15 Best Face Primers for Oily Skin 2021, According to Experts

So many people love Fenty Beauty, and so does Dr. Moy. Unlike a traditional mattifying primer, this one has a cushiony soft texture that preps the skin with a lightweight feel. Dr. Moy also recommends this primer because it works for all skin types and is oil-free, which puts an end to shine and gives the skin a flawless look. The formula includes a special universal invisipink feature that creates a blurring effect and melts instantly into all skin tones without a trace.  

“I’ve found over the last year of experimenting at home, that some more traditional skincare products double down as primers as well,” says celebrity makeup artist Tim Quinn, whose clients include First Lady of the United States Jill Biden and Kerry Washington. He describes this Supergoop product as a “terrific primer with the added benefit of SPF 40.” 

This multitasking sunscreen has a nice texture that acts as a makeup-gripping primer. Bonus: It’s also made with red algae to protect against blue light emitted by smartphones, tablets, and computers.

“For those who deal with oily skin, a primer can help to minimize the appearance of expanding pores and decrease sebum production,” says Samantha Mims a licensed skin therapist at Brooklyn Face & Eye. This non-comedogenic primer is brimming with a complexion-brightening ingredient named yuzu and inflammation-soothing probiotic extracts to smooth the skin without clogging the pores.  

This oil-free primer not only creates a smooth, even canvas for makeup but also conceals redness, minimizes the appearance of pores, and wrinkles. “This primer has a beautiful velvet finish, especially after foundation application,” says celebrity makeup artist Robert Sesnek. “It’s incredibly sheer and feels so lightweight on the skin.”

The best part? It also provides broad spectrum SPF 15 protection, so you won’t have to worry about layering on too much product onto your face. 

This is Sesnek’s favorite primer for excessively oily skin types. “Its lightweight formula and soft-focus effect make it perfect for a smooth, matte, pore-free complexion,” he says. And at just $8 on Amazon, you can’t go wrong with this pick. It’s also vegan, paraben-free, and oil-free. “I have large pores so I need exact coverage, and this product covers well. Its consistency is good and it smells nice,” wrote one reviewer. 

Mims recommends this hydrating primer as it smooths the skin’s surface with the help of advanced adaptive silicones. These silicones act as a matte, hydrating ingredient that helps makeup look high definition and lasts longer. You can also use it alone as a non-greasy hydrator to reduce the looks of pores and imperfections. 

This primer excels at reducing shine and keeping oil at bay, according to Dr. Moy. It keeps skin looking healthy throughout the day and gives it a velvety matte finish. “I have very oily skin and have tried all types of mattifying primers,” wrote one reviewer. “This primer blends easily into my dark skin tone leaving no residue, stickiness, or visible white cast, unlike others I have tried.”

“When your skin lacks luster, this primer will give you an instant Hollywood glow,” says Quinn. It’s infused with moisturizing ingredients, as well as collagen-boosting peptides and light-reflecting microspheres for that dewy red carpet look that beauty lovers can’t get enough of.

This top-rated primer from Tatcha is more on the expensive side but will prove its worth. It works as a multi-tasker for the eyes, face, and lips. Mims recommends this velvety priming balm because it nourishes the skin through silk extracts, reduces excess shine, and prevents clogged pores with a layer of botanically derived protection that acts as a shield between your bare skin and makeup. 

From one of the industry’s classic drugstore brands, this product is a primer and mattifying face serum hybrid, so it will really get to work in your routine, according to Dr. Moy. Infused with rice protein, it both helps to absorb excess oil and reduce shine. It goes on clear and dries down to a matte finish while helping to blur the look of pores.

Sesnek says that Laura Mercier was one of the first in the makeup game to have primers. This pick “seals in skincare once applied and has a great blurring effect that makes your pores disappear,” says Sesnek. This blurring primer was designed for those with oily and combo skin types, as it’s water-based and features hydrating glycerin to help keep the skin moisturized for all-day comfort. 

Quinn loves this radiant priming serum by ILIA, which contains mastic; a special ingredient used to mattify and refine the skin. Its silicone-free, safe formula protects the skin against free radicals with antioxidant-rich hibiscus and dries down to a silky soft-to-the-touch finish. Be sure to apply it with your fingers as you would a traditional serum and pat it into your skin. 

Specifically formulated for oily skin, this weightless primer works to mattify your skin’s natural oils, while minimizing the look of your pores. Mims advises that you wear it alone or reapply it during the day on top of makeup in small dabs to keep excessive shine at bay.

“I’ve always loved this for my male clients, as it mattifies as well as smoothes without the shine,” says Quinn. “It’s awesome for oilier complexions and it truly keeps any foundation in place.” We also love that this primer is formulated to let light reflect off the skin’s surface, so there’s no flashback effect. Squeeze a small amount onto your fingertips and gently massage it in until your skin feels smooth to the touch.