You spend an hour in the AM setting your makeup right, yet the base starts melting and creasing by the PM. The soaring temperatures and the resulting sweat doesn’t do your makeup any favour either. Sounds familiar? If you’ve oily skin, you would definitely go aye. We get it – It would be like a dream come true to stumble upon a face-saving foundation that doesn’t get overwhelmed by the greasy zones and refuses to budge.
Luckily, we are here to help you find the foundations you would definitely want to spend the foreseeable future with.
Best Foundation For Oily Skin
Here’s a lowdown on the best foundations for oily skin that will neither ghost on you nor leave your face greasy.
1. Full Coverage Foundation For Oily Skin: L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation
If you wish you could hire a makeup artist every day without breaking the bank, we’ve got you some good news. The undetectable full-coverage formula of L'Oreal Paris Infallible 24H Fresh Wear Foundation promises to glam you up even with a light-handed application. It buffs neatly into the skin and can withstand the sweatiest days thanks to its transfer-proof, waterproof and sweat-proof formula.
2. Powder Foundation For Oily Skin: Maybelline New York Fit Me Ultimate Powder Foundation
If you are seeking a wallet-friendly foundation that can blur pores and deliver a flawless, shine-free finish, the Maybelline New York Fit Me Ultimate Powder Foundation makes the cut. This lightweight formula features ultra-smooth refined micro velvet powder which simply sinks into the skin without turning into a cakey finish. The inclusion of SPF 32 PA+++ is a cherry on the cake.
3. Stick Foundation For Oily Skin: SERY Fix 'N' Click Foundation Stick
What if your foundation worked behind the scenes to buff away dead skin cells and improve your complexion with every use? Meet SERY Fix 'N' Click Foundation Stick. Enriched with White Clay which acts as a mild exfoliant and Red Raspberries which enhance skin texture and offer UV protection, this one clearly gives more than you ask for. Plus, the creamy yet weightless texture just glides on smoothly to give you the most natural-looking finish.
4. Matte Foundation For Oily Skin: Nykaa SkinShield Anti-Pollution Matte Foundation
Since exposure to pollution is inevitable, it would help to pat on a foundation with an anti-pollution guard. Nykaa SkinShield Anti-Pollution Matte Foundation with its triple active action shields skin against micro pollutants and dust while mattifying complexion. Plus, Glycerine boosts hydration levels to keep skin from appearing dull while Enantia Chlorantha Bark extracts shrink pores and control oil levels. You can choose from over 15 shades specially curated for Indian skin tones.
5. Liquid Foundation For Oily Skin: Nykaa SKINgenius Sculpting & Hydrating Foundation
The quest for the right foundation has always been tricky because it’s difficult to find the right match for every skin tone. Fast forward to Nykaa SKINgenius Sculpting & Hydrating Foundation. Its unique colour-adapting technology allows you to get a perfect match for your skin tone. Enriched with Polylift technology and Hyaluronic Acid, this foundation not only sculpts and lifts your skin but also imparts oodles of hydration to it. Ironical as it might sound, its lightweight, runny formula stays put on your skin to give good coverage that lasts all day.
6. Waterproof Foundation For Oily Skin: Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation
There’s nothing worse than watching your makeup base fade with a splash of water. Max Factor Face Finity All Day Flawless 3-in-1 Foundation, formulated to brave the rain and all things water offers a soft-focus, ultra-lightweight matte finish. Featuring exclusive Flexi-hold technology, it sinks into the skin to create a flawless base. Apart from staying put for long hours, its oil-free formula won’t make your skin look shiny. What’s not to love?
7. Oil-Free Foundation For Oily Skin: Blue Heaven Hyper Matte Foundation
Give your oily skin a serious dose of coverage sans any more oil. Blue Heaven Hyper Matte Foundation contains especially ground pigments to deliver high coverage and a flawless velvety matte finish that lasts all day long. This lightweight formula blends beautifully while also controlling sebum production thus, keeping oil levels in check. Need we say more?
8. Dermatologically Tested Foundation For Oily Skin: Faces Canada Mini Weightless Matte Finish Foundation
If you are not easily impressed by the scores of foundations unless you see the reassuring words ‘dermatologically tested’, we’ve got just the one for you. Enter: Faces Canada Mini Weightless Matte Finish Foundation. Replete with the goodness of Grape Extract, Shea Butter And Olive Seed Oil, this cruelty-free and non-comedogenic formula delivers a natural matte finish. Plus, you can conveniently toss this guy into your tote bag to prep for last-minute parties post-work!
Tips For Choosing And Applying Foundation For Oily Skin
- Know your skin tone (light, medium, deep) and skin undertone (cool, neutral, warm) before you choose the foundation shade. There should ideally be no difference between your skin colour and the foundation shade. For a quick trial, dab a short line of the foundation on your jawline and leave it on for a few minutes to observe how it looks on your skin. Avoid testing the color on your wrist as it might give you inaccurate results.
- Your skin type plays an important role in deciding which formulation you should opt for. For example, if you’ve oily skin, look for an oil-free, matte finish formula and if you’ve dry skin look for a creamy, dewy finish formula.
- Invest in a foundation brush and makeup sponge if you want the product to blend seamlessly without the formation of patches or creases.
- We get it – it always seems like you could do with a wee bit more of the magical foundation. However, refrain from dabbing on more as it will keep you from achieving a natural finish. After all, cakey finishes can make your face look overdone and who wants that?
- Powdering can feel satisfying especially on oily skin. However, don’t overdo the compact powder on your foundation as it will trigger your skin to produce more oil. Instead, stick to matte-finish foundations with long-staying power. Another pro-tip? Use the setting spray before you apply the foundation. This will help with two things: Make the foundation stick around for longer and eliminate the excess oils.
- Don’t let the oily T-zone ruin your makeup. Keep blotting papers in handy to simply press onto the greasy zones during the day. This will help nix midday shine and allow your makeup base to last longer.For a deep dive into your skin type and it’s profound impact on your emotional well-being, click here.
- If you are a primer girl, great! If you still haven’t experienced the wonders of the primer, do it right away. Think of the primer as a skin prep that minimises the appearance of pores and makes the foundation stay put even past your 9-to-5.
- Always work the foundation in light layers before building the coverage. This will help you understand if you’ve achieved the right finish before you go overboard and slather on more than your face can handle. What better than having a few foundation hacks up your sleeve?
Nykaa Recommends: Colorbar Picture Perfect Foundation Brush, Nykaa Prep Me Up! Face Primer
FAQs on Foundation For Oily Skin
1. Which foundation is good for oily skin?
Always look for oil-free foundations for oily skin. Apart from that, consider non-comedogenic formulas that won’t clog pores with dirt or excess oil, breathable coverage that will feel lightweight on the skin, and shine-controlling formula with a matte finish that doesn’t fade.
Nykaa Recommends: NYX Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Full Coverage Foundation, Lakme Absolute Skin Natural Mousse
2. Is foundation bad for acne on oily skin?
Not really. The trick is to avoid formulas that can trigger breakouts. If you’ve acne-prone oily skin, choose formulas that are dermatologically tested, oil-free, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic. Also, avoid layering your face with too much foundation. Look for foundations with breathable coverage so the product feels light, almost like second skin.
As per a study published by The National Center for Biotechnology Information, clinically tested cosmetics that are moisturising and suited for oily skin can be beneficial in curbing excess sebum, reducing inflammation, and soothing irritation.
3. What is the best way to apply foundation for oily skin?
- Start with a clean base. You can achieve that by cleansing your face with a mild face wash.
- Apply primer on your face to prep it for the foundation.
- Now, apply your favourite foundation and blend it with the help of a foundation brush. Ensure you dab a few dots of the product and don’t apply excess.
- Finish with a hydrating setting spray.
