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A good face primer is essential for keeping your makeup from melting off by midday, especially in the summer. But when it comes to the best primers for oily skin, the search gets trickier. You need a formula that not only locks everything in place but also mattifies, minimizes pores, and won’t clog or irritate acne-prone skin. Also important in your search: oil-fighting ingredients. (Try cellulose and niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that helps balance skin tone and control excess oil.)
To find the best primers for oily skin, Allure tapped makeup artists for their go-tos and tested over 15 formulas that claim to mattify, smooth, and control oil. During testing, we looked at how long they kept makeup on, how well they blurred pores, and whether they truly helped curb shine. Ahead, the expert-backed, editor-approved primers that actually hold up all day.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Nars Soft Matte Primer, $38
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer, $34
- Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Poreless Putty Primer, $11
- Best Blurring: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm, $39
- Best Longwear: One/Size Oil Sucker Extreme Mattifying Primer, $34
- Best Lightweight: Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer, $38
- Best for Visible Pores: Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Matte Pore Minimizing Primer, $36
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- Which primer type is best for oily skin?
- What should you keep in mind when shopping for a primer for oily skin?
- What ingredients should you look for in a primer for oily skin?
- Are primers better for oily skin than dry skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Nars Soft Matte Primer
Nars
Soft Matte Primer
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Nars Soft Matte Primer
Deanna Pai
Why it’s worth it: Of all the formulas we tried, the Nars Soft Matte Primer came out on top because it combines everything we’re looking for in a primer for oily skin. First off, the gel-like texture is super lightweight, something we can't say for all the mattifying primers we tested. It glides on easily, instantly knocks out shine, and smooths over pores, uneven texture, and fine lines without feeling like a film on your skin. And it doesn’t make your face look flat or chalky—as with the brand’s setting powder, it gets rid of excess oil but still leaves skin with a natural finish that reflects just the right amount of light.
During testing, we were especially impressed by how well it held up throughout the day. Like a setting spray, it kept our makeup in place from morning to night—even through sweat and oil buildup—and gave us a clean, smooth base for foundation. Plus, it somehow manages to keep skin feeling hydrated and plump (rare for a mattifying formula!).
Pai immediately after applying the Nars Soft Matte Primer
Deanna Pai
Pai at the end of the day after applying the Nars Soft Matte Primer
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“My skin is naturally oily, not to mention acne-prone—so I sit in the space of needing a good mattifying primer, but being worried it'll feel heavy or occlusive. That's never been the case with this one, which can somehow make my skin look more matte throughout the day. I recently wore it when the temperature reached the upper 90s and, on top of it, I had to wear a mask due to a cough. This primer held up like no one's business: It kept shine from forming on my forehead and nose, and my full-coverage foundation didn't budge until I washed it off." —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: rice bran extract, rosemary leaf extract, sunflower extract
- Formula: gel
- Finish: soft matte
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Smashbox
The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Smashbox
Allure commerce writer Lily Wohlner applying the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Lily Wohlner
Why it’s worth it: If redness, large pores, oiliness, and breakouts sound like your daily lineup, makeup artist Christian Briceno has one solution: the 2025 Best of Beauty–winning Smashbox Photo Finish Mattifying Primer. “It has a super lightweight feel, and its matte finish blurs pores instantly,” he says, noting that he often wears it solo for a no-makeup look. When layering foundation on top, Briceno suggests sticking with silicone-based formulas for the smoothest finish.
Beyond its blurring superpowers (hi, silicones), the primer is infused with vitamins A and E to nourish skin and extend your makeup’s wear. Bonus: It doubles as a shield against environmental stressors, so you’re also protecting your precious skin while serving a flawless base.
Wohlner immediately after applying the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Lily Wohlner
Wohlner at the end of the day after applying the Smashbox The Original Photo Finish Smooth & Blur Primer
Lily Wohlner
Tester feedback from commerce writer Lily Wohlner
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“The only primers I use are the blurring formulas that make my pores disappear and my acne look smoothed out—this one is a forever fave. At first touch, it feels a little oily, but once it melts into skin, it smooths out in a few swipes and blurs imperfections into oblivion. Unlike super-mattifying formulas, it leaves more of a soft satin veil, so makeup glides on super easily.”—Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin E, polymers
- Formula: gel
- Finish: satin
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
E.L.F. Cosmetics
Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
Amazon
Allure associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
Annie Blay-Tettey
Why it’s worth it: Sure, the price tag is under $15, but that’s not the only reason to love e.l.f. Cosmetics’ Liquid Poreless Putty Primer. The formula grips makeup all day while blurring pores into near-oblivion for a silky-smooth base. It’s formulated with silica to absorb oil and soften the look of pores, along with glycerin and squalane to draw moisture into the skin. Despite its thicker texture, it feels surprisingly lightweight on skin, which is why it works across the board for all skin types. Even oily complexions—usually quick to reject heavier primers—can handle this one without hesitation.
Blay-Tettey immediately after applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
Annie Blay-Tettey
Blay-Tettey at the end of the day after applying the e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer
Annie Blay-Tettey
Tester feedback from associate beauty editor Annie Blay-Tettey
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“Most mattifying primers are dry and chalky but not this one! I love how the e.l.f. Cosmetics Liquid Poreless Putty Primer is hydrating but leaves my skin looking smooth. Whether I’m doing a full beat or a no makeup makeup look it plays well with the rest of my base products and always give me such a pretty result.”—Annie Blay, associate beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: silica, glycerin, squalane
- Formula: balm
- Finish: satin
Best Blurring: Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Blurring Balm
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder
Sephora
Allure associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry applying the Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder
Melanie Curry
Why it’s worth it: If you're looking for a skin-blurring primer and tinted balm in one, the 2023 Allure Best of Beauty Award–winning Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm is basically an IRL smoothing filter. You can wear it on its own or under foundation (it even comes in a clear version if you prefer no tint) and it always feels lightweight and breathable, which is a big win for oily skin. The balm-to-powder formula means it won’t sit on your face and leave a greasy residue. Instead, it melts in and actively mattifies, thanks to ingredients like silicone for blurring, vegan squalane to balance oil, and upsalite to absorb excess sweat throughout the day. There’s also a dose of hyaluronic acid for hydration, because oily skin still needs moisture to keep the barrier healthy.
Curry immediately after applying the Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder
Melanie Curry
Curry at the end of the day after applying the Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm Powder
Melanie Curry
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
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“I get super oily and sweaty in the summer (don't we all?), so I need an oil-free primer that keeps my makeup in-tact in the humid New York heat. Danessa Myricks Blurring Balm does just that, and more. What I love the most about this bb is its cream-to-powder finish and lightweight feel. Plus, a little goes a long way. So, while this balm isn't the cheapest on the market, it'll last you a long time (like months), even if you're wearing it daily.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, upsalite, hyaluronic acid
- Formula: balm-to-powder
- Finish: natural-matte
More face primers for oily skin we love:
Best Longwear: One/Size Oil Sucker Extreme Mattifying Primer
One/Size
Oil Sucker Extreme Mattifying Alkaline Primer
Sephora
Kohl's
Why it’s worth it: The most powerful of all the primers on this list, the One/Size Oil Sucker Extreme Mattifying Primer is beloved by makeup artists Briceno and Dani Parkes, who says it’s one of the only primers she’s found actually keeps the skin matte all through the day. “This primer truly grips makeup while controlling oils,” she notes.
Another welcome plus? It also blurs the pores so effectively that it creates a smooth base to apply your foundation or concealer, Briceno says. But don’t get it twisted—it’s not going to sap your skin of all moisture. This formula is also loaded with hyaluronic acid, which visibly plumps and boosts moisture without the shine. One thing to note? “Avoid using oil-based products on top of it, as they tend to separate from the skin and look flaky,” says Briceno.
Expert tip from makeup artist Parkes
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If you want another layer of oil-blocking protection, Parkes loves to spray the One/Size On ‘Til Dawn Setting Spray to lock in her client’s makeup looks. It claims to be waterproof, transferproof, smudgeproof, and sweatproof for 16 hours straight.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: mineral silicate complex, hyaluronic acid
- Formula: cream
- Finish: super matte
Best Lightweight: Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
Milk Makeup
Pore Eclipse Mattifying Primer
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Who doesn’t love a good two-in-one? When it comes to makeup, we’re all about products that instantly make skin look better and deliver long-term benefits. That’s exactly what you get with Milk Makeup’s Pore Eclipse Primer. (Its sister product, the Pore Eclipse Matte Setting Spray, won a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award.) This lightweight, water-cream primer blurs pores and controls shine on contact, but it also packs some of the most skin care-forward ingredients of any primer on this list. Think: niacinamide to visibly minimize pores, bakuchiol to smooth texture, and lentil extract for oil control.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, bakuchiol, lentil extract, moonstone
- Formula: water cream
- Finish: soft matte
Best for Visible Pores: Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Matte Pore Minimizing Primer
Benefit Cosmetics
The Porefessional Matte Pore Minimizing Primer
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
If you’re after long-lasting oil control, Benefit’s The Porefessional Matte Pore Minimizing Primer is an Allure favorite. The original Porefessional Pore Primer is a classic (we were using it back in our high school days), but this newer version takes that pore-blurring power and cranks up the mattifying effect. The texture is different, too: It’s silky and a bit milky, rather than having a silicone-y slip, which makes it easy to smooth over your whole face without pilling. It leaves behind a velvety, soft-focus finish that keeps shine in check all day. Bonus: The formula is packed with skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide (spotting a theme?), oil-absorbing rose hip extract, and mineral powders to help blur large pores over time. So, the more you use it, the better your skin will look.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: niacinamide, rose hip extract, mineral powders
- Formula: water cream
- Finish: matte
Frequently Asked Questions
Which primer type is best for oily skin?
According to Briceno, silicone-based primers are the way to go if you have oily skin. “They contain silicate, which helps absorb the oils in the skin, creating a smooth, grippy texture for makeup,” he says. Another bonus of silicate? It provides that velvety-looking finish that improves the appearance or pores and helps control areas of the face with excessive oil production, Briceno says. One caveat: If you have acne-prone skin, be aware that silicones can trap bacteria, so make sure to cleanse your skin thoroughly when removing it.
If you don’t see a silicone callout on the package, you’ll know that a primer is good for oily skin if the bottle has words like “mattifying” and “pore blurring,” says Parkes.
What should you keep in mind when shopping for a primer for oily skin?
“Make sure your primer pairs well with your skin-care products,” says Briceno, who prefers water-based moisturizers since they layer best with silicone primers. “They’re lightweight and absorb more easily into the skin,” he explains. If you’re using a thicker moisturizer, give it a few minutes to fully sink in before applying your primer to avoid pilling. Briceno also advises steering clear of alcohol-based products, which can overdry the skin and trigger even more oil production. Instead, he recommends gel-based formulas, which are more durable and help keep oil in check.
What ingredients should you look for in a primer for oily skin?
When shopping for a primer for oily skin, it’s important to keep ingredients in mind. Briceno recommends looking for niacinamide, which helps regulate oil and refine pores, along with oil-absorbing ingredients like silica and kaolin clay to mattify and smooth skin texture.
Silicones such as dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane are great for blurring imperfections and minimizing the look of pores. For those prone to breakouts or congestion, charcoal and salicylic acid can help keep skin clear while controlling excess oil.
Are primers better for oily skin than dry skin?
Both skin types can benefit from primers, but there are clear differences between primers made for oily skin and options made for drier skin types. “Primers for oily skin control shine and prolong wear usually by providing the skin with a grip barrier, so the makeup stays looking fresh for an extended time,” says Briceno. On the other hand, primers for dry skin focus on hydration and provide skin with luminosity. Parkes says a hydrating moisturizer or face oil will do the job for dry skin, too. Where these two types of primers align is with their purpose: They both make your makeup look its best without the need for multiple touch-ups.
Meet the experts
- Christian Briceno, a makeup artist based in New York City
- Dani Parkes, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best primers for oily skin, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
