It can be easy to fall into a spiral of self-pity when you have skin problems. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin problems like acne and oily skin can take a toll on a person's emotional health. Fortunately, modern dermatological treatments exist to solve these problems, and more recent makeup products have been developed to target specific skin types. Oily skin is one such example, but luckily leading drugstore brands have come up with the best foundations for oily skin. Whether it's summer or winter, these foundations can help you deal with your oily skin.

These types of foundations can help remove shine from the face and keep a matte look that can last all day.

Related: The Best Primers for Oily Skin of 2019, Ranked

When you're on the hunt for foundation that improves oily skin, it helps to look at the big picture. Okay, the product has oil-fighting ingredients — now what? It's impressive if the foundation can help protect your skin from sun exposure, as this is something that can degrade your skin over time. It would also save you from hassle if the foundation, once applied on your face, won't easily get ruined by sweat or water exposure. It should also be resistant enough to not get smudged when you change clothes. Finally, using one with a shade that matches your skin color would be the icing on the cake. Here's a guide to help you choose the best drugstore foundation for oily skin.

The Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation For Combination/Oily Skin is preferred by consumers due to its effectiveness against specific skin types. The product has a matte finish for oily faces and provides medium to full coverage for them. This means that you can apply the foundation and let it last all day or up to 24 hours, as Revlon specifies. The foundation has salicylic acid, a common skin care product ingredient sought for its oil control and poreless-look properties. The product also offers sun protection factor with an SPF level of 15.

The oil-free formulation makes the foundation feel light on the skin, which makes helpful for those with oil absorption needs. As if it couldn't get any better, the product works with several shade and skin tone combinations. Whether you have cool, neutral, or warm undertones with light, medium, or deep shade requirements, the ColorStay Liquid Foundation should work for you.

Oil-blotting sheets and similar products can only do so much for oily skin, which could be a hassle for busy professionals or homemakers. This is something that Revlon's foundation can assist in, as it can be combined with other oil-absorption products. To give you an idea, you can use other products in the ColorStay range, such as the full coverage liquid concealer and the pressed powder. The liquid concealer makes dark circles and blemishes disappear, while the pressed minimizes skin pores. once combined with the ColorStay foundation, you should have a face that's ready for a long day at work.

Key Features
  • It comes in as many as 48 shades to cater to various makeup users.
  • It offers sun protection to aid the skin while it's exposed outdoors.
  • The product has salicylic acid and other ingredients that fight oiliness.
Specifications
  • Coverage: Medium to Full
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Creamy
  • Sun Protection: SPF 15
  • Brand: Revlon
Pros
  • Offers sun protection
  • Can stay in place up to 24 hours
  • Comes in as many as 48 shades
Cons
  • Might be hard to match proper color to skin

When it comes to firmer, healthier, and younger-looking skin, Mary Kay recommends its foundation to buyers concerned about such. The Mary Kay TimeWise Matte-Wear Liquid Foundation is filled with skin-friendly ingredients like vitamin E and peptides. These ingredients not only combat oiliness but aging factors as well. This results in a formulation that reduces imperfections like pores, wrinkles or fine lines. If you're in your prime, struggling with oily skin and wouldn't mind looking younger, this foundation can be perfect for you.

The product comes in 23 shades, offering lots of options for prospective buyers. It's designed to be transfer-resistant, which means you can change clothes or use your handkerchief without worrying about the foundation marking or smudging the fabric. The product is also humidity-resistant, which means it won't run off even though you're sweating. This will help you if you need to do some physical or if you need to work somewhere humid or hot.

Applying the foundation wouldn't be a hassle either since it is made with a lightweight formulation. You can use your makeup sponge or brush to apply a dollop of the product on your skin, but using your fingers would work just as fine. Dermatologists test it for allergy or skin irritancy, which means you won't have to worry about getting rashes or triggering allergic effects when applying it. To top it off, the foundation is free of any fragrance and is oil-free, to ensure that your sense of smell won't get irritated and your pores won't get clogged. All features considered, this makes it a product worth buying.

Key Features
  • The product has age-defying ingredients that reduce fine lines and wrinkles
  • The foundation is guaranteed to be oil-free to help prevent clogged pores
  • It is formulated to be fragrance-free
Specifications
  • Coverage: Full
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Thin
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • Age-defying features
  • Transfer-resistant
  • Comes in 23 shades
Cons
  • Might be too thin for some

The Wet n Wild Photo Focus Foundation puts the focus on clear, camera-ready skin, and it does so by offering benefits for those with oiliness. The product is formulated with a light-diffusing, matte complex that prevents white cast or white layers noticeable on the face. After application, owners can have a radiant complexion that should help maintain a photogenic face. If your daily work involves professional photoshoots, live performances, or dealing face-to-face with clients or customers, this foundation can be your boon.

Whether you have neutral, warm, or cool undertones, Wet n Wild has color-matched their foundation to pair well with your skin tone. This way, you'll have a complexion that looks good in any type of lighting. This reiterates its benefits to professionals with work that involves getting on stage, wherein the color of the lighting can vary. When putting on the foundation, you can have it do its medium coverage or go for a full one and build on layers to your liking.

The foundation can also work well with other products. An example would be to use it with a good setting spray and a primer, which can help make the foundation's matte look last all day. If you get a shade that doesn't quite match your skin, no need to worry: you can apply a light bronze powder with the foundation for it to work out. Unlike others of its kind, this product doesn't make it too obvious that you have makeup on. This can be an attractive feature for those who prefer a natural look.

Key Features
  • The product isn't tested on animals and is made of vegan ingredients
  • The foundation prevents white cast in photos to make the face camera-ready
  • It is color-matched for any undertones, making it a versatile option for users
Specifications
  • Coverage: Medium
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • Ideal for a photogenic look
  • Cruelty-free makeup
Cons
  • No SPF

The Milani Conceal + Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation is formulated to provide full coverage while staying water-resistant. This makes it an effective product even when your face becomes sweaty or exposed to water. According to Milani, the foundation can help you fight skin imperfections like eye circles and redness. Working long hours without proper rest can lead to these eye circles, while redness can be a side effect of marks due to recently healed blemishes or wounds.

This product also helps people with oily skin in more ways than one, because it's a foundation that acts as a concealer. Customers who live in humid areas can apply this Milani product while putting on mattifiers for that a face that doesn't look greasy. The formula is designed to conceal the face with a natural finish and applies evenly so that there would be no noticeable difference in color.

Milani explains that the foundation is lightweight but provides full coverage all day. This means that the makeup, once applied, won't feel heavy on the skin. Full coverage means that it can cover blemishes or spots, after which the face becomes more photogenic. For people buying the product, it normally comes with a pump to aid in applications. The consistency is thick, which means you won't have to pump out copious amounts of it just for a day's layer of foundation. 

Milani products are also known to be cruelty-free, which means they avoid doing testing on animals. Buyers who are conscious about such advocacies can find this appealing since not all makeup brands consider the welfare of animals.

Key Features
  • The product not only acts as a foundation, but as a concealer as well
  • Its water-resistant feature ensures that it won't easily get ruined once exposed
  • The foundation can fight eye circles, redness, and similar skin problems
Specifications
  • Coverage: Full
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Creamy
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • concealer + foundation dual function
  • comes in 29 shades
Cons
  • lacks sun protection

Makeup lovers probably recognize Nyx as the name behind their favorite products. Among the cosmetics done by the brand, the Nyx Professional Makeup Total Control Drop Foundation is becoming a favorite in the oily skin crowd. If you have problems with oiliness, this foundation can provide sheer to full coverage that can leave a matte and soft finish on your face. This should give you a boost of confidence, whether you're filming something, handling inquiries at the front desk, or going on face-to-face interviews with prospective employers.

There is a dropper included to help you with applying the product on the face. You can drop a dollop on your finger or on a makeup sponge, with the latter more ideal for less mess. For better results, you can complement this foundation with a primer and a heavy moisturizer to prevent shine from oiliness. Upon the first usage, you might notice the watery consistency of the product, but the thin foundation can actually last all day. This means that you won't have to do touchups or reapplications all the time, which can be beneficial if you're busy at work.

It's good for neutral skin tones, which are different from warm and cool types. For the uninitiated, skin tone or undertone refers to the color that comes through your skin and affects its hue as a whole. A neutral skin tone simply means that most foundations and colors can look good on you. Besides people with neutral undertones, Nyx also fixes blemish and discoloration on the face by concealing it. This leaves you with not just an oil-free face, but a spotless one as well.

Key Features
  • The product comes with a dropper for easier application
  • With 30 shades available, this makes it a foundation usable by many
  • The foundation can provide oil control all day
Specifications
  • Coverage: Sheer to Full
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Thin
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • Comes with a dropper for more control in dispensing
  • Available in 30 shades
Cons
  • lacks SPF

The Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Liquid Foundation can be your go-to product for combating oiliness and shine. According to the manufacturer, it is primarily a foundation that can be expanded to cover an assortment of skin tones, whether it is warm, neutral, or cool. This flexibility makes it a worthwhile choice for buyers with varying undertones. The liquid consistency of the foundation makes it ready for mixing with concealers or BB creams that can further enhance your look for the day.

Like other foundation products, you can apply this Maybelline creation onto your face with just your fingertips. If you haven't washed them though, you can resort to using a makeup sponge or foundation brush, which should work just as fine. According to user reviews, the product remains lightweight even after oil buildup has started on your face during the day. Compared to others though, this foundation doesn't come with a pump and is encased in a glass container. If you're packing for travel, you'll want to secure this product in a place that won't get it smashed.

If you spend a lot of time outdoors or under the sun, it's expected of you to wear sun protection. Fortunately, this liquid foundation by Maybelline works with moisturizers and similar products that have SPF in them. This is important for professionals who need to do outdoor work like athletics, photoshoots or filming.

The product comes with a light fragrance that shouldn't be a big bother unless you are sensitive to such smells. Since this foundation also comes in many shades, Maybelline has provided a guide on their website to help buyers ascertain which type suits their skin best.

Key Features
  • The product has 40 shades in total to cater to people of differing skin color
  • It is easy to apply on the face, using only your fingers, brush, or sponge
  • The foundation provides a natural-looking finish
Specifications
  • Coverage: Medium
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • Comes in 40 shades
  • Can refine pores and lead to a matte-looking face
  • Can be removed easily by micellar water after usage
Cons
  • Glass jar could break
  • Fragrance might bother users

What's attractive about the CoverGirl Clean Matte Liquid Foundation is its subtlety. The product comes unscented and leaves a finish that won't clog your pores or agitate sensitive skin. There's no pump with it, which will necessitate pouring a dollop or two of the product onto your fingertips, makeup brush, or sponge. Upon applying the product, you'll get a soft matte finish that won't make your face shiny. This feature comes in handy during hot or humid weather, as it keeps your face from getting shiny with sweat.

The product has a nice consistency to it, in that it has a lightweight feeling and it won't wear off that easily compared to other brands. It is water-based instead of oil-based, which makes it suitable for those with oily T-zones or faces. The product comes in light shades like Ivory or Beige, but also comes in dark ones like Tan or Tawny. The foundation provides medium to full coverage, which further adds to its flexibility as a product. Whether you're a student who just needs enough coverage to hide dark spots or you're a professional who needs to look free of blemishes in front of the camera, this foundation by CoverGirl should be enough.

The foundation is created with ingredients designed for oil control and face enhancement. For instance, the product contains Stearic Acid, Ethylene Brassylate, and Titanium Dioxide. These elements are proven to work with combination or oily skin without any harmful side effects, as long as you use the product as instructed.

Key Features
  • The foundation won't clog pores, thanks to its non-acnegenic formulation
  • It is designed to absorb oil so that the face won't look oily after application
  • The product is safe to use for sensitive skin
Specifications
  • Coverage: Full
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • Doesn't have a scent
  • Designed to work with sensitive skin
Cons
  • Hard to get out of bottle

The Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Foundation is equipped with an acne-fighting formula in order to combat and prevent breakouts from happening. This makes it an attractive deal to people struggling with acne scars, pimples, and similar problems regardless of age. Whether you're a high schooler about to enter college or a young professional still struggling with acne breakouts, Neutrogena's product should help your skin stay clear.

The foundation has a liquid consistency that makes it easy to apply, whether you use your fingers or your makeup tools. Neutrogena also equipped it with MicroClear technology, which enables the foundation to penetrate oiliness in order to deliver the active ingredients or acne medicine to the breakout source. The blemish-fighting technology in the product covers spots and similar imperfections, resulting in a look that can last all day. This, coupled with the MicroClear feature, makes the product effective at doing two things at once.

The formulation is made with oily or sensitive skin in mind. Buyers who are afraid that their allergies would get triggered can be at ease with the Neutrogena SkinClearing Liquid Foundation. Ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Aloe Barbadensis leaf extract, and Tocopheryl Acetate ensure that oiliness gets dealt with while the skin's sensitive condition stays protected.

It's important to cleanse the skin before applying the foundation to prevent impurities from getting trapped. Neutrogena recommends that the area of the skin or face be covered with a thin layer once to thrice a day. Depending on your doctor's directions, you may do a variation of this application every day. It's crucial to stop using the product in case serious dryness or peeling occurs.

Key Features
  • The MicroClear function enables ingredients to penetrate oil layers and reach the acne source
  • The product controls oil and shine for a matte face that can last all day
  • It has blemish-fighting technology to keep the skin looking pleasant
Specifications
  • Coverage: Medium
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • MicroClear technology
  • Blemish-fighting feature
  • Shine and oil control
Cons
  • Does not contain SPF
  • Might dry out your skin

L'Oreal is a brand well-recognized in the cosmetics industry. It's sought after for products that cater to a range of skin colors and types, such as the L'Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation. According to the manufacturer, the product gives users that smooth and demi-matte finish that can cover spots or blemishes for up to a full day. This results in a clear and smooth complexion that makes your face ready for the camera or face-to-face interactions.

L'Oreal says the product feels as light as air, which should be appealing for anyone who avoids makeup that feels heavy on the skin. The foundation can be applied with a makeup sponge or foundation brush, but your fingertips could do it too. As is practice, the product is applied to the middle area of your face, which you could then blend towards your hairline or jaw.

For more noticeable results, you can use the foundation with other products like the highlighter and the concealer. The former gets used to illuminate parts of the face like the cheeks or the nose, while the latter gets used to blend dark spots or imperfections to look like healthy skin.

Because it's oil-free, the foundation won't exacerbate your skin condition if you're oily. You also won't have to worry much about humidity, sweat, or heat, thanks to the demi-matte finish of the product. The Infallible Pro-Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation comes in 22 shades, which should leave many users satisfied with their choices. Because the product is formulated to work with oily skin, you can rest assured that it won't clog your pores and cause acne breakouts as long as proper hygiene is followed.

Key Features
  • The foundation provides an air-light matte finish
  • It can hide imperfections to give a smooth complexion that lasts all day
  • It can be paired with other products for a more effective makeup application
Specifications
  • Coverage: Natural to Full
  • Formulation: Liquid
  • Consistency: Light and creamy
  • Sun Protection: None
Pros
  • Provides matte finish for up to 24 hours
  • Can be applied by hands, sponge, or brush
Cons
  • Can accumulate in large pores

After comparing each foundation in the guide, you can see by now that there are several features that come up often. These are mainly sun protection, hydration resistance, transfer resistance, and shade range. Here's why the makeup industry values these features and why you should, too, when you're looking for the best drugstore foundation for oily skin.

Sun Protection

These features alone should be sufficient for consumers struggling with oiliness, but there are certain products that take steps further by adding more features. A common example would be sun protection, which helps shield the face from sun damage while you're outdoors. Professional whose daily routines involve work outside benefit from this feature. Having sun protection proves to be important as it can keep your skin from aging prematurely due to sun damage.

Hydration Resistance

Another would be hydration resistance, wherein the foundation stays even though the person sweats or gets exposed to splashes of water. This feature saves you from the hassle of reapplying your makeup when your face or skin gets wet with water or sweat. Users who do physically intense work, such as athletes or actors, can take advantage of hydration-resistant foundation.

Related: 2019’s Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin, Ranked

Transfer Resistance

It's also worth considering products that are transfer-resistant. This means that the makeup or foundation stays in place even though you change clothes, use handkerchiefs to cover your face or other similar actions. Like hydration resistance, transfer-resistant features removes the need for touchups in case your foundation gets smudged due these physical factors.

Shade Range

Because not everyone has the same skin color, foundation brands that come in a range of shades are worth investing in. This means that the brand pays attention to their demographic or customers that regularly use their products. A prospective buyer who finds that a brand doesn't have an available shade of foundation for him or her might feel excluded by this. This reinforces the need to support brands that offer various shades.

To Wrap It Up

Makeup products have come a long way in helping people feel better about their skin. Foundation formulas that improve oily skin are examples of this development. If you're looking into these products, choose the ones that offer sun protection, hydration resistance, resistance to smudging, and variety in shades. in doing this, you'll have found the best foundation fit for your skin.

Sources - American Academy Of Dermatology, Elle

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