When choosing a foundation, shade matching and coverage aren’t the only things to consider—your skin type plays a role, too. If you’re prone to excess shine, opting for a formula designed for oily skin can mean the difference between constant touch-ups and a look that lasts. That’s because the best foundations for oily skin do more than provide coverage—they can also help keep unwanted shine in check without making your skin appear flat or one-dimensional.
Even better, you don’t have to splurge to find a great match. There are plenty of high-performing drugstore foundations for oily skin that offer impressive wear, coverage, and staying power. If you need help finding your perfect match, keep scrolling. Ahead, we’ll break down what to look for when shopping for a foundation for oily skin and introduce you to some of our favorite budget-friendly formulas.
What Makes a Foundation Good for Oily Skin?
What makes a foundation good—or even great—ultimately depends on your skin’s needs. For oily skin, shine control is often a top priority. Many of the best formulas are made with ingredients like silica or other oil-absorbing powders to help minimize excess shine and promote a more balanced-looking complexion. Finish also matters: matte foundations are ideal if you prefer a smooth, velvety look with minimal shine, while soft-matte or natural finishes offer a bit more dimension, helping skin appear more like skin while still keeping oil in check.
Oily skin can also come with concerns like visible pores or breakouts, so it’s worth paying attention to the label. Terms like “non-comedogenic” and “oil-free” typically indicate that a formula is designed not to clog pores or contribute to breakouts. You may also want to look for “long-wearing” foundations, as excess oil can cause makeup to break down more quickly. Long-wear formulas are designed to hold up throughout the day, helping reduce the need for frequent touch-ups.
It’s also important to note that the best foundation can vary depending on your environment and daily routine. Factors like climate, humidity, and activity level can all affect how a foundation wears, so what works for you in the winter may not be ideal for the warmer months, or vice versa.
What Is The Best Type of Foundation for Oily Skin?
When it comes to choosing the best type of foundation for oily skin, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it really depends on your preferences and how you like your makeup to look and feel. That said, certain formats tend to work especially well if you’re looking to keep shine in check. Here’s a closer look at two popular options.
Liquid foundation
Liquid foundation is arguably the most popular type of foundation, thanks to its versatility. It can come in nearly any finish, with coverage ranging from sheer to full. For oily skin, soft-matte and long-wearing formulas are especially popular, as they help control shine while still delivering a smooth, even finish. Another benefit: liquid foundations are typically easy to blend and can be applied with a variety of tools, including makeup sponges, brushes, or even (in some cases) your fingers.
Powder foundation
If shine control is your top priority, consider using a powder foundation for oily skin. These mattifying formulas help absorb excess oil throughout the day, which can keep your complexion looking fresh for longer. They’re also super convenient for touch-ups, since you can reapply them without disturbing your makeup. While powder foundations can be worn alone for a more natural, lightweight look, they’re also great for setting liquid foundation and adding extra staying power where you need it most.
Should you choose a full-coverage or a buildable foundation?
Both full-coverage and buildable foundations can work well for oily skin; choosing between the two ultimately depends on your personal preferences.
Full-coverage foundations are more opaque and are ideal for evening out skin tone, blurring imperfections, or creating a more polished, full-glam look with minimal layering. Many long-wear, matte foundations for oily skin fall into this category, including both liquid and cream textures.
Buildable coverage foundations, on the other hand, offer more flexibility. These formulas typically start with medium coverage that allows some skin to show through, but can be layered where needed for added intensity. Because they’re designed to be built up, they usually blend easily without looking cakey or heavy. They’re a great option if you prefer a more natural, skin-like finish or want the ability to customize coverage in different areas depending on your look.
How To Choose the Right Foundation For Your Oily Skin Concerns
Choosing the right foundation for oily skin often involves assessing your specific concerns and figuring out how you want your makeup to wear. Once you know your priorities—whether it’s shine control, longevity, or a more natural, customizable finish—it becomes much easier to narrow down the right formula.
If you struggle with excess shine
If shine control is your main focus, look for a matte powder or liquid foundation for oily skin. These are designed to help absorb excess oil and mattify the skin for a smooth, velvety finish. It’s also a good idea to prioritize long-wear formulas, which are designed to stay put throughout the day with minimal (or no) touch-ups. For added shine control, you can even set oily areas—like the chin, nose, and forehead—with a translucent or tinted setting powder.
If you want long-lasting wear
For makeup that lasts all day, reach for a transfer-proof, full-coverage foundation for oily skin. These are designed to stay put even as oil builds up. Keep in mind, though, that longevity also depends on your base and finishing steps—starting with a good primer and finishing with a light dusting of setting powder or setting spray can help prevent creasing and ensure your makeup goes the distance.
If you prefer a natural, skin-like finish
You can absolutely get a natural-looking finish with oily skin. The key is choosing a formula that provides oil control and customizable coverage, so your skin still looks like skin. Buildable soft-matte foundations are often a great middle ground—they help reduce shine while still leaving a bit of natural dimension, so your complexion looks smooth, not flat.
How To Apply Foundation On Oily Skin for Lasting Wear
Choosing a good foundation for oily skin is, of course, crucial—but for stay-all-day wear, you’ll also need to prep your skin and set your base properly. Ahead, learn how to apply foundation like a pro for long-lasting wear.
1. Start with lightweight hydration
Proper skin prep helps ensure your makeup applies smoothly and evenly. Start by cleansing your face to remove excess dirt and oil, then apply a lightweight moisturizer. If you have oily skin, it can be tempting to skip this step, but doing so may actually cause your skin to produce more oil to compensate. Instead, choose a non-greasy, fast-absorbing moisturizer that keeps skin hydrated without feeling heavy or slick.
If you’re doing your routine during the day, finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect your skin from damaging UV rays.
2. Prep with primer
Next, apply a lightweight makeup primer to help create a smooth, even base for your foundation to adhere to. For oily skin, we love The Face Glue Primer, which boasts a highly grippy, long-wear formula with a soft-focus finish that looks natural and feels breathable. Smooth a thin layer over your face, then blend it out with your fingers.
3. Apply foundation strategically
Once your primer has set, you can move on to foundation. For this step, a buildable, breathable formula, like the Make ‘Em Wonder Soft Matte Buildable Foundation, works especially well.
Using a damp makeup sponge, lightly press the foundation into your skin, starting at the center of your face and gradually working your way outward. Once you’ve finished the first layer, you can go back in and build up your coverage as desired. Avoid rubbing or dragging the sponge across your face, as doing so can result in a streaky or uneven application.
If there are areas that need a little extra help—like under the eyes—follow with a full-coverage concealer, such as the Wonder Snatch Concealer. Apply it using the same pressing motion to keep the finish smooth, seamless, and well-blended.
Editor’s tip: Need help finding a shade match? Take our shade finder quiz or use our virtual try-on tool to test-drive your options from the comfort of your home.
4. Set oily areas
Setting your makeup is always a good idea, but it’s especially important for oily skin. To help keep your foundation looking fresh, use a tapered powder puff to press the Wonder Snatch Loose Setting Powder onto areas prone to shine (such as the nose, chin, and forehead). You can also lightly set the under-eye area to help smooth fine lines and prevent creasing.
Once you’re done, use a clean, fluffy brush to sweep away any excess powder for a soft, airbrushed finish. From here, you can proceed with the remainder of your makeup routine—just don’t forget to lock everything in place with a long-lasting setting spray when you’re finished.
The Best NYX Professional Makeup Foundations and Complexion Products for Oily Skin
Now that you know what to look for when shopping for a foundation for oily skin, keep reading to see a few of our top picks for a smooth, shine-free complexion.
Make ‘Em Wonder Soft Matte Buildable Foundation
If you asked us to name the best drugstore foundation for oily skin, this would undoubtedly be our pick. The lightweight formula ticks all the boxes: It’s buildable and blendable; boasts a soft matte finish that looks natural, not cakey; and comes in an impressive 45 shades to complement a range of skin tones and undertones. It also offers up to 24 hours of transfer- and fade-resistant wear—plus, it’s infused with skin-loving Guarana seed extract and hyaluronic acid to help keep your complexion looking and feeling its best.
Wonder Snatch Loose Setting Powder
If you like to set your foundation with powder, reach for this lightweight option. The talc-free formula comes in eight shades—four translucent and four brightening—and helps set makeup in place while smoothing, blurring, and controlling unwanted shine for up to 16 hours. The brightening shades are great for illuminating under your eyes and subtly color-correcting dark circles, while the translucent options are ideal for all-over wear.
Wonder Snatch Concealer
Pair your foundation for oily skin with this full-coverage concealer for a flawless-looking base that lasts. It boasts a creamy yet lightweight formula that glides on effortlessly, delivering long-lasting coverage with a smooth, soft matte finish. You can use it to camouflage imperfections or sculpt your features—either way, you’ll enjoy up to 24 hours of comfortable, crease-resistant wear.
Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation
If you prefer the lightweight look of skin tints but need the shine control of a matte foundation, try this skin tint-foundation hybrid. It’s designed specifically for oily skin and helps blur, smooth, and mattify the skin without a cakey or ashy finish. It provides a medium-coverage finish, but is buildable, so you can sheer it out or increase coverage as needed. Just be sure to start with a small amount of product: It’s pretty pigmented, so a little goes a long way.
Marshmellow Smoothing Primer
As we mentioned earlier, proper skin prep is the secret to a flawless-looking base. If you’re looking for a primer that can help control shine from the get-go, this is the one to choose. It’s made with smoothing marshmallow root extract and smooths, blurs, softens, and hydrates the skin, all with a soft-focus finish that wears for up to 16 hours.
Next Up: What’s The Best Way To Remove Waterproof Makeup?
We’d love to see how you wear your favorite NYX Professional Makeup foundation for oily skin! Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics!
PRODUCTS USED
Make ‘Em Wonder™ Soft Matte Buildable Foundation
Meet Make ’Em Wonder™ Soft Matte Foundation, a skincare-infused weightless foundation that delivers pro-level, buildable coverage with a real-skin finish for all-day comfort.
WONDER SNATCH™ CONCEALER
Up to 24HR Hydration, Waterproof, Fade-Resistant
Wonder Snatch™ Loose Setting Powder
A loose setting powder delivering up to 16 hours of sweat-proof wear and airbrushed skin perfection.
Bare With Me Blur Tint Foundation
Blurring tint foundation in 24 medium coverage, matte shades
