A good face primer is critical when it comes to preventing your makeup from melting off throughout the day — which folks with oily skin are (unfortunately) all too familiar with. According to makeup artist Brittany Lo, the purpose of a primer is to — you guessed it — prime and smooth out pores prior to applying foundation. The result? A smooth complexion and an even base for your foundation.
However, finding the right primer for your oily skin comes with its own nuances. With so many options and formulas out there, it can be tricky to narrow down which ones are best suited to help your makeup stay in place when you have oily skin — without setting off any acne flareups or enhancing the existing shine you have going on. To start, Lo recommends that oily skin types opt for a mattifying primer, one that will help conceal shine, grease, and excess buildup before your makeup application.
As you shop, you'll also want to look for oil-fighting ingredients. According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, these include oil-absorbing cellulose and niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3 that can balance your skin tone). "Not only can [niacinamide] help balance the skin, but it can also help with pore reduction," King tells Allure.
Cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson of Beauty Stat echoes King's sentiments on niacinamide. He also recommends charcoal and clay due to their oil-absorbing properties. Additionally, he notes that exfoliating acids (think: alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and poly hydroxy acids) are great when it comes to keeping pores clear, which can help prevent breakouts if you also have acne-prone skin.
To help you find the best primers for oily skin, Allure sought out expert recommendations from makeup artists. Ahead, you'll find 13 of our favorites across a wide range of price points.
All products featured on Allure are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Smashbox Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Matte Primer
Smashbox's Photo Finish Oil & Shine Control Matte Primer is a personal favorite of makeup artist Jamie Greenberg, who counts its 12-hour wear time as a huge plus. What's more, its sleek matte finish — coupled with its oil-free, lightweight, and non-greasy formula — helps it stand out from its peers. Ingredient highlights include oil-eliminating witch hazel, acne-fighting salicylic acid (a type of hydroxy acid), and moisturizing glycerin.
$14
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Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Primer in Blurring
According to makeup artist Andrea Claire, this Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer is "great for anyone who wants an invisible, matte finish." Despite its (essentially) weightless, silicone-free formula, the primer lasts up to 16 hours. The innovative formula features moisturizing squalane, glycerin, and plankton extract, the latter of which Robinson says helps to "hydrate oily skin without leaving a heavy or greasy feeling."
$39
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Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
"I love this primer because it has a silky texture and helps to reduce the appearance of pores and redness," says makeup artist Genevieve Garner of the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. "While it is a little higher in price, a little goes a long way, and I've found it works great under most foundations." The oil-free, SPF-infused primer — which one Allure staffer described as "lightweight" and "airy" — is also water-repellent to keep your makeup look in place for hours on end.
$54
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E.L.F. Cosmetics ELF+ Matte Oil-Control Primer
According to Garner, this E.L.F. Cosmetics ELF+ Matte Oil-Control Primer helps control any excess oil and sebum throughout the day. That's because it's infused with kaolin clay, which King and Robinson both credit for its oil-absorbing properties. The primer is also enriched with tea tree oil, which is best known for its antimicrobial properties.
$10
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Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer
Makeup artist Keka Heron credits the Fenty Pro Filt'r Retouch Primer with minimizing the appearance of pores while simultaneously smoothing skin. "It literally gives you a retouched finish," she tells Allure. The super-smooth formula is also cruelty-free — which serves as an added bonus.
$32
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Tarte Poreless Mattifying Primer
Tarte's Poreless Mattifying Primer helps blur blemishes, pores, and uneven skin textures. Makeup artist Cara Lovello declared it an excellent choice for oily skin since it creates a "shine-free, matte look." The waterproof formula features vitamin-rich avocado oil, which can help cut oil production (but only if it's formulated correctly, per Robinson). It also offers a blend of antioxidant-packed fruit extracts, which King notes are great for toning the skin.
$32
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Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
If you're searching for one of the best wallet-friendly drugstore primers, look no further than the Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer, which falls squarely under $6. Lo loves the primer's matte, powdery finish. Additionally, the primer is non-comedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores.
$7 $5
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Cover FX Mattifying Primer
As its name suggests, the Cover FX Mattifying Primer offers a smooth matte finish to minimize shine. Greenberg tells Allure that she loves the salicylic acid-infused primer because "it treats your skin while it primes." But, that’s not all: The ultra-light gel formula also packs a powerful punch with exfoliating lemon and orange extracts and soothing bisabolol (an ingredient derived from chamomile).
$38
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Make Up For Ever Step 1 Primer Shine Control
Keep shine at bay with Make Up For Ever's Step 1 Primer Shine Control, which has a mattifying formula that won't dry you out. Key ingredients include lactic acid, which, King says, "helps to exfoliate dead skin," and ginseng, which the chemist recommends for its toning properties.
Heron says the primer can layer under any foundation and "gives you a great velvety, skin-perfecting finish." "I also love that it's long-wear: You can keep it on for up to 20 hours," she adds.
$37
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Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
The Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer — a favorite of Lovello's, thanks to its smooth matte finish — helps minimize the appearance of large pores and mattify oily skin. The hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic formula is spiked with red clover flower extract, which can "heal inflamed skin," according to King, without clogging your pores. It's even infused with a derivative of salicylic acid.
$45
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Nyx Professional Makeup Shine Killer Mattifying Primer
The Nyx Professional Makeup Shine Killer Mattifying Primer is ideal for those with oily skin. The secret ingredient? Charcoal, which, according to King, "helps to draw out [dirt and oil]." Meanwhile, Heron loves its affordable under-$10 price point, fast-drying formula, and translucent finish.
$14 $7
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Tatcha The Silk Canvas Primer
According to Garner, Tatcha's The Silk Canvas Primer is packed with a "powerhouse of good ingredients" — including anti-inflammatory camellia sinensis leaf (otherwise known as green tea), glycerin, and hydrating squalane, to name a few — which "restore a natural radiance to your skin." The balm-like formula has an impressive velvety-smooth finish, thanks to the addition of pressed silk. Plus, the brand gets extra brownie points for the pretty purple packaging and mini spatula tool for keeping things extra sanitary.
For under $10, these Makeup Revolution Skincare Niacinamide Mattifying Primer Drops are a total steal. Niacinamide effectively combats oily skin and reduces the appearance of pores, while glycerin locks in moisture. Plus, the oil-free primer is also cruelty-free and vegan.