Our Best Mattifying Primer for Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you know that applying makeup—and keeping it in place all day—isn’t always the easiest task. Chances are, you’ve taken a look in the mirror a few hours into the day before, only to notice that your foundation or concealer has started to melt. Well, it’s time to turn your attention to matte face primer for oily skin! Keep reading to learn all about what a mattifying primer can do for your shiny complexion, and get to know our best drugstore primer for oily skin. Soon enough, you’ll be bidding farewell to midday shine and makeup meltdown!

WHAT A GOOD PRIMER FOR OILY SKIN DOES

Generally, primer should be the first step in your makeup routine. That’s because it can help create a smooth base for the rest of your makeup application. Primer can be particularly useful for those with oily skin. Although applying one may add a few seconds to your morning makeup routine, it could be a smart product to add if you have issues with your makeup shifting throughout the day. Face primer isn’t the only type of primer, though. Eye primer, lash primer, and lip primer also exist and are deserving of a place in your oily skin makeup routine—but more on them later.

Of course, primer for oily skin isn’t solely meant to keep makeup in place. When you use a mattifying primer, the formula can also help with combatting one of your biggest skin concerns: shiny skin. Smooth on a matte primer before the rest of your makeup, and you’ll notice your face no longer looks greasy by lunchtime.

OUR BEST MATTIFYING PRIMER FOR OILY SKIN

When it comes to choosing the best makeup primer for oily skin, look for a matte primer (aka one with a non-shiny finish), like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Lock Makeup Primer. Our best mattifying primer for oily skin, the formula helps blur imperfections and keep shine at bay, making it perfect to use as the first step in your makeup routine.

HOW TO USE PRIMER FOR OILY SKIN

To make the most out of your mattifying primer, it’s important to use it the right way. Follow these simple steps to make your base work for your oily skin.

STEP 1: WORK THROUGH YOUR SKIN CARE ROUTINE

Before reaching for your mattifying primer, work your way through your skin care routine. Cleanse with the L’Oréal Paris Pure-Clay Detox & Brighten Cleanser and moisturize with the L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Oily Skin.

STEP 2: APPLY THE PRIMER DOT BY DOT

Now it’s time to reach for that matte primer! Apply it dot by dot and blend it out using a gentle circular motion over your entire face or on targeted areas, such as under your eyes to smooth over fine lines, your nose and cheeks to minimize the appearance of pores and blemishes, or your T-zone for a matte finish.

STEP 3: FOLLOW WITH FOUNDATION AND FACE POWDER

Next, use a matte foundation, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation—applying a radiant finish foundation would sort of defeat the purpose of using mattifying face primer! Apply the formula with the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Blend Artist Foundation Blender, then brush on the L’Oréal Paris L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Powder to set your face makeup.

Editor’s tip: You can also wear the mattifying primer alone without any makeup applied over it; this is perfect for those laidback days.

HOW TO USE AN EYE PRIMER

Do your lids tend to get oily, too? Instead of using your oily skin face primer on your eyes, applying an eye primer can help prevent smudging and make your eyeshadow last longer. Take a tiny bit of eye primer and gently pat it onto your eyelids with your ring finger.

HOW TO USE A LASH PRIMER

Apply a coat of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Lash Paradise™ Mascara Primer/Base before moving on to mascara. This lightweight primer can help create an even base for your favorite L’Oréal Paris mascara and help your lashes look thicker. Oily skin or not, who doesn’t want that? Place the brush at the base of your lashes and gently sweep up to the tips.

HOW TO USE A LIP PRIMER

Worried about your bold lipstick sliding all over your face? Use a lip primer beforehand to help keep it in place. You can also use an invisible lip liner or concealer in place of primer if you don’t have any on hand—just make sure to fill in your lips completely rather than lining only around the perimeter of your pout. 

HOW TO REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP WHEN YOU HAVE OILY SKIN

At the end of the day, take all your makeup off with the L’Oréal Paris Micellar Cleansing Water Complete Cleanser - All Skin Types, which purifies and mattifies. Micellar water is powered by tiny micelles—oil molecules—that act as a magnet to lift dirt, oil, and makeup up and away from the skin. To use, just saturate a cotton pad with the micellar water and wipe the pad across your face. No rinsing required!

Next up: Looking for more of the best makeup products for oily skin? We can definitely help! Here are The 16 Best Makeup Products for Oily Skin.