The 11 Best Primers for Oily Skin for Flawless Application, Tested & Reviewed

Best Overall

Maybelline Prime Blur + Pore Minimize Primer

View on Ulta $12 $11 at Amazon $11 at Walmart

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: It doesn’t take much of this budget-friendly face primer to make a big difference in makeup application. While this variation is technically designed to blur and minimize pores, it’s also a winner at mattifying any unwanted oil. Though the formula is technically water-based, it also contains silicone, resulting in a smooth and velvety finish whether worn alone or under makeup. Our tester adds that the primer feels like it’s protecting her skin from dirt and other outdoor polluters.

Who It’s For: Anyone who wants a do-it-all primer that evens out skin while blurring pores and fine lines would do well to choose this pick. Our tester started to see shine come through after 10 hours of wear, so keep this time frame in mind for day-to-night plans.

Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Cream | Size: 1 oz

Natalya, tester with combination skin: “This primer even blurred out my small fine lines. It also offered minimization of pores even after a thin layer of application.”

Best Budget

NYX Professional Makeup Marshmellow Smoothing Primer

$17 $15 at Amazon $4 at Ulta $17 at Walmart

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: This pink-packaged primer does more than just look pretty in your makeup bag—it also performs exceedingly well, especially for a budget-friendly pick. Touted by the brand as a 10-in-1 multitasker, the marshmallow extract-infused formula does everything from extending makeup wear for up to 16 hours to adding a soft-focus finish to your look. Perhaps the best part of this primer is the texture and smell—whipped and creamy, our tester attests that it truly looks, smells, and feels like applying a (nonsticky) marshmallow to your face.

Who It’s For: Anyone who hates the feel of product on their skin will appreciate the lightweight feel of this vegan pick. Keep in mind that while the primer doesn’t fully keep oil at bay, it does help makeup last longer. 

Key Ingredients: What Is Salicylic Acid? Skincare Experts Explain | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Whipped | Size: 1.01 oz 

I’m 57, and This Firming Serum Gave My Skin Its Glow Back in Two Weeks: “My skin looked smooth and even with this primer, and layering makeup over it was nearly effortless. It subtly softened my pores and fine lines, and I noticed my makeup didn't get caught in creases around my mouth and forehead quite so obviously.”

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Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Matte Primer

$35 at Nordstrom $35 at Sephora $35 at Ulta

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: This viral pore-minimizing product is popular for a reason—the main one being its smooth, matte look. What we find most impressive, however, is that it achieves this finish while looking soft and natural (a.k.a. this primer will never make you look “done”). We also love the skin-soothing benefits it provides, with star ingredient niacinamide locking in hydration without contributing to additional oiliness. Bonus—the jelly-like, creamy consistency also applies smoothly, nixing unnecessary irritation.

Who It’s For: Those with sensitive skin who prefer extra barrier protection (and also wish to minimize pores) will appreciate this pick’s soothing properties. Our tester also recommends it to anyone with bigger pores looking to do a full face.

Key Ingredients: Covers & Features | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Creamy | Size: 0.75 oz 

Elena, tester with sensitive, acne-prone skin: “With foundation, this primer looked flawless! It disappears while giving you a barrier that smooths out your skin and stops any oiliness. It provides a beautiful matte look that is so natural and not chalky.”

Best Lightweight

exa Splash Zone Oil-Free Hydrating Primer

View on Credo Beauty $34 at Jcpenney.com

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: For those days when the shine is really, well, shining, this primer provides an oil-absorbing fix while still leaving behind a healthy sheen. The fact that it feels so lightweight is just an added (but much appreciated) bonus. Powered by plant-based ingredients like blue spirulina and aloe leaf extract, this natural formula performs just as well as its more synthetic counterparts, with our tester noting that it left her face hydrated sans shine.

Who It’s For: Elena, tester with sensitive, acne-prone skin really oily, this mattifying primer will tamp down shine while still providing a natural finish. Just a few dabs are needed for the full effect, so try not to pump out too much.

Key Ingredients: The 16 Best Neck Creams That Tighten, Brighten, and Tone, According to Derms | Contains Silicone: No | Texture: Gel | Size: 1 oz 

Chrissy, tester with sensitive, acne-prone, oily skin: “This primer applies really well into the skin and leaves a nice glow. Makeup also applies really well over it with no pilling.”

Best Hydrating

Grown Alchemist Skin Defense Primer

$42 at Amazon View on Grownalchemist.com

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: Fun fact: The notion that oily skin doesn’t need moisture is a total myth (in fact, lack of moisture can even make skin produce more unwanted oil!). Luckily, this water-based primer provides that necessary hydration, without contributing to undesired slickness. A combination of botanical and adaptogenic actives also works to soothe skin, leaving the face feeling soft and comfortable.

Who It’s For: Combination-skin folks, rejoice—this moisturizing primer will hydrate your skin without adding grease. However, our tester notes the formula goes on thickly, so just two to three pea-sized “drops” will do the trick.

Key Ingredients: Reishi mushroom, ashwagandha, peptides | Contains Silicone: No | Texture: Gel | Size: 1.6 oz

Sales & Deals: “My skin felt and looked extremely smooth and soft after use. It felt very comfortable and light throughout the day.”

Best Silicone-Free

Huda Beauty Easy Blur Silicone-Free Smoothing & Pore-Minimizing Primer

$29 at Sephora View on Hudabeauty.com $29 at Kohls.com

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: While silicone-based primers were once considered the gold standard for achieving a matte finish, sometimes sensitive skin and silicones just don’t mix. Enter water-based primers, like this one from Huda Beauty. This blurring formula makes pores a thing of the past, using skin-loving ingredients like milk thistle extract and glycerin to control unwanted oil. Our tester attests that the pink jelly texture dries down to a very “skin-like feeling” and notes that less is more when it comes to applying product, as it spreads smoothly and evenly.

Who It’s For: Acne-prone, sensitive-skinned, or both? Run, don’t walk, to this soothing, antioxidant-rich primer.

Key Ingredients: The 16 Best Neck Creams That Tighten, Brighten, and Tone, According to Derms | Contains Silicone: No | Texture: Jelly | Size: 1.01 oz 

Joanna, tester with combination skin: “I love that it performs nearly like a silicone primer (my usual), but doesn't leave the greasy feeling on my fingers afterwards. I also really loved that while it did help with oil control, my skin still looked like skin and had a natural radiance instead of being super flat and matte.”

metal applicator, a feature

Milani Conceal + Perfect Blur Out Smoothing Primer

$13 at Amazon $16 at Ulta View on Milanicosmetics.com

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: What could be better than a primer that perfects the skin while also offering skin-loving benefits? This pick from Milani does both seamlessly, providing moisture with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid that doesn’t overwhelm oily skin while offering further enrichment with antioxidant benefits from ingredients like blue algae and Korean pear extract. It also more than lives up to the hype with its pore-blurring benefits, with our combination skin tester noting that it made her face feel “cool and smooth” after applying. 

Who It’s For: Anyone whose skin needs a bit of extra TLC (read: those with sensitive or acne-prone skin) Alexa, tester with combination skin.

Key Ingredients: on the high points of your face.&rdquo | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Whipped | Size: 1 oz 

Annie, tester with combination skin: “This primer goes on really easily, feels very smooth on the skin, and gives a cooling sensation. It also blends into my skin nicely.”

Best Stick

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick

$36 at Sephora View on Milkmakeup.com $36 at Kohls.com

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: It’s a win-win when a quality product is also convenient to apply—a distinction this primer stick easily earns. Formulated with a host of nourishing ingredients (such as tea tree oil and bakuchiol), the noncomedogenic primer blurs pores while absorbing excess oil, with our tester calling the overall effect “mattifying and smoothing.” Bonus: This multitasker can also be layered over makeup to touch-up any breakthrough shine throughout the day. The editor-loved Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer has been a go-to primer, and now it's time to add the brand's primer stick to our makeup bag as well.

Who It’s For: Those who are constantly on the go and need a product that can easily be applied anywhere, any time should consider this travel-friendly product.

Key Ingredients: Lentil extract, charcoal, niacinamide, tea tree oil | Contains Silicone: No | Texture: Cream stick | Size: 0.44 oz 

Sales & Deals: “The texture is very smooth and soft which helps it glide on the face. The primer felt very smooth after application.”

Best for Dry Skin

Prada Beauty Refine Blurring Extending Primer

$50 at Nordstrom $50 at Sephora $50 at Bloomingdales

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: Not-so-fun fact: Oily skin can also get dry, which in turn produces even more unwanted oil. Luckily, a longevity-focused primer like this one from Prada provides much-needed hydration—that won’t turn your face into an oil slick by noon. Infused with a triple-acid complex (AHA, BHA, and LHA) along with panthenol, it contributes to smoother skin over time. Our tester describes this primer’s texture as a “light gel consistency,” and shares that it works well with a variety of foundations.

Who It’s For: Combination skin folks (especially those whose skin leans toward the drier side in the colder months) will find this primer moisturizing without exacerbating oil production.

Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Gel | Size: 1 oz 

Kristin, tester with combination, acne-prone skin: “This primer felt comfortable and moisturizing throughout the day without getting greasy, and none of my makeup really fell off because of its more liquid texture.”

Best Matte

Refy Blur and Hydrate Oil-Control Face Primer

$34 at Sephora View on Refybeauty.com View on Selfridges.com

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: While no makeup product can get rid of stubborn oil and shine completely, this primer from Refy comes pretty close. The unique gel-to-cream formula feels lightweight on skin while simultaneously extending the wear-time of makeup. Perhaps the most unique feature of this primer is the cooling, depuffing metal applicator, a feature Cheap Erlebnisweltfliegenfischen Jordan Outlet tester Ciara says helped the product apply smoothly and easily to the skin. Note that the consistency can feel a bit tacky once the primer dries, so be sure to use a hydrating setting spray Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Primer.

Who It’s For: Anyone seeking to secure a matte finish with the ultimate blurring effect should consider adding this primer into their product rotation.

Key Ingredients: PHOTO: Huda Beauty | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Gel-to-cream | Size: 1.4 oz 

Ciara, tester with combination skin: “This primer did a great job controlling oil, and I did not need to blot or touch up throughout the day. It also helped my makeup last longer.”

Best Long-Lasting

Tatcha The Liquid Silk Canvas Primer

$54 at Amazon $54 $24 at Sephora View on Tatcha.com

Milk Makeup Pore Eclipse Noncomedogenic Mattifying + Blurring Primer Stick at Sephora: Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Matte Primer at Nordstrom, texture-free canvas is at the top of many of our makeup look wish lists, and this Tatcha primer delivers on all fronts. The silk powder-infused formula feels “supersoft and lotion-like” according to our tester, with zero pilling when applied before water-based or silicone-based products.

Who It’s For: If you’re looking to camouflage texture issues, this smoothing primer is a sure way to achieve the finish of your dreams. Keep in mind: This luminous primer does provide a dewier finish (while still offering oil control).

Key Ingredients: Chris Richards is a makeup artist and beauty advisor based in Miami | Contains Silicone: Yes | Texture: Liquid | Size: 0.35, 1 oz 

Kristin, tester with combination, acne-prone skin: “The primer kept my oiliness at bay throughout the day, and I didn't need to fix anything, whether by blotting or reapplying makeup. I also didn’t experience any irritation or breakouts.”