16 of the best foundations for oily skin to keep you shine-free all day (2023)

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, £34 | Cult Beauty

Best overall:This foundation is a staple in several beauty editor and celebrity make-up bags. It offers long-lasting coverage that's full without being "too much". Blemishes and redness are covered easily, and it's got a nice matte finish that plays well with an oily complexion.Number of shades: 35Coverage: Medium to fullFormula: LiquidFinish: Soft matte

L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24hr Matte Cover Foundation, £9.99 | Lookfantastic

Best affordable buy:At the bargain price of £9.99, this is the best drugstore foundation for oily skin. Apply all over and buff from the centre of the face outwards for smooth coverage that'll last all day. It's super duper mattifying, so you won't see any oily patches appearing around 3pm.Number of shades:20Coverage:MediumFormula:LiquidFinish:Matte

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, £30 | Harvey Nichols

Best matte formula:A little goes a long way with Rihanna’s award-winning formula, giving a flawless, soft-matte coverage which you can tailor to your own coverage preferences. It glides onto the skin, and gives an airbrushed finish that’s perfectly in between matte and glowy - it just looks like skin. Believe us, the hype is real.Number of shades:50Coverage:Medium, buildableFormula:LiquidFinish:Matte

Oxygenetix Oxygenating Breathable Foundation, £55 | Face The Future

Best foundation for blemish-prone skin:If blemishes are your biggest woes and you've not yet heard of Oxygenetix foundation, then your life is about to change for the better. In our opinion, this isthebest foundation for oily skin and acne. Not only does it completely mask angry redness, but it also allows skin to breath (hence the name) so that you don't have to worry about putting too much product on your already stressed skin.Number of shades:14Coverage:Medium, buildableFormula:LiquidFinish:Demi-matte

bareMinerals Original Foundation SPF15, £29 | Lookfantastic

Best powder foundation:Nothing really beats the best powder foundations when it comes to oil control, and bareMinerals’ is a timeless favourite for a reason – the mineral formula is completely non-comedogenic, so there’s no risk of pores becoming blocked, and still only contains five ingredients. It's an icon for a reason.Number of shades:30Coverage:MediumFormula:PowderFinish:Soft matte

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation, £36 | Cult Beauty

Best for a long-lasting finish:The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation is great for oily skin as it is designed to stay all day, with a natural matte finish. It really does last and the full coverage formula also helps to reduce the look of pores - a win win!Number of shades:44Coverage:FullFormula:LiquidFinish:Soft matte

No7 Stay Perfect Foundation, £14.95 | Boots

Best for a radiant finish:Ah, No7. Our Ecommerce Writer, Grace Lindsay, has loved this brand for as long as she can remember, as it never irritates her sensitive skin. "Although I have an oily complexion, I still don't like a super matte finish when it comes to my foundation. That's why this is my go-to. The long-wearing formula keeps any shine at bay, but still leaves me looking radiant."Number of shades:25Coverage:MediumFormula:LiquidFinish:Demi-matte

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Makeup, £35 | Sephora

Best for full coverage:Easily one of the world's most popular foundations, Estée Lauder's Double Wear is known for excellent coverage and longevity, as well as spanning a huge range of more than 60 shades. It's a heavy-duty formula, but it never feels heavy or goes cakey on the skin, and it lasts for hours.Number of shades: 60Coverage: FullFormula: LiquidFinish: Matte

It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Oil-Free Matte SPF 40, £33 | Cult Beauty

Best CC cream:OK not technically a foundation, but it might as well be. We are huge, huge, fans of the original CC cream (as well as its illuminating sister), and this one doesn't disappoint. It gives just the right amount of coverage - not too heavy, but more than a tinted moisturiser - and has the added benefit of covering up any redness caused by raging blemishes. In its formula, there are two types of clay, tea tree extract and oil-absorbing charcoal - so it treats as it covers.Number of shades:14Coverage:Medium to fullFormula:CreamFinish:Matte

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup Cream, £31 | Lookfantastic

Best for blemish-prone skin:This lightweight, oil-free formula conceals blemishes whilst actively tackling them and preventing them from returning. Plus, its cooling sensation and skin-soothing ingredients help to calm any angry breakouts and inflammation.Number of shades: 8Coverage: MediumFormula: LiquidFinish: Matte

Hourglass Immaculate Liquid Powder Foundation, £55 | SpaceNK

Best for oil-free fans:Now, this one was completely designed for oily skin. Oil-free, non-comodogenic, and it transforms from a liquid to a powder upon contact with the skin. It absorbs oil during the day, and actually reduces the appearance of blemishes, pores and scarring.Number of shades:22Coverage:Medium to fullFormula:LiquidFinish:Matte

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation, £30 | Lookfantastic

Best for a flawless finish:Did you know that one bottle of this foundation sells every 60 seconds in the UK? It's not hard to see why. It has a long-wearing formula with buildable coverage, so you can achieve a flawless finish for as long as you need. Plus, the innovative oil-control component reduces the appearance of sweat and excess shine.Number of shades:67Coverage:Medium to fullFormula:LiquidFinish:Demi-matte

Laura Mercier Silk Crème Oil-Free Foundation, £38 | Cult Beauty

Best for an even finish:This is the oil-free version of the brand's iconic foundation. It's long-wearing, buildable and blends seamlessly, giving medium to full coverage that lasts for up to 12 hours. No need to worry about your make-up sliding off your face come lunchtime.Number of shades:16Coverage:Medium to fullFormula:LiquidFinish:Demi-matte

Givenchy Prisme Libre Skin-Caring Matte Foundation, £40 | Lookfantastic

Best matte finish:Givenchy's new matte foundation is ideal for oily skin. The lightweight formula fuses skincare and makeup to nourish the skin while also creating the perfect base. Although it has a matte finish, it is infused with light-reflecting mother of pearl for a natural, luminous effect.Number of shades:35Coverage:MediumFormula:LiquidFinish:Matte

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Fluid Foundation, £20 | Lookfantastic

Best for covering angry blemishes:This complexion product is famous for covering all manner of imperfections. So if alongside oily skin, you've got angry red spots this will help to camouflage the lot. It's also well known for covering up tattoos, so you can imagine the level of coverage you get from this.Number of shades:10Coverage:Medium to fullFormula:LiquidFinish:Demi-matte

RMS Beauty "Re" Evolve Natural Finish Foundation, £46 | Sephora

Best luxury buy:Although this foundation isn't advertised for oily skin, our Ecommerce Writer swears by it thanks to the demi-matte finish and sweat-resistant formula. The silicone-free foundation provides medium coverage, but trust us when we say a little goes a long way.Number of shades:16Coverage:MediumFormula:LiquidFinish:Demi-matte