Finding a good foundation requires a lot of research. Not only do you have to consider color selection, price point, and coverage levels, but there’s also the most important component: Is the foundation compatible with your skin type? A foundation can be top of the line, but that doesn’t mean much if it isn’t ideal for your skin type.
So which foundations are ideal for you? Well, to know that you first need to determine your skin type. For a quick refresher, there are four common skin types. To find yours, you can grab facial tissue or an oil blotting paper and press it on your face:
- Dry Skin – No oil residue on the tissue; may feel dry or tight after being wiped.
- Normal Skin – No oil residue on the tissue
- Oily Skin – Blots of oil on the tissue, particularly from the forehead and cheek area
- Combination Skin – Spots of oil on the tissue from the t-zone area, not a significant amount.
While your skin can alter with each season, for the most partition will stay within one or two categories. For example, my skin is oily in Spring and Summer, yet it leans more toward the combination side in Fall and Winter. With that being said, I’ve curated my top 5 foundation recommendations for anyone with oily skin. If we have similar skin tones, be sure to grab your free reference chart showcasing the shades I purchase for these (and more) foundations mentioned by clicking here!
Top 5 Foundations for Oily Skin
Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24h Makeup
- Coverage Level: Medium to Full
- Price Point: $47
- Formula: Liquid
- Best for: Year-Round
- Additional Thoughts: Lancome’s Teint Idole foundation is my top pick for face makeup, and has been for almost two years now. It was included in the Best of 2015 post and I still include it as a must-have. The color range is fantastic for women of color, which is usually a limitation for us. On top of that, the foundation looks great with or without a setting powder and maintains even coverage throughout the day.
NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint
- Coverage Level: Light
- Price Point: $44
- Formula: Liquid
- Best time to use: Summer
- Additional Thoughts: If sheer coverage is your jam, try the NARS Velvet Matte Skin Tint. It looks very natural but covers enough to look put together. For an in-depth look into the foundation, read the full review here.
Make Up For Ever Duo Mat
- Coverage Level: Medium
- Price Point: $34
- Formula: Pressed Powder
- Best time to use: Year-Round
- Additional Thoughts: The MUFE Duo Mat Powder is the only pressed powder I’ve found outside of the MAC world that looks great when worn alone as well as with a light foundation. It looks best alone when applied with the applicator that’s included, but a sheer coverage can be achieved with a powder brush.
NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation
- Coverage Level: Medium
- Price Point: $48
- Formula: Liquid
- Best time to use: Spring
- Additional Thoughts: A foundation marketed towards providing a luminous glow is included in an oily skin post? Trust me, I’m just as surprised as you are but this stuff is the real deal. It provides a natural finish without leaving your skin a greasy mess by the end of the day. The key with the NARS All Day Luminous foundation is to use a primer and finish with a lightweight setting powder.
L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte
- Coverage Level: Full
- Price Point: $10-$13
- Formula: Liquid
- Best time to use: Winter
- Additional Thoughts: L’oreal’s Infallible Pro-Matte is hands down the best mattifying, full coverage foundation available at the drugstore. I have a more detailed post covering shade selection and my first impressions, which you can find here. With this product, a setting powder isn’t required.
I have tried several different foundations over the years, which you’ll notice are all included in the free color chart, and I finally feel like I’ve found my firm rotation of foundations. What’s great about this mix is the variety in coverage based on the season. Even if you don’t have oily skin, the change in seasons should prompt you to reevaluate your makeup selection. Some products can stick with you throughout the whole year, but others truly shine in a particular season.
PS. Click Here to grab the free reference chart where I share my foundation shade in the above foundations and more!
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