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
Maybelline
Control Shine and Blur Pores With Aerogel and Micro-Powder Infused Foundation
Revlon
An Oil-Control Foundation for a Fresh, Shine-Free Look That Lasts All Day
Fenty Beauty
A Weather-Adapting Foundation With a Wide Shade Range
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 Matte With Aerogel + Poreless Foundation Makeup|30mL | ![]() | Control Shine and Blur Pores With Aerogel and Micro-Powder Infused Foundation | Liquid | Matte | Medium | 15 | |||
2 | L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation | ![]() | Stay Oil-Free for 24 Hours | Liquid | Matte | Medium to Full | 13 | |||
3 | Revlon Colorstay Makeup Foundation|Gilded Glimmer | ![]() | An Oil-Control Foundation for a Fresh, Shine-Free Look That Lasts All Day | Liquid | Matte | Medium to Full | 9 | |||
4 | Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation | ![]() | A Weather-Adapting Foundation With a Wide Shade Range | Liquid | Soft Matte | Medium to Full | 50 | |||
5 | MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation | ![]() | Long-Lasting, Ultra-Matte Liquid Foundation for Flawless Coverage | Liquid | Matte | Medium to Full | 63 | |||
6 | Make Up Forever HD Skin Foundation | ![]() | Ultra-Light Base With an Inclusive Shade Range | Liquid | Semi Matte | Medium to Full | 40 | |||
7 | blk cosmetics airy matte cushion foundation | ![]() | A Compact Niacinamide-Infused Cushion Foundation for Flawless Skin Anywhere, Anytime | Cushion | Airy Matte | Medium to Full | 6 | |||
8 | Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup | ![]() | Effective Oil Control With Superior Staying Power | Liquid | Matte | Medium to Full | 40 | |||
9 | Happy Skin Matte Serum Cushion Foundation | ![]() | Provides Essential Sun and Blue Light Protection | Cushion | Powder Matte | Medium | 8 | |||
10 | Issy True Flex Powder Foundation | ![]() | Visibly Minimizes Pores and Controls Shine for 12 Hours | Powder | Natural Matte | Medium to Full | 9 |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 15 |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 13 |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 9 |
In terms of inclusivity, the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation sets a new standard with its impressive range of 50 shades, ensuring that you can find your perfect match. This foundation also offers buildable medium to full coverage, providing a smooth, shine-free finish that suits a variety of skin types.
For those living in humid climates like the Philippines, this foundation is a godsend. Its climate-adaptive technology effectively combats heat, sweat, and humidity, ensuring your makeup stays flawless all day long, no matter the weather conditions. Whether you're braving the scorching sun or navigating a humid evening, this foundation is your go-to for long-lasting, flawless coverage.
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Soft Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 50 |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 63 |
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Semi Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 40 |
Type | Cushion |
---|---|
Finish | Airy Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 6 |
The Estee Lauder foundation is frequently recommended for those with oily skin, standing out as one of the top choices. Recognized for its full-coverage capabilities, it effectively conceals blemishes and imperfections without caking or creasing. Its fragrance-free and paraben-free formula also ensures it won't trigger any irritation or adverse reactions.
If you're seeking a foundation that stays put from day to night, look no further. With a long-wearing formulation lasting up to 24 hours, it maintains a matte finish. Despite being on the pricier side, this foundation continually proves its worth as a splurge!
Type | Liquid |
---|---|
Finish | Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 40 |
Type | Cushion |
---|---|
Finish | Powder Matte |
Coverage | Medium |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 8 |
Type | Powder |
---|---|
Finish | Natural Matte |
Coverage | Medium to Full |
Oil-Free | |
Non-Comedogenic | |
Number of Available Shades | 9 |
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 Matte With Aerogel + Poreless Foundation Makeup|30mL
No. 2: L’Oreal Paris |Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Foundation
No. 3: Revlon|Colorstay Makeup Foundation|Gilded Glimmer
No. 4: Fenty Beauty|Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
No. 5: MAC|Studio Fix Fluid Foundation
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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