One of the best ways imaginable to get some semblance of control over difficult oily skin is using primer. Now, we understand that some people out there see primer as just another step to add to the makeup routine, but hear us out: primers exist to try to keep any existing skin issues in check before the rest of your makeup goes on, and the best of these primers make sure your skin stays that way for as long as it can muster.
Here are 8 primers that, in our opinion, are fantastic at getting your oily skin under control:
Price: $4.99
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We’re starting this list off with a magical drugstore primer from Covergirl. The TruBlend Base Business Face Primer comes in a good variety of finishes that address a myriad of the usual skin concerns, particularly vis-à-vis makeup, and how much makeup lasts on the skin. But all of these variants do a bang-up job of prepping all skin types, making them look (and feel) particularly soft and supple, which also ends up expediting the process as you go on.
Price: $38.00
Givenchy’s Mister Mat Primer is not the absolute most mattifying primer out there, but it’s certainly no slouch. This primer does keep oiliness in check, but also performs a host of other ways including reducing the appearance of pores, and making the skin look so much more healthy and glowing than it would before you put this primer on. Definitely a good primer to use if most mattifying primers tend to make your skin look flat and sallow.
Price: $36.00
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This might not be the most well-known primer on this list, but this is a find we’re very happy with. The Pore & Shine Control Face Primer is one of NARS Cosmetics’ offerings in terms of primers, and this one’s very much suited to oily skin. This primer has a luminous matte finish that not only really kicks up the oil control, but also dries down and finishes as a beautiful luminous matte that looks just the right amount of healthy.
Price: $39.00
Now here’s a product that definitely feels like it’s created for oily skin. The Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is from BECCA Cosmetics, and it’s created quite a buzz around itself as one of the foremost primers created for oily skin. This product really homes in on keeping the appearance of pores in check, but especially keeping oiliness out of your makeup equation, no matter how long you put it on. This one’s not for the faint of heart, so if you have oily skin, beware.
Price: $36.00
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As far as oily skin goes, the Photo Finish Foundation Primer is one of the best choices out there for you. Despite the silicone-y texture possibly being a turn off to some, this Smashbox primer is just so great at keeping your makeup out of trouble. The way it mattifies skin and controls oil production is absolutely legendary, and ends up extending makeup wear time much more than you think.
Price: $6.99
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While some people aren’t the hugest fans of a slippery silicone-like texture in their primers, the Baby Skin® Instant Pore Eraser® Face Primer is one well-beloved, very effective primer from Maybelline. This product promises to create a smooth, “baby-like” finish for your face that essentially blurs out any undesirable imperfections. Maybe if the product felt a little less like silicone, it would sell better among more discerning enthusiasts. But one thing’s for sure: we adore this primer, especially because it’s way more affordable than most other options out there.
Price: $32.00
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There are plenty of reasons why Benefit Cosmetics’ The POREfessional Face Primer is such an endlessly beloved primer, especially by people who deal with oily skin on a regular basis. Even if we didn’t really enjoy this primer too much when we first tried it out, we’ve come to realize that it’s much better than we originally gave it credit for. This primer not only smoothes out skin, but also works to keep that texture even when makeup has been layered over it. And the best part is, it’s just not particularly drying or anything to the skin, so it just feels comfortable to put on.
Price: $54.00
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The only thing that we don’t like about the Veil Mineral Primer from Hourglass Cosmetics is that, in truth, it is quite pricey—which we shouldn’t really be surprised by because Hourglass is, in a way, a luxury brand. But otherwise, it just works too well to ignore. Besides prepping the skin for makeup by evening out skin color and smoothing out imperfections, this product is just so great at keeping oiliness out of the equation, ensuring a really great makeup day every time you pick this bottle up.
