How to Combat Oily Skin and Keep Your Makeup Matte

For those with oily skin, keeping makeup in place and preventing shine can be a daily battle. Oily skin often causes makeup to break down or slide off, especially in the T-zone, leaving you looking shiny and uneven by midday. Luckily, with the right skincare routine and makeup techniques, you can combat oily skin and keep your makeup matte and fresh all day long. In this guide, we’ll share the best tips and products to help you achieve long-lasting, matte makeup, even on the oiliest skin.

Why Oily Skin Affects Makeup

Oily skin produces excess sebum (oil), which can cause makeup to wear off or appear greasy. Sebum can also mix with foundation, breaking it down and leading to patchiness or clogged pores. Managing oily skin is all about balance—controlling oil production without stripping the skin, which can lead to even more oiliness.

Skincare Steps to Control Oily Skin

1. Cleanse with an Oil-Controling Face Wash

• Why it’s important: Oily skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed to remove excess oil, dirt, and impurities that can cause breakouts or makeup to wear off faster.
• How to cleanse: Use a gentle, oil-free cleanser designed to control oil production without stripping your skin’s natural moisture. Cleanse your face morning and night to keep oil under control.
• Tip: Avoid harsh cleansers that leave your skin feeling tight, as these can cause your skin to produce even more oil.
• Product Recommendation: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Purifying Foaming Gel is great for deeply cleansing oily skin without drying it out.

2. Exfoliate Regularly to Prevent Clogged Pores

• Why it’s important: Oily skin tends to accumulate dead skin cells and sebum, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. Exfoliating regularly helps remove this buildup and keeps pores clear.
• How to exfoliate: Use a gentle chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid (BHA) two to three times a week to prevent oil buildup and smooth your skin’s texture.
• Tip: Avoid physical exfoliants, which can irritate oily skin and increase oil production.
• Product Recommendation: Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant is ideal for controlling oil and minimizing pores.

3. Apply an Oil-Free Moisturizer

• Why it’s important: Even oily skin needs hydration to balance oil production. Skipping moisturizer can cause your skin to produce even more oil to compensate for dryness.
• How to apply: Use a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that provides hydration without clogging your pores. Apply it after cleansing and exfoliating to keep your skin hydrated without adding shine.
• Tip: Look for moisturizers labeled “non-comedogenic” to avoid clogging your pores.
• Product Recommendation: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Cream is an oil-free, lightweight moisturizer that keeps skin hydrated and balanced.

4. Use a Mattifying Primer to Control Shine

• Why it’s important: Primer creates a smooth base for your foundation and helps control oil production throughout the day. Mattifying primers are designed to keep oily skin looking matte and fresh.
• How to apply: After moisturizing, apply a mattifying primer to areas that get the oiliest, such as the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin). This will help keep oil under control and prevent makeup from sliding off.
• Tip: Let the primer set for a minute before applying foundation.
• Product Recommendation: Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector is a powerful mattifying primer that keeps oily skin shine-free for hours.

Makeup Tips for Oily Skin

1. Choose a Matte, Long-Wearing Foundation

• Why it’s important: Oily skin requires a foundation that is both mattifying and long-lasting. Matte foundations absorb excess oil and prevent shine, while long-wear formulas ensure that your makeup stays put all day.
• How to apply: Apply your foundation with a damp makeup sponge or brush for even coverage. Start with a small amount and build up coverage where needed.
• Tip: Look for foundations that are oil-free and transfer-resistant for the best results.
• Product Recommendation: Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Foundation is a top pick for oily skin, offering full coverage and a matte finish that lasts all day.

2. Set Your Makeup with a Translucent Powder

• Why it’s important: Setting your foundation with a translucent powder helps absorb excess oil and keeps your makeup from shifting or looking shiny.
• How to apply: Use a fluffy brush to lightly dust translucent powder over your T-zone and other oily areas. Focus on areas where you tend to get shiny throughout the day.
• Tip: Avoid applying too much powder, as this can make your skin look cakey. A light dusting is enough to control shine.
• Product Recommendation: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder is a cult favorite for setting makeup and controlling oil without adding extra color or texture.

3. Use Blotting Papers Throughout the Day

• Why it’s important: Even with the best products, oily skin may still produce shine throughout the day. Blotting papers are an easy way to remove excess oil without disturbing your makeup.
• How to use: Gently press a blotting paper against your skin to absorb oil, focusing on the T-zone. Avoid rubbing, as this can remove makeup.
• Tip: Keep blotting papers in your bag for quick touch-ups whenever you notice shine.
• Product Recommendation: Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Blotting Paper is portable and perfect for on-the-go shine control.

4. Finish with a Mattifying Setting Spray

• Why it’s important: A setting spray locks in your makeup and provides an extra layer of oil control, helping to keep your skin matte and your makeup intact throughout the day.
• How to apply: After applying all your makeup, spritz a mattifying setting spray over your face from a distance of about 8-10 inches. Let it dry naturally for the best results.
• Tip: Use a setting spray that’s specifically designed for oily skin to ensure the longest wear.
• Product Recommendation: Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray is long-lasting and perfect for keeping makeup fresh on oily skin.

Bonus Tips for Managing Oily Skin

• Don’t Skip Moisturizer: Hydrating your skin helps balance oil production. Skipping moisturizer can cause your skin to overcompensate and produce even more oil.
• Use Oil-Free Products: Opt for oil-free or non-comedogenic makeup products to avoid clogging pores and exacerbating oil production.
• Blot, Don’t Powder: Instead of adding more powder throughout the day, use blotting papers to absorb oil. Adding too much powder can make your makeup look cakey.

Conclusion:

Managing oily skin doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right skincare routine and mattifying makeup products, you can keep your skin looking fresh and matte all day long. Follow these tips to combat oily skin and enjoy long-lasting, shine-free makeup that stays in place, no matter how oily your skin gets.