If you have oily skin, you’re likely familiar with the struggle of dealing with a shiny T-zone. Many of us have tried everything from strong cleansers to blotting papers to manage it. When it comes to makeup, it can easily slide off in humid conditions, which is why using primers designed for oily skin can be a real lifesaver for those with greasier complexions.
In essence, a primer is just what it sounds like: a base product applied after your skincare routine to create a smooth surface for makeup. It helps keep your foundation, tinted moisturizer, or concealer in place. The best primers for oily skin not only control shine but also minimise the look of fine lines and enlarged pores.
What To Look For in Primers for Oily Skin
While you’re browsing, you’ll want to keep an eye out for silicone derivatives when it comes to primers for oily skin. Silicone creates a smooth, velvety texture that glides on evenly and leaves your face feeling soft.
It also smooths over enlarged pores and uneven texture, while providing a blurred, filtered effect to create a poreless canvas. On top of that, silicone has a mattifying effect, which is why silicone-based primers are particularly good for oily skin. It’s easy to spot silicone derivatives in the ingredients list. They usually have names that end with “-cone”, such as dimethicone, trimethicone, or cyclomethicone.
What you want to avoid are primers that contain denatured alcohol or heavy oils. Alcohol can dry out the skin and trigger sensitivities, while heavier oils can clog pores and add extra shine.
How To Use Primers for Oily Skin
When it comes to using primers for oily skin, one of the main missteps people make is applying makeup on right after priming. Instead, wait a full minute or more to allow the primer to settle completely – this will help to curb pilling or enhance patchiness.
Another thing to note is that when you use a silicone-based primer, you should pair it with a silicone-based foundation. If you try to use a water-based foundation on top of a silicone primer, your foundation may become grainy and it won’t spread well or last very long on your skin.
Now, we know that the search for an ideal primer for oily skin can be a daunting one with a multitude of options out there. To lend you a hand, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best primers for oily skin for your consideration.
Budget-friendly Primers for Oily Skin
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer
The Ordinary’s cult-status High-Adherence Silicone Primer has garnered plenty of praises for keeping makeup in place for hours on end. It hydrates your complexion while mattifying it with adaptive silicones, so that excess shine and fade aren’t an issue by lunchtime. The primer also blurs the appearance of pores and fine lines for a smooth yet lightweight finish.
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer retails for RM45 (30ml) at Sephora.
Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer
This may be one of the most affordable primers for oily skin on our list, but it still delivers in the oil control department. Apart from keeping shine at bay, Innisfree’s No-Sebum Blur Primer also evens out bumpy texture and reduces the appearance of pores. Packed with Jeju green persimmon extract and Jeju green complex, this primer provides additional skincare benefits too.
Innisfree No-Sebum Blur Primer retails for RM53 at Innisfree.
Cezanne Make Keep Base PinkBeige Popular!
This sebum-absorbing formula keeps oil and shine at bay so makeup can remain intact for a longer time. It is popular because of its non-sticky formula and velvety-smooth finish.
Those with oily skin will appreciate that it makes pores less obvious and covers rough skin texture so makeup applies more smoothly. Its pink-beige shade also helps deliver a natural-looking glow to the skin.
Cezanne Make Keep Base PinkBeige retails for RM49.90 at Watsons.
Best Primers for Oily Skin Above RM50
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer
The best way to prevent a makeup meltdown is with Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer. Thanks to the mattifying blue agave extract in the formula, it provides all-day sebum control, so your makeup looks just as good at 9pm as it did at 9am.
You don’t have to apply this primer all over your face if you prefer not to. It works brilliantly for targeted shine control, so you can apply it on your forehead, nose, and chin for a glowy look.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer retails for RM189 (32ml) at Sephora.
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer Best luxury option!
Hourglass’ Veil Mineral Primer doesn’t just stand up to oily complexions, but it also protects against environmental elements too. Its durable formula is oil-free and great at concealing redness as it smooths out the appearance of fine lines and pores.
It also provides broad-spectrum SPF15 that uses a combination of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, but of course, you’ll still need to apply your regular sunscreen under the primer. This is one of the most expensive primers for oily skin on our list, so get the travel size first to see if the formula agrees with your skin before investing in the standard or jumbo size.
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer retails for RM130 (travel size, 10ml), RM315 (standard size, 30ml), and RM410 (jumbo size, 60ml) at Sephora.
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer
Like a bottled Instagram filter, Benefit Cosmetics’ The POREfessional Face Primer is the ultimate shortcut to a flawless complexion. Simply warm up the oil-free formula in your hands and smooth it over your skin before makeup. It doesn’t just keep your makeup in place all day – one reviewer said it lasted through her evening run too. Impressive, right?
Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer retails for RM79 (sample size, 7.5ml), RM181 (travel size, 22ml), and RM300 (standard size, 44ml) at Sephora.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer Silicone-free!
Not a huge fan of skincare and makeup products that contain silicone? Go with Laura Mercier’s Pure Canvas Blurring Primer. The water-based formula is made without silicones, but still mattifies skin, reduces the appearance of pores, and smooths out uneven texture. That’s all thanks to its blurring powders and conditioning microalgae.
This oil-free primer is lightweight too, so it won’t feel heavy or cause your makeup to pill. Best of all, it sops up excess oil to keep your makeup looking extra fresh throughout the day.
Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer retails for RM220 (30ml) and RM119 (15ml) at Sephora.
Supergoop Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40
Supergoop’s Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40 is truly the ultimate multitasker. It may have been formulated as a sunscreen, but this do-all instantly blurs the appearance of large pores, uneven texture, and fine lines to create a soft-focus, matte finish. Worn alone or under makeup, this silky formula has a universally wearable tint that’s perfect for all skin tones.
Rub a nickel-size amount over your entire face to keep excess grease at bay, protect your skin with zinc-based SPF 40, and even out redness and discolouration. This is certainly one of the best primers for oily skin you’ll be able to find in the market.
Supergoop Mineral Mattescreen Sunscreen SPF 40 retails for RM118 (travel size, 20ml) and RM195 (standard size, 45ml) at Sephora.
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Face Primer
The best primers for oily skin keep you from turning into an oil-slicked creature; this particular one from Tatcha does that and also shields your face from the harmful effects of pollution and blue light. It’s all thanks to a combination of silk extract and antioxidant-rich green tea extract.
The Liquid Silk Canvas Face Primer instantly diminishes the look of pores, fine lines, and imperfections for a smooth canvas before makeup. Ultra-fine silk powders will make your makeup glide on more evenly and last longer with its water resistant formula.
Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Face Primer retails for RM305 (30ml) at Sephora.
Featured image from @dyah.kms, @rebeczema, @aimee.lyanne on TikTok.
