How To: Makeup for Oily Skin

Jen Murphy
6 Mins Read
April 9, 2019
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Makeup has the power to make you look flawless and bring out your inner starlet. But if you have oily skin, wearing all that cream and powder can lead to shine and even breakouts.

Luckily, there are things you can do to minimize oil and make your look last all day. Rock your makeup with these nine tips to combat oily skin.

  1. Add Exfoliating to Your Skin Care Routine

The best way to keep oil from ruining your look is to start with the basics: taking care of your skin. With proper attention, you can actually minimize oil production.

For anyone with the oily skin type, regular exfoliating is key. It clears away dead skin cells, dirt and other debris that can block pores and lead to acne.

There are many different exfoliants on the market, but there are two basic types: scrubs and chemical washes. A chemical wash is great if you find scrubs harsh, while organic scrubs can be a smart choice if you have sensitive skin.

Obagi

After exfoliating, your skin should be soft and smooth, making it the perfect base for foundation. Note that the process is drying, so you should only exfoliate once or twice a week.

  1. DonтАЩt Skip Moisturizing

When your face feels slick, it can be tempting to skip the moisturizer, but that would be a major mistake. Moisturizing is essential to your skinтАЩs health, especially if itтАЩs the oily type.

Oil production is your bodyтАЩs way of trying to keep your skin hydrated. Many facial washes and other skin care can be drying, which means more oil unless you quench your skinтАЩs thirst.

Look for a lightweight moisturizer that wonтАЩt weigh you down. Pass on creams and go for milks or serums instead.

You can also find moisturizers made especially for your skin type. They usually advertise as oil-free and non-comedogenic, which means they wonтАЩt clog your pores or cause pimples.

  1. Primer Is Your Best Friend

Most beauty aficionados know that primer holds your makeup in place and makes your faceтАЩs texture more even, but did you know it can help fight the dreaded shine? Applying primer before doing your foundation can keep you looking matte longer.

There are a couple of different primer types that can contribute to a longer-lasting matte effect:

  • Oil-Absorbing: This primer actually absorbs oil before it can reach your foundation.
  • Silicone-based: The silica this primer contains neatly settles into textured skin and creates a тАЬporelessтАЭ effect.
  • Water-based: Non-greasy to the touch, these primers excel at covering scars or large pores.
  • Make sure to read labels and avoid any oil-based primers, as they may just exacerbate the problem.

    1. Look for the Right Foundation

    Liquid or powder тАУ which foundation should you choose? While the debate still rages between beauty gurus around the world, the truth is that itтАЩs more important to focus on whatтАЩs in the foundation.

    Two words you want to look for when foundation-hunting are тАЬmatteтАЭ and тАЬlong-wear.тАЭ These typically indicate that the formula is specifically calculated for oily skin types.

    Matte foundations have a finish without much shine. This is in contrast to тАЬdewyтАЭ foundations, which may look glowing on some people but can be overly shiny on individuals with oily skin.

    Long-wear foundations are formulated to resist oil, which can break down makeup. Whichever type you choose, remember not to add too many layers тАУ that can result in a cakey effect.

    1. Powder It Up

    If you go with a liquid foundation, you should also use a setting or finishing powder. Different from mineral powder, setting powder is usually translucent and plays several roles in combating oil.

    Dermablend

    First, it adds a mattifying effect to your makeup by soaking up any remaining oil and reducing shine. Secondly, it helps keep liquid foundation in place throughout the day.

    Finally, it can be used to bake your face. This ultimate oil-reducing secret involves placing extra powder on your T-zone and under your eyes, letting it тАЬbakeтАЭ from the heat of your skin, then brushing away the excess for a matte highlight effect.

    If you use cream blushes or liquid highlighters, you may also want to set them with powder products. Make sure to use a light hand however, to avoid the caked-on look.

    1. Invest in Setting Spray

    Once your makeup is in place, set it with spray. This final step can keep all the layers in place and keep you from having to reapply as the day goes on.

    Unlike powders and liquids, you can go to town with the setting spray. It naturally dries down after a few seconds and should feel light and soft, with no risk of clogging pores.

    Make sure your spray is тАЬmatteтАЭ or тАЬmattifying.тАЭ There are dewy sprays on the market, and though they work just fine where hold is concerned, you donтАЩt need the extra shine.

    1. Blot Throughout the Day

    Despite all your efforts, you may still accumulate a little oil by the end of the day. While many people add powder to soak it up, this can lead to the dreaded cake-makeup.

    Instead, you use blotting or rice paper. These are specifically made to absorb excess oil without disturbing your makeup.

    Make sure that when you blot, you gently pat your skin with the paper. Rubbing can spread oil, which may end up taking off your makeup.

    Most blotting or rice paper comes in small packets you can easily slip into a purse. Whenever you find yourself getting shiny, just take one out and address the problem area.

    1. Treat Yourself

    You may notice that your skin is sometimes oiler than others. This may be a result of stress, diet or hormones.

    If your skin is getting out of hand, you can put it on track using a clay mask. This specific mask naturally absorbs oils, leaving your skin feeling fresh and tight.

    Like exfoliating, this treatment can be drying, so you should only use it once or twice a week at most. If you only have oil issues in certain areas тАУ like your T-zone тАУ you can apply the mask to these places and avoid drying out the rest of your skin.

    1. Go Waterproof

    Oil isnтАЩt just a problem for foundation тАУ it can also affect the longevity of your eye makeup. Waterproof mascaras and eyeliners can be a godsend, especially if youтАЩre sweating.

    When it comes time to remove waterproof makeup, use oil-free products. There are a number of washes, foams and wipes that work effectively without exposing your skin to more oil.

    LaLa Daisy is your one-stop shop for beauty essentials. With thousands of high quality products, you can find the perfect makeup for your skin type. Get started on your beauty journey by going online.

    Jen Murphy

    Jen is the Operations Manager and Customer Support Manager at LaLaDaisy.com, where she has been a key leader for over 10 years. With more than 35 years of experience as a licensed cosmetologist, she brings deep industry expertise to every aspect of the business. Jen oversees brand and product assortment while also training and managing the Customer Support Team—trusted experts who assist hundreds of customers each week in finding the best products for their individual needs.
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