5 Makeup Hacks For Oily Skin You Need To Know

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If you need your perfectly caked face to last all day long but struggle with oily skin, don’t worry, we gotchu, boo! We’ve got all the tried and tested tips to help you prep and cake your face so your makeup stays hella fresh throughout the day. Here are our ride-or-die makeup hacks for oily skin:

1. Use the right primer

A mattifying primer is essential if you want your makeup to stay oil-proof around the clock. Firstly, it’ll soak up any excess oil that’s sitting on the surface of your skin, and secondly, it’ll blur and smooth out your pores. Stay clear of any radiance or oil-based primers, as these could contribute to that greasy feeling. Instead, look for water or silicone-based primers, as these typically have a slightly thicker consistency to soften the appearance of large pores and scars. Primers that contain oil-absorbing ingredients like salicylic acid and witch hazel will also keep shine in check throughout the day.

The Benefit POREfessional Face Primer, $32, has been one of our faves for years. Our newest obsession is our Huda Beauty Matte Perfection Pre-Makeup Base, $32; we’re biased, we know, but we live for it! There’s also a lot of hype right now around jelly primers, which appear like a transparent gel that grips the skin to ensure that your makeup lasts all day. Check out the Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Makeup Primer, $33, which balances the appearance of oil while keeping moisture locked in without sacrificing a dewy finish.

2. Find your ultimate foundation match

When choosing your foundation, ALWAYS keep your skin in mind. First, check the bottle to see if a skin type is listed, as often formulas will contain different ingredients to complement a specific skin type. Then consider the finish; for oily skin, opt for a long-wearing, matte finish.

Oil-free or mineral foundations are ideal, although remember that oil-free foundations often oxidize (turn yellow or orange) throughout the day, so always ask for a tester before you buy. Mineral foundations like the Vichy Minéralblend Foundation, $24, are a great solution as they mattify the skin. If you want the glow without the oil, mix your foundation with a glow enhancer like the Physicians Formula Spotlight Illuminating Primer, $12, to get a radiant finish.

3. Set your look

A setting powder is crucial for oily skin as it’ll help lock in your look all day long, plus it’ll help smooth out your complexion. If you don’t get super oily and want to achieve a dewy finish, apply a light dusting of powder to your T-zone as these are the areas that get oily. However, in general, we’d recommend setting all over to keep your look on lockdown. You can also try a setting powder like the Mario Badescu Special Healing Powder, $12, which contains sulfur, clay, and zinc to balance oil production and absorb oil.

4. Blot away throughout the day!

If you have oily skin, trust us, blotting paper will become your new best friend. These little squares of oil-absorbing papers mattify your skin and help dismiss midday shine. Most blotting papers also contain oil-controlling ingredients like green tea and witch hazel, like the Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, $10. To use, gently press the paper onto your skin; don’t wipe as this will spread the oil around your face which may mess up your makeup. Check out how to easily DIY your own blotting paper here.

5. Max out on setting spray

For a full-coverage finish that lasts, use a setting spray like the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray, $33, to set your look in place.

Skincare Tips for Oily Skin:

Tip 1: Just because your skin is oily doesn’t mean you should dodge moisturizing. Without a moisturizer, your skin can get dehydrated, and it’ll try to compensate for the lack of moisture by producing even more oil. However, finding the right moisturizer is key: look for a gel or water-based formula that’s non-comedogenic, so it won’t block your pores. We’re currently obsessed with the Aveeno Positively Mineral Sensitive Sunscreen, $10, which hydrates while it protects.

Tip 2: Exfoliating twice a week will help remove any dirt, debris, or dead skin that’s blocking your pores, which can cause your foundation to look cakey. Opt for a chemical exfoliator, which is an enzyme or acid-based formula that penetrates deep into the skin, dissolving and dislodging dead skin. The WISHFUL Yo Glow Enzyme Scrub, $39, is ideal as it’s formulated with a potent blend of pineapple and papaya enzymes, as well as BHAs and AHAs to gently buff away dead skin to leave your skin with a radiant glow.

Tip 3: If we’re going full glam, prep your skin with a clay mask to balance any excess oil and extract impurities. The clay will also absorb excess oil in your pores, making them appear tighter. Our go-to masks are L’Oréal’s collection of clay masks, $13, there are five masks in total, and each mask is formulated with three types of clay (montmorillonite, kaolin, and Moroccan lava). Just be sure to follow with a hella-hydrating serum or moisturizer as otherwise, your skin could feel tight and dry. We love the Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Oil-Free Moisturizer, $39, as the bouncy formula feels so lightweight on your skin but hydrates deeply.

Check out our post f0r the ultimate routine for oily skin. Let us know what makeup tips you’d like us to write about next.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. We never take payment to review products, however, some brands allow affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.