A Definitive List of the Best Oil Free Primers (According to Us)
I've been in the beauty industry for 4+ years now, although my background is originally in fine arts. In between researching and publishing our guides, I’m usually snacking and making spontaneous (and somewhat chaotic) choices about what to do with my hair.
If you've had the experience of makeup slipping off your face by 3pm, using an oil-free primer could well be one of the best makeup moves you make.
Designed to stop your foundation slipping, the right primer leaves your complexion hydrated, nourished, and looking flawless for longer.
Because let's face it, even your best foundation struggles to maintain its staying power when you have very oily skin.
Fortunately, we've compiled a definitely list of the absolute best oil free foundation primers to keep your skin feeling matte and balanced.
But first off, let's answer some of your primer related questions...
What Does Primer Do?
An oil-free, anti-shine primer will help you achieve a balanced complexion.
Without a primer, you might find that by 3pm you may start to resemble a glazed doughnut. Not every dewy finish is intentional!
A primer that doesn't have any oil in it will help your skin stay looking matte all day by creating a barrier between your skin and foundation.
Do I Need to Use a Primer?
A mattifying, oil free anti shine primer will keep your makeup look in place for as long as you need it to stay put.
If you’re spending ages getting your look just the way you like it, the last thing you want is for it to slip away halfway through the day.
An oil free primer for face will help lock down your look. A great primer will minimise the appearance of pores, give you a flawless base, and keep your skin hydrated without clogging your complexion.
For smoother, healthier-looking skin, a primer for oily skin is absolutely the way to go.
Do you need a makeup primer? MUA Amelia Signson takes us through everything you need to know about primers for every skin type...
All of Our Favourite Oil Free Primers for Oily Faces
Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer - GOLD is a gentle, moisturising primer that makes your skin feel smooth and soft every time you apply it. Made in Australia, this skin-loving formula helps your skin glow without making it look too shiny. Vitamin E soothes and nourishes the skin, and provides antioxidant protection that helps battle daily aggressors. Glycerine hydrates the skin and keeps it soft. Chamomile and Yarrow Extract combine to calm irritated skin. More than just a prep step, this nourishing primer is also the best oil free primer for dry skin.
Best for Longevity
If you struggle with oily acne-prone skin, you might be looking for a product to ease your skincare woes. Designed to help you keep your shiny patches under control, MAKE UP FOR EVER Shine Control Primer helps reduce the appearance of pores and evens out your skin’s tone and texture. Working to prevent shine from peeking through as the day wears on, this is considered by some to be the best oil free primer. Satin-soft to the touch and super-lightweight, this solution is ideal for those with combination and oily skin. Whether you want to wear makeup or not, you’ll enjoy the skin-loving, smoothing, blurred effect this primer gives your skin.
A Luxurious Event
Working hard to create the perfect shine-proof canvas for your makeup, the best oil free anti shine primer will keep your skin looking matte for hours after application. Created with active ingredients that help prevent shiny patches, this formula keeps your makeup looking flawless and helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and large pores. Perfect for all skin types but a must-have for combination or oily skin, this luxury product has a lovely lightweight texture that feels like heaven on your skin.
Smooth Over Imperfections
You don’t always need to spend a fortune to hit the jackpot with a winning formula. Sometimes, the most effective products are the most affordable! The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer is a cruelty-free, vegan, artificial fragrance-free formula that can be used alone or under your makeup. The Ordinary oil free water based primer uses advanced adaptive Silicones, which help keep the skin hydrated yet looking matte. If you’re suffering a few imperfections, this best primer for oily red skin will balance out your skin’s appearance, so you can choose whether to wear makeup or not.
Designer Brands Blur Primer has been designed to give your skin a ‘Photoshop finish’, even if you have acne-prone skin. Made in Australia, the cruelty-free and vegan formula helps you perfect your complexion and gives it an airbrushed appearance. Enhanced with exclusive Blur Technology, this oil free illuminating primer glides on effortlessly and makes skin feel oh-so-soft. Free from talc, bismuth, and parabens, this kind and caring formula helps prepare the skin for any makeup application.
Silky Soft Eye Primer
As weird as it is to say, oily eyelids really are a thing. If you have oily eyelids, you might struggle with keeping your eyeshadows in place. From awkward creasing to not-so-hot smudging, oily eyelids can be annoying. If you’re suffering this issue, you should try an oil free eyeshadow primer. Designed to lock in place the eye look you’ve just spent ages applying, theBalm Put a Lid on It Eyelid Primer creates a seamless canvas for your shadows. Then, this eye primer keeps your look locked in place for as long as you need it to stay. Great for a just-applied look that lasts all day, this primer is smudgeproof and helps resist fading. The convenient, hygienic squeeze tube minimises waste, so you use only the amount of product you need every time.
Say Goodbye to Shine
This nourishing primer gets rid of your oily patches while giving your skin a smooth finish. Made for all skin types, including oily, combination, dry, and even sensitive skin, this primer works to minimise the appearance of visible pores. The gel texture gives your skin a filtered look all day. This unique makeup primer has a lightweight application that provides uneven-looking skin with a little extra polish. The IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Primer+ is perfect for hydrating and smoothing.
Mattifying Base
If you’re looking to improve the texture of your skin and give it a long-lasting matte finish, Lancôme Prep & Matte Primer will certainly do the trick! A nourishing formula that doesn’t compromise on comfort or hydration, this primer gives your skin a fresh appearance, maintains moisture levels, and helps control any shiny, oily patches. Working to enhance your foundation’s wear time, this primer keeps the skin hydrated and gives it a refined look. Helping to minimise the appearance of large pores, this formula doesn’t compromise on comfort. Your skin takes on a flawless, matte finish, glows with health, and shows fewer imperfections whenever you use this beautifully crafted skin primer.
Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty’s highly trained Customer Service team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.
Here Are the Best Oil Free Primers for Your Face
Napoleon Perdis Auto Pilot Pre-Foundation Primer - GOLD$55.20 $69.00
theBalm Anne T. Dotes Eye-Shadow Primer$14.98 $29.95 - Currently not available
Designer Brands Primer Foundation ? Blur Primer$15.99 $19.99
The Ordinary High-Adherence Silicone Primer$7.42 $10.60 - Currently not available
Yves Saint Laurent All Hours Primer 40ml$75.00 - Currently not available
Lancome Prep & Matte Primer 25ml$65.00 - Currently not available
IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Primer+$62.40 $78.00 - Currently not available
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