We Spent a Month Testing Primers for Oily Skin—These 10 Were the Best at Minimizing Shine and Helping Makeup Stay Put (2024)

Table of Contents
Best Overall Grown Alchemist Skin Defense Primer Best Budget NYX Professional Makeup Marshmellow Smoothing Primer Best Natural Finish Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Matte Primer Best Lightweight exa Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer Best Radiant Finish HUDA BEAUTY Easy Blur Silicone-Free Smoothing & Pore-Minimizing Primer Best for Skin Health Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Smoothing Primer Best Stick Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Non-Comedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick Best for Combination Skin Prada Refine Blurring Extending Primer Best Matte REFY Blur and Hydrate Oil-Control Face Primer Best Long-Lasting Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Primer Our Testing Process What to Keep in Mind Your Questions, Answered What causes oily skin? Is silicone- or water-based primer better for oily skin? When do you apply primer? Why Shop With Us

Nothing thwarts makeup’s longevity like oily skin. And there’s nothing more frustrating than spending precious time contouring your cheeks and perfecting your complexion to have everything sliding off your face hours (or minutes!) later.That’s the beauty of a good primer, a must for anyone who wants to boost their makeup’s staying power—especially if you have oily skin. They create a barrier between the skin and makeup, preventing skin oils from breaking down the makeup, says Shereene Idriss, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Idriss Dermatology in New York City. Not to mention that many go beyond that call of duty and include ingredients that can help keep skin clear, offer sun protection, moisturize, and even help to balance oil production over time.

To determine exactly which primers for oily skin really deliver on their promises, we spent one month testing 46 options. Our testers (all of whom had oily and/or combination skin) used them as part of their makeup routine, evaluating application, feel, finish, and performance.

We Spent a Month Testing Primers for Oily Skin—These 10 Were the Best at Minimizing Shine and Helping Makeup Stay Put (1)

Our Top Picks

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Why We Love It: This delivers the ideal amount of matte and oil absorption without ever leaving skin starting to feel dry or uncomfortable. Rather, our tester with combination skin noted that it struck the perfect balance, tamping down unwanted shine while still leaving skin looking glowy. It also excelled when it came to makeup purposes, ensuring that foundation and concealer went on super smoothly on top and increasing longevity, too.

Who It’s For: Given this winner’s ability to effectively straddle the line between hydrating and mattifying, it’s great for anyone whose skin skews more toward combination. It bears mentioning that the silicone-free formula (which is also packed with ingredients to bolster the skin barrier) is a nice choice for those with sensitive skin too; our tester noted no irritation while using.

Key Ingredients: Reishi mushroom, ashwagandha, peptides | Contains Silicone: No | Texture: Gel | Size: 1.6 oz

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  • We Spent a Month Testing Primers for Oily Skin—These 10 Were the Best at Minimizing Shine and Helping Makeup Stay Put (10)

Alexa, tester with combination skin: “This kept my face very matte but still hydrated, giving it a nice glow without drying out my face. And it definitely made my makeup last longer. After a full day of work and school work, it still looked pretty decent after 12-14 hours.”

Why We Love It: Oil control, better staying power, and a subtle blurring effect, all for less than $20? Yes, please. That’s exactly what you get with this budget-friendly winner. Other pros include the whipped texture (which our testers confirms can indeed be likened to marshmallow fluff) and the satin-like finish. It helps hydrate as well. In other words, there’s really not much that it can’t do.

Who It’s For: Budget shoppers, listen up—this one’s for you. Given how many benefits this offers, you get even more bang for your buck. (Marshmallow lovers will also appreciate that it smells exactly like the namesake ingredient.) All that being said, while this did work to help absorb oil, our tester found that it wasn’t quite as efficient in that department as some other primers; this would be best for someone who has combination or just somewhat oily skin.

Key Ingredients: Marshmallow root extract | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Whipped | Size: 1.01 oz

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Alison, tester with combination skin: “This creamy, lightweight primer instantly provides a satin-like finish. My skin looked smooth and even, and layering makeup over it was nearly effortless. It subtly softened my pores and fine lines, too.”

Why We Love It: This brand may be best known for their brow offerings, but this primer is another fan favorite; one is sold every seven seconds. After testing it, we understand why. It somehow manages to mattify skin, without looking in the least bit chalky. Rather, it left our tester’s complexion smoother and perfected (she especially loved how it minimized the look of prominent pores). It helps prolong the wear of foundation, too, and blends beautifully into skin. Another attribute: Thanks to niacinamide and rose hip extract in the formula, this delivers not only the instant benefits we mentioned, but similar long term ones, too.

Who It’s For: Consider this if you have oily skin, but don’t want to look super matte. It’s also perfect for anyone looking to blur away the look of big pores or other textural imperfections. FYI, we did find that it works best under foundation, and when used under tinted sunscreen, it did separate a bit. So save this for days when you know you will be wearing foundation.

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, rose hip extract, mineral powder | Contains Silicone:Yes | Texture: Creamy | Size: 0.75 oz

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Elena, tester with combination/sensitive/acne-prone skin: “One of the amazing things about this primer is that it controlled my oiliness without making me look too matte! Matte products tend to make me look chalky and accentuate my pores but this found the perfect balance.”

Why We Love It: We get it: The idea of adding another layer of product can be somewhat off-putting; it's just more stuff that sits on top of your skin, especially if you have an oily complexion. That’s certainly not the case with this featherweight formula, which earned raves for how beautifully it absorbed into skin. With hydrating glycerin plus oil-absorbing niacinamide, it helps control oil while still offering just the right amount of hydration. Our tester, whose skin is oily, sensitive, and acne-prone, also lauded it for not causing any irritation or breakouts. And yes, it ups the staying power of makeup, too.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants to feel like they aren’t wearing a ton of makeup will appreciate how undetectable this is. And fans of multitasking products will appreciate there’s several different ways you can use it. Apply it on its own, under or mixed into foundation, or, wait for it, even on top of makeup in lieu of a setting powder.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, silica, niacinamide | Contains Silicone: No | Texture: Gel | Size: 1 oz

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Chrissy, tester with oily, sensitive, acne-prone skin: “The primer absorbs really well into the skin and feels lightweight. It did a really great job of controlling oil. I didn’t feel like I had to touchup my face at all during the work day.”

Why We Love It: Yes, a radiant finish in a primer meant for oily skin may seem somewhat oxymoronic, but hear us out. This one manages to check both boxes. It absorbs oil beautifully (our tester never had to blot her skin nor touchup her makeup while wearing it) but still offers a beautifully subtle radiance that ensures your complexion looks natural. We also appreciated that a little goes a long way, gliding onto skin and blending in beautifully, then drying in minutes.

Who It’s For: Here’s another top contender for those who don’t want their skin to appear matte. Blurring polymers minimize the look of imperfections, and this is also a good choice for anyone looking for a silicone-free option. Our tester noted she was thoroughly impressed with how well this worked, especially in comparison to silicone-based counterparts.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, milk thistle extract, blurring polymers | Contains Silicone: No | Texture: Jelly | Size: 1.01 oz

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Joanna, tester with oily/combination skin: “I really loved that while it did help with oil control, my skin still looked like skin and had a natural radiance instead of being super flat and matte.”

Why We Love It: The ingredient list of this primer reads more like that of a serum. Hydrating glycerin and hyaluronic acid, nourishing niacinamide, tons of antioxidants—you get the picture. Point being, it’s doing good things for the state of your skin, while offering the cosmetic benefits you’d expect for a primer. It helped tamp down shine and oil for our tester (particularly on her nose), and made skin appear more matte upon application. Don’t be put off by the blue tint in the jar; it disappears as you rub it in.

Who It’s For: If you want your primer to go above and beyond its intended duties, this pick is it. The whipped texture also feels pleasantly cooling and soothing going on, nice for those with more irritated skin. And while it does help with excess oil, our tester found that it wasn’t necessarily the best at upping makeup longevity; if that’s your primary concern, you may be better off choosing another winner from this list.

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture:Whipped | Size: 1 oz

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  • We Spent a Month Testing Primers for Oily Skin—These 10 Were the Best at Minimizing Shine and Helping Makeup Stay Put (57)

Annie, tester with oily/combination skin: “This product is definitely the best primer I’ve tried so far. I’d recommend it to someone looking for a product to minimize their oiliness and provide other benefits.”

Why We Love It: In true ‘stick product’ fashion, one of our favorite things about this was the portability factor and ease of application. Swipe it all over as a traditional primer, or, dab it onto fingertips and press them over makeup to use as a touch-up product. Either way, it relies on lentil extract and charcoal to tamp down excess oil; our tester specifically called out how effective it was at mattifying her combination skin. It stood out when it came to makeup longevity, too, increasing her typical wear time by several hours.

Who It’s For: If you’re looking for a primer that’s easy to keep on-hand at all times, this is the one for you. It’s another silicone-free winner and a top pick for anyone who has both oily skin and is prone to breakouts. That’s because it’s entirely non-comedogenic, and also boasts blemish-busting tea tree oil.

Key Ingredients: Lentil extract, charcoal, niacinamide, tea tree oil | Contains Silicone: No| Texture: Cream stick | Size: 0.44 oz

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Alexa, tester with combination skin: “This stick form is so easy to bring on the go. It’s definitely very mattifying and smoothing and made my makeup both easier to blend and last longer.”

Why We Love It: Yes, Prada makes primer—and a great one at that. With oil-dissolving salicylic acid in the mix, it helps to ward off unwanted shine and mattify, though it still feels hydrating rather than drying. It was a balancing act our tester with combination and acne-prone skin greatly appreciated. She also noted that you only need to use a little bit because it applies and blends in so nicely and that it creates a nice base for makeup.

Who It’s For: Because of how well this both absorbs oil and hydrates, it’s a perfect pick for those with combination complexions who constantly need to find the best of both worlds from their products. (The salicylic acid in the mix means it’s great for people prone to pimples, too.) And while it does work as a great prep step, it’s worth noting that, in our experience, it didn’t increase the longevity of our makeup in any noteworthy way.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Gel | Size: 1 oz

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Kristin, tester with combination/acne-prone skin skin: “The primer controlled oil pretty well and kept me matte throughout the day. It did its job well on all parts of my skin and gave me a hydrated feeling.”

Why We Love It: To be fair, a lot of these winners are matte. (We are talking about primers for oily skin, after all.) However, this is a real standout in that category. Our tester underscored the fact that this offers a full-on matte finish, knocking out all traces of shine. At the same time, it helps makeup go on silky smooth. And one of the most unique attributes? A metal rollerball applicator, that both helps distribute the product evenly and gives you a little depuffing face massage in the process. Sign us up.

Who It’s For: Fans of matte, matte skin should try this. Still, despite how much it zaps oil, it still feels comfortable on skin and isn’t overly heavy. And the rollerball tip is a nice little bonus for anyone who wants to get a little de-puffing boost during makeup application.

Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, shea butter, pullulan | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Gel-to-cream | Size: 1.4 oz

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Ciara, tester with combination skin: “This primer did a great job at controlling oil throughout the day, and it makes your skin appear matte.”

Why We Love It: Set it and forget it—that’s exactly what you get with this option. Our tester was particularly thrilled with how long it lasted, specifically how long it kept unwanted shine and oil away. Despite its mattifying benefits, it still has a natural, skin-like finish and is great at blurring away and camouflaging imperfections (thanks to the silk powder in the mix).

Who It’s For: If you want to feel confident that the effects of your primer will last all day, choose this one. And it’s not only those oil-zapping benefits; it also helps prolong makeup wear time as well. In related news, we also found that it works equally well when paired with either water- or silicone-based products over it without any pilling, which isn’t always the case for primers.

Key Ingredients: Silk powder, silk extracts | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Liquid | Size: 0.35, 1 oz

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Kristin, tester with combination/acne-prone skin:“The primer kept my oiliness at bay throughout the day, and I didn't need to fix anything, whether by blotting or reapplying makeup. I found I got a full day of coverage out of it—more than most primers.”

Our Testing Process

We put 46 primers for oily skin to the test, using them for four weeks. Our testers—all of whom had oily or combination skin—used the products as directed, at least twice per week. They then weighed in on application, noting how easily it went on and blended in; feel, texture, and comfort; finish and how it changed the look of their skin; and performance, specifying how well the product controlled oil and if it helped makeup last longer. We took all of this input and feedback into consideration to come up with this list of these 10 winners.

What to Keep in Mind

  • Ingredients: Step one is to seek out formulas that contain oil-fighting ingredients; common ones include silica, kaolin clay, or charcoal. Or, you can look for ingredients that help to balance out your skin’s oil production, like niacinamide. If your skin is both oily and congested, Dr. Idriss suggests trying a primer with salicylic acid. This way, you can treat blemishes and at the same time, allow the long-term benefits to take effect to cut down on the oil your skin produces. And if your complexion is super sensitive or more on the combination side, it can be good to look for hydrating options such as hyaluronic acid and/or glycerin.
  • SPF: Some primers offer SPF coverage, or you could opt for a sunscreen that doubles as a primer; both are good ways to help streamline your routine. The big caveat: Make sure that the formula has at least the dermatologist-recommended SPF 30, otherwise you’ll still need to wear a separate sunscreen.
  • Finish: Matte finishes are the default for oily skin. But matte doesn’t have to equal flat or chalky. Many of the mattifying primers today actually have more of a satin-like texture, so that your skin still looks, like, well skin. Others have a blurring effect that makes for a softer, more diffuse matte finish. And don’t fear hydration: The addition of hydrating ingredients (hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide) are important for keeping your skin balanced so it doesn't inadvertently end up producing more oil—and can impart a subtly dewy finish as well.

Your Questions, Answered

What causes oily skin?

“Oily skin is caused by an overproduction of sebum, which is natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin,” says Dr. Idriss. It’s not a dirty word by any means; everyone needs at least some amount of sebum to keep their skin moisturized and protected, she adds.Remember, a moisture-less, disrupted skin barrier leads to a trove of unpleasant side effects, like breakouts, inflammation, and dehydration. Of course, too much of it isn’t great either, leading to shiny T-zones or even worse, dull-looking makeup that's quick to pill or straight-up slide off. Which is where that primer for oily skin can come in super handy.

Is silicone- or water-based primer better for oily skin?

Ultimately, there is no hard and fast answer. It really comes down to personal preference and your individual skin. According to Dr. Idriss, silicone-based primers are more effective when it comes to controlling oil and shine throughout the day. They rely on ingredients like dimethicone, which is able to leave a smooth, silky texture on skin, while helping to fill in fine lines and large pores. The drawback? “Silicone-based primers have been known to pill if you’re applying it incorrectly or layering too many products,” she points out. (You can help counteract this by ensuring that the formula of your foundation matches that of your primer, i.e. both having silicone or not.)

On the flip side, water-based primers typically feel lighter than their silicone counterparts, says Dr. Idriss. “They tend to absorb quickly into the skin and may provide a more natural, weightless finish, whereas silicone primers blur imperfections and create a soft focus effect,” she explains.

When do you apply primer?

Skin care comes first, then makeup—and primer straddles the line, the in-between step. “Primers are your base for makeup, so this should be the last step of your skin care routine even after sunscreen in some cases,” says Dr. Idriss. Also worth noting: It’s usually a good move to wait a minute or two and let the primer dry fully before putting anything on top. It’s another good way to help avoid flaky, pilling makeup.

Why Shop With Us

Melanie Rud is a beauty writer and editor with 15 years of experience in the industry. Her skin skews towards the combination side of things, so she often uses a primer for oily skin, particularly in her T-zone. She spoke with the below expert to help inform this article.

  • Dr. Shereene Idriss, M.D., is a board-certified dermatologist, founder of Idriss Dermatology, and creator of the #PillowtalkDerm series on Instagram.
We Spent a Month Testing Primers for Oily Skin—These 10 Were the Best at Minimizing Shine and Helping Makeup Stay Put (2024)
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