Best Foundation Primers for Oily Skin of 2025

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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.
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.
Revlon ColorStay Grip Primer
Revlon ColorStay Grip Primer is a foundation primer that mattifies makeup, absorbs excess oil, reduces the appearance of pores, and blurs imperfections for up to 16 hours. It contains a superfood detox blend of powerful antioxidants, including citrus, aloe, and broccoli, to neutralize pollutants and free radicals. The primer also shields skin against daily aggressors such as blue light, environmental stress, and pollution. Suitable for all skin types, this non-greasy, non-tacky, and non-drying primer is free from added parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil.
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.
Smashbox Photo Finish Control Primer
The Smashbox Control Primer is designed to help manage excess oil, keeping your skin looking matte without the dryness that often accompanies oil control products. It provides a protective barrier against environmental stressors like pollution and blue light, ensuring your skin remains healthy. Additionally, this primer is non-acnegenic, meaning it won't clog your pores or trigger breakouts. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking to achieve a flawless finish while maintaining skin health and comfort.
FV Matte Face Primer for Oily Skin
The FV Oily Skin Primer is designed to meet the needs of all skin types, particularly oily skin. It helps you achieve a smooth finish while minimizing pores and controlling shine for up to 16 hours. The gentle formula ensures comfort, making it suitable for sensitive skin, which means you can apply it confidently without worrying about breakouts. Additionally, this primer offers a luxurious feel, balancing hydration and oil control, so your makeup looks fresh and even throughout the day. It's a fantastic option for those seeking a radiant base without compromising on comfort.
Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer Makeup
Maybelline New York Facestudio Master Prime Primer Makeup is a water-based foundation primer that blurs skin imperfections and smooths fine lines. Its weightless, non-oily formula primes skin for even makeup application without a greasy feel. You can apply it all over your face before foundation or wear it alone.
COVERGIRL Trublend Base Business Face Primer
COVERGIRL Trublend Base Business Face Primer 200 Color Neutralizing is a foundation primer that brightens skin, corrects uneven skin tone, and blurs flaws to create the perfect canvas. This face primer is long lasting and helps extend the wear of your makeup. It has a weightless feel, leaving a light and flawless end look. Additionally, this product is cruelty-free and not tested on animals.
Milani Face Primer Collection
The Milani Face Primers offer a variety of solutions tailored to your makeup needs. The Erase Base Blemish Control Primer features 2% salicylic acid to help clear breakouts, making it perfect for those with acne-prone skin. For oily skin, the No Pore Zone Mattifying Primer creates a smooth, matte finish, reducing the appearance of pores. If you're looking for sun protection, the SPF BFF Primer provides broad-spectrum SPF 30 to shield your skin while prepping for makeup. Finally, the Skin Quench Hydrating Primer delivers essential moisture, ensuring your skin stays hydrated throughout the day. Each primer is designed to enhance your makeup application and improve your skin's appearance.
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.
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 389,757 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 $7.89.
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, TENA, REVLON, e.l.f., Smashbox. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 533 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.