Best Foundation Primers for Oily Skin of 2026
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Foundation primers are a must-have for anyone with oily skin. They act as a barrier between your skin and your makeup, preventing excess oil from breaking down your foundation throughout the day. Look for primers that are oil-free and specifically designed for oily skin. Some popular options include the Smashbox Photo Finish Oil-Free Foundation Primer, the Benefit POREfessional Pore Minimizing Primer, and the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mattifying Primer. These primers help to control shine, minimize the appearance of pores, and keep your makeup looking fresh for hours.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Foundation Primers for Oily Skin
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer is a pore minimizer and matte makeup base that preps your skin before applying makeup, leaving a smooth effect on your skin. It protects your makeup from oiliness and creasing, balances your complexion, and is weightless, non-greasy, and long-wearing. This paraben-free and cruelty-free primer is formulated for every skin type and is Leaping Bunny approved.
TOUCH IN SOL No Pore Blem Primer
Get seamless skin with TOUCH IN SOL No Pore Blem Primer. This foundation primer minimizes pores, smoothens skin texture, and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. With plant-based ingredients like Green Tea Tree extracts and Soluble Collagen, this primer hydrates and energizes your skin, giving it a healthy glow. It also regulates oil excretion, controls sebum production, and strengthens the moisture barrier. The lightweight, non-sticky, and chemical-free formula is perfect for any skin type. Use it before applying makeup for a velvety, flawless finish.
Lancôme La Base Pro Makeup Primer
Lancôme La Base Pro Makeup Primer is an oil-free primer that creates a smooth base for makeup application, absorbs quickly, and leaves skin feeling smooth and soft. The primer is based on Lancôme Elasto-Smooth Technology that refines skin's texture, diffuses light, visibly reduces imperfections, and creates a smooth base. Suitable for all skin types, it provides the desired "air brushed look" without the mess or the mechanics.
TOSOWOONG Cica Pore Primer
The TOSOWOONG Pore Primer is a lightweight face primer designed to improve your skin’s appearance while preparing it for makeup. Infused with Centella Asiatica, Niacinamide, and Pantothenic Acid, it soothes and nourishes your skin, making it feel comfortable and cared for. This primer smooths uneven texture and fine lines, giving you a flawless, airbrushed look. It also controls excess oil and shine by managing sebum, which helps keep your makeup in place for longer. Applying a thin layer before foundation ensures a smooth, poreless finish that lasts throughout the day.
Xiuxixu 3-in-1 Face Primer SPF 50
The Xiuxixu 3-in-1 Primer is designed to make your makeup routine easier and more effective. It works as a color corrector that balances your skin tone by blending three pigments, helping to hide imperfections. This primer also moisturizes your skin, keeping it comfortable and fresh without any sticky feeling. Its lightweight texture feels natural and is gentle enough for sensitive skin, making it a great choice for everyone. Plus, you can use it alone or under makeup to create a smooth, flawless look quickly and easily.
e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer
The e.l.f. Hydrating Face Primer is a lightweight, long-lasting, and creamy formula that hydrates, smooths, and fills in pores and fine lines, leaving a natural matte finish. Infused with Vitamin E and grape, Vitamins A, C, & E, it helps boost complexion and hydrate your skin, creating a flawless, smooth canvas ideal for long-lasting makeup application, perfect for acne-prone, combination, and oily skin. It's cruelty-free, vegan and made from skin-loving ingredients at a good-for-you price.
TWOMODE Oil Control Matte Primer 20ml
The TWOMODE Matte Face Primer is designed to give you a smooth, shine-free base that keeps your makeup looking fresh throughout the day. If you have oily or combination skin, this primer helps reduce the appearance of pores and controls excess oil for a natural matte look. It contains Dimethicone, which smooths your skin’s texture and fills in fine lines, so your foundation goes on flawlessly. Plus, it balances oil without drying out your skin, making sure you stay comfortable without any cakey residue. This primer is also vegan and cruelty-free, so you can feel good about your beauty choices.
No7 Airbrush Away Pore Minimizing Primer
No7 Airbrush Away Pore Minimizing Primer is a lightweight, oil-free formula that instantly blurs pores, reduces shine, and provides a flawless matte finish. It extends the wear of makeup up to 12 hours and is ideal for those looking for a mattified finish. In a consumer study, 81% agreed that the product instantly gives the appearance of pore-less skin.
Neutrogena Shine Control Matte Booster Face Primer & Serum
Neutrogena Shine Control Matte Booster Face Primer & Serum is a skin-mattifying serum-to-primer that can be used alone or before applying makeup. It is formulated with rice protein to absorb excess oil and keep the skin shine-free, fresh-looking and healthy. This two-in-one product provides versatile benefits that bridge the gap between skincare and makeup.
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Face Primer
Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Face Primer is a lightweight and breathable formula that blurs pores, controls shine, and provides a matte finish for up to 16 hours. It creates a smooth canvas for makeup application and enhances the look of makeup while extending its wear with instant shine control. The primer is perfect for normal to oily skin, and its pore-minimizing effect helps to minimize the look of imperfections for flawless, blurred skin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What kind of primer should I use for oily skin?
To start, Lo recommends that oily skin types opt for a mattifying primer, one that will help conceal shine, grease, and excess buildup before your makeup application.
2. Does face primer help oily skin?
This is especially true if you have oily skin and find that you develop shine throughout the day. When you apply a primer underneath your makeup, it can help combat excess oil and leave your skin with more of a matte finish before you even apply foundation.
During our foundation primer for oily skin research, we found 48 foundation primer for oily skin products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 363,855 customer reviews through our big data system to write the foundation primers for oily skin list. We found that most customers choose foundation primers for oily skin with an average price of $11.81.
The foundation primers for oily skin are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of foundation primers for oily skin, including Elizabeth Mott, Touch in Sol, TOSOWOONG, Xiuxixu, e.l.f.. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 309 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.
Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.