My Top Primers for Oily Skin

2020 marks my 7th year in both the beauty and blogging industries. In the last few years, I’ve encountered, fell in love with, and repurchased primers that I’ve constantly and consistently used in my makeup looks. While some were used more often than others, each of the primers listed below were tried and tested by me, and are products I can honestly vouch for.

So if you have oily/combination skin like me, you might want to check them out! Do take note that our skin may differ from one another, so what works for me might not always work for you, and vice-versa. The best way to see if a product works is to patch test and experiment!

Out of all the primers listed here, this one is probably my favorite. I was first introduced to it when my mom bought it for me from the States back in college. It really does its job of minimizing pores and smoothing fine lines—making it easier to apply foundation after. It also mattifies shine, and keeps it that way for hours! I repurchased several tubes throughout the years, but to be honest, the price became too much for me—especially when I started investing more in my skincare products. So I had to look for a more affordable alternative—which brings me to the next one! Using Benefit’s POREfessional:

I discovered this dupe when I started working as Calyxta’s Managing Editor in 2017. To be honest, I was first attracted to its purple and white packaging. And then I remembered that I had a former colleague from Glamourbox who loved the brand, and so I decided to give their Stay Matte Primer a try. Since then, it’s been the most frequently used primer in my makeup kit.

A beloved product, I even used it for my makeup look during mine and the Cupcake’s engagement shoot with Nicolai Melicor! Though I’m not sure if it helps minimize the appearance of pores like Benefit’s POREfessional, it keeps my oily skin matte for hours and allows my makeup to last all day.

Using Rimmel London’s Stay Matte Primer:
The only reason I have this primer is because it was part of a PR gift box that I received from Shiseido Philippines. I was able to try it recently, and unlike the Stay Matte Primer and POREfessional, this didn’t mattify my skin. However, I like that my skin felt more moisturized. It also did its job of smoothing the surface of my skin for a more even application. Despite not having a mattifying effect, my skin’s sebum production was controlled throughout the day (perhaps thanks to a mattifying setting spray I used!). Using Laura Mercier’s Foundation Primer Radiance:
I was able to try this primer at the Calyxta HQ when I did a makeup look and had to borrow a few products from the tester area. Though it doesn’t mattify skin as much as I thought it would, it does such a good job really blurring out pores and fine lines. I noticed that my drugstore foundation was much easier to build and blend after, too. If you have extra sensitive skin, this might be the best primer to try—because it’s made with mineral ingredients that make it non-comedogenic, non-acnegenic, and hypoallergenic. Using Ellana Cosmetics’ Blur Makeup Primer:
Last but not least is another primer I discovered through Calyxta. It has the exact same consistency, feel, and results as the Blur Makeup Primer of Ellana Cosmetics—only more affordable! I remember this primer being such a huge hit among the Calyxta Crew that almost everyone bought one. Don’t even get me started on how fast we consumed the tester. Hahaha! Using W7’s Prime Magic Clear Face Primer:

So those are my top five primers for oily skin. Though I love my Rimmel Stay Matte Primer and I’m considering investing in a POREfessional again, I’m always on the look out for new products that I can try. If you have suggestions or recommendations, I’d love to read them in the comments!