The 14 Best Primers for Oily Skin of 2023

Best Overall

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

4.7

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It took only a few seconds for us to fall in love with this primer. The words “mineral” and “paraben-free” caught our attention immediately, as we do appreciate good clean and eco-friendly makeup. Compared with other primers we've tried, this one definitely feels less greasy, so there were high hopes for it. Even through heat and humidity, our testers stayed shine-free, and we also loved its long-lasting finish and satin texture. Oh, and did we mention it has a touch of SPF protection, too? Not enough to negate the need for your regular sunscreen, but the more protection, the better, right? There’s no denying it’s an expensive option, though, so maybe grab a tester before you commit to make sure it suits your needs. 

Price at time of publish: $56

Key Ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Dosage: 0.5 to 1 pump | Size: 0.3 oz, 1 oz, 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

Neutrogena Shine Control Primer

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At $12, Neutrogena’s primer is certainly a budget option, but don’t let the price fool you into thinking it’s ineffective. We were impressed with the product’s longevity, and skin remained shine-free, even after hours of wear. It’s also non-drying, so it glides on easily, and liquid foundation follows evenly over the top.

Also note that this product does contain fragrance, so if your skin’s on the sensitive side, be sure to do a spot test before applying it all over your face.

Price at time of publish: $18

Key Ingredients: Rice protein technology | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Drugstore

Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer

4.9

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Maybelline's primer might be a great affordable option, but it feels just as undetectable as its pricier counterparts. And for the days when you want to go easy on the makeup application, it has enough skin-perfecting power to be worn alone, minimizing pores and counteracting grease as it does. "It extended the wear time of my foundation and prevented it from transferring or moving around on my face," said our product tester. "Bottom line: This stuff works."

But the best bit is that it's clear, making it a great option for a range of skin tones. It's worth noting that the product feels a little greasy at first, but it sinks in fairly quickly.

Price at time of publish: $8

Key Ingredients: Silica | Skin Type: All | Dosage: A thin layer | Size: 0.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Long-Wearing

Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer

4.7

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Like a bottled Instagram filter, Benefit's primer is slightly thicker than the ones you might have used before, so it's ideal if you usually wear full-coverage makeup. Once it's on, it's as though someone put a plug in each one of your pores, significantly reducing their appearance. It's also been noted that it lasts all day and well into the evening. Impressive, right? If you prefer a more natural look, however, you may prefer some of the more lightweight options in our lineup.

Price at time of publish: $32

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E | Skin Type: Balanced, dry, combination, oily | Dosage: A thin layer | Size: 0.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Balancing

NARS Pore & Shine Control Primer

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This primer from Nars mops up any excess sebum to leave an all-around matte complexion. It also contains oil-inhibiting African whitewood, nourishing oleanolic acid, and plenty of peptides to help balance the skin going forward, making it so much more than just a temporary fix. On the downside, while it is brilliant at counteracting oil and minimizing pores, it can be a little drying on less oily patches.

Price at time of publish: $36

Key Ingredients: African whitewood, oleanolic acid, peptides | Skin Type: Oily | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best 2-in-1

Estée Lauder The Mattifier Primer + Finisher

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This one is close to joining Double Wear in the Estée Lauder Hall of Fame. An oil-controlling primer as well as a "finisher," you can use this as a base before your makeup to keep any shine at bay. Then lightly tap an extra layer over the top of your foundation and concealer to lock it all down. If you're not a fan of powders, this is your new go-to. It’s an expensive option, but if you’re a long-time fan of Estée Lauder, you know how reliably brilliant the famed brand’s products are.

Price at time of publish: $40

Key Ingredients: Silica | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced | Dosage: An even layer | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Hydrating

Bite Beauty Changemaker Skin-Optimizing Primer

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Now, we may want to mattify skin, but we don't want to take away all the sheen that makes us look fresh and glowy. Bite Beauty's Changemaker primer hits that sweet spot just perfectly. It feels more like a moisturizer than a primer, thanks to hyaluronic acid and olive oil included in the formula. We also found that it boosted the overall look of radiance in the skin as well as minimized the look of our pores. However, it can pill slightly, when layering makeup over the top so that’s something to watch out for.

Price at time of publish: $38

Key Ingredients: Willow bark, hyaluronic acid, olive oil, maqui berry | Skin Type: Oily, combination, balanced | Dosage: An even layer | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Lightweight

Illamasqua Matte Veil Primer

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If you don't like the feel of heavy creams on your skin, Illamasqua's super-light gel-cream formula could be a winner. While the mattifying ingredients work to absorb excess oil and literally form a shine-controlling "veil" over your face all day, oil-free moisturizing agents such as glycerin make sure you don't dry out either. Because who wants flaky makeup, right?

Price at time of publish: $45

Key Ingredients: Aluminum starch, glycerin | Skin Type: Oily, combination, acne-prone | Dosage: 1 scoop | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Moisturizing

Glossier Priming Moisturizer Balance

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Formulated with niacinamide and glycerin, this oil-control gel cream from Glossier helps to control shine while hydrating the skin. It has a translucent gel-like texture that works well beneath makeup, and reviewers report it spreads evenly and absorbs  quickly. It also contains willow bark extract and customized power primers to create a smooth finish. Buy this if you have an uneven skin tone and visible oversized pores that you’d like to improve the appearance of. While this does contain moisturizing ingredients, it may not be for you if your skin is particularly dry in some areas. 

Price at time of publish: $25

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, and willow bark extract | Skin Type: Normal, combination and oily Dosage: Pea-sized amount | Size: 1.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for a Full Face of Makeup

Caliray SO Blown Blurring Collagen Peptide Primer

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If you wear full-coverage makeup, you’ll need a great base to keep your artistry in place throughout the day. This blurring peptide primer not only helps to cover imperfections such as oversized pores, but it also supports skin health with ingredients such as collagen, niacinamide, and G-P-Hyp Tripeptides. There’s also camellia oil and vitamin E within its formula to nourish, moisturize, and fight oxidative stress. This is a really popular product for good reason, but some reviewers do report pilling, so apply sparingly at first.

Price at time of publish: $36

Key Ingredients: Collagen peptides, niacinamide and G-P-Hyp Tripeptides | Skin Type: Normal, combination and oily | Dosage: Pea-sized amount | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Vegan

The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer

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The Ordinary is always a go-to for its very reasonably priced yet efficacious skincare, and we love this silicone primer for a number of reasons. First off, it’s vegan with a clean formula that’s free from parabens and sulfates. Second of all, it contains advanced adaptive silicone that helps to hydrate and blur the surface of the skin without leaving behind greasiness. Downsides? Some reviewers do complain that it can create pilling and creasing of makeup.

Price at time of publish: $7

Key Ingredients: Advanced adaptive silicones and Dimethicone | Skin Type: All including sensitive | Dosage: Pea-sized amount | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Mattifying

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying + Blurring Makeup Primer

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If you're after a matte finish, go with Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse. This ultra-smooth, transparent primer works to absorb excess oil and fight shine while blurring imperfections. Just a heads up, it contains fragrance, which might be irritating on more reactive complexions.

Price at time of publish: $38

Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, bakuchiol, lentil extract | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Dosage: Thin layer before makeup | Size: 1.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Shine Control

Make Up For Ever Shine Control Step 1 Primer

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When you need to keep a shiny T-zone under control, reach for Make Up For Ever's Step 1 Primer. This lightweight formula promises to absorb oil, mattify shiny areas, blur pores, and leave a velvety-smooth canvas in its wake.

Price at time of publish: $39

Key Ingredients: Ginseng | Skin Type: Oily, combination | Dosage: Rice-size amount in oily areas | Size: 1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No