After you’ve balanced out your skin using my advice on the “Oil Control Products That Work” post, it’s time to apply foundation. Foundation evens out your skin tone and set your makeup, so it is prudent to find the correct foundation for your skin type. For oily skin, the best foundations are powder foundations, but for women who want additional coverage, I’ll recommend some liquid foundations too.

Powder Foundations
Powder foundations are best for oily skin because they stay in place more than liquid and cream foundations, and are very effective in absorbing oil.
- Shiseido Sheer Matifying Compact is a super oil-absorbing powder that last all day. It also makes your skin feel silky smooth with each application.
- Bare Essentials bare Minerals Foundation only needs light application since the term “a little goes a long way” directly applies with this product. If you apply too much, it will set into your fine lines. However, it stays on all day.
- Laura Mercier Powder Foundation is very matifying on oily skin and controls shine extremely well. The powder lasts throughout the day.
- MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation not only matifies oily skin, but also minimizes the appearance of large pores.

Liquid Foundations
If you choose to use a liquid foundation with or without the powder foundation, make sure you use a liquid foundation that is oil-free. Oil-free liquid foundations are designed for oily skin and will control oil production, or at least mask it. Most liquid foundations for oily skin will have a light to medium coverage. However, the coverage is easily buildable to obtain the desired (heavy) coverage.
- Make Up Forever Mat Velvet + is a great matifying liquid foundation for oily skin. It offers a light coverage that you can build up. It is water resistant and keeps your face matte throughout the day. However, the downside to this foundation is that it tends to settle into your fine lines.
- L’Oreal Visible Lift (the one with the blue tags on the front, because the Infallible line is for dry skin types). This foundation also has anti-aging benefits because it contains ingredients like retinol and vitamin C.
- Laura Mercier Oil-Free Liquid Foundation which is one of the best liquid foundations for oily skin. Great matifying coverage all day long.
One of the worst liquid foundations I’ve used is Neutrogena’s Skin Clearing makeup, which does help clear up the face but also dries it out, and L’Oreal True Match, which is for dry skin.
Two of the most important tips to remember when choosing a foundation, whether powder or liquid, for your skin is:
1) Pick a product that will balance out your skin, which are natural products that are not full of chemicals.
2) Pick a product that is designed for your skin type. If not your skin will have an adverse reaction to the product and you’ll look the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
Finally, at the end of the day thoroughly wash off your make and clean your face.
I hope I’ve helped you chose a foundation that works for your oily skin. Let me know if you recommend any other products that have worked for your oily skin.


