The Best Primers for Oily Skin That Don’t Add Shine, According to Editors

January 12, 2022

By: Caitlyn Martyn | Makeup.com by L'Oréal

If one thing’s for certain, it’s that oily skin can inhibit the longevity of your makeup. As someone all too familiar with makeup slippage, I’ve made it my mission to find a primer that locks in makeup, smoothes out pores and eliminates shine before applying foundation. With so many formulas out there, it can be tricky to narrow down which ones help makeup stay put without triggering breakouts or accentuating shine. To make things easier, I’ve compiled a definitive list of the best primers for oily skin. Find my tried and true picks, ahead.

1 / 6

YSL Beauty Nu Blotting Lotion

Toss your blotting papers aside and lather on this luxe gel priming lotion infused with oil-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and limonette extract. It’s breathable, mattifying finish is the perfect base for makeup or can be used alone to offer shine control for an au naturale, bare-skin moment.

2 / 6

Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer

Get a grip on your makeup with the help of this silky-smooth vegan option. The lightweight primer goes on sheer and stays true to its name, acting as a glue that extends the life of your foundation for hours.

3 / 6

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Matte Lock Primer

Very few formulas out there can rival the staying power of this shine-eliminating primer. It doesn’t mess around when it comes to smoothing away imperfections and keeping oil under control. Even underneath layers of foundation, concealer and cream blush and bronzer, my look stays fresh and never greasy.

4 / 6

Maybelline New York Fit Me! Matte + Poreless Primer

Make shine a thing of the past with this triple whammy primer that’s easy on your wallet. Its smooth, powdery finish that mattifies shine and blurs the look of pores helps it stand out from its competitors.

5 / 6

Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer

Prevent makeup from melting with this sweat and tear-resistant primer. The clear gel formula helps to keep makeup in place while simultaneously preventing shine and smoothing the look of enlarged pores and blemishes.

6 / 6

Lawless Set the Stage Hydrating Primer Serum

If you don’t want to go totally matte, embrace your dewiness and try this antioxidant-rich primer-meets-serum hybrid. The gel-like formula, which is infused with peptides and shea butter, dries down for an ultra-soft, satiny finish that serves as a smooth, non-greasy base for makeup.

Design: Juliana Campisi