In this article:
Skin care for oily skin
How to do makeup on oily skin
Other makeup tips for oily skin
While it might seem simple, using makeup can get pretty complicated – and that can be especially true for oily skin. Finding formulas that work well without sliding off halfway through the day, getting cakey, emphasising pores or becoming an oil slick can be a true challenge.
That said, there is hope! We have the tips you need to select the best formulas for your oily or combination skin, plus research-backed skin care advice to set your skin up for success before you’ve even picked up your first makeup product. Let’s get into it!
Skin care for oily skin
Hands-down, great makeup prep starts with great skin care. A lot of how your makeup performs over the day is about how you treat your skin beforehand. Here are some tried-and-true ways to tackle your oily skin concerns with a foolproof routine packed with skin care products for oily skin.
Cleansing oily skin for makeup
Cleansing seems like such a basic step, but it really is an important way to start your oily skin care routine. One of our top tips for tackling oily skin is to make sure you select a cleanser that’s best for your skin type, meaning it whisks away both dirt and oil without leaving skin feeling tight or dry.
Select a cleanser formula that’s free of drying or irritating ingredients, including denatured alcohol, menthol or citrus extracts. These ingredients might seem like a good idea because they can “refresh” skin or “dry up oil”, but their effect over time is the opposite of what you want. Irritation can increase oil production and make breakouts worse (1).
The best cleansers for oily skin are lightweight formulas (usually gels or foams) that rinse away cleanly without leaving skin feeling parched and feature soothing ingredients that combat redness.
Want to add a little extra oomph to your oily skin cleansing routine? Consider double cleansing. This method involves using a cleansing balm or oil first, then a regular cleanser to finish the job. While this isn’t necessary, it can help more thoroughly remove mineral-based or water-resistant sunscreens, which tend to be more tenacious.
Mattifying face masks for makeup prep
Face masks are a great way to help absorb excess oil to prep skin for flawless makeup application. Again, it’s important to keep in mind – no harsh ingredients that will only make skin oilier!
Clay and charcoal are two safe and proven ingredients for rinse-off masks that sponge up oil without wrecking your skin. You’ll be amazed at the results after having them on only a few minutes.
Simply apply an oily skin face mask.
Tone and exfoliate oily skin
Next up, it’s time for toning and exfoliating – but skip the harsh, alcohol-based or witch hazel toners. The purpose of a toner is to replenish what cleansing might have taken away, not strip away moisture! Look instead for a formula that lightly hydrates as it controls oil, balances skin and reduces the appearance of pores.
When it comes to exfoliants, BHA (beta hydroxy acid, or salicylic acid) is the gold standard for oily skin. BHA is oil soluble, meaning it can go down into pores and unclog them (2). A water-light liquid exfoliant featuring BHA is a great way to tone down oiliness and fight bumps if you have them, perfectly prepping skin for makeup.
Serums and treatments for oily and combination skin
If your skin gets super oily during the day, adding a serum or treatment designed to normalise oil flow through pores can make a big impact. Niacinamide is a blockbuster when it comes to regulating how your pores work and can help reduce oil production (3).
Try a liquid niacinamide booster that can easily be added into your regular skin care routine to smooth skin and help improve makeup application. If you have advanced oil control issues, you might want to consider a 20% niacinamide treatment that also reduces the appearance of bumps and stretched out pores. Not only will this help skin reach its healthiest state, it also can reduce the amount of oil on the face, making makeup last longer.
How to moisturise oily skin for makeup
We touched on this earlier, but we must emphasise that even oily skin needs moisture. Moisture is a hallmark of healthy skin, no matter what type it might be. Using a great moisturiser for oily skin before makeup ensures smoother application, which is the goal.
Choose lightweight moisturisers that act as a great base for makeup without weighing skin down. If you’re heading for a night out, a gel moisturiser or even your toner will do. For daytime, SPF is critical. Worried about greasy sunscreen? A mattifying formula that works well under makeup and is designed to keep oil in check while defending against sun damage is a must!
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How to do makeup on oily skin
Now it’s time for what you’ve been waiting for – how to put together your oily skin makeup routine.
Apply mattifying primer for oily and combination skin
Start off by applying a mattifying primer that keeps oil in check for hours. The best primer for oily skin is one that provides a smooth, matte finish for foundation. Apply this primer where you need oil control – if it’s just your T-zone, put on a layer there and don’t forget that you can also use an irritant-free primer to keep oily eyelids shine-free too!
Look for matte-finish foundations
What type of foundation is best for oily skin? When it comes to concealer and foundation for oily skin, liquid matte or satin formulas tend to perform the best, delivering long-wear, yet natural-looking results. Avoid stick foundations or thick creams, which can feel occlusive on oily skin.
Powder foundations have also come a long way since their start as somewhat chalky alternatives to liquid foundations. Next-generation powder foundations are often water or silicone based (which are best for oily and combination skin, skip oil-based formulas!). They go on remarkably smoothly for an imperceptible natural finish.
The world of foundations can be overwhelming, and not everyone’s oily skin is alike, so we recommend getting samples from your favourite cosmetics store to road test which formula might be your holy grail.
Once you’ve found the right foundation for you, apply light layers until you get your technique for reaching the coverage you want dialed in.
Set your makeup to minimise oiliness
Setting your foundation with an ultra-fine powder can give you a longer wear as well as a sheer layer of shine control. You can choose a translucent powder or one that closely matches your foundation colour. Some silicone-based powders even have a blurring effect that can minimise the look of pores!
One more way powder helps oily skin: It allows blush and contour powders to go on more evenly and helps both resist fading.
Setting sprays are very tempting for their portability, but unfortunately it is super-hard to find one that doesn’t contain drying alcohols. There are a few out there though that do not contain alcohol and are worth seeking out, if you’re up for the search – this is another area where hitting up a well-stocked beauty store can help.
Choose blush, bronzing and contour powders over creams
As with foundations, matte is also the way to go for colour cosmetics. Blush and contour sticks can be ultra-convenient but unfortunately the emollient ingredients that make them so creamy and blendable can also clog pores and make shiny skin even shinier. There are a wealth of remarkable powder blush, bronzing and contour powders out there that do their part to combat shine while providing colour.
Want a dewier look? Consider a water-based gel formula that you can lightly dab onto skin with a blender brush, then set with a sheer layer of powder.
Touchups throughout the day
Let’s face it: sometimes skin is just oily and makes itself known even if you’ve prepped it beyond an inch of its life. If a few hours into wearing your makeup you start to see some shine, there are things you can do to fix it.
Blotting sheets are portable and do a great job dabbing off oil without removing your makeup. Powder touchups can also help control shine and keep makeup going well into the late hours. You can even stash your mattifying primer into a bag and gently dab it over your makeup to keep oil under control for several more hours.
Other makeup tips for oily skin
A few more tips for oily skin – remember, it still needs hydration, so don’t forget to moisturise daily to keep it healthy.
One tip to help keep bacteria that can cause oily skin and acne at bay is to keep those makeup brushes clean! We have much more information about how to properly cleanse your makeup tools but here’s something that might put your mind at ease – you only need to clean your brushes monthly (if only using on yourself) to keep them germ-free.
Learn more about oily skin.
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References for this information:
- Cells, June 2021, ePublication
- International Journal of Research in Engineering, Science and Management, October 2020, pages 54-55
- Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy, March 2006, pages 96-101
