
7 Greatest Primers for Oily Pores and skin to Preserve Make-up Locked In
Face primer is crucial for preserving your make-up from melting off by noon, particularly in the summertime. However on the subject of one of the best primers for shiny pores and skin, the search will get trickier. You want a method that not solely locks every part in place but additionally mattifies, minimizes pores, and gained’t clog or irritate acne-prone pores and skin. Additionally essential in your search: oil-fighting substances. (Attempt cellulose and niacinamide, a type of vitamin B3 that helps stability pores and skin tone and management extra oil.)
To search out one of the best primers for shiny pores and skin, Attract editors tapped make-up artists for his or her go-tos and examined over 15 formulation that declare to mattify, easy, and management oil. Throughout testing, we checked out how lengthy they stored make-up on, how nicely they blurred pores, and whether or not they really helped curb shine. Forward, the expert-backed, editor-approved primers that truly maintain up all day.
Our High Primers for Oily Pores and skin
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Greatest Total: Nars Mushy Matte Primer
Attract contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai making use of the Nars Mushy Matte Primer
Deanna PaiWhy it’s value it: Of all of the formulation we tried, the Nars Mushy Matte Primer got here out on high as a result of it combines every part we’re searching for in a primer for shiny pores and skin. First off, the gel-like texture is tremendous light-weight, one thing we will not say for all of the mattifying primers we examined. It glides on simply, immediately knocks out shine, and smooths over pores, uneven texture, and nice strains with out feeling like a movie in your pores and skin. And it doesn’t make your face look flat or chalky—as with the model’s setting powder, it removes extra oil however nonetheless leaves pores and skin with a pure end that displays simply the correct amount of sunshine.
Throughout testing, we have been particularly impressed by how nicely it held up all through the day. Like a setting spray, it stored our make-up in place from morning to nighttime—even by way of sweat and oil buildup—and gave us a clear, easy base for basis. Plus, it someway manages to maintain pores and skin feeling hydrated and plump (uncommon for a mattifying method!).

Pai instantly after making use of the Nars Mushy Matte Primer
Deanna Pai
Pai 8 hours after making use of the Nars Mushy Matte Primer
Deanna PaiTester suggestions from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“My pores and skin is of course oily, to not point out acne-prone—so I sit within the house of needing a superb mattifying primer, however being concerned it will really feel heavy or occlusive. That is by no means been the case with this one, which might someway make my pores and skin look extra matte all through the day. I lately wore it when the temperature reached the higher 90s and, on high of it, I needed to put on a masks as a consequence of a cough. This primer held up like nobody’s enterprise: It stored shine from forming on my brow and nostril, and my full-coverage basis did not budge till I washed it off.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
- Key substances: rice bran extract, rosemary leaf extract, sunflower extract
- Formulation: gel
- End: smooth matte
Greatest Blurring: Danessa Myricks Magnificence Yummy Pores and skin Blurring Balm Powder
Why it’s value it: When you’re searching for a skin-blurring primer and tinted balm in a single, the 2023 Attract Better of Magnificence Award–successful Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm is principally an IRL smoothing filter. You possibly can put on it by itself or beneath basis (it even is available in a transparent model, pictured above, when you desire no tint), and it at all times feels light-weight and breathable, which is a giant win for shiny pores and skin. The balm-to-powder method means it gained’t sit in your face and depart a greasy residue. As a substitute, it melts in and actively mattifies, because of substances like silicone for blurring, vegan squalane to stability oil, and upsalite to soak up extra sweat all through the day. There’s additionally a dose of hyaluronic acid for hydration, as a result of oily pores and skin nonetheless wants moisture to maintain the barrier wholesome.

Attract affiliate supervisor of viewers growth Melanie Curry instantly after making use of the Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder
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Curry 8 hours after making use of the Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder
Tester suggestions from affiliate supervisor of viewers growth Melanie Curry
“I get tremendous oily and sweaty in the summertime (do not all of us?), so I want an oil-free primer that preserve my make-up intact for longtime put on within the humid New York warmth. Danessa Myricks Yummy Pores and skin balm does simply that—and extra. What I like essentially the most about this bb is its cream-to-matte end and light-weight really feel. Plus, just a little goes a good distance. So whereas this balm is not the most cost effective in the marketplace, it will final you a very long time (like months), even when you’re sporting it day-after-day.” —Melanie Curry, affiliate supervisor of viewers growth
- Key substances: squalane, upsalite, hyaluronic acid
- Formulation: balm-to-powder
- End: natural-matte
Greatest for Zits-Susceptible Pores and skin: Huda Magnificence Straightforward Blur Primer
Huda Magnificence
Straightforward Blur Primer
Attract commerce author Lily Wohlner making use of the Huda Magnificence Straightforward Blur Primer
Lily WohlnerWhy it’s value it: It’s uncommon to discover a pore-blurring primer that’s additionally silicone-free, however Huda Magnificence’s Straightforward Blur Primer is the diamond within the tough. Since some silicones can probably clog pores and set off breakouts, this one is a good decide for anybody with acne-prone pores and skin because it smooths and blurs with out the chance of congestion.
It additionally absorbs oil all day, thanks to exploit thistle extract and glycerin, and provides pores and skin a easy, airbrushed end beneath make-up. The place it actually shines is in how nicely it fills in pores—hello, skin-smoothing polymers—even when you skip basis completely. Professional tip: On no-makeup days, strive making use of it beneath your moisturizer. It offers your pores and skin a soft-focus end that has folks pondering you’re sporting a base despite the fact that you’re not.

Wohlner instantly after making use of the Huda Magnificence Straightforward Blur Primer
Wohlner 8 hours after making use of the Huda Magnificence Straightforward Blur Primer
“I’ve mixture pores and skin, so it’s not suuuper oily, however I at all times really feel just a little self-conscious about my pores once I skip a blurring primer. This one has change into my go-to (I’m nearly out, which says lots) as a result of it strikes the proper stability between preserving oils at bay with out making me look flat. I nonetheless get a little bit of glow, but it surely controls end-of-day shine and provides my pores and skin a porcelain-like end, with or with out make-up. I not often depart my condominium with out throwing a layer on my T-zone, it simply makes every part look just a little smoother.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce author
- Key substances: milk thistle extract, glycerin, polymers
- Formulation: gel
- End: natural-matte
Greatest Blurring: One/Dimension Oil Sucker Excessive Mattifying Alkaline Primer
Why it’s value it: Probably the most highly effective of all of the primers on this checklist, the One/Dimension Oil Sucker Excessive Mattifying Primer is beloved by make-up artists Christian Briceno and Dani Parkes, the latter of whom says it’s one of many solely primers she’s discovered truly retains the pores and skin matte all by way of the day. “This primer really grips make-up whereas controlling oils,” Parke notes.
One other welcome plus? It additionally blurs the pores so successfully that it creates a easy base to use your basis or concealer, Briceno says. However don’t get it twisted—it’s not going to sap your pores and skin of all moisture. This method can be loaded with hyaluronic acid, which visibly plumps and boosts moisture with out the shine. One factor to notice? “Keep away from utilizing oil-based merchandise on high of it, as they have an inclination to separate from the pores and skin and look flaky,” says Briceno.
Professional tip from make-up artist Dani Parkes
In order for you one other layer of oil-blocking safety, Parkes likes to spray the One/Dimension On ‘Til Daybreak Setting Spray, which claims to be waterproof, transferproof, smudgeproof, and sweatproof for 16 hours, to lock in her consumer’s make-up appears to be like.
- Key substances: mineral silicate complicated, hyaluronic acid
- Formulation: cream
- End: tremendous matte
Greatest Light-weight: Milk Make-up Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
Why it’s value it: Who doesn’t love a superb two-in-one? With regards to make-up, we’re all about merchandise that immediately make pores and skin look higher and ship long-term advantages. That’s precisely what you get with Milk Make-up’s Pore Eclipse Primer. (Its sister product, the Pore Eclipse Matte Setting Spray, gained a 2024 Attract Better of Magnificence Award.) This light-weight, water-cream primer blurs pores and controls shine on contact, but it surely additionally packs a few of the most pores and skin care-forward substances of any primer on this checklist. Suppose: niacinamide to visibly reduce pores, bakuchiol to easy texture, and lentil extract for oil management.
“Let this sit for a couple of minute earlier than making use of any basis on high,” says Wohlner. “I discover that it takes a sec to soak up into the pores and skin, so ready to use make-up will assist give it essentially the most dramatic impact.”
- Key substances: niacinamide, bakuchiol, lentil extract, moonstone
- Formulation: water cream
- End: smooth matte
Most Mattifying: Profit The Porefessional Matte Pore Minimizing Primer
Why we adore it: When you’re after long-lasting oil management, Profit’s The Porefessional Matte Pore Minimizing Primer is an Attract favourite. The unique Porefessional Pore Primer is a traditional (we have been utilizing it again in our highschool days), however this newer model takes that pore-blurring energy and cranks up the mattifying impact. The feel is completely different, too: It’s silky and a bit milky, slightly than having a silicone-y slip, which makes it straightforward to easy over your entire face with out pilling. It leaves behind a velvety, soft-focus end that retains shine in test all day. Bonus: The method is filled with skin-loving substances like niacinamide (recognizing a theme?), oil-absorbing rosehip extract, and mineral powders to assist blur massive pores over time. So, the extra you utilize it, the higher your pores and skin will look.
- Key substances: niacinamide, rose hip extract, mineral powders
- Formulation: water cream
- End: matte
Greatest Drugstore: E.L.F. Energy Grip Matte Primer
Why we adore it: Just like the Milk primer, E.L.F’s Energy Grip Matte Primer—a matte model of the fan-fave Energy Grip Primer—has a sticky, cheesy texture that holds onto make-up all day lengthy, and Parkes is a mega fan for her oily pores and skin purchasers. “The feel and really feel of this primer helps your make-up final so lengthy, and it’s tremendous mattifying, so it reduces oil buildup all through the day,” she says. Just like different oil-busters on this checklist, its declare to fame is that it has niacinamide, which Parkes says helps clear your pores over time.
“Use this primer if you need your make-up to mix higher in your pores and skin—the smooth matte end creates the proper easy base for utility,” Parkes says.
- Key substances: niacinamide, lemon myrtle mix
- Formulation: gel
- End: matte
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Which primer kind is greatest for shiny pores and skin?
In line with Briceno, silicone-based primers are the way in which to go if in case you have oily pores and skin. “They comprise silicate, which helps take in the oils within the pores and skin, making a easy, grippy texture for make-up,” he says. One other bonus of silicate? It supplies that velvety-looking end that improves the looks or pores and helps management areas of the face with extreme oil manufacturing, Briceno says. One caveat: You probably have acne-prone pores and skin, remember that silicones can entice micro organism, so ensure that to cleanse your pores and skin completely when eradicating it.
When you don’t see a silicone callout on the bundle, you’ll know {that a} primer is sweet for shiny pores and skin if the bottle has phrases like “mattifying” and “pore blurring,” says Parkes.
What do you have to take into account when searching for a primer for shiny pores and skin?
“Ensure your primer pairs nicely along with your skin-care merchandise,” says Briceno, who prefers water-based moisturizers since they layer greatest with silicone primers. “They’re light-weight and take in extra simply into the pores and skin,” he explains. When you’re utilizing a thicker moisturizer, give it a couple of minutes to completely sink in earlier than making use of your primer to keep away from pilling. Briceno additionally advises steering away from alcohol-based merchandise, which might overdry the pores and skin and set off much more oil manufacturing. As a substitute, he recommends gel-based formulation, that are extra sturdy and assist preserve oil in test.
What substances do you have to search for in a primer for shiny pores and skin?
When searching for a primer for shiny pores and skin, it’s essential to maintain substances in thoughts. Briceno recommends searching for niacinamide, which helps regulate oil and refine pores, together with oil-absorbing substances like silica and kaolin clay to mattify and easy pores and skin texture.
Silicones resembling dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane are nice for blurring imperfections and minimizing the look of pores. For these liable to breakouts or congestion, charcoal and salicylic acid can assist preserve pores and skin clear whereas controlling extra oil.
Are primers higher for shiny pores and skin than dry pores and skin?
Each pores and skin sorts can profit from primers, however there are clear variations between primers made for shiny pores and skin and choices made for drier pores and skin sorts. “Primers for shiny pores and skin management shine and extend put on normally by offering the pores and skin with a grip barrier, so the make-up stays wanting recent for an prolonged time,” says Briceno. Then again, primers for dry pores and skin deal with hydration and supply pores and skin with luminosity. Parkes says a hydrating moisturizer or face oil will do the job for dry pores and skin, too. The place these two sorts of primers align is with their objective: They each make your make-up look its greatest with out the necessity for a number of touch-ups.
Meet the specialists
How we check and evaluate merchandise
Earlier than reviewing any make-up, we ask questions on a variety of elements: What substances are in it? Does the model provide a large shade vary inclusive of customers with all pores and skin tones and undertones? Is it protected for readers who’ve delicate pores and skin or put on contact lenses? Is it on the inexpensive facet or extra of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
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