20 Best Foundations for Oily Skin That Won't Make You Look Greasy or Shiny

This liquid foundation works for all skin types, but its 16-hour staying power makes it an especially good match for oily skin (think: no sliding or creasing midday). The oil-free formula also dries to a matte finish that won’t sink into creases or crevices—promise.

You don't need to spend a ton of $$ to find a foundation that works with your oily skin. Proof: This drugstore option from Covergirl. It comes in 40 shades and gives your skin a smooth, shine-free finish (thanks to oil-absorbing powders) that lasts all day long. 

Matte foundations can often make skin look dull, but not this one from Huda Beauty. It's the perfect choice for anyone with oily skin who wants to control excess shine but still look luminous. The silky formula is infused with brightening ingredients to give you a subtle glow.

Don’t let the word “velvet” scare you—this foundation gives you a non-oily, matte finish that looks and feels like real skin rather than a chalky mask. The gentle formula is also a solid choice for sensitive skin, so you can layer it on without fear of redness or irritation.

Blackheads and whiteheads are unfortunately common when you have oily skin (thanks to the fact that excess oil can mix with dead skin cells and clog your pores). That’s where this serum foundation comes into play—it gives your face smooth, oil-free coverage, and its key ingredient, salicylic acid, dissolves any oil and dead skin cells that could clog your pores.

A few pumps of this foundation for oily skin helps "blur" the look of fine lines, dark spots, redness, large pores...pretty much every skin issue you can think of. It's all thanks to a special matte pigments that adhere to skin without caking, settling, or creasing.

If you have breakout-prone skin on top of excess oil, try a mineral-based foundation like this one, which helps soak up shine and oils throughout the day without clogging pores. The foundation blends like silk over your skin skin as soon as you brush it on, leaving behind a natural finish that doesn’t look, well, “powdery.”

This foundation has a unique cream-t0-powder texture that's actually perfect for oily skin types. It goes on silky smooth (AKA it won't settle into pores or creases) and then sets to a long-lasting matte finish that keeps excess shine in check throughout the day.

The magic ingredients in this hydrating foundation for oily skin? Aloe vera juice and peach fruit extract, which lightly moisturizes and plumps oily skin without leaving it shiny. Sure, blasting your already-oily skin with more moisture may seem counterintuitive, but when your skin is super dry, your glands produce extra oil to counteract that dehydration (resulting in really, really shiny skin). 

Some days you just want full coverage. On those days, reach for this foundation for oily skin. You only need a teeny bit of the ultra-pigmented formula to hide redness, discoloration, and breakouts—without clogging your pores or making your skin super shiny.

A mattifying powder foundation, like this one from Sephora, is a total no-brainer if you have oily skin. Buff it on with powder makeup brush to even out your skin tone and soak up excess oil throughout the day. 

ICYMI, sunscreen is a non-negotiable in your skincare routine. Luckily, this two-in-one foundation for oily skin contains SPF 50, so you don't have to layer on a bunch of products to get your daily dose of protection. Smooth a few pumps on your skin for long-lasting matte coverage and all-day UV defense.

This is an ideal option for anyone who has oily skin and wants to use a clean foundation with natural ingredients. The plant-based formula has a lightweight, serum-like texture that won't make skin feel greasy or shiny—even hours after you've put it on.

Use a damp makeup sponge to apply this foundation for oily skin and you'll legit be amazed at the dramatic smoothing effect it has on your face. Pores, fine lines, and rough texture? They all seem to disappear once you put a few pumps of this stuff on. 

Your greasy T-zone has finally met its match. This foundation for oily skin looks and applies like a liquid, yet dries down to a smooth, powder-like finish that surprisingly doesn’t feel heavy. But the real hero of this formula? Kaolinite clay, which helps absorb oil throughout the day to keep your skin matte and shine-free. 

Whether you want a full face beat or just a little bit of coverage, this buildable powder foundation’s got your back. The oil-absorbing formula is ridiculously easy to build and blend. It also contains bamboo extract, which leaves your skin with a smooth, filter-like finish.

The fine powder in this oil-free foundation helps control excess oil, leaving you with a natural-looking matte finish. The weightless formula is also long lasting, so it’ll keep you shine-free for up to 15 hours.

Want a full-coverage foundation but hate the idea of blending one on? Try this cult-favorite stick, which is equal parts moisturizing (thanks to its shea-butter base) and mattifying (due to its oil-absorbing minerals and powders) so it glides over skin without caking or tugging. Bonus: It’s also water-, sweat-, and humidity-resistant, because hell yes?

Excess oil pooling around your T-zone can actually highlight your pores, making them look way bigger. Fun! Prevent the magnifying effect with this foundation that glides over skin like a veil (read: minimizes the appearance of pores). The formula also contains micro powders that soak up shine for as long as you’re wearing it.

Every drop of this foundation is worth the hype. This is my go-to for a night out—it goes on smoothly and leaves you with a soft matte finish, but somehow, it doesn’t even feel like you’re wearing foundation. It lasts through hours of dancing, and it won’t clog your pores. Rihanna, come thruuuu.