The Best Primers For Oily Skin

Primers are the lifeline you need if you have an oily complexion, as they can stop your foundation slipping, thus keeping your base smooth and flawless for longer, while reducing the appearance of fine lines and pores. These are Bazaar's pick of the very best formulas for those prone to oiliness.

Photos: Courtesy

This article originally appeared on Harper's BAZAAR UK. 

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Smashbox Photo Finish Oil and Shine Control Primer

Smashbox's award-winning Photo Finish Primer is one of the best in the business and there's a gel-to-powder version specifically for oily skin. It also contains skincare ingredients to tackle breakouts, including witch hazel and salicylic acid.

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The best primers for oily skin

Laura Mercier Pure Canvas Blurring Primer

One of a range of targeted primers, this blurring formula from Laura Mercier is oil-free and absorbs excess oil for a mattifying effect that helps your make-up go on extra smoothly.

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The best primers for oily skin

Benefit the POREfessional Primer

If you find your make-up tends to 'sit' in your pores, Benefit's cult status primer is the shortcut to a flawless complexion. Warm up the oil-free formula on the back of your hand for a smooth finish.

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The best primers for oily skin

Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer

This durable formula stands up not only to oily complexions but to the elements. It's oil-free, great at concealing redness and provides SPF15 protection - all without any heaviness or that greasy feeling.

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The best primers for oily skin

Urban Decay All Nighter Face Primer

From the brand that gave us the All Nighter Setting Spray, comes this surprisingly lightweight primer considering it promises an airbrushed finish that lasts for up to eight hours.

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The best primers for oily skin

Becca Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector

Becca might be known for its glow-boosting formulas but it also has an extremely effective primer for the oiliest of skin types. If you are looking for a really matte finish, press it into your skin instead of rubbing for the best results.

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The best primers for oily skin

Estée Lauder The Mattifier Shine Control Perfecting Primer

With a velvety feel, Estée Lauder's mattifying primer won't dry out your skin, while being relied upon to keep shine at bay throughout the day.

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The best primers for oily skin

Guerlain L'Essentiel Pore Minimizing Shine-Control Primer

One of the prettiest primers we have come across, Guerlain's elegant bottle houses a formula that not only mattifies your skin but which has skincare benefits too, protecting against pollution and helping smooth your complexion over time.

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The best primers for oily skin

MAC Prep + Prime Skin

Specifically designed for oily complexions that tend to vanquish make-up before midday, MAC's gel-textured formula uses green tea extract, caffeine and antioxidants to keep your base in place and even out your skin tone.

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The best primers for oily skin

Nars Cosmetics Pore & Shine Control Primer

Using soft focus powders to absorb excess oil and give skin a photo-ready finish, Nars' balancing primer is lightweight and oil-free but seriously effective at keeping oiliness to a minimum.

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The best primers for oily skin