The 13 Best Primers for Oily Skin

One of the biggest roadblocks to gorgeous, matte-looking makeup is the appearance of excess oil. Foundation, eyeliner, bronzer, and all of the other cosmetics you use to perfect your look can sometimes begin to melt off by mid-day, especially if you're no stranger to a slick-looking T-Zone or shiny forehead. One popular way to help keep the appearance of excess grease in check—without taking a blotting paper to your skin every 10 minutes—is with a mattifying primer. Not only can these products help to address unwanted shine visibly, they also help your makeup look its best. But don't just take our word for it. Give these all-star products a try for yourself! Below, we share 13 mattifying primers—from the L’Oréal portfolio of brands—to use during your skin’s war on shine. 

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP SHINE KILLER

This pro potion helps eliminate the appearance of excess oil and shine, so skin is lastingly matte and fresh-looking. Smooth it on before your foundation or wear it solo for a beautifully mattified look.

NYX Professional Makeup Shine Killer, $14 MSRP

MAYBELLINE BABY SKIN INSTANT PORE ERASER

This lightweight makeup primer refreshes skin while providing the blurred illusion of minimized pores. Apply a thin layer onto skin for a smooth, matte finish. 

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser, $6.99 MSRP

URBAN DECAY DE-SLICK COMPLEXION PRIMER

Kick oil to the curb with this lightweight, paraben-free primer formulated with a high-tech mattifying blend of veegum (a natural clay derivative). The result? Beautiful, mattified skin that’s ready for its close-up. Also, the primer can help your makeup go on better. Pretty impressive, huh?

Urban Decay De-Slick Complexion Primer, $34 MSRP

GIORGIO ARMANI FLUID MASTER PRIMER

To help reduce the appearance of visible pores and mattify the skin's surface, look to this lightweight foundation primer. The formula not only helps smooth skin's texture but also refreshes the appearance of your skin while imparting a natural-looking glow.

Giorgio Armani Fluid Master Primer, $58 MSRP

LANCÔME LA BASE PRO PORE ERASER

This lightweight, oil-free primer may be your golden ticket to a flawless complexion that enhances your final look. The formula smooths skin's texture and helps minimize the appearance of pores to provide a silky, more even, and mattified complexion.

Lancôme La Base Pro Pore Eraser, $38 MSRP

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP CANT STOP WON’T STOP MATTE PRIMER

Like an Instagram filter in a bottle, NYX Professional Makeup's matte primer preps your complexion for an extra-smooth foundation application and leaves behind a matte finish.

NYX Professional Makeup Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Matte Primer, $14 MSRP

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Primer 

Instantly blur the look of your pores with this anti-aging skin perfector. Infused with Moroccan lava clay, colloidal clay, charcoal, and papaya fruit, this product is chock-full of skin-loving ingredients and feels velvety soft and weightless on the skin.

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Primer, $38 MSRP

L’Oréal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer

This liquid-light formula blends effortlessly into the skin to boost your complexion’s luminosity. Upon application, you'll notice the texture of your skin is smoothed and toned. It comes in a universal shade, perfect for all skin types and tones.

L’Oréal Paris Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer, $12 MSRP

Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Primer

Just like the name boasts, this luxurious primer creates an oil-free canvas for your makeup application. Oil-control actives help to improve your makeup’s wearability, leaving skin looking matte for hours.

Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Primer, $58 MSRP

Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Makeup Primer

This powerful 3-in-1 jelly makeup primer provides long-lasting makeup hold, acts as a moisturizer, and creates a skin tightening effect. The best part? All skin types can use this primer, even those with sensitive skin.

Dermablend Insta-Grip Jelly Makeup Primer, $33 MSRP

Urban Decay Urban Defense Complexion Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 

Not only does can this primer help smooth your complexion for an easier makeup application, but it also is formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen to help protect skin against damaging UV rays.

Urban Decay Urban Defense Complexion Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30, $36 MSRP 

It Cosmetics Feel the Moment Skin-Rejuvenating Hydrating Primer Serum

Indulge in a pampering session as you apply a primer-serum packed with treatment oils, anti-aging ingredients, and hyaluronic acid. Wear this over your moisturizer to help keep your makeup in place, and your skin looking more youthful.

It Cosmetics Feel the Moment Skin-Rejuvenating Hydrating Primer Serum, $38 MSRP

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Lock Makeup Primer

This foundation primer perfects and illuminates skin for a flawless makeup application. Reveal your healthiest-looking complexion yet thanks to this primer which leaves behind a radiant glow. 

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Glow Lock Makeup Primer, $12 MSRP

Need help keeping your oily skin in check? We’re sharing the best skin care routine for oily skin, here.