If you are looking for an oil-free foundation, your search ends here. Here we have rounded up a list of the 15 amazing drugstore foundations for oily skin. So keep scrolling through our top picks, and grab one now!

15 Best Drugstore Foundations For Oily Skin

1. Best Non-Comedogenic:Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Liquid Foundation Makeup

The Maybelline Fit Me Matte+ Poreless Liquid Foundation is extremely lightweight. It mattifies and refines pores and leaves a natural, seamless finish. It covers all scars and blemishes and makes your skin look flawless and refreshed. The foundation contains micro-powders that absorb any excess oil for a matte and poreless looking finish. It provides medium coverage with long-day makeup wear. It is dermatologist- and allergy-tested and does not clog pores. You can choose from 40 shades as per your skin tone. Watch this video for a thorough understanding of the product. Pros

Non-comedogenic Matte finish Long-lasting Available in 40 different shades Dermatologist-tested Allergy-tested All-day wear

Cons

May stain clothes Leaves a cakey appearance

2. Best Lightweight:RevlonColorstay Makeup Foundation

The Revlon ColorStay Makeup Foundation wears for up to 24 hours. It offers the best coverage with SPF 15. It glides on smoothly onto the skin, leaving a gorgeous look. It also withstands the oil and greasiness and stays on the skin throughout the day. It does not settle into the fine lines. Its time-release technology, which is specially formulated for combination or oily skin, controls oil secretion and shine and leaves a matte finish. The foundation is available in 43 different shades, ranging from light to medium to dark. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of this product. Pros

Lightweight Fortified with SPF 15 Wears up to 24 hours Minimizes the appearance of large pores

Cons None

3. Best Breathable:Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Foundation

If you want a natural coverage and blur your breakouts, the Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Foundation is the right pick. The foundation is formulated with MicroClear technology that is scientifically proven to dissolve oil and help boost the natural salicylic acid formation. It helps treat blemishes and prevents acne breakouts. It provides excellent breathable coverage and controls shine for long hours. This natural coverage with a matte finish is perfect for combination, oily, or even sensitive skin. The foundation is non-comedogenic and reduces the appearance of large pores. Pros

Dermatologist-tested Clinically-proven Hypoallergenic Non-comedogenic Naturally breathable coverage Treats blemishes Helps fight acne breakouts

Cons

Leaves an orangish tone

4. Best Matte Finish:L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation

The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation gives you a matte finish and keeps oil at bay for up to 24 hours. It has medium coverage and is perfect for everyday use. The product itself is lightweight and creamy. It glides onto the face smoothly, creating a flawless base and hiding any imperfections. Pros

Lightweight Long-wearing Leaves a matte finish Transfer-resistant 24-hour shine control

Cons

Leaves a streaky orange finish

5. Best Long-Lasting Effect:Maybelline New York Superstay Liquid Foundation

The Maybelline New York Superstay Liquid Foundation provides a full-coverage and glides on to the skin smoothly for a luminous matte finish. It delivers 24-hour long-wearing coverage with a flawless look. The saturated colored pigments infused in the foundation minimize the appearance of imperfections and reduce blemishes and acne breakouts. The product does not settle into fine lines. It is lightweight, dermatologically-tested, and non-comedogenic. Pros

Provides full coverage Easily glides on the skin Long-lasting Dermatologically-tested Non-comedogenic Lightweight

Cons

Leaves a cakey appearance

6. Best For Minimizing Pores:Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

The Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation is something that deserves a notable mention. It is lightweight and has an airy mousse texture that will keep your skin from feeling oily or greasy throughout the day. It blends in well with the skin and minimizes pores. It offers a flawless, shine-free, and natural finish. Pros

Ultra-lightweight Fragrance-free Leaves a matte finish Reduces the appearance of pores Available in 23 shades

Cons

Leaves a thick, cakey look May not blend well with skin

7. Best For Sensitive Skin:Covergirl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation

The Covergirl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation is made of ultra-light absorbers and is gentle on the skin. This product is specially made for oily skin and gives supreme shine control. It does not dry the skin out. It is non-comedogenic and is suitable for sensitive skin. Pros

Provides full coverage Provides natural, dewy finish Non-comedogenic Suits sensitive skin

Cons

Difficult to wash off

8. Best For Acne-Prone Skin:e.l.f. Acne-Fighting Foundation

4.3 Image: E.l.f. Acne-fighting Foundation BUY ON AMAZON | $14.99
A heavyweight, cakey formula often leads to skin bumps and acne breakouts. The e.l.f. Acne-Fighting Foundation is lightweight. It is infused with natural ingredients like salicylic acid, witch-hazel, camphor, tea tree extract, and soothing aloe vera that fight blemishes, reduce acne breakouts, and improve skin tone. The anti-inflammatory properties of the natural botanical extracts reduce acne redness, soreness, and clear your skin. Pros

Fights acne Long-lasting Natural ingredients PETA-certified and cruelty-free 100% vegan Improves uneven skin tone

Cons

May leave an orangish tinge Unpleasant smell

9. Best Buildable:Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation

4.2 Image: Wet N Wild Photofocus Foundation BUY ON AMAZON | $4.98
The Wet n Wild Photofocus Foundation is a high-performing, skin-perfecting formula that delivers a radiant-looking complexion. It is formulated with a matte, light-diffusing complex. It also helps prevent the white cast in photographs. It delivers buildable coverage without any cakey appearance. Pros

Made with a light-diffusing complex Prevents white cast in photographs Provides buildable coverage Cruelty-free Flawless finish before bright lights

Cons

Unpleasant fragrance Consistency is too thin

10. Best Waterproof:Milani Conceal+ Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation

4.3 Image: Milani Conceal+ Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation BUY ON AMAZON | $8.97
If you want a multi-tasking formula with a dewy finish and high coverage, The Miliani Conceal+ Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation is the ideal beauty edition. It is a lightweight, oil-free formula that reduces dark undereye patches and unwanted redness. It blurs other skin imperfections with just a tap. It is a water-resistant concealer and foundation that gives you a bright, bold finish and retains your natural look. This smart formula serves all purposes and evenly blends with the skin tone to conceal and brighten your appearance. It provides a medium to full coverage and long-day makeup wear. Pros

Long-wearing Lightweight Water-resistant Glides easily on the skin Cruelty-free

Cons None

11. Best Travel-Friendly:Maybelline New York Fit Me Shine-Free+ Balance Foundation

If you are a frequent traveler, the Maybelline New York Fit Me Stick Foundation can be ideal for you. It easily fits into your purse for long-day wear. The lightweight pigments easily blend into your skin tone, leaving a fresh, natural look. It is oil-free and blurs the appearance of blemishes and skin redness. It also reduces pore size. Pros

Reduces acne breakouts Blends easily with the skin tone Travel-friendly Easy to apply Breathable coverage

Cons

Sticky consistency

12. Best Alcohol-Free:Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation

The Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Foundation gives full coverage that mattifies the skin and blurs the signs of imperfections for up to 24 hours. It is ultra-lightweight and easily blends with the skin tone. It leaves an oil-free, shine-free matte finish. This foundation is a perfect illuminator for normal to oily skin types. Cons

Cruelty-free Paraben-free Provides high coverage Alcohol-free No added fragrances Gluten-free

Pros

May dry the face out

13. Best For Skin Discoloration:Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Make-Up Foundation

The Black Radiance Color Perfect Liquid Make-Up Foundation is an oil-free formula that provides full coverage for any makeup application. It enhances skin tone and reduces skin imperfections for a matte, dewy finish. It glides smoothly on the skin for a natural look. Pros

Full-coverage formula Glides smoothly and evenly Available in different shades

Cons

Not suitable for sensitive skin

14. Best Water-Based Formula:NYX Professional Makeup Stay Matte But Not Flat Liquid Foundation

3.9 BUY ON AMAZON | $9.99
The NYX Professional Makeup Foundation provides full-coverage with a mineral-enriched matte finish. It is a lightweight, water-based formula that blends easily with the skin complexion and leaves a gorgeous matte makeup finish. The buildable coverage evens the skin tone and blurs imperfections for a flawless look. It provides a matte finish with just a single tap, but never flats your look. Pros

Lightweight Water-based formula Blends smoothly Mattifies uneven skin tone

Cons None

15. Best Semi-Matte Finish:l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation

The e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation is an oil-free formula that provides a semi-matte finish. It is lightweight and glides smoothly over the skin, leaving a shine-free, gorgeous, plump look. The liquid formula helps restore uneven skin texture, reduces blemishes, and provides a brighter look. This is a perfect liquid foundation for all skin types. Pros

Cruelty-free Suitable for all skin types Lightweight Blends easily with the skin Provides semi-matte finish

Cons

May clog pores

These are the 15 best drugstore foundations for oily skin. In the following section, we have discussed how you can apply a foundation to oily skin. Check it out.

How To Apply A Foundation To Oily Skin

Before starting your makeup application, it is essential to clear excess oil, dirt, and impurities. Use a suitable cleanser and an exfoliant to cleanse your skin and buff away the dead skin cells. Apply an oil-free moisturizer to nourish the skin. Tap excess oil with a tissue paper. Ensure you use a primer before applying the foundation. It helps hold the makeup properly by creating a canvas. Apply the foundation to the forehead, cheeks, in between the brows, and smoothly blend with a makeup blender. After setting the foundation, tap some translucent powder to absorb the oil.

The following section discusses the factors you need to look for before purchasing a foundation for your oily skin.

Best Drugstore Foundations For Oily Skin – A Buying Guide 

Check the label or instructions – your foundation should be oil-free to give a natural dewy finish. The foundation must offer long-lasting makeup wear. Foundations that are not specifically formulated for oily skin may fade away with the formation of excess sebum. The foundation should be able to provide medium to full coverage. Choose a foundation that suits your skin tone and budget.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author of this article, Baishali Bhattacharya, is certified in makeup artistry and has a keen interest in experimenting with different makeup products. She understands the struggle of finding a perfect foundation for oily skin that does not separate and makes the skin patchy. Therefore, she has conducted in-depth research to find the best drugstore foundations for oily skin. These listed products will give flawless and improve uneven skin tone instantly. Liquid foundation Vs. Powder foundation – which is good for oily skin? A powder foundation has better oil-absorbing properties but may wear off quickly. A liquid foundation has staying power. You can use a mix of both for the best results. Apply a liquid foundation and follow by tapping translucent powder over it for long-day wear. Are stick foundations good for oily skin? Stick foundations are suitable for those who want extra coverage with no mess. They have a slightly drier consistency, and hence, are a perfect makeup tool for oily skin. Can foundations cause pimples? Picking the right type of foundation for your oily skin will not cause any pimples or acne breakouts. Choosing a foundation that does not suit your skin type or tone may lead to pimples. Can people with oily skin wear foundation? Yes, people with oily skin can wear foundation, but always look for matte finishes rather than dewy or satin finish, to get a shine-free natural look. Are water-based foundations good for oily skin? Yes, water-based foundations are made without oil or silicone; this makes them suitable for oily skin types. Is liquid or powder foundation better for oily skin? Powder foundations are better for oily skin as they help control oiliness and shine. They also have larger particles that do not clog your pores, leading to breakouts. What are the best clean drugstore foundations for oily skin? The e.l.f. Acne-Fighting Foundation, the Milani Conceal+ Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation, and the Catrice Cosmetics HD Liquid Coverage Foundation are some of the clean drugstore foundations for oily skin.

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