The 12 Best Mattifying Primers For Oily Skin

Taking care of (and priming) oily skin can seem like an overwhelming task, and with so many primers on the market, it can be hard to narrow it down to something that genuinely works, and delivers the staying power you deserve. If you struggle with gradually watching your makeup slide off your face throughout the day, we’re here to tell you that it doesn’t actually have to be this way.

To keep your makeup firmly on your face (and looking like it did when you first applied it), you’ll need a mattifying, blurring primer, designed with the right ingredients to control sebum and keep excess shine at bay. Scroll to read up on our top 9 primers for achieving a smooth, mattified finish.

No oily skin is a match for the e.l.f. Cosmetics Matte Putty Primer. Velvety and oil-free, this matte-finish putty helps to absorb excess oil, while creating the ultimate grip for makeup application.

If you struggle with your eyeshadow losing grip on your eyes, and ultimately ending up halfway down your face, the Mac Cosmetics Pro Longwear Paint Pot is for you. Super pigmented and long-wearing, this 2-in-1 eye primer and cream shadow is a must-have for all your eye looks.

Perfect for prepping oil skin for makeup application, the Jouer Cosmetics Anti-Blemish Matte Primer Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment belongs in your makeup routine. Infused with blemish-busting salicylic acid, this primer helps to minimise the appearance of pores, for a shine-free finish, all day long.

If you struggle with skin that gets oily and too shiny in the wrong places, the LH Cosmetics Matte Attack Primer is a must-have for your next haul. Formulated with a blend of ingredients that quickly and efficiently mattify and blur your skin, remove the oiliness and help you to gain control over your makeup, while keeping it hydrated, this primer is for you.

Texture blurring, lightweight, and mattifying, the Nudestix Blot & Blue Matte Stick is a straight up essential for anyone that’s no stranger to an oily t-zone. The balm-to-powder formula sinks into the skin to create a soft matte finish, leaving the skin looking fresh and feeling nourished.

Instantly smooth and mattify oily skin with the Danessa Myricks Beauty Smooth RX Refining Gel. Designed to control oil throughout the day and fill in the appearance of pores, this priming gel is a must.

For a poreless and flawless filtered finish, reach for the Clinique’s Even Better™ Pore Defying Primer. This primer’s skincare-powered formula is what makes it stand out from your regular primers. It melts into the skin to blur the pores, reduce oil, lock in moisture, and set your makeup for a soft shine-free finish.  

Unwanted oil and excess sebum take the back seat when you apply the NYX Professional Makeup Pore Filler. This skin-smoothing primer works wonders for the skin because of its silicone-based formula. The silicone creates a protective layer over the skin that keeps the oil from seeping through to create the ideal base for long-lasting makeup.  

To refresh your face and keep makeup firmly in place whilst on the go, you need the By BEAUTY BAY The First Prime Oil Control Priming Mist. Unlike thick cream formulas, it’s super breathable and uses a vitamin-rich formula to support your skin, manage oil levels, and keep your makeup in place for up to 12 hours (!). You’re one spritz away from keeping oil at bay… 

Silicone is a reliable ingredient that delivers a smooth and mattified complexion so if that sounds good to you, haul the Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Primer. This silicone-based primer smooths the pores, locks in much-needed moisture, and locks out damaging environmental pollutants. If you are after makeup that sits comfortably on the skin without disturbing it, this is the one for you. 

Unlike most primers, the Peter Thomas Roth Skin To Die For is one of the only formulas that can be worn under or over makeup to actually mattify the complexion. This primer is perfect for absorbing unwanted oil and blurring imperfections, whilst gripping onto your makeup. What’s more, it features a universal tint that camouflages into any skin tone for the most flawless and mattified finish.

The Revolution Pro Matte Primer doesn’t need to do too much to minimise shine and maximise the wear-time of your makeup. Thanks to its super lightweight and oil-free formula, this gel primer offers comfortable wear and impressive blurring power. So it can be worn by itself or under makeup for a blurred base every time. You’re welcome. 

FYI: This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.