worry for some. It may lead to acne and breakouts. But this does not have to be the case anymore. With the right foundation, you can go about your day with a shine-free face and perfect makeup! Choose your favorite foundation from this list today.
Expert’s Answers for Readers Questions
Liquid foundation Vs. Powder foundation – which is good for oily skin?
A powder foundation has better oil-absorbing properties but may wear off quickly. A liquid foundation has staying power. You can use a mix of both for the best results. Apply a liquid foundation and follow by tapping translucent powder over it for long-day wear.
Are stick foundations good for oily skin?
Stick foundations are suitable for those who want extra coverage with no mess. They have a slightly drier consistency, and hence, are a perfect makeup tool for oily skin.
Can foundations cause pimples?
Picking the right type of foundation for your oily skin will not cause any pimples or acne breakouts. Choosing a foundation that does not suit your skin type or tone may lead to pimples.
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