Table of Contents
Quick Summary / At A Glance
The original review covers ten products for oily skin, and the points below sum up its main guidance.
- Oily skin produces excess sebum, which can make makeup slide off and pores look larger.
- A mattifying primer forms a barrier between skin and makeup, helping makeup stay in place for longer.
- Look for oil-free, non-comedogenic formulas, which will not clog pores.
- Most products below focus on controlling shine and minimizing the appearance of pores.
- Patch test any new primer first, and stop using it if it irritates your skin.
Oily skin produces more sebum, which can break down makeup. Start with a clean base; the American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
Why Oily Skin Needs a Different Kind of Primer
If you have oily skin, you know the challenges that come with it. Makeup can slide right off, and your pores can look enlarged.
Oily skin is caused by overactive sebaceous glands that produce too much sebum. This can lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and breakouts, and genetics plays a role in many cases.
A primer made for oily skin helps create a barrier between your skin and your makeup products. It can also help makeup stay in place better throughout the day and evening, and minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines.
That is why the primers in this roundup focus on mattifying the skin and controlling oil, rather than adding shine. Several can also be worn on their own, without foundation.
The Primers in This Roundup, Compared
The table below summarizes the ten products from the original review, using only the details given in that review.
| Product | Brand | Type | Main points in this article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer (1 oz) | Rimmel | Mattifying primer | Oil-free; controls shine and oil; minimizes the appearance of pores |
| e.l.f. Matte Putty Primer | e.l.f. | Putty primer | Oil-free and lightweight; mattifies; contains tea tree extract |
| Paula’s Choice SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish | Paula’s Choice | Oil-control primer | Oil-free and alcohol-free; prevents excess shine; extends the wear of makeup |
| Neutrogena Shine Control Matte Booster Face Primer & Serum | Neutrogena | Primer and serum | Lightweight and oil-free; non-comedogenic; reduces the appearance of pores |
| Milani No Pore Zone Mattifying Primer (1.0 fl. oz.) | Milani | Mattifying primer | Minimizes the appearance of pores; hydrating and non-irritating; small travel-friendly packaging |
| jane iredale Smooth Affair For Oily Skin Facial Primer | jane iredale | Facial primer | Smooth base; helps control oil; suitable for sensitive skin |
| Milani Make It Last Charcoal Matte Setting Spray | Milani | Setting spray | Used after makeup; matte finish; helps control shine and oiliness |
| SACE LADY Matte Makeup Base Primer | SACE LADY | Makeup base primer | Smooth, even canvas; matte finish; minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines |
| Dermablend Poresaver Matte Primer | Dermablend | Matte primer | Lightweight; mattifies; helps makeup last longer |
| LAUDA BOTANICALS Mattifying Primer and Face Moisturizer | LAUDA BOTANICALS | Primer and moisturizer | With salicylic acid and tea tree oil; hydrates while controlling oil |
The Primers in Detail
Each entry below keeps the main points from the original review of that product.
1. Rimmel Stay Matte Mattifying Primer
This oil-free primer is designed to help makeup stay in place and look matte. It minimizes the appearance of pores for a smoother-looking finish, helps control shine and oil throughout the day, and provides a mattifying base for foundation. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with other products in a makeup routine.
2. e.l.f. Matte Putty Primer
This lightweight, oil-free putty primer creates a smooth, primed surface for makeup. Its formula mattifies the skin and minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines, and the putty texture glides over the skin without feeling heavy or greasy. It contains tea tree extract to help control excess oil.
3. Paula’s Choice SHINE STOPPER Instant Matte Finish
This oil-control primer has an oil-free and alcohol-free formula. It is designed to prevent excess shine and control oil production, extend the wear of makeup, and create a smooth, matte finish. It can be used on its own or under makeup.
4. Neutrogena Shine Control Matte Booster Face Primer & Serum
This lightweight, oil-free primer and serum is designed to mattify the skin and control shine. The serum in the formula can help reduce the appearance of pores, and the product is non-comedogenic, meaning it will not clog pores or cause breakouts. The formula is lightweight and breathable, making it comfortable to wear throughout the day.
5. Milani No Pore Zone Mattifying Primer
This mattifying primer focuses on minimizing the appearance of pores and mattifying the skin. It can help makeup last longer by creating a smooth base and keeping oil at bay, and its small packaging is convenient for travel and on-the-go touch-ups. Unlike some primers that can be drying, it is described as hydrating and non-irritating.
6. jane iredale Smooth Affair For Oily Skin Facial Primer
This facial primer provides a smooth base for makeup application and helps to control oil production. It minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines for a more even complexion, and it contains natural ingredients that help to soothe and protect the skin. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and can be used under foundation or alone.
7. Milani Make It Last Charcoal Matte Setting Spray
This entry in the original roundup is a setting spray rather than a primer, and it is used after makeup. It can help makeup last longer and creates a matte finish that is long-lasting and natural-looking, while also helping to control shine and oiliness. The charcoal ingredient in the spray is included to help detoxify and refresh the skin.
8. SACE LADY Matte Makeup Base Primer
This makeup base primer creates a smooth and even canvas for makeup application. It minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines, helps makeup stay in place, and provides a matte finish to the skin.
9. Dermablend Poresaver Matte Primer
This lightweight matte primer is made for oily skin, and it helps smooth out the complexion and create an even base. It mattifies the skin and helps reduce the appearance of pores, without feeling heavy or greasy. It also makes makeup last longer and keeps the face looking fresh throughout the day.
10. LAUDA BOTANICALS Mattifying Primer and Face Moisturizer
This product works as both a mattifying primer and a face moisturizer. It contains salicylic acid, which can help to fight acne breakouts, and tea tree oil, which can help to soothe and calm the skin. The lightweight formula can help hydrate and moisturize the skin while still controlling oil production, and it can be worn under makeup or on its own.
Safety: Patch Testing and Irritation Cautions
Patch test first. Before using a new primer all over your face, test a small amount on a small area of skin and wait to see how your skin reacts. This matters most if your skin is sensitive, or if you have reacted to makeup products before.
Stop using a product if it causes irritation, and let your skin settle before trying a different formula. Choosing oil-free, non-comedogenic products also helps, because they will not clog pores.
Within this roundup, the jane iredale primer is described as suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and the Milani No Pore Zone primer is described as non-irritating. Even so, a patch test is the safer first step with any new product.
The NHS advises a separate sunscreen of SPF 30 or more rather than relying on makeup SPF. If makeup triggers breakouts, the NHS recommends non-comedogenic products. See also CeraVe face wash for oily skin and gel moisturisers for oily skin.
How to Choose a Primer for Oily Skin
Start with the finish you want. For a matte finish, look for primers made for oily skin that say they will give you a matte finish; these usually have ingredients like silicone or oil-absorbing powders in them.
Think about whether you want a primer that doubles as skincare. Some primers contain hydrating ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which can be good if your skin is on the drier side, but if your other products already contain them, you might not need them in your primer as well.
Finally, consider what kind of coverage you want from your makeup, and try out different formulas to see what works best for you. Some people prefer silicone-based primers, while others do better with water-based or gel-based formulas. If you need something to help cover up blemishes or redness, look for a color-correcting primer or one with light-reflecting particles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand primer is best for oily skin?
There are a few different things to consider when choosing, including the finish you want, whether you want a primer that doubles as skincare, and what kind of coverage you want from your makeup. The ten products above are the options the original review covers for oily skin.
Is primer important for oily skin?
Primer can be helpful for people with oily skin. It creates a barrier between the skin and makeup products, helps makeup stay in place better throughout the day and evening, and can minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines.
Can a primer clog pores on oily skin?
The original guide advises looking for primers that are oil-free and non-comedogenic, meaning they will not clog pores. That matters for oily skin, because excess sebum can already lead to clogged pores, blackheads, and breakouts.
Related reading: gel moisturiser for oily skin, face wash for oily skin and choosing the right foundation colour.
Conclusion
Finding a good primer for oily skin comes down to oil control, a matte finish, and a formula your skin tolerates well. Use the comparison table and the choosing tips above to narrow the ten options in this roundup to the one that fits your skin. Whichever you choose, patch test it first and give the formula a fair trial before deciding.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for personal advice.
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