Best foundation for oily skin: 13 shine-control formulas, tried and tested

I have found my foundation soulmate – if that can be a thing?! I have tested *so* many formulas over the years, and while, yes, many have impressed me, the TIRTIR Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation made me think: ‘I’ve found the one’.

It’s the K-Beauty foundation loved by celebrities (hi, Cynthia Erivo) and I can completely see why. When I tell you this foundation is flawless, it is flaw-less. When you pat the lightweight formula onto your skin using the unique, velvety sponge, it blurs texture, pigmentation and discolouration instantly. It’s giving, IRL filter vibes. The lasting power is impressive too, holding its full-coverage, demi-matte finish without turning cakey.

– Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer

Glowing Customer review: “Absolutely incredible foundation. It never clings to my dry patches and looks flawless but not fake.”

While beauty is not only my passion, but my job, I would have never thought to try out a Gucci foundation. I mean, with so many well-established beauty brands out there (MAC, Estée Lauder, Clarins), why look to a fashion house for new makeup?

Well, luckily for me, testing out new makeup is my 9-5 and I was tasked a few years back with trialling Éternité de Beauté... Dolly Parton would be proud. A few swipes, lots of blending and 12 hours of wear later, and I was in love.

The formula is super matte and super full-coverage, catering to my foundation needs, so if, like me, you're an all-or-nothing, oily-skinned girlie, look no further.

This is all thanks to the bamboo powder in its ingredients list; shine is controlled all day and the appearance of pores is minimised, making it a top-tier contender. So much so that my setting powder addiction has been reduced. Who'd of thought it!

– Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer

Glowing customer review: "Best Foundation I have ever used. Stay put all day, light weight, airbrush finish, just amazing I highly recommend to try it"

Classics stay classics for a reason, and Estée Lauder’s Double Wear is a great example. I love using the oil-free formula when my oil production is in hyper mode, as it delivers great coverage without feeling like I’m caked in foundation. Plus, it’s self-setting, so it lasts the day without sliding around. As for the finish, it’s matte, but it doesn’t make me look flat. So when I layer on my bronzer, blush and highlighter, my complexion still looks radiant!

– Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty E-commerce Writer.

Glowing Customer Review: “This is my must have foundation. It goes on beautifully without leaving your skin feeling heavy or it sitting in any fine lines. And it has long lasting wear even after a long working day.”

While foundation sticks may seem like a thing of the past (hi, hello, liquid EVERYTHING), Ilia's Rewind Complexion Stick is anything but dated. Finish-wise, it’s definitely the most matte option from the brand's complexion range, but the ceramide-peptide make up means it still nourishes the skin without feeling greasy – a natural, hydrated matte, if you will. Aka, it's an oily-combo girly's dream.

The formula blends in one swipe and can be built up from a medium to full coverage look. Upon application, your pores will appear non-existent. Blurring at its best.

Ilia claims that their complexion stick will ensure your canvas is intact for up to 12 hours, and I can certainly vouch, having trialled it with many a night out.

Though not many of us left in the revolution that is glowing, glass, glazed doughnut skin, we matte-loving girlies are often pigeon-holed into using full-coverage foundations – I mean, not many skin tints hail a shine-free finish. However, this product allows us to maintain a set base without that heavy skin feeling. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that this is the ultimate everyday foundation for those with an oilier skin type! It hasn't left my makeup bag since the first use, which speaks for itself, IMO.

– Lia Mappoura, Beauty Writer

Glowing customer review: “I use mainly lower coverage face products due to my dry skin. However this is a game changer for me. It blends in seamlessly and looks like skin, not like a full face of foundation. It looks natural on me, not dewy or matte. I tried this with and without primer. With and without setting spray as well as with and without setting powder and a combo of all 3. It held up to all 3 without creasing or settling or caking on my dry skin. You can blend this in with your fingers, a sponge or a brush. To use as concealer with my dry skin I did have to warm it up on the back of hand first (I have to will all though to prevent under eye creases). This is a great complexion product and I highly recommend.”

This is a brilliant budget foundation for oily skin. It has all the coverage (hey, medium-full) and lasting power of a classic matte formula, but it still gives the skin a luminous and fresh-faced glow. It almost has a serum-esque texture, so when I pressed the formula into my skin using a damp sponge, it seamlessly blurred pores and left a velvety finish.

I didn’t have it in me to test its 30-hour wear claim – those all-nighters are behind me now; however, it lasted during an 8-hour work day, only requiring some small touch-ups with powder to bring down shine.

– Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.

Glowing Customer Review: “The formula is nice, not too thick and doesn’t dry too quickly so you can blend it out. I like the lumi-matte finish, it gives a bit of radiance without looking cakey. A little goes a long way although you can add more to build up coverage.”

Rose Inc's Softlight Foundation? Obsessed. The formula blends like a dream, covers like a filter, and somehow doesn't ghost me by 3pm (unheard of, TBH).

The soft matte finish keeps me looking fresh all day, and it never settles into pores. It’s lightweight yet buildable, giving flawless coverage. Need I say more?

Honestly, it's one of the best foundations I’ve ever used for oily, breakout-prone skin.

Glowing customer review: "I bought this after seeing it on social media and it's one of my favourite foundations ever. It stays all day and makes my skin look so good, would definitely recommend."

If you’re looking for a budget liquid formula, L'Oréal’s Infallible Freshwear foundation is one I always count on. IMO, it’s got the perfect day-to-day finish for oily skin, leaving a semi-matte veil that reduces shine while still giving a healthy glow to my complexion. The liquid beautifully blends in, whether using a brush or blender, and despite it being fuller coverage, the fluid texture absorbs well into the skin, so it’s very comfortable to wear.

– Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.

Glowing Customer Review: “It provides full coverage, feels lightweight, and lasts all day without getting greasy. My skin looks flawless, and it’s perfect for all-day wear.”

Too Faced is on another level when it comes to foundations, and their Soft Matte iteration is no exception. The formula? Silky smooth, oil-free, and somehow doesn’t make me look like a glazed doughnut after just a few hours of wear. The coverage is chef’s kiss – medium to full, buildable, and still lets my skin breathe (thank you, coconut water and alpine rose). The soft matte finish? Matte, but make it alive. Not flat, not cakey – just flawless. And the staying power? Well...

This foundation has seen me through many a traumatic time (the blonde hair is an indicator of said traumatic time). I’ve cried, danced, and sweated through this foundation, and I can confidently say that it does not budge.

Plus, it's also non-comedogenic, so my pores aren’t mad at me for layering on a full beat, either!

Glowing customer review: "I love this foundation, really nice thin formulation but has pigment - reminds me of the nars soft matte foundation which I love also. alittle goes along way, great coverage I have acne prone skin with acne marks which are more dark purple (I have mixed race skin) and find I can get away with 1 layer of foundation and just dab alittle ontop of my dark marks to cover. i wore this foundation with a water based matte primer, no powder and no setting spray and it was really nice and radiant and dewy looking after a few hours I didn’t look oily it wore really beautiful and was long lasting."

There’s been a lot of beauty chat about the reformulation of M.A.C’s Studio Fix Powder. Some say that the iconic powder shouldn’t have been touched, while others are pleased about the new Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation, saying it leaves a soft-focus, smoother finish compared to the OG formula.

IMO, I’m all for the new upgrade, but let me tell you now, this is not for you if you like coverage that will cover acne scars or pigmentation. I’d use this on holiday to dust over a light veil of coverage before dinner. The finish is super natural so it leaves my complexion looking softly diffused, but it can be layered up if you fancy a little more coverage. Just take time fluffing the powder into your skin so it doesn't look patchy.

– Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.

Glowing Customer Review: “This powder is my go to for warmer weather foundation! You can build up on the coverage depending on the brush you use, and it seems to set pretty well on my skin! So many skin tone colours to choose from. 10/10.”

I would have never considered a stick foundation before trying Fenty’s Eaze Drop Tint Stick. I assumed all were thick and cakey, but this lightweight formula proves my theory wrong! It melts into my skin, thanks to murumuru butter, which gives it a creamy feel, and it lends a blurred, second-skin glow to my complexion. The finish isn’t full, but it’s easy to layer as it won’t crease throughout the day. I’m also obsessed with the radiant finish that glows in all the right places, but keeps grease at bay.

– Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce writer.

Glowing Customer Review: “This is so underrated! Creamy, buildable, and great shade options! It’s great for beginners who don’t want to use liquid foundation – and it lasts a long time too!”

Day to day, I’m all for lightweight finishes, but I always fancy a flawless base for evenings out. When in need, I go for M.A.C’s Studio Fix Fluid. It has a semi-matte finish that feels more ‘glam’, but it still feels lightweight and doesn’t make my complexion look flat. The lasting power is impressive, too; all I need is a setting powder, a spray, and it’s locked in place for the day.

– Clare Stephenson, Senior Beauty Ecommerce Writer.

Glowing Customer Review: “This product is my go to along with the powder [Studio Fix Powder]. I have semi-oily skin and these products do not irritate nor cause acne. I get compliments on my makeup every time i wear it.”