If your complexion is on the oily side, chances are you’re partial to a matte makeup look – but we’ll bet your skin’s sebum production often gets in the way.
Because while matte foundation formulas are awesome (and definitely help!), the secret to true shine-free success lies in the prep. Achieve balance, then add base.
This is where mattifying primers are key; they literally exist to create a poreless, silky (but not shiny) canvas to ensure the oils from your skin don’t dilute or damage your flawless foundation once it’s applied.
As for what to look for, ‘mattifying’, ‘oil-free’ and ‘pore-minimising’ are the standout keywords, but there’s no need to embark on an extensive search – we’ve rounded up the best of the best.
Here are the mattifying primers perfect for prepping oily skin.
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Rimmel London
Rimmel London Stay Matte Primer
This pore-minimising primer can be applied to soak up shine pre-foundation or layered on top of makeup to lock it in for longer.
INIKA Organic
INIKA Organic Certified Organic Matte Perfection Primer
Tell your t-zone not to worry; its perfect sebum-minimising primer has arrived (and it’s brought a gentle blend of willow bark and coconut fruit extracts with it).
Lancôme
Lancôme Prep & Matte Refreshing Mattifying Make-Up Primer
This oil-absorbing formula is awesome as a prep step, but it also delivers enough of a pore-blurring, mattifying effect to wear solo.
Bobbi Brown
Bobbi Brown Primer Plus Mattifier
Billed by the brand as a ‘liquid blotting paper’, it’s a serious star when it comes to limiting your base’s slip-factor and giving it a boost in the smoothing stakes.
Paula’s Choice
Paula’s Choice Shine Stopper Instant Matte Finish
Able to keep shine at bay for an impressive six hours, this mattifying mix dries down to a silky powder-like finish on skin using the brand’s unique MICROSPONGE technology.
Estée Lauder
Estée Lauder The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer + Finisher
An oil-free blurring, balancing primer that controls sebum while also minimising the appearance of pores and fine lines.
jane iredale
jane iredale Smooth Affair for Oily Skin Facial Primer & Brightener
De-slicked doesn’t have to mean dull, and this brightening yet balancing formula makes sure of it, mattifying skin without draining it of moisture.
L’Oréal Paris
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Priming Base
This mattifying gel hits skin with a subtle cooling effect and leaves it with a velvety smooth foundation-friendly texture.
Clarins
Formulated with mattifying organic strawberry tree fruit extract, it’s the shine-defying secret to fresh, flawless foundation that stays put all day.
Shiseido
Shiseido Waso Poreless Matte Primer ($44, mecca.com.au)
The Japanese wasabi-inspired complex in the formula soaks up excess sebum while peony root extract works to smooth imperfections. Dream team.
I have used Rimmel and like it. It's very effective.
Shiseido, you had me at Wasabi. Hot product!
I have a Too Faced Peach mattifying primer which I find to work well. I tend to not worry about mattifying in winter and cooler months.
I don't have oily skin but have heard nothing but good things about the Rimmel Stay Matte Primer.
I have only used the one by L'oreal but I like the sound of the Inika primer!
Really like Rimmel London products will definitely try Rimmel London Stay Matte Primer such a lot of great products out there.
Not a fan of primers, they generally feel icky on my skin and don’t help my makeup. A product I can happily live without
Primers do zilch and are waste of resources and a great landfill material. Good skincare routine (base), and if needed blot and powder method, are cool and good enough for good quality foundation or BB cream.
I don't have oily skin but I do use a primer.
I know these would suit me because my skin is naturally oily and I think it always will be at this rate – aka Forever Oily
I love the Bioderma Mattifying Moisturiser. It really works and I stay oil-free much longer then with so many primers I've used.
I don’t have oily skin, but I still use a primer. I think it makes a huge difference to the longevity of your makeup. My DIL was asking me about make up for oily skin last week. I’ll forward this to her.
Porefessional from Benefit is good too
I rarely wear primer anymore
Haven't had oily skin since I was a teenager a long time ago…
Funny, I haven't associated 'matte' with oily skin before but rather with 'not shiny'
Who has the time to prime? I have got a few in my stash but unfortunately with 3young kids it’s a step in my getting ready routine that is easily forgotten.
I do like wasabi so I am curious about the shiseido primer.
I find products that are supposed to look dewy always look greasy & sweaty, so I love a matte finish.
I have a Bioderma primer that I love using at the moment.
Good to know…
Ok I need all of these please.
I'm in my mid 50s and still have an oily tzone, primers definitely do help, I'm using a Bioderma one at the moment and really impressed
Definitely want to try most of these primers, it is hard to choose just one, all the brands are good.
I don't have oily skin, but I always use a primer, it provides a smooth and even base under foundation. I'm currently using a sample from Bare Minerals.
I only wear them special occasions.
Primers are so good, they make my skin so much better
I've used that exact Rimmel Primer and for the lower priced primers it is a keeper for every day use and I usually buy that on 1/2 price sale so it is a real bargain for what it does for you.
That one is the best one I have ever used.
I guess it depends on your face. If you wear make up and you had an oil slick for a face like mine, then you would find the time 🙂
DB brands make some gorgeous primers too
My skin is dry so I do not need a mattifying primer.