With the plethora of foundations available, choosing one could be quite daunting. But fret not! We asked professional makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma for tips on how to get the best foundation for oily skin. We also scoured the internet for the best ones you can get from Lazada and Shopee, so check out our top 10 list!
Quick List - Top Foundations for Oily Skin
Estée Lauder
Long-Lasting Matte Foundation with Buildable Coverage
L'Oreal Paris
Long-Lasting Full Coverage with Skin-Soothing Niacinamide
Chuchie Ledesma has been a professional makeup artist for 13 years. She has worked as a makeup artist and trainer for local and international brands. She is also a scholar (International Intensive Masterclass) at the Jung Saemmool Art and Academy in Seoul, South Korea.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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To avoid choosing a foundation not fit for your skin, scroll down below to our buying for some helpful tips!
Oily skin tends to produce excess sebum, which can cause makeup to slide off or look cakey. However, with the right foundation, you can achieve a flawless, long-lasting look. Below are some tips on how to choose the best foundation for oily skin.
Out of all the foundation formats, professional makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma recommends liquid foundations. They’re easier to use, and you can manipulate them to create your desired coverage, so it’s a better choice for those who would want a matte yet natural finish.
Powder foundations, although they can keep oil at bay, tend to cling to dry patches or textures on the skin, making the skin look worse. It can look patchy and uneven, especially if you don’t have much experience applying it. The more you pat on a powder foundation, the more it will look matte and flat.
Individuals with oily skin will benefit from a foundation with a matte or semi-matte finish, as this can help oil and shine on the face. Getting a bit of oil is inevitableーno foundation will make your skin not produce oil. However, if you use a foundation with a matte or semi-matte finish, the shine and oil are kept at bay, plus it can help make it look more natural and not too flat or cakey.
If you’re looking for a foundation that will give more of a flat look, opt for matte finish. Meanwhile, if you prefer the flat look of a matte foundation with a subtle, dewy glow, try a semi-matte finish.
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Meg Sison, oil-free foundations do not include animal, vegetable, or mineral oils. Instead, it has dimethicone or cyclomethicone, which leaves a matte finish on the skin, perfect for oily-skinned individuals. Professional makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma also adds that silicone-based foundations create a blurred effect on the skin, and oil-free formulas are a good choice because they won't add extra oil to your skin.
Getting a non-comedogenic is also a good choice because this type of formula won't clog the pores, which is important for oily skin. Although non-comedogenic ingredients are not standardized, choosing one still would be a safe choice.
When using an oil-free foundation, make sure that your skin is well-prepped. Apply it area by area and blend it right away, as it tends to dry faster.
For everyday wear, you may want to try a buildable medium coverage. This allows you to adjust the coverage to your likingーthink of it as your skin, but better! Compared to full-coverage foundations, it’s also not as thick and heavy.
If you are blessed with good skin, professional Chuchie Ledesma, recommends a foundation with light coverage to make the complexion more even. It’s also a good choice for those who’d like to let their skin “breathe,” without really baring the skin too much. Meanwhile, for special occasions, for those who have no time to retouch, or for those who work under strong lights (like celebrities or actors), full coverage will be a better pick.
Brands usually indicate if their foundations are long-wearing and sweat-resistant, however, there’s really no exact list of characteristics you should look for to ensure that they truly are long-wearing. The best way to know is to test the claims personally.
According to professional makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma, testing the foundation on your bare skin is the best way to know which shade is your match.
Get at least three shades of foundation that you think are closest to your skin tone and swatch it on your jawline, almost reaching the neck. Blend it and allow it to sit on your skin for at least 30 minutes to an hour to check if it oxidizes or changes color.
Foundations oxidize for many reasons. Sometimes, it’s because of the product formulation. Other times, it’s because of the user’s skin condition. To prevent this, you have to make sure that your skin is well-prepped before applying the foundation. Using a hydrating or mattifying primer can help, too. It will act as a barrier between the foundation and the skin. This helps minimize the oxidation process, if any.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Finish | Coverage | Oil-Free | Non-Comedogenic | Number of Available Shades | |||||
1 | Maybelline Fit Me Foundation | ![]() | Natural Matte Finish with Lightweight, Shine-Control Formula | Liquid | Matte | Medium | 40 | |||
2 | Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation | ![]() | Long-Lasting Matte Foundation with Buildable Coverage | Liquid | Matte | Medium | 55+ | |||
3 | L'Oreal Paris Infallible 32hr Matte Cover Foundation | ![]() | Long-Lasting Full Coverage with Skin-Soothing Niacinamide | Liquid | Matte | Full | 30 | |||
4 | Revlon ColorStay Foundation | ![]() | Long-Lasting Matte Foundation with Reliable Oil Control | Liquid | Matte | Full | 43 | |||
5 | Vice Cosmetics Endlezz Dream Focus Weightless Foundation | ![]() | Weightless Full Coverage with Skin-Boosting Probiotics | Liquid | Matte | Full | 8 | |||
6 | blk cosmetics Airy Matte Cushion Foundation | ![]() | Matte Cushion Foundation with Skin-Boosting Niacinamide | Powder | Matte | Medium | 6 | |||
7 | Issy Active Foundation | ![]() | Hydrating, Lightweight Foundation with Natural Dewy Finish | Liquid | Dewy | Medium | 27 | |||
8 | Detail Cosmetics Fresh Filter Foundation | ![]() | Natural, Lightweight Foundation for Fresh, Radiant Skin | Liquid | Natural | Medium | 5 | |||
9 | Strokes Soft Veil Filter Foundation | ![]() | Soft Matte Finish with Pore-Blurring, Skin-Boosting Formula | Liquid | Semi-Matte | Medium、Full | 9 | |||
10 | MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation | ![]() | Buildable Matte Coverage with 24-Hour Oil Control | Powder | Matte | Medium、Full | 67 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users often praise the foundation’s natural matte look and long-lasting oil control, making it ideal for oily skin. Many find it easy to blend and comfortable for daily wear, though some wish for a broader shade selection locally. Overall, it is valued for its pore-blurring effect and skin-friendly formula.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 40 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users praise its impressive staying power and natural matte look that resists sweat and humidity. Many find it perfect for long days without needing touch-ups, appreciating how it doesn’t cake or settle into fine lines. Some recommend prepping skin well to avoid dryness, but overall it’s highly regarded for coverage and durability.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 55+ |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users praise its impressive longevity and strong matte finish that controls shine effectively. Many appreciate the added skincare benefits from niacinamide and how it feels lightweight despite full coverage. Some note it sets quickly, requiring fast blending, but overall it is favored for durability and skin comfort.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 30 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users appreciate its strong staying power and effective oil control without a heavy or cakey feel. Many find it blends easily and provides a natural finish that lasts through heat and humidity. Some note slight shine after 6-8 hours but agree it maintains coverage well with minimal touch-ups.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 43 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users love the smooth, natural matte finish and how comfortable it feels even with full coverage. Many highlight its ability to cover acne marks and discoloration without feeling heavy or cakey. Some recommend pairing it with the brand’s primer and brush for best application, noting it wears well during daily activities.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 8 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users like the lightweight, breathable feel and how it blurs pores and redness effectively. Many appreciate the natural matte finish and skin benefits from niacinamide, though some mention the limited shade range as a downside. It’s favored for quick touch-ups and comfortable wear but may not last as long on very oily skin.
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 6 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users praise its comfortable, hydrating feel and how it blends smoothly without clogging pores. Many appreciate the natural dewy finish and medium coverage that lasts about 8 hours with minimal creasing. Some with oily skin find it a bit too dewy but agree it suits dry or dehydrated skin well.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Dewy |
Coverage | Medium |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 27 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users appreciate the foundation’s natural finish and lightweight feel that doesn’t clog pores. Many find it easy to blend and suitable for daily wear, providing a fresh look without heaviness. Some mention limited shade options but praise its affordability and skin-friendly formula.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Natural |
Coverage | Medium |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 5 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users praise its lightweight, comfortable wear and how it blurs pores and fine lines effectively. Many highlight the natural matte finish that doesn’t feel cakey and appreciate the added skin benefits. Some recommend using a damp sponge for a flawless blend and setting powder for longer wear.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Semi-Matte |
Coverage | Medium、Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 9 |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Users appreciate its long-lasting matte finish and how well it controls shine throughout the day. Many highlight the wide shade range that suits diverse skin tones without looking ashy or grey. Some recommend using a brush for lighter coverage and the included sponge for fuller coverage, noting it blends easily and feels comfortable.
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium、Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 67 |
We compiled all your most asked questions about choosing a foundation for oily skin. Here are the answers from professional makeup artist Chuchie Ledesma.
No. It's better if you use sunscreen before foundation than rely on your foundation with SPF. Remember, the latter is still a makeup first before skincare, so despite its claims, the SPF may not be as potent and effective as the real sunscreen when used.
Yes, it will definitely work for oily skin. However, don’t expect it to look matte for a long time even if you have set it with powder.
You can avoid pilling by testing out skin care products that work well under makeup. It’s a trial-and-error process. Try to minimize the amount and number of skincare products you put on before foundation application. Also, allow the skin to fully absorb the products first before applying foundation.
Never worry about your face being shiny or greasy ever again! Check out these products to keep your skin matte and looking fresh all day long.
Re-editor: Danielle Trinidad
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Maybelline |Fit Me Foundation
No. 2: Estée Lauder |Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation
No. 3: L'Oreal Paris |Infallible 32hr Matte Cover Foundation
No. 4: Revlon|ColorStay Foundation
No. 5: Vice Cosmetics|Endlezz Dream Focus Weightless Foundation
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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