Oily Skin Foundation

Close up of woman putting on make up

If you’re looking for the best oily skin foundation, we’ll tell you which one we like best. If you’re wondering why you’d need special foundations for oily skin, well, we’ll explain that, too. The truth is, if you have oily skin, you need to select all your skincare products and makeup with care. The wrong types of products can make your skin even oilier and can also cause acne, blackheads, and other skin problems you’ll prefer to avoid. We’re going to tell you how to select the right foundation for your skin type and we’ll also offer you some additional beauty tips for oily skin.

What Exactly Is Foundation?

Foundation is liquid makeup applied to the skin to create a uniform complexion and to cover up minor blemishes. While ingredients may vary from brand to brand, foundations typically contain moisturizers, coloring, and fillers (1). A foundation for dry skin would contain lots of moisturizing oils, like avocado, jojoba, and/or sesame oil, while an oily skin foundation would contain mineral powders, such as silica or talc, to absorb excess oil from the skin.

Choosing the Best Foundations for Oily Skin

When choosing makeup products for oily skin, including foundations, consider the following:

  • Look for products that are specially designed for oily skin. All makeup products are not created equal. Some are much better for oily skin than others. You can click here to read more about the best makeup products for oily skin.
  • Choose oil-free, non-greasy foundations if you can find them. Some foundations contain lots of moisturizing oils, which is a good thing if you have dry skin but not good at all if you have oily skin.
  • Choose foundations labeled noncomedogenic, a medical term that simply means they won’t clog your pores. Clogged pores can cause acne and can also increase the oil production of your skin.
  • Hypoallergenic formulas or products designed for sensitive skin are often good choices for people with oily skin, as well.
  • If you have combination skin, meaning some areas are oily and other areas are normal or dry, experts typically recommend using the appropriate type of makeup on each area. That means you might need to buy two types of foundation, one to use on the oily parts of your face and another to use on the other parts of your face. This can seem like a lot of trouble, but it’s going to be the best thing for your skin. Some products are labeled as being appropriate for combination skin or for all skin types but they may not be the best option for very oily skin.

Other Beauty Tips for Oily Skin

In addition to choosing the best oily skin foundation, you can get, try these other beauty tips for oily skin.

  • Wash your face well with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry with a towel before applying makeup. Avoid harsh soaps which can remove too much oil (strange as that may sound, it is possible to do that, and then your skin may compensate by producing even more oil than before). Wash and dry your face gently. Don’t scrub your face, which can irritate the skin.
  • Use minimal makeup and only that which you feel you really need. If you don’t have to have a foundation, then skip it.
  • If you apply your foundation with your fingertips, wash your hands first. You have naturally-occurring oil on your fingertips and don’t want to transfer extra oil to your face. Consider using a makeup sponge to apply your foundation instead of your fingertips, but if you use a makeup sponge, make sure you wash it periodically with warm, soapy water to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria.
  • Remove your makeup before bed. Sleeping with your makeup on can lead to clogged pores, acne, and oily skin. Wash your face well with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry with a towel.
  • For more information on beauty tips for oily skin, just follow this link.

Our Favorite Oily Skin Foundation

Our favorite foundation for oily skin is that made by Clinique. Clinique offers a full line of makeup products that are specially formulated for specific skin types, including products for oily skin. They offer foundation in a variety of shades to match your skin tone. Follow this link to find out why we are such fans of Clinique products and why they are so highly rate by people that use them.

(1) WebMD: What’s in your makeup