15 Best Primers for Oily Skin to Minimize Mid-Day Sheen

If sun protection is a concern of yours (it should be), New York City-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli says Beauty Pie's Traceless SPF 30 Sunscreen + Primer has a multitasking formula that smooths skin while guarding it against damaging sun rays. "Beauty Pie's formula features dimethicone which is a silicone that seals the pores and creates a smooth canvas on the skin so that your makeup can glide on easily over it," he says. Along with its pore-minimizing effect, this makeup primer will leave skin feeling softer and smoother than ever through skin-loving ingredients like brightening niacinamide and moisture-replenishing argan oil.

No matter if sweat, tears, or water comes your way, the One/Size Secure The Sweat Primer will ensure your makeup looks and stays flawless for a full 12 hours. Miami-based makeup artist Natalie Dresher says this formula is "unlike anything I’ve seen on the market" for minimizing excess shine, thanks to its waterproof formula that's spiked with oil-absorbing bamboo marrow powder. Since it's also infused with moisturizing squalane, this pick is also great for dry skin types.

Scibelli says the Neutrogena Shine Control Matte Booster Face Primer & Serum is the best primer for oily complexions since it has a lightweight, barely-there feel that instantly mattifies skin without over-drying it. "The skin-savvy formula uses rice protein to absorb shine," he says.

The Nyx Professional Makeup Shine Killer Mattifying Primer is ideal for those with oily skin. The secret ingredient? Charcoal, which King says "helps to draw out [dirt and oil]." Meanwhile, Heron loves its affordable under-$10 price point, fast-drying formula, and translucent finish.

MAC's Studio Fix Mattifine 12hr Shine Control Primer aims to keep your face shine-free for longer. It relies on astringents like witch hazel for soaking up excess oil, plus pore-clearing salicylic acid to keep your skin looking fresh — even after a couple of hours spent moving and sweating. Meanwhile, dimethicone (a type of silicone) helps it glide onto skin.

Makeup artist Jennifer Nam likes to use it on her clients with oily skin and describes it as lightweight and long-lasting, but not too sticky or heavy upon application. "It blends beautifully into skin, with a silky finish to it," she says, adding that you can even use it alone without makeup to naturally blur out enlarged pores and fine lines on your T-zone. "This will keep your skin looking fresh during the hottest summer days," she adds.

Garner loves Tatcha's The Silk Canvas Primer because it's packed with a "powerhouse of good ingredients that restore a natural radiance to skin" — including anti-inflammatory camellia sinensis leaf (otherwise known as green tea), glycerin, and hydrating squalane. 

The balm-like formula has an impressive velvety-smooth finish, thanks to the addition of pressed silk. Plus, the brand gets extra brownie points for the pretty purple packaging and mini spatula tool for keeping things extra sanitary.

If you're searching for one of the best wallet-friendly drugstore primers, look no further than the Maybelline New York Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer, which falls squarely under $10. Lo loves the primer's matte, powdery finish. Additionally, the primer is noncomedogenic, which means it won't clog your pores.

Makeup artist Genevieve Garner loves this Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer for its silky texture that helps to reduce the appearance of pores and redness. "While it is more expensive, a little goes a long way, and I've found it works great under most foundations," Garner says. The oil-free, SPF-infused primer — which one Allure staffer described as "lightweight" and "airy" — is also water-repellent to keep your makeup locked in place for hours on end.

Makeup artist Keka Heron credits the Fenty Pro Filt'r Retouch Primer with minimizing the appearance of pores while simultaneously smoothing skin. "It literally gives you a retouched finish," she tells Allure. The super-smooth formula is also cruelty-free as an added bonus.

According to makeup artist Andrea Claire, this Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer is "great for anyone who wants an invisible, matte finish." Despite its (essentially) weightless, silicone-free formula, the primer lasts up to 16 hours. The innovative formula features moisturizing squalane, glycerin, and plankton extract, the latter of which Robinson says helps to "hydrate oily skin without leaving a heavy or greasy feeling."

Keep shine at bay with Make Up For Ever's Shine Control Step 1 Primer, which has a mattifying formula that won't dry your skin out. Key ingredients include lactic acid, which King says "helps to exfoliate dead skin." You'll also find ginseng, which the chemist recommends for its toning properties. 

Heron says the primer can layer under any foundation and gives you a great velvety, skin-perfecting finish. "I also love that it's long-wear: You can keep it on for up to 20 hours," she adds.

Nam also loves the sheer texture of Lorac's Pro Skin Mattifying Primer, and how smoothly it applies to skin. "It glides onto your skin seamlessly and blends well with makeup, softening your skin texture and oily skin in a natural way that's not overly mattifying," she says. The salicylic acid in it deeply penetrates to clear your pores, while the trio of antioxidants in it (vitamins A, C, and E) lend your skin a brighter, more radiant look. 

Tarte's Poreless Mattifying Primer helps blur blemishes, pores, and uneven skin textures. Makeup artist Cara Lovello declared it an excellent choice for oily skin since it creates a "shine-free, matte look." The waterproof formula features vitamin-rich avocado oil, which can help cut oil production (but only if it's formulated correctly, per Robinson). It also offers a blend of antioxidant-packed fruit extracts, which King notes are great for toning the skin.

The Dr. Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer is another favorite of Lovello's, thanks to its smooth matte finish that helps minimize the appearance of large pores. The hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic formula is spiked with red clover flower extract, which can "heal inflamed skin," according to King, without clogging your pores. It's even infused with a derivative of salicylic acid (known as capryloyl salicylic acid) to gently sweep dead skin cells.