Searching for the best primer for oily skin can be tricky business. You might've already discovered the best foundation for oily skin, but it's your primer that can elevate your entire make-up. As well as locking your make-up look in place all day, the right primer for oily skin can help manage an oily complexion by controlling shine and minimising the appearance of enlarged pores to create the ultimate base.
What does make-up primer do?
In short, a primer preps the skin for any base product you apply on top to look seamless, smooth and in place. If your make-up tends to fall into fine lines as the day goes on or starts to slip off altogether by lunchtime, a primer will help. If your skin is on the oilier side, it's best to choose a blurring and mattifying primer.
Is silicone-based primer good for oily skin?
Primers tend to sit within one of two categories: silicone or water-based. Products targeting oily skin are typically the former: silicones mattify the complexion, minimise the appearance of pores and help make-up to adhere to the skin for longer. Feeling confused? Take a look at the ingredients list: ingredients ending with -cone and -siloxane will indicate that your primer is silicone-based.
Silicone products don't always work for every oily complexion, though. Some might notice breakouts after use, as silicones such as dimethicone can trap sebum and other impurities. In this case, seek out a water-based formula that uses the lightest silicones.
We've rounded up the best of the bunch, below. Smoother, shine-free skin, this way...
Shop: Best Primers for Oily Skin
Best Primers For Oily Skin
1 of 7Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer
Oily skin types might be conditioned to expect primers that are gel-like and silicone heavy. Laura Mercier's offering for oily skin types turns that on its head: the texture is a cream, but blends into skin and leaves a velvety, powder finish on skin. There's no silicone in this primer - just blurring powders that absorb excess oil and mattify skin, for a filter-esque finish.
Site review: "An amazing product. Made my pores magically disappear and not once did I have to powder my t-zone during the day. Glides on and leaves you with a matte yet glowing face."
2 of 7Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Mattifying Primer True Matte
Fenty Beauty knows what they're doing when it comes to creating flawless skin. This primer will control any unwanted shine and mattify to create the ultimate base for make-up. Perfect for any oily and combination skin type. Made with blurring powders, this primer gives the illusion of an in-person Insta filter, need we say more?
Site review: "Absolutely LOVE this! Pop it on under my foundation and I feel my foundation sits the best it ever has. Stays matte without looking cakey. Will definitely buy again as it's a make-up bag staple.
3 of 7NARS Soft Matte Primer
If you're looking for a primer to instantly mattify but will create a velvet skin finish, the NARS Soft Matte Primer is definitely one to try. This water-gel primer feels lightweight and leaves the skin looking and feeling smooth in preparation for a seamless foundation application.
Site review: "Don't let the name fool you! Soft matte primer feels hydrating, yet soft and matte. It actually makes my skin feel calmer and improved just by wearing it! It holds my makeup in place all day and look so natural. I highly recommend this primer to my friends and clients."
4 of 7Murad Oil and Pore Control Mattifier SPF45
Yes: this is not marketed as a primer, but it is one of the best oil-controlling lotions we've ever found. A moisturiser and SPF hybrid, it contains oil-trapping spheres that capture any speck of oil before it wreaks havoc with your make-up. As such, it preps skin beautifully for foundation and keeps your skin behaving all day long.
Site review: "It's great for acne-prone skin. Doesn't leave a cast, absorbs quickly, is actually hydrating and gives my skin a lovely matte finish."
5 of 7ONE/SIZE Secure the Blur Makeup Magnet Primer
ONE/SIZE is a new brand to grace the UK created by YouTube royalty, Patrick Starrr. Control any unwanted shine and blur pores to ensure your make-up look looks flawless and promises to stay put all day. This blurring primer has been made with Niacinamide to calm, brighten and even the skin tone and texture.
Site review: "This is an amazing primer, the blurring effect on my textured skin was incredible."
6 of 7Indeed Labs Nanoblur
Head make-up artist on Euphoria, Donni Davy, used this skincare product instead of powder on set. While not a primer or powder, per se, what this blurring cream does is smooths skin to minimise the appearance of pores and creates a soft matte finish. Use before foundation as a primer, or in lieu of powder to touch up your make-up throughout the day. This is one of the high street's best finds.
Site review: "I absolutely love this stuff and have used it for years. It lifts the skin and smooths out wrinkles. I recommend it to everyone I know."
7 of 7Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer
Believe the TikTok hype. This gel primer behaves like skincare and will work best for those with oily/combination skin: it hydrates and lends a touch of glow to skin. It dries down to leave a texture that feels slightly tacky, so you're reassured that your make-up will really adhere to it and, in turn, not budge.
Site review: "This is my go-to primer now, it grips my makeup and ensures it last all day. Can’t recommend enough."