With the plethora of foundations available, we know that choosing one could be quite daunting. But fret not! We’ve rounded the best foundations for oily skin and prepared some tips and recommendations to help you find that that long-lasting, weather-proof foundation to keep your face shine-free. Also check out what dermatologist, Dr. Meg Sison has to say on how you can get the best product for you!
Dr. Sison is a board-certified dermatologist who practices in the Philippines and sees both medical and cosmetic dermatological cases on skin, hair, and nails.
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.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
A foundation with a matte finish is a great choice for oily skin as it can get rid of excess shine, making the face less oily. These types of foundation are also known for their long-lasting wearability on the skin, giving you a flawless finish that helps you put your best face forward.
Not a fan of the flat finish that matte foundations offer? Go for a semi-matte foundation that allows your skin to breathe. If you want your skin to look like it's glowingーnot shinyーtry a dewy or satin finish for a more natural look. Do you want to achieve a 'woke up like this' type of makeup? Try foundations with a sheer finish for that barely-there coverage.
The three most common coverage levels for foundations are light, medium, and full. If you want to even out your skin tone without fully covering it up, choose a light coverage foundation. These don't clog up your pores and usually have a sheer finish. This works best for those who don't like the heavy feeling of makeup against their face.
If you want an even canvas with a natural skin finish, choose a medium coverage foundation. You can easily build on medium coverage foundations, from thin layers that can still show your freckles to adding another layer that can cover them completely. To achieve completely even-toned skin, go for a full coverage foundation. This is best for those who want to be stage or camera-ready
You are not limited to just getting a liquid type or powder type foundation for your oily skin. There are many different options out there that are worth a try. It is also helpful to have different types that you can use, depending on the amount of coverage you want.
If you want something that gives fuller coverage, try a dual application powder foundation. These foundations go on just like liquid foundations when applied with a wet sponge. For the sheerest coverage, try loose foundations. Take note to avoid mineral oil foundations as these have been found to be non-comedogenic.
Face powders are convenient because they can be brought anytime for touch-ups, especially for people on the go. They also provide coverage, oil control, a matte finish, and tactile smoothness, especially for oily skin.
If you want to use face powder as a foundation, look for those that are labeled as two-way cake. This means that the product can be applied using either a wet or dry sponge. Because it contains a foundation formula, two-way cake foundations provide medium coverage that can be used to cover blemishes and dark spots.
If you have dehydrated skin, you can try liquid foundationsーeven better, essence liquid foundations which contain moisturizing ingredients. Depending on the formula, liquid foundations can generally be used by all skin types. These are also highly favored as they are buildable and can provide the coverage you need.
Cream foundations adhere well to the skin and can provide high coverage and a smooth finish. But, since they’re mostly oil-based, the tendency is that they will combine with the sebum on your skin and slide right off. Depending on the formula, cream foundations could also clog pores, which may cause acne. If you’re prone to breakouts, avoid this type of foundation.
Cream foundations contain moisturizing ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to name a few. They do not necessarily clog the pores but they may tend to slide off for those with oily skin.
We've always been told to pick the shade closest to our skin. But when it comes to oily skin, the foundation tends to darken over time due to sebum secretion. Check for non-oxidizing formulas that remain true to the shade from the box to your skin. It is best to choose a color that is one shade lighter than your neck. Be careful not to choose a foundation that is too light as this will look too unnatural.
Another thing you should consider is your undertone. If you have a warm undertone and use a cool-toned foundation, your face might look ashy as the shade won't naturally blend with your skin tone. Warm undertones are those with hints of yellow or gold on their skin. Those with cool undertones have reds, blues, and purple shades on their skin. If you have a mix of both, your undertone is neutral.
Choose a foundation shade based on your undertone. This can be determined by looking at the veins on your wrist. If they appear blue, you have cool undertones, but if they appear green, you have warm undertones.
Filipinos usually have warm undertones. If you have a chance to go to a physical store, you can swatch the shades and see if which one is a perfect match for you. If you cannot go to a physical store, you can ask the brand for assistance on their social media pages to help you find the shade that matches you perfectly.
There are two things you should keep an eye out for in looking for a foundation for your oily skin: first, make sure it's oil-free, and second, check if it's non-comedogenic. Oil-free foundations are more lightweight than oil-based foundations, which helps prevent breakouts caused by your makeup.
Non-comedogenic means the product will not block or clog your pores. Choosing these types of foundations can give you full coverage while at the same time allowing your skin to breathe.
Oil-free facial foundations do not have animal, vegetable, or mineral oils. They contain other oily substances, such as dimethicone or cyclomethicone. These foundations are usually designed for oily-skinned individuals since they leave the skin with a matte finish. Dimethicone is non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, and hypoallergenic, which makes it a popular ingredient in foundations.
If you want your foundation to have additional benefits to your skin, why not get one with SPF? It is important to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun as this can cause wrinkles and make your skin age faster. Additionally, this can help simplify your makeup routine by not needing to put a layer of sunscreen before you put on your makeupーjust make sure that it has at least SPF 30 if you're going for this route!
When you go to forums talking about the best foundation for oily skin, this one from Estee Lauder will always be mentioned. It is considered one of the best foundations for oily skin with full coverage because it effectively covers your blemishes and flaws without caking or settling.
Reviews loved the wide range of shades availableー56 shades! They also rave about the lightweight feeling of the foundation on the face and its all-day staying power. It is fragrance and paraben-free, so you are at peace that the foundation won't cause any irritation or adverse reactions.
If you want something that will stay on your face from day to night, this is it! It has a long-wearing formulation that stays for up to 24 hours, and it stays matte! Although on the pricier side, this foundation has and will continually prove that it is worth the splurge and investment.
You can't beat the price, quality, and coverage of this foundationーit is definitely one of the best liquid foundations for oily skin out on the market. It gives medium but buildable coverage that covers minor blemishes, but you might need a concealer for dark under-eye circles.
It can stay up to 12 hours, although if you tend to get really oily around your nose, you might need some in-between touch-ups. Its buildable coverage, matte finish, and long-wearing formula make this one of the top choices for oily skin. It is great for a humid country like ours and works great even on hot summer days!
This foundation has been a hit for people with oily skin, but to make it even better, Maybelline has innovated and improved the formula with mineral oil and SPF 22 PA++! You won't need to worry about your skin excreting sebum since the mineral oil controls oil production and mattifies the skin.
It also promises 12 hours of lightweight sensation and 8 hours of shine-free glow on your skin. It comes in 10 shades to match the shades and undertones of Filipina skin - get yours now!
As far as inclusivity goes, this foundation takes the cake. The Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation has a whooping 50 shades. This way, you can be sure that there is a perfect shade for you. This foundation also has a buildable medium to full coverage to give your skin a smooth and shine-free finish.
One of our common gripes is that the Philippines can be very humid. So, it's a good thing that this foundation has climate-adaptive technology to fight heat, sweat, and shine. Now you can use this foundation wherever you go and whatever the weather may be!
It hides your skin's imperfections and keeps you shine-free. A little also goes a long way; that's why, depending on usage, it can last up to six months. It comes in a variety of shades suited for different skin tones, so it won't be difficult to find your perfect shade.
This foundation from Smashbox boasts hydration and long-lasting full coverage. Although it's a little bit on the pricier side, we assure you that it's worth the money and you'll be pleased with how good the formula is! It is transfer-proof, sweat-resistant, and smudge-proof. Plus, it has been proven to last up to 24 hours!
If you're the type of person who thinks that for foundation, full coverage is the way to go, then here is what we have for you. This Matte Velvet Skin Compact provides long-lasting, lightweight coverage that doesn't look chalky, cakey, or "fake." It also has a Flexi-Fit Puzzle Complex Innovation that makes the powder move and bend with your skin.
This compact comes with a double-sided sponge with different textures on either side, so you can adjust your application depending on the look you're going for. You can use the black side if you want full coverage and the white side if you just want a subtle veil of powder or for setting makeup.
Let’s face it, sometimes finding the right foundation might not be enough to keep your skin from oiling up. So we’ve prepared a few tips to help keep your makeup from sliding off.
The perfect canvas for makeup is healthy skin. Always use a gentle cleanser, broad-spectrum sunscreen, and moisturizer for your skin type. For those with oily skin, lightweight moisturizers in gel or lotion format are best to avoid the heavy and greasy feeling with cream moisturizers. Look for moisturizers with more humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid as compared to occlusives.
Another trick to make your foundation last longer is by using a primer. Just make sure to choose one suitable for oily skin. Also, if your skin is acne-prone, make sure to check whether the ingredients are non-comedogenic.
Primers are used to make the foundation last longer. Mattifying primers are recommended for those with oily skin. Nowadays, sunscreens and moisturizers can be used as a good makeup base so using a primer is just optional.
Finishing powders can absorb excess oils that a simple foundation can’t control. That means they can also tamp down on shine and help your makeup stay on longer.
Finishing powders do not contain pigment, unlike powder foundations. They also have sheer coverage. They are used to set the foundation in place and to absorb excess sebum, especially on the T-zone.
We compiled all your most asked questions about choosing a foundation for oily skin. Here are the answers from dermatologist, Dr. Meg Sison.
Products with salicylic acid are great for those with oily skin because they can also unclog pores and minimize their appearance. Retinoids are also recommended because they help with acne, have anti-aging benefits, can also unclog pores. Niacinamide, alpha hydroxy acids, and green tea can also help keep oiliness at bay. Caution is advised not to use all of these at once to avoid stripping the skin barrier.
Use only the essential products in your skincare routine: gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and broad-spectrum sunscreen. Avoid layering so many skincare products because this can lead to irritation and more breakouts. Consult a board-certified dermatologist if you have acne for personalized treatment and for guidance in your skincare regimen.
There are a lot of factors that contribute to oily skin. These are genetics, hormones, gender, ethnicity, and certain medical conditions. Acne has a complex pathogenesis and having oily skin does not always lead to having more acne.
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: Laura Mercado
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.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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