Let’s talk oily skin! If you’re anything like me—and I’m guessing most of us with oily skin—you know the struggle of getting your face snatched and then watching it turn into a shiny disco ball halfway through the day. Like, who asked for this?! It can feel like no matter how much setting powder or blotting sheets we have in our makeup bag, the oil still comes through for its unwanted cameo. But don’t worry—this post is going to save the day for you and your makeup!
We’re talking primers. That’s right: the secret weapon to keep your face from becoming an oil slick and help your makeup stay put from sunrise to sunset. If you’ve been skipping primer altogether…girl, let me tell you, THAT’S why you keep getting shiny. The right primer can be a game changer, especially if you’ve got that oily skin.
Let’s dive into some of the best primers out there that will easily become your ride-or-die if you’re constantly battling shine. Your T-zone is about to THANK YOU!
1. Benefit Cosmetics “The POREfessional” Mattifying Primer
OK: Raise your hand if you’ve heard of this one! 🙋♀️ It’s basically become a cult fave, and for good reason. Benefit really said, “We heard y’all with oily skin and huge pores, so here’s a solution.”
This primer specializes in minimizing the look of pores while also keeping your skin matte for hours. It’s lightweight, doesn’t feel like it’s weighing down on your face, and won’t leave you feeling greasy. Plus, the mattifying effect? PERFECTION. It’s like your pores disappear, and your face looks like you’ve got a built-in filter.
Why this works: It creates a smooth, pore-free base that locks in your foundation and stops oil dead in its tracks.
Seriously, this stuff will make your skin look flawless and help your makeup stay all day, without that midday greasy shine creeping in.
How to use: Apply a thin layer on your T-zone (or wherever you get oily) before your makeup. Be gentle!
2. Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer
Ahhh Smashbox! They’re honestly the GOAT when it comes to flawless base products, and this one does 🔥🔥🔥.
The Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Primer is specifically designed for oily and combination skin. It’s got witch hazel and salicylic acid, which helps control oil throughout the day but also means it’s kind of doing skincare while it’s working underneath your makeup. Double win, right?
Translation: You get a matte finish *and* deal with breakouts at the same time. It’s like a two-in-one spa treatment for your face!
The texture of this one is gel-like and glides onto the skin super smoothly. You’ll feel like a pro makeup artist just by applying it—promise.
How to use: Apply anywhere you see shine, and wait 30 seconds for it to work its magic before going in with your makeup.
3. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer
Rihanna never disappoints—just like her foundation, this primer is chef’s kiss for oily skin. We all know when Riri does something, it has to be FIRE!
If you’re using Fenty’s Pro Filt’r foundation, then girl, this is the primer that’s going to help you really snatch the whole look. The Pro Filt’r Mattifying Primer helps blur imperfections, reduce shine, and keep your skin looking flawless all day. Did I mention the packaging is cute, too? You’re for sure going to enjoy pulling it from your makeup bag.
Bonus tip: It’s not just for Fenty fans! You can pair this primer with any foundation, and it’ll still come through with glowing (or, y’know, in this case, *NOT glowing*) results.
How to use: Smooth it on over your whole face or specific oily areas, then wait for it to set before applying your foundation.
4. Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
OK, full disclosure: if you’re dealing with oily skin but also lowkey love a dewy finish, the Hydro Grip Primer might be your new BFF. A lot of you are probably thinking, wait, why are we talking dewy finish in an oily skin primer post?! Stay with me!
While it’s technically meant for all skin types—yup, including us oily-skin babes—it’s genius at controlling oil without making you look too matte or powdery. It grips your makeup like crazy, keeping it from sliding off your face. You get that “oh-she’s-having-a-good-skin-day” glow, not that “her-skin-is-way-too-oily” shine. See the difference here?
How to use: Apply a pea-size amount of Hydro Grip all over your face, then let it dry until it gets a tiny bit tacky (that’s when the makeup grip starts to work!). FOLLOW with your foundation, and you’ll slay.
5. Rimmel Stay Matte Primer
OK, I KNOW drugstore makeup deserves more credit! So, if you’re balling on a budget (aren’t we all right now 🌎💵), Rimmel’s Stay Matte Primer might be the absolute steal you’re looking for. Sometimes, less expensive products can come through in ways you’d never expect.
This one not only keeps the skin matte (check!) but can also double up as a pore filler (double-check!). It feels lightweight and won’t make you feel like you have a million layers on your face, which is a big deal for oily skin gals because we already know how greasy things can feel when products pile up.
How to use: Apply a small amount to your oily areas; a little goes a long way!
6. Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector
Next level! The Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is literally a superhero for oily skin. RIP to Becca ( 💔 ), but her products are still going strong, and you can still find this primer online—THANKFULLY!
It has an effect that’s more matte than any of the other primers on this list. And here’s the kicker—it keeps shine away for up to 12 HOURS. 12. Hours. It also tightens your pores, which makes your makeup last longer and look smoother overall. (Not bad for a near-invisible product, huh?)
How to use: After moisturizing, pat—not rub—this product all over the oiliest parts of your face, then let it fully absorb before applying the rest of your makeup.
7. Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Face Primer
I know you might be thinking, is this really good for oily skin? The name makes it sound super hydrating, but don’t judge too fast! Sometimes what your oily skin actually needs is hydration so that it stops producing excess oil. Wild, right?
This primer has coconut water and probiotics, so it’s like you’re treating your skin while preventing it from getting too oily—a total skincare and makeup move all in one. It’s comforting, refreshing, and sits really light under makeup. Your skin will feel quenched but NOT greasy!
It’s like you’re tricking your skin into thinking, “I’m not thirsty, so I don’t need to pump out any more oil.” Genius, right?
How to use: Apply a light layer all over your face for a smooth, hydrated look.
8. NYX Professional Makeup Shine Killer Primer
NYX LEGIT never misses—affordable, effective, and reliable. The Shine Killer Primer is PERFECTLY named because it does exactly that: murders the shine so that your oily areas are contained.
This primer is so good that you’ll feel like you’re bossing around your skin: “Oh, you’re trying to shine? Sweetie, not today!” Your makeup lasts and stays intact for HOURS, and you can always pair it with a setting spray to completely lock it into place.
How to use: Apply directly on your shiny zones (hi again, T-zone!) for matte, long-lasting perfection.
Tips to Make Your Primer Work Harder!
Alright, so now that you’ve got the holy grail primers for oily skin, let’s make sure you’re using them RIGHT because, yes, there is a right way 🙃:
- Always start with a clean face: Your primer can’t do its best work if you’re layering it over leftover oil or product from the night before. Fresh skin is where it’s at!
- Moisturize first: I know it sounds weird—like, won’t putting moisturizing products on oily skin make things worse? Nah fam, oily skin is often a sign that your face is overcompensating for being dry in the first place.
- Apply your primer based on needs: You don’t have to slather primer all over your face! If you just get oily spots (like the forehead, nose, or chin), just apply primer there.
- Let your primer sit: Give it like a minute to actually set on your skin before you start putting foundation on. This step is KEY to making sure that soaking-in process happens.
And BTW, don’t touch your face! Like at all. Ever!! 😆 The oil from your fingers doesn’t help.
So go out there and finally stop shining like a disco ball (unless you want to 🪩). Whether you’re looking for something high-end, mid-range, or affordable, primers can honestly make all the difference for oily skin. Happy priming, and may your face stay matte all day long! 😘
