Best primer for oily skin that actually keeps makeup matte and long-lasting, even in heat and humidity.
// Summary //
Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth Primer is my top pick for oily skin. It feels lightweight, smooths texture, and keeps makeup in place without getting greasy. Even in heat and long wear, it controls shine and helps makeup last.
For stronger oil control, mattifying primers help reduce shine and keep the T-zone matte for hours.
If pores and texture are your main concern, pore-blurring primers help create a smoother base and improve how makeup sits on the skin.
These primers work especially well if you struggle with:
– Excess oil and shine
– Large pores and uneven texture
– Makeup fading or breaking down
Most of these are silicone-based primers, which perform better for oily skin by controlling oil and smoothing the skin surface.
What to Look for in a Primer for Oily Skin
This is especially important if you’re looking for:
Before choosing, here are the key things that actually make a difference:
✔ Oil-absorbing ingredients like silica or niacinamide to control shine
✔ Silicone-based formulas to blur pores and smooth texture
✔ Matte or soft-matte finish to prevent excess shine
✔ Long-wear performance so makeup stays in place for hours
✔ Non-comedogenic formulas if you’re acne-prone
What is the best primer for oily skin?
The best primer for oily skin is one that controls shine, blurs pores, and keeps makeup in place for long hours. Matte and silicone-based primers work best because they absorb excess oil and smooth the skin.
My Top Picks
- Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer – Best Primer for Oily Skin
- e.l.f. Power Grip Primer – Best Trending Primer
- NYX Shine Killer Primer – Best Matte Primer for Oily Skin
- Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder – Best Viral Pore-Blurring Primer
- Benefit POREfessional Face Primer – Best for Pores
- Urban Decay All Nighter Mattifying Primer – Best Long-Lasting
- e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer – Best Drugstore Primer for Oily Skin
- Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas Primer – Best Luxury Primer
- Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer – Best for Oil Control
- NYX Marshmallow Primer – Best Multi-Tasker
- Wet n Wild Impossible Primer – Best Hydrating Primer
Best Primer for Oily Skin
This list includes both high-end and drugstore primers for oily skin, including some of the best matte and pore-blurring options trending right now.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer
Size: 1 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Natural
🔹 Key Ingredients: Silkscreen Complex, Vitamin A and E
🔹 Best For: Long wear, blurring pores, controlling shine
This works especially well as a primer for oily skin and large pores. It delivers a soft-matte finish, minimizes pores, and extends makeup wear for up to 12 hours. It has Vitamin A and E which helps with breakouts, making it ideal for acne-prone skin.
✔ Oil control for 10+ hours
✔ Blurs pores without feeling heavy
✔ Ideal for acne-prone skin
❌ Can feel slightly drying for combination skin
Best for Grip
Elf Power Grip Primer
Size: 0.81 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Natural
🔹 Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Niacinamide, Sodium Hyaluronate, Rosemary Leaf Water
🔹 Best For: Long-lasting grip, enhancing makeup longevity
This primer is known for its excellent grip, ensuring makeup stays in place all day. It contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid for added hydration while niacinamide calms and soothes the skin. Ideal for those looking for a primer that holds makeup tightly to the skin for a flawless finish.
✔ Helps makeup last all day
✔ Hydrates while providing grip
✔ Great for sensitive and dry skin
❌ Can feel sticky initially, but grips well once set
Best Mattifying Drugstore Primer
NYX Shine Killer Primer
Size: 0.67 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Matte
🔹 Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, Silica, Charcoal Powder
🔹 Best For: Mattifying, shine control
This is a strong mattifying primer for oily skin that controls shine effectively. The addition of charcoal powder also detoxifies the skin.
✔ Ideal for long-lasting shine control
✔ Lightweight formula
✔ Detoxifies skin
❌ May not provide enough moisture for dry skin
Best Viral Pore-Blurring Primer
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Size: 0.3 oz | Texture: Balm-to-powder | Finish: Natural matte
🔹 Key Ingredients: Upsalite, Squalane, Hyaluronic Acid
🔹 Best For: Oil control + pore blurring + texture
This is one of the most trending products right now (especially in the US). It works differently from traditional primers with a balm-to-powder formula that controls oil while keeping skin balanced.
It helps reduce shine, blur pores, and improve skin texture without feeling heavy. Unlike typical mattifying primers, it also maintains hydration, making it suitable for long wear.
✔ Controls oil and sweat effectively
✔ Blurs pores and smooths texture
✔ Lightweight balm-to-powder finish
✔ Works as both primer and standalone base
❌ Slight learning curve in application
Best for Minimizing Pores
Benefit POREfessional Face Primer
Size: 0.75 oz | Texture: Balm | Finish: Matte
Key Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate
🔹 Best For: Minimizing pores, controlling shine, long wear
It’s one of the best primers for pores and oily skin. The combination of dimethicone and silica works to control oil and create a smooth base for makeup.
✔ Blurs pores effectively
✔ Oil-free formula for long-lasting control
✔ Keeps makeup in place all day
❌ May not work well for extremely dry skin
Best Long-Lasting
Urban Decay All Nighter Mattifying Primer
Size: 1 oz | Texture: Gel | Finish: Matte
🔹 Key Ingredients: Silica, Nannochloropsis Oculata Extract, Polyacrylamide
🔹 Best For: Long-lasting makeup, shine control, pore minimization
With a gel-like texture, this primer is designed to keep makeup in place while controlling shine for up to 12 hours. Silica and the antioxidant-rich nannochloropsis extract protect the skin from environmental damage.
✔ Long-lasting hold
✔ Controls shine and excess oil
✔ Smooth, non-greasy texture
❌ Can feel slightly heavy on sensitive skin
Best Budget
Elf Poreless Putty Primer
Size: 0.74 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Matte
🔹 Key Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
🔹 Best For: Blurring pores, matte finish, smooth texture
This affordable putty primer is known for blurring imperfections and reducing the appearance of pores while keeping the skin matte. It works well for both oily and combination skin types.
✔ Affordable, effective pore-blurring
✔ Smooth matte finish
✔ Great for oily skin
❌ May feel a little heavy for sensitive skin
Best Luxury
Tatcha Liquid Silk Canvas Primer
Size: 1 oz | Texture: Liquid | Finish: Natural
🔹 Key Ingredients: Silk Extract, Green Tea Extract, Rice Powder
🔹 Best For: Soft, velvet finish, smooth texture, long-lasting hold
This primer creates an airbrushed look, absorbing excess oil while providing a soft, matte finish. Its formula with silk extract ensures makeup lasts longer without feeling heavy.
✔ Ideal for dry to oily skin
✔ Protects against environmental stressors
✔ Smooth, silky texture
❌ Price may be high for some budgets
Best Primer for Oil Control
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Face Primer
Size: 1 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Matte
🔹 Key Ingredients: Silica, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E)
🔹 Best For: Oil control, matte finish, and shine reduction
This mattifying primer is perfect for those with oily skin. It works to control shine and keep makeup intact all day. The inclusion of silica helps absorb excess oil, while dimethicone provides a smooth, silky texture that fills in pores. It’s also packed with Vitamin E, which helps protect the skin.
✔ Controls oil and shine for hours
✔ Smoothes skin texture for a flawless base
✔ Protects with antioxidant-rich Vitamin E
❌ May not be hydrating enough for dry skin
Best Multi-Tasker
NYX Marshmallow Primer
Size: 1 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Natural
🔹 Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Glycerin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
🔹 Best For: Hydration, smoothness, multi-tasking
This primer hydrates and controls oil at the same time, providing a smooth base while keeping shine under control. The inclusion of marshmallow root extract leaves skin feeling soft and ready for makeup.
✔ Smooth, velvety texture
✔ Balances hydration and mattification
✔ Suitable for sensitive skin
❌ Can be too moisturizing for very oily skin
Best Hydrating Primer
Wet n Wild Impossible Primer
Size: 1 oz | Texture: Cream | Finish: Natural
🔹 Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Physalis Angulata Extract
🔹 Best For: Hydration, smooth base, oil control
This primer balances hydration while effectively controlling oil, leaving your skin with a smooth finish. It’s a great option for those looking for a balance between hydration and oil control.
✔ Hydrates while controlling oil
✔ Affordable
✔ Smoothens texture
❌ Contains fragrance which may irritate sensitive skin
Silicone-Based vs Water-Based Primer for Oily Skin
Water-based primers can work for oily skin, but for strong oil control, silicone-based primers are usually better.
- Silicone-based primers
Best for oily skin and large pores. They blur pores, smooth texture, and control oil effectively. - Water-based primers
Better for sensitive skin, but may not control shine as strongly.
If your main concern is visible pores and oil control, silicone-based primers usually perform better.
For longer wear, pairing your primer with a setting spray helps lock makeup in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which primer is best for oily skin and large pores?
Silicone-based primers like Smashbox Photo Finish and Benefit POREfessional work best because they blur pores and control oil.
What is the best drugstore primer for oily skin?
e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer and NYX Shine Killer are among the best affordable options for oily skin.
Is matte primer better for oily skin?
Yes, matte primers help absorb oil and prevent shine, making makeup last longer.
Do I need a setting spray after primer?
Yes, using a mattifying setting spray helps lock makeup in place and improves longevity on oily skin.
What type of primer is best for oily acne-prone skin?
Look for non-comedogenic, lightweight primers with oil-absorbing ingredients like silica or niacinamide.
Final Thoughts
The best primer for oily skin depends on what you struggle with most.
If you want full oil control and long wear, Smashbox Photo Finish is the most reliable option.
For strong mattifying performance, NYX Shine Killer is one of the best budget-friendly choices.
If pores and texture are your main concern, Benefit POREfessional and e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer work best to smooth the skin.
No matter which one you choose, pairing your primer with a mattifying setting spray will help your makeup last longer and stay shine-free throughout the day.
