The Best Primers For Oily Skin
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
Best For: A Skin-Loving Formula
Nu Blotting Lotion, £28 | Yves Saint Laurent Beauty
We’re real fans of YSL’s Nu range of skincare-make-up hybrids. This primer promises up to eight hours of hydration thanks to an infusion of antioxidant-rich Moroccan limonette extract. The hero ingredient also helps protect the skin’s barrier from external stressors to encourage a more balanced-looking complexion. Wear it alone as a moisturiser or use it under make-up to improve both application and wear.
Available at YSLBeauty.co.uk
Best For: Blurring
Pure Canvas Blurring Primer, £39.50 | Laura Mercier
To smooth the look of imperfections and blur larger pores, this mattifying primer is a great place to turn. Infused with microalgae and hardworking blurring powders, it delivers a soft-focus effect to perfect the skin’s look and feel, while encouraging make-up applied on top to look more flawless too. The best bit? It comes in a mist.
Available at LookFantastic.com
Best For: A Luxe Choice
VB x Augustinus Bader Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer, £58 | Victoria Beckham Beauty
This mega collaboration just makes sense. It doesn't come cheap, but it benefits from Augustinus Bader’s expert skincare technology – designed to promote cell rejuvenation thanks to supercharged actives to deliver long-term, skin-perfecting result – and Victoria Beckham Beauty’s expert make-up formulation knowledge. The result is a product that’s lightweight yet effective in hydrating the skin all day under make-up, without adding excess shine.
Available at VictoriaBeckhamBeauty.com
Best For: Mattifying
Mattifying Charcoal Infused Shine Killer Face Primer, £9.60 (was £12) | NYX Professional Makeup
If your skin leans towards oily, the biggest tell is when areas like the T-zone begin to exhibit a shiny look. To combat this, a mattifying primer is a valuable tool to add to your make-up bag, and NYX has long been a favourite to know. Affordable but effective, this works to prevent foundation from melting off the skin and never clogs the pores.
Available at Boots.com
Best For: A Velvet Feel
Wonderfilter™ Velvet Finish Primer, £40 | Beauty Pie
Working to blur large pores, smooth the skin for better foundation application, and plump the skin without adding excess oil, this is a primer to know. Rather than adding too much glow or overly mattifying, this sits perfectly in the middle, offering a velvet finish. You shouldn’t need us to tell you how skin-loving Beauty Pie is – making this one a winner for keeping your complexion clear too.
Available at BeautyPie.com
Best For: A Lightweight Feel
Hydro Grip Primer, £35 | Milk Makeup
For a quick, easy-to-use option, a lightweight mist is always a winner. This primer can be worn under make-up to hydrate – without adding anything too heavy. Additionally, it can be used on top of make-up to boost hydration throughout the day. It’s also well loved for its ability to keep make-up put for longer.
Available at CultBeauty.co.uk
Best For: Minimising Pores
The POREfessional Face Primer, £31 | Benefit
Long a cult favourite, this primer looks somewhat tinted on first glance – but don’t be fooled. Lightweight on the skin and leaving behind a smooth blurred look and feel, it’s perfect for everyday if your oil levels are tough to manage. We also love that it doesn't disrupt make-up applied on top – instead helping to provide a smoother canvas for foundation, concealer or other liquids to be blended onto.
Available at BenefitCosmetics.com
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