13 Best Oil-Free Foundations – 2024, Recommended By A Makeup Artist
Get a radiant and spotless look with these lightweight and non-greasy foundations.
With the best oil-free foundation in place, you will not cause any harm to your oily and acne-prone skin. It works wonders on the skin by absorbing excess sebum, reducing shine, and ensuring perfect coverage for exceptional results. No, it does not clog your pores either. It is lightweight and super breathable, and it also prevents breakouts. Some also have ingredients that can actively enhance the health of your skin, and once you wash it off, you will be left with even and more radiant skin. Below we have curated a list of the 13 most effective options. Check them out.
Top Picks | CHECK PRICE |
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Best For All Day Wear:Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation | Price on Amazon |
REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation | Price on Amazon |
Best Sun Protection:L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup | Price on Amazon |
Best Natural Coverage:e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation | Price on Amazon |
RIMMEL Stay Matte Full Coverage Mattifying Foundation | Price on Amazon |
Best For Acne Prone Skin:Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup | Price on Amazon |
Best Lightweight:DERMABLENDPROFESSIONALFlawless CreatorLiquid Foundation Drops | Price on Amazon |
Best Full Coverage:PHOERA Soft Matte Long Wear Liquid Foundation | Price on Amazon |
Best Water Based:COVERGIRL Clean Matte Liquid Foundation | Price on Amazon |
Best For Finelines:Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation | Price on Amazon |
In This Article
13 Best Oil-Free Foundations That Won’t Clog Your Pores
1. Best For All Day Wear:Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation
The Fit Me Makeup Foundation by Maybelline New York comes in 40 different shades to suit various skin tones. The matte formula is infused with clay to give your skin an oil-free look. It also contains micro-powder particles that control excess sebum on the face and blur pores and imperfections, leaving you with a natural glow. This foundation mattifies evenly by blending smoothly and covering all the scars and blemishes to give you a seamless finish. It is dermatologist-tested and perfect for all-day wear. If you need more convincing, feel free to take a look at this YouTuber’s video featuring a tester’s experience with the merits and demerits of the product.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Blends easily
- Light fragrance
- Travel-friendly
- Allergy tested
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Not long-lasting
"The Maybelline's Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation is oil-free and great for all skin types. It gives a buildable coverage and blends seamlessly. It is decently long-lasting. It does not feel heavy, even when you wear it all day long."
2. REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation
The REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation is a weightless formula specifically designed for combination and oily skin types for shine control. It is made from high-quality ingredients that refine the texture and appearance of your skin. This foundation stays long for up to 24 hours without budging.
The celebrity-endorsed oil-free foundation blends smoothly with your skin tone and helps diminish imperfections. It contains SPF 15, which provides adequate protection against harmful sun rays, and offers medium to full flawless matte coverage. This foundation comes in 43 shades to suit every skin tone. If you want a detailed closeup of the product, take a look at the reviewer’s experience in this video.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
- Has SPF 15
- Waterproof
- Humidity-resistant
- Sweat-resistant
- Mask-friendly
- Buildable coverage
Cons
- Cakes quickly
3. Best Sun Protection:L’Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup
This foundation from L’Oreal Paris is made with patented color technology that offers a precise match true to your skin tone. The active ingredients like vitamins A and C, wheat germ, and grapefruit extract protect and perfect your skin tone and help enhance your complexion.
This oil-free foundation for mature skin nourishes your skin and provides medium coverage with a natural finish. It has SPF 17 that protects the skin against harmful UV rays. The lightweight formula diminishes fine lines and wrinkles and enhances your facial features by contouring. This foundation has a smooth application, blends well, and is ideal for all skin types. You can also check this YouTuber’s detailed review to know more about the results after using this product.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Smells good
- Non-comedogenic
- Fragrance-free
- Filler-free
Cons
- Can be drying
- Light coverage
"This foundation is easy to apply and blends smoothly. Its coverage is buildable. The formula is oil-free and feels lightweight on the skin. It is also quite long-lasting."
Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation | REVLON ColorStay Makeup Foundation | L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Makeup | |
---|---|---|---|
Skin Type | Normal; OilyColor | CombinationColor | AllColor |
Dimensions | 1.26 x 1.26 x 4.09 inches | 1.25 x 1.25 x 4.13 inches | 1.22 x 1.18 x 3.15 inches |
Weight | 1.06 Ounces | 4.23 Ounces | 2.54 Ounces |
Rating | |||
Reviews | 109,367 | 4,203 | 18,785 |
Price | $6.94 | $9.99 | $4.72 |
4. Best Natural Coverage:e.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation
This full-coverage foundation from e.l.f. Cosmetics blends effortlessly and provides natural coverage. This oil and alcohol-free foundation is enriched with glycerin, which hydrates and moisturizes the skin. It also contains SPF 15 to protect your skin against UV rays. This foundation can be mixed with your daily moisturizer for sheer coverage. It helps cover breakouts and other imperfections and is available in 40 different shades. This product is not tested on animals and is a good fur-friendly option for users.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Not cakey
- Light fragrance
- Goes on smooth
- Vegan
- 100% cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Sulfate-free
- Nonylphenol ethoxylate-free
- Triclosan-free
- Hydroquinone-free
Cons
- Not long-lasting
"This foundation truly lives up to its hype. It is very lightweight and comfortable to wear. It blends seamlessly and gives the skin a natural finish. It does not feel heavy and is perfect for my oily skin."
5. RIMMEL Stay Matte Full Coverage Mattifying Foundation
The Full Coverage Mattifying Foundation from RIMMEL has a feathery and silky smooth formula with a luxurious texture. It controls all-day shine and is ideal for oily and combination skin types. Its airy mousse texture minimizes clogged pores and reduces the appearance of dark spots, freckles, and hyperpigmentation while making the skin radiant. The oil-free, matte foundation provides medium to full coverage and is available in 26 shades to suit all skin tones. The product is formulated without animal testing and is a good choice for ethically conscious consumers.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Long-lasting
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Might dry out the skin.
6. Best For Acne Prone Skin:Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup
The Neutrogena Skin Clearing Oil-Free Makeup is specially formulated for acne-prone skin. It is infused withMicroClear technology that reduces sebum production and prevents breakouts. This expertly crafted foundation contains salicylic acid that exfoliates the skin and unclogs the pores, exhibiting a pore-minimizing action.
The mattifying formula offers flawless coverage and blurs skin imperfections and leaves you with a fresh and smooth, natural finish. This oil-free foundation is great for oily, combination, and sensitive skin types as it blends well without clogging pores. The dermatologist-tested formula also treats blemishes and hides dark spots, pigmentation, and visible fine lines. It is available in 14 shades that match a variety of skin tones.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist-tested
- Non-greasy
- Non-comedogenic
Cons
- Oxidizes easily
- Not long-lasting
- May be drying
7. Best Lightweight:DERMABLENDPROFESSIONALFlawless CreatorLiquid Foundation Drops
This award-winning liquid foundation from DERMABLENDcontains pure pigments with a silky texture that provides buildable, light to full coverage and settles into a velvety matte finish. It is incredibly lightweight and can be mixed with your daily moisturizer or serum for a dewy effect. This expert-recommended oil-free foundation has a weightless texture, is easy to blend, and covers up your skin imperfections with ease. This matte velvet foundation is suitable for all skin types, skin tones, and conditions, including acne, hyperpigmentation, and open pores.
Pros
- Water-free
- Dermatologist-tested
- Non-comedogenic
- Vegan
- Spreads easily
- Fragrance-free
- Allergy-tested
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- SLS-free
- Triclosan-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- Not long-lasting
- Can be cakey.
8. Best Full Coverage:PHOERA Soft Matte Long Wear Liquid Foundation
The PHEORA Foundation from Ownest is a waterproof liquid formula that effectively covers skin imperfections and gives you even-toned skin. The soft matte finish provides full coverage for acne scars, dark spots, and age spots and erases your under-eye dark circles easily. The active ingredients in the foundation provide long-lasting coverage. The oil-free foundation is available in 10 different shades.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Waterproof
- Sweat-proof
- Long-lasting
Cons
- None
9. Best Water Based:COVERGIRL Clean Matte Liquid Foundation
The COVERGIRL Clean Matte Liquid Foundation is a water-based formula designed for women with oily skin. It provides a beautiful matte and shine-free finish without clogging the pores. It is made with oil-absorbing pigments that control sebum. The foundation offers medium coverage and covers blemishes, dark spots, and fine lines evenly with a matte, non-oily finish. It is available in 12 shades that match a wide range of skin tones.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologically tested
- Cruelty-free
- Fragrance-free
- Oil-free
Cons
- May get cakey.
"This foundation is great for daily wear. It keeps oiliness at bay without overdrying my skin. It does not cause any irritation on my dry, sensitive skin. The coverage is amazing and the formula is long-lasting."
10. Best For Finelines:Smashbox Studio Skin Hydrating Foundation
This professional-quality foundation from Smashbox is ideal for long days under the studio lights. The formula is made from lightweight and breathable polymer that blends into your skin for a flawless look. It is infused with hyaluronic acid that moisturizes your skin and minimizes fine lines and pigmentation. It builds medium to full coverage and provides natural matte coverage. The transfer-resistant foundation stays for 24 hours, giving your skin a hydrated and nourished look. You can find your perfect tone from the 40 shades offered by the brand.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-comedogenic
- Sweat-resistant
- Transfer-resistant
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Available in a wide range of shades
Cons
- Becomes cakey
"This foundation is perfect for daily wear. It feels comfortable and offers good coverage. It blends well and maintains a natural look on the skin."
11. Best Non-Drying:MAC Studio Fix Fluid
This oil-free foundation from MACprovides medium to full buildable coverage with SPF 15 protection. It blends easily and evenly and feels comfortable on the skin. This celebrity-endorsed foundation reduces the appearance of imperfections, leaving your skin with a smooth and flawless finish. The non-drying formula controls excess sebum and reduces shine to provide an oil-free look.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Blends easily
- Does not get cakey
- Streak-free
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Tends to oxidize.
- Not travel-friendly
12. Best Long Lasting:Laura Mercier Silk Cream Oil-free Photo Edition Foundation
The Silk Cream Foundation from laura Mercier is a highly pigmented, long-lasting, and oil-free formula designed for photoshoots and videos. It has a creamy texture and provides a flawless canvas and blends seamlessly onto your skin to last up to 12 hours, keeping you photo-ready. The formula also hides hard-to-cover imperfections and leaves a flawless finish. This oil-free foundation is infused with a silk powder blend, which absorbs oil and maintains moisture.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Breathable finish
- Long-lasting
- Non-comedogenic
- Dermatologist-tested
Cons
- Expensive
13. Zuzu Luxe Oil-Free Liquid Foundation
The Zuzu Luxe Foundation is developed to promote the natural undertones of your skin, creating a perfect radiant canvas. This water-based foundation is infused with aloe vera, glycerin, and calendula extract, which nourish and hydrate the skin without drying it. This smooth blend glides onto the skin effortlessly and provides medium to full coverage. The formula also contains SPF 18 to protect your skin from harmful sun rays.
Pros
- Hydrating formula
- Has SPF 18
- Non-drying
- Non-toxic
- 100% vegan
- Travel-friendly
- Paraben-free
- Coal tar-free
- Gluten-free
- Preservative-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Tends to oxidize.
"I love wearing this foundation. Its gentle formula doesn't irritate my skin or settle into lines. It is very light and comfortable to wear all day long. It offers good coverage and brightens the skin without feeling heavy."
Finding the best oil-free foundation can be a daunting task. There are a lot of brands and formulations to choose from, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. This buying guide will outline some tips for choosing an oil-free foundation that will work well for your skin type. Scroll down to learn more.
Things To Look For In A Oil-Free Foundation
Skin Type:
If you have oily or combination skin, look for a good oil-free foundation with hydrating ingredients. This will help keep your skin moisturized and free of acne. For dry skin types, pick an oil-free foundation with glycerine, aloe vera, and other nourishing ingredients. Those with sensitive skin can try finding expert-recommended mineral-based foundations. Also, some oil-control foundations contain light diffusers, which help cover blemishes while reducing the appearance of pores. Choose a product suitable for your skin type and the look you want to achieve.
Formula: It is important to decide on the type of foundation you would like to use for enhanced features. Liquid foundations are usually more fluid and can be applied more easily than loose powder foundations, which can be difficult to blend if your skin is dry or oily. Powder foundations offer a more natural-looking finish but tend to be heavier, so they may not be easy to apply.
Coverage: Some foundations offer full coverage, while others are sheerer. So, it is important to test different products before settling on one. The foundation should feel light, not cakey or thick, and cover blemishes effectively without looking heavy or artificial.
Wear Time And SPF: Another factor to consider is the makeup’s wear time. Most oil-free foundations last all day long without fading or creasing. Therefore, choose a long-lasting product that does not require frequent touch-ups. Also, the sun protection factor is vital when looking for an oil-free foundation. Finally, make sure the foundation has an SPF of 30 or greater.
The Bottom Line
For makeup enthusiasts with oily skin, oil-free foundations are the need of the hour! Lightweight, skin-friendly and breathable, these foundations don’t cause acne or breakouts and provide flawless-looking skin. Oil-free foundations can also control excess sebum production while offering a matte finish. Choose oil-free foundations that have been dermatologist-tested and mostly contain natural ingredients that can hydrate the skin well. The Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation controls excess sebum and blurs pore for an oil-free look, while the L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup tackles fine lines to help enhance your complexion. If you are looking for a foundation that suits all skin types and conditions, go for the DERMABLEND PROFESSIONAL Flawless Creator Liquid Foundation Drops. You might also want to look for a formula that provides protection against UV rays of the Sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an oil-free foundation safe?
Yes, oil-free foundations are safe for sensitive, oily, and acne-prone skin. Since they do not contain any oils, they are lightweight and do not clog your pores.
Is an oil-free foundation worth it?
Yes, oil-free foundations are worth your money.
• They have a strong staying power.
• They do not oxidize or change color.
• They are super easy to use and blend.
• They do not clog your pores.
• They are suitable for all skin types.
How long does an oil-free foundation last?
Oil-free foundations last on the skin for long. They can even last you for a day. Since they do not contain any oil, you are less likely to sweat.
How often should we use an oil-free foundation?
If you love wearing makeup and as long as you remove it at the end of the day, it is safe to wear an oil-free foundation every day.
Does oil free mean non comedogenic?
Yes, oil-free means that the product contains no oils that may clog your pores. Therefore, oil-free means non-comedogenic.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified skin care coach who loves trying out different hair and skin care products. She relies on oil-free foundations and believes that they are a must-have for anyone with acne-prone oily skin. Shiboli has curated this list for her readers while ensuring the products are high-quality, breathable, and lightweight. These oil-free foundations cater to your scars and blemishes while leaving you with naturally glowing skin.
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