Best Foundation for Oily Skin (2025 Guide)

Shiny T-zone by lunch? The best foundation for oily skin controls breakthrough shine, resists separating, and keeps pores looking smooth—without feeling like a mask. Below you’ll find our top, research-driven picks (drugstore and prestige), what makes each one work on oily/combination skin, and pro tips to help your base last all day.

We compile these recommendations by comparing ingredient lists, lab test data from brands, third-party wear tests, dermatologist guidance, and hundreds of verified user reviews—then distilling what consistently works for oily skin.

Quick picks (at a glance)

• Best overall: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place — bulletproof wear, huge shade range, classic soft-matte finish.
• Best drugstore: Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless — breathable, controls shine, wide undertones under $10.
• Best soft-matte natural look: Too Faced Born This Way Matte 24-Hour — oil-controlling but skin-like.
• Best full-coverage matte: NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation — blurs texture, resists humidity.
• Best long days & events: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear — sweat/humidity resistance with photo-friendly finish.
• Best powder foundation: MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus — fast shine control, buildable coverage.
• Best lightweight, everyday: Dior Backstage Face & Body — sheer-to-medium, water-resistant, won’t swamp pores.
• Best 24-hour budget long-wear: L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR — demi-matte hold that doesn’t crack.

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The winners (why they work)

1) Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place — Best overall

• Type/finish: Liquid; natural-matte
• Coverage: Medium-to-full, buildable
• Shades: ~60+
• Why oily skin loves it: Low-flex silicone + film formers create a transfer-resistant veil that resists sebum, heat and humidity. Alcohol-free; fragrance-free.
• Good to know: Can look flat if over-powdered—use a thin layer and set just the T-zone.
• Best for: Workdays, special events, long wear without blotting every hour.

2) Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless — Best drugstore

• Type/finish: Liquid; soft-matte
• Coverage: Light-to-medium
• Shades: ~40
• Why oily skin loves it: Micro-powders help absorb oil while glycerin keeps it from going cakey.
• Good to know: Not transfer-proof like Double Wear; pair with setting spray for nights out.
• Best for: Daily wear, teens/twenties, budget-friendly routines.

3) Too Faced Born This Way Matte (24-Hour)

• Type/finish: Oil-free liquid; natural-matte
• Coverage: Medium-to-full
• Shades: ~35
• Why oily skin loves it: Hyaluronic + coconut water keep it flexible while silica controls shine—so it looks “skin” not chalk.
• Good to know: Pump dispenses generously—use less than you think.
• Best for: Soft-matte finish that doesn’t scream “makeup.”

4) NARS Soft Matte Complete Foundation

• Type/finish: Liquid; true matte
• Coverage: Full; blurs texture
• Shades: ~34
• Why oily skin loves it: High silica + advanced powders diffuse pores and resist oxidation (turning orange).
• Good to know: Can cling to dry patches; prep with a light gel moisturizer.
• Best for: Textured skin, big nights, photos.

5) Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear

• Type/finish: Liquid; soft-matte
• Coverage: Medium-to-full
• Shades: 50
• Why oily skin loves it: Sweat/humidity-resistant polymers + oil-absorbing powders; huge undertone range.
• Good to know: Use a damp sponge for the thinnest, most even layer.
• Best for: Hot climates, deeper undertones, flash photography.

6) L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR

• Type/finish: Liquid; demi-matte
• Coverage: Medium
• Shades: ~22
• Why oily skin loves it: Long-wear polymers + mattifying powders at a drugstore price.
• Good to know: Demi-matte = less flat than true matte; great starter long-wear.
• Best for: Budget long days.

7) Dior Backstage Face & Body

• Type/finish: Sheer liquid; natural-matte
• Coverage: Sheer-to-medium (builds in thin layers)
• Shades: ~40
• Why oily skin loves it: Water-resistant base that grips without heaviness.
• Good to know: Shakes very liquid—apply with fingers or dense brush, then set T-zone only.
• Best for: “Your skin but better,” weddings, humid summers.

8) MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus — Best powder

• Type/finish: Pressed powder foundation; matte
• Coverage: Sheer-to-full (buildable)
• Shades: ~50
• Why oily skin loves it: Instant shine mop-up; doubles as all-over base or on-the-go touch-up.
• Good to know: Use a brush for light layers; sponge for coverage.
• Best for: Midday fixes, minimal routines, travel.

Comparison cheat sheet

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How to choose a foundation for oily skin

1) Finish: Look for matte, soft-matte, natural-matte, or demi-matte. Dewy formulas can slide unless you want a glow and plan to powder generously.

2) Claims & ingredients:

• Oil-free, non-comedogenic are helpful signals (not guarantees).
• Shine controllers: silica, talc, starches, clay, “micro-powders.”
• Long-wear polymers/film formers improve transfer resistance.
• Avoid heavy oils if you’re breakout-prone; fatty alcohols are usually fine.

3) Coverage: Oily skin handles layers—thin, flexible coats are better than one thick pass. Choose medium buildable for versatility.

4) Shade range & undertones: Brands like Estée Lauder and Fenty excel here (golden/olive/neutrals, etc.). Oxidation is more noticeable on oily skin; pick the shade that matches after it dries down.

5) Lifestyle: Hot climate, long commutes, or events? Prioritize sweat/humidity-resistant formulas (Fenty, Double Wear, NARS).

Application tips that actually extend wear

1. Prep smart: Cleanse → light, oil-free gel moisturizer → optional niacinamide serum for long-term oil regulation.
2. Prime strategically: Silicone or gripping primers on T-zone only; avoid heavy pore fillers on dry cheeks.
3. Thin layers: Apply a small amount with damp sponge or dense brush, pressing into skin. Build only where needed.
4. Targeted powder: Press a micro-fine translucent powder into the nose, chin, forehead. Leave perimeters less powdered to keep skin-like.
5. Lock with setting spray: A long-wear mist (e.g., Urban Decay All Nighter) before and after powder helps the base mesh and resist sweat.
6. Touch-ups: Blotting papers first (remove oil), then a whisper of powder. Adding powder to oil creates cake.

Common pitfalls (and fixes)

• Caking around nose: Too much product. Blot oil, then add a drop of hydrating mist and re-press with sponge.
• Oxidation/orange: Use thin layers, choose a slightly lighter neutral shade, and test after 10 minutes of dry-down.
• Breakouts: Patch-test, double-cleanse at night, and keep tools clean. Consider salicylic-acid toner a few nights per week.
• Foundation sliding off: You’re skipping primer/setting spray or using heavy emollient skincare under the base.

Final word

If you want a one-and-done workhorse, Estée Lauder Double Wear remains the most reliable, truly long-wear foundation for oily skin with a massive shade map. Prefer budget? Maybelline Matte + Poreless is the daily hero. For events or texture-blurring perfection, NARS Soft Matte and Fenty Pro Filt’r are standouts. Pair any of them with smart prep, a light dusting of powder, and a setting spray—you’ll cut midday shine and keep your base intact well past happy hour. If you are prone to acne check out our Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin In-Depth Guide.

FAQ

See Also:

For long-wear classics, check Estée Lauder Double Wear Dupes and our Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Review. To set and forget, see the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray Review, and explore a sweat-proof base in the Urban Decay Face Bond Waterproof Foundation Review.

Related posts:

Best Foundation for Mature Skin Over 60 Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place Foundation Review Best Foundation for Acne-Prone Skin (In-Depth Guide) Best Foundation for Large Pores