If you have oily skin, you know the struggle of applying foundation flawlessly. You’ve likely experienced it looking too shiny, looking patchy, and not being long-lasting at all. The solution to this is face primer.
But face primer doesn’t only keep your foundation in place all day long. It does so much more than that. With better face primers coming out each and every year, primer has become a must-have makeup product for those with oily skin.
Some other benefits of primer include mattifying the skin, concealing shine, minimizing pores, and more. Depending on your specific skin concerns and problem areas, you can find a primer that is targeted towards your skin’s needs.
The great thing is that, nowadays, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a good face primer. There are so many amazing options right at the drugstore. Our favorite is the E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer. But you can’t go wrong with any of the primers on this list.
E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer
Our Pick
The velvety texture of Poreless Putter Primer glides effortlessly over your skin, smoothing over imperfections.
When it comes to drugstore primers, without a doubt, the E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer takes the win. It has been raved about by so many beauty gurus, and it definitely deserves all the hype it receives.
This primer is a putty formula meaning it is a thicker consistency. Despite this, it doesn’t heavy or uncomfortable at all on the skin. It blends seamlessly in the skin making it super easy to apply. It feels very moisturizing on the skin without adding any unnecessary oils. This is one of the only putty-based formulas on this list. One of the reasons why it’s great for oily skin is because it minimizes the pores. It also takes away any shine on your skin making an excellent blank canvas for your foundation. Plus, E.L.F. is cruelty-free and vegan!
One of the downfalls of this product is the packaging. It is potted meaning you have to scoop the product out with your fingers to apply it. Some people don’t like the application method and would even consider it a dealbreaker.
Pros:
- Doesn’t feel heavy or uncomfortable on the skin
- Easy to blend
- Moisturizing
- Minimizes appearance of pores
- Takes away any shine
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Potted packaging is inconvenient
Where to buy it: Amazon
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer
Budget Pick
Instant Pore Eraser leaves skin with a smooth matte finish and moisturizes all day.
For years, Maybelline has been one of the most popular makeup brands at the drugstore. Their Baby Skin collection of makeup made waves in the beauty community. One of these products is the Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer.
This primer is great for beginners because it is easy to apply and has great results. One of the reasons why this primer is so great for oily skin is because it minimizes pores. It is non-comedogenic meaning it is great for people with sensitive skin as well. It blends flawlessly on the skin and it feels lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear. It prevents creasing in your foundation and makes all of your makeup look amazing.
One of the main downfalls of this product is the scent. For a lot of people, it comes across as way too heavily fragranced. Also, Maybelline is not cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Easy to apply
- Easy to blend
- Non-comedogenic
- Minimizes pores
- Feels lightweight and comfortable on the skin
- Prevents your foundation from creasing
Cons:
- Heavily fragranced
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it: Amazon
Wet N Wild Prime Focus Primer Serum
This primer has a silky, creamy texture that creates the perfect canvas for a smooth, even complexion, so that foundation glides on effortlessly for a luminous, flawless finish.
Wet N Wild is another makeup brand at the drugstore that people obsess over. It’s really no surprise that the Primer Focus Primer Serum made it onto this list.
This primer is a serum formula so it feels very lightweight on the skin. This makes it great for people with oily skin. It is formulated with ingredients like Rose Water, Camellia Lead Extract and Green Tea Extracts. These ingredients add extra moisture into the skin without being too oily. It creates a blank canvas on the skin for a flawless foundation application. It doesn’t leave any sort of greasy or sticky residue on the skin. Also, Wet N Wild is certified as being cruelty-free!
One of the major downfalls of this primer is that it is heavily fragranced. It is so heavily fragranced that I would not recommend it for those with sensitive skin types.
Pros:
- Feels lightweight
- Very moisturizing
- Makes your foundation look flawless
- Does not leave a sticky residue
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- Heavily fragranced
- Not suited for sensitive skin
Where to buy it: Amazon
L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional Secret No.1 Magic Perfecting Base
The silky, lightweight formula of this face primer glides onto your skin and minimizes the look of pores and fine lines.
L’Oreal is both one of the most well-known brands at the drugstore and a parent company for other drugstore makeup brands. It’s safe to say they’ve had quite a few bestsellers, one of the which is their Studio Secrets Professional Secret No. 1 Magic Perfecting Base Primer.
This primer evens out the skin texture making it look and feel extra smooth. This creates a great base to apply the rest of your makeup flawlessly. It minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines. It also controls shine and excess oils, so it is great for oily skin. It is suitable for all skin types ranging from super oily to super dry. It is dermatologist-tested and non-comedogenic, so it is also great for sensitive skin.
You should note that this foundation can feel a bit heavy if you apply too much. Also, L’Oreal is not cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Evens out the skin’s texture
- Makes the rest of your makeup look flawless
- Controls shine and excess oils
- Minimizes appearance of pores and fine lines
- Suitable for all skin types
- Great for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Can feel heavy if you apply too much
- Not cruelty-free
Where to buy it: Amazon
NYX Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer
This silky, satin primer features a light and fresh formula that creates a comfortable cushion to enhance your skin.
If I had to pick my own personal favorite makeup brand at the drugstore, it would have to be NYX. Their Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer is one of their bestsellers.
The highlight of this primer is the formula. It is velvety smooth, lightweight, and feels amazing on the skin. It smooths out the skin’s complexion and blurs out any imperfections like pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. It is great for oily skin because it controls excess oils and minimizes shine. It is suitable for all skin types ranging from dry to oily to even acne-prone skin. Also, NYX is certified as being cruelty-free and vegan!
One of the downfalls of this product is that it is difficult to blend out. If you don’t blend it out enough, it does have the potential to leave a white cast on the skin.
Pros:
- Feels smooth and lightweight
- Blurs out any imperfections
- Controls excess oils and minimizes shine
- Suitable for all skin types
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Difficult to blend
- Can leave a white cast
Where to buy it: Amazon
Ulta Poreless Face Primer
This primer provides your skin with beneficial ingredients known to refine pores, smooth and reduce the look of fine lines.
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One of the cons of this product is that, if you apply too much, it can feel too heavy on the skin. Also, the formula seems to separate in the container sometimes.
Pros:
- Creates a blank canvas for rest of makeup
- Minimizes appearance of pores, fine lines, and wrinkles
- Hydrating
- No oils, parabens, or fragrances
- Cruelty-free
Cons:
- If you apply too much, it can feel heavy on the skin
- Formula can sometimes separate in the container
Where to buy it: Ulta
Final Thoughts
If you have oily skin, we strongly recommend using a face primer. The good news is you don’t have to spend a lot of money on one! We’ve rounded up the best primers you can find for an affordable price at the drugstore. Our favorite is the E.L.F. Poreless Putty Primer. If you’re looking for something even cheaper, go for the Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser Primer. However, you can’t go wrong with any of the primers we’ve listed.
Click here if you are looking to save some money with the best drugstore primer for oily skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualities should you look for in a primer for oily skin?
It goes without saying that, if you have oily skin, you should definitely get a primer that is oil-free. You don’t want to add any extra oils to an already oily face. Also, you should look at something that is hydrating. For people with oily skin, their skin is trying to compensate for the lack of oil in the skin by producing an excess amount of oil. Because of this, adding some extra hydration to your skin can prevent your skin from producing too much oil. Lastly, look for something that minimizes pores. Most of the time, people with oily skin also have enlarged pores.
What are the benefits of a primer?
Although it may seem unnecessary, there are a ton of different benefits of a face primer. For one, it helps to keep your makeup in place all day long. By creating a barrier between your skin and the foundation, it makes your foundation glide on much more smooth. This results in your foundation looking more even and flawless. Other benefits include minimizing pores, fine lines, and wrinkles. Also, some are shine-free and help with minimizing excess oil.
How should you apply a face primer?
You can apply your face primer in multiple different ways. You can use a brush, a damp sponge, or even just your finger tips. Just make sure you thoroughly clean your hands beforehand!
