When choosing foundations for oily skin, there are a couple of points to keep in mind. One, pick foundations that are either water-base, or are comedogenic. Comedogenic- formula foundations ...
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When choosing foundations for oily skin, there are a couple of points to keep in mind. One, pick foundations that are either water-base, or are comedogenic. Comedogenic- formula foundations don’t clog pores, irritate the skin or cause breakouts. Two, oily skin types should pick foundations that absorb oil and prevent the skin from looking ‘shiny’. To save you the trouble of hunting the right one, we’ve curated the best foundations for oily skin types in liquid, powder, and mousse varieties
In this post, you will discover:
Light coverage foundation | Rs. 480
Compared to the liquid foundation in this range, Maybelline’s Fit Me powder foundation is lighter on the face. However, the coverage is sheer and at best evens out the skin tone. It is not buildable. Still, it’s a great pick for daily wear. Simply apply a tinted moisturiser or a CC cream as a base, followed by the Fit Me powder foundation. This will set you off for a good 4-6 hours. On the downside, the available 9 shades are mostly for light and medium skin tones.
Medium coverage foundation | Rs. 700
This mattifying pressed powder foundation from L.A. Girl controls oil for 5-6 hours. This makes it a good pick for daily wear. One can apply it with a concealer or a BB cream to cover light blemishes. The biggest USP, though, is the wide variety of shades that cater to most Indian skin tones. The darker shades can be used as a bronzer too.
Light coverage foundation | Rs. 900
We can’t fault NYX even if we tried! The Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation has over 20 shade varieties that cover all Indian skin tones (wow!). Not just that, oily skin types would love the formula that controls oil for up to 4-5 hours. Set with a concealer or a BB cream, the coverage is smooth and even. And the mirror inside is the cherry on top. The price is not too bad either!
Light to medium coverage | Rs.3050
Light Filter Technology acts like a real-life photo filter that blurs imperfections, evens skin tone, and hides redness. It can also be used as a setting and finishing powder or as base shadow on your eyes.
Full coverage foundation | Rs. 1200
LÓreal’s full coverage liquid foundation is a great buy for problem skin. The liquid foundation smoothly covers acne and blemishes. It also stays on for long periods of wear. However the liquid foundation comes in 10 shades that cover only light and medium skin tones.
Medium to full coverage | Price: Rs.2500
If you’re fan of MAC liquid foundations, we can understand why. Firstly, the MAC Studio Fix liquid foundation comes in 30 shades that match with most Indian skin tones. Then there’s the added SPF which makes it good choice for daytime makeup. It also lasts for a good 8-10 hours. The medium-full coverage formula hides light blemishes and reduces the appearance of pores. And while the price is on the steep side, the pigment is rich pigment and the consistency loose, so a small amount of product does the job.
Full coverage with natural finish | Price: Rs.2670
If you have oily, acne-prone or blemished skin, this Clinique liquid foundation is tailor-made for your skin type. Clinique’s Anti-Blemish Solutions liquid foundation conceals acne marks and blemishes. Its special formula also controls acne and minimizes further skin eruptions. However, with just 8 shades, it does not fit all Indian skin tones.
Full coverage with matte finish | Price: Rs.2990
HUDA Beauty’s extensive research into skin complexions gave birth to this 30-shade liquid foundation range. The coverage is so thorough, you won’t even need a concealer to hide light blemishes.
Full coverage with matte finish | Price: Rs.3700
If not for that costly price tag, we’d give Bobbi Brown’s liquid foundation the title of the Best Foundation for Oily Skin. It comes in 30 skin shades, comes added with sunscreen, and hides acne scars well. It’s even vegan friendly! Is there anything not to like?
Light coverage mousse foundation | Rs. 750
With its light coverage, we’d say this Lakme mousse foundations is somewhere between foundation and CC cream. However the foundation absorbs oil well for upto 3 hours, and doesn’t fade for upto 15 hours. Set it with some powder, it can be used a great makeup base. It comes in 6 shades, which some might find limiting.
Medium to full coverage foundation | Rs.800
Colorbar’s mousse foundation comes in 8 shades that suit light, medium, and dusky skin tones. The powder-like consistency can be built to full coverage, and the comedogenic formula does not clog pores, and stays on for 4-5 hours. However, the tub like packaging can be messy to use.
Full coverage mousse foundation | Rs. 1899
The available 8 shades may seem few, but still broadly cater to fair, medium, and a few dusky Indian skin tones. The whipped souffle formula is light, and is highly pigmented, so a small amount of product is all that’s required. Apply with fingers, a sponge, or a brush.
| Best Foundations for Oily Skin | Price |
| Maybelline New York Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder Foundation | Rs.480 |
| L.A. Girl HD Pro Face Pressed Powder Foundation | Rs.700 |
| Lakme Absolute Mattreal Skin Natural 16hr Mousse Foundation | Rs.750 |
| Colorbar Flawless Finish Mousse Foundation | Rs.800 |
| NYX Professional Makeup Stay Matte But Not Flat Powder Foundation | Rs.900 |
| LÓreal Paris Infallible 24h Liquid Foundation | Rs.1200 |
| theBalm Even Steven Whipped Mousse Foundation | Rs.1899 |
| MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Liquid Foundation | Rs.2500 |
| Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup | Rs.2670 |
| HUDA Beauty Faux Filter Foundation | Rs.2990 |
| Smashbox Photo Filter Powder Foundation | Rs.3050 |
| Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation SPF 15 | Rs.3700 |
So is powder or liquid foundation better for oily skin?
Powder foundation doesn’t clog pores. It also reduces the appearance of shine since it absorbs oil. However, you can’t build coverage with powder without it looking too cakey. Blemishes and acne can’t be hidden with powder foundations either. In this aspect liquid foundations are easier to build a smooth coverage that doesn’t look cakey. Non-comedogenic liquid foundations can, however, clog pores and irritate the skin.
Mousse foundations may seem to be the right type of foundation type for oily skin, since they’re a hybrid of powder and liquid. But, you can’t build up a medium-coverage with a mousse foundation, and there are few options available in the full coverage foundation.
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