If you’ve got oily skin, we don’t need to tell you that your list of product must-haves is a mile long; it has to be longwearing, mattifying, won’t separate, stays put, won’t clog pores - you get the idea. Frankly, we don’t think makeup that does all of those things is too much to ask! It just takes knowing what to be on the lookout for. Get your notebook out and take notes, class, here are our best makeup tips for oily skin.
How to choose the best makeup for oily skin
We’re going to make a pretty educated guess that if you’re reading this, you’ve probably got acne-prone skin - one of the frustrating side effects of oily skin. Some ingredients in cosmetics, known as comedogenic, can actually clog your pores and welcome acne. Since that’s the opposite of what we’re trying to do here, avoid makeup with these ingredients.
Comedogenic ingredients include oils like coconut, palm or avocado. If you see these ingredients in your makeup (or even your skincare!), drop it and run. They can be great for those with dry skin but oily? Not happening.
When it comes to your base, look for a foundation with a matte or semi-matte finish. A dewy product is only going to amp up the shine and oily skin beauties know, we’re trying to turn the shine all the way down.
Makeup for oily skin should also have long-wearing or smudge-proof promises. They are designed to last and last so no matter what you throw at them, your makeup won’t end up at your knees by the end of the day.
The best makeup products for oily skin
If you look through the makeup bag of anyone with oily skin, we can guarantee you’ll see one thing every time: translucent powder. It is the holy grail of mattifying, as it will set your makeup and keep shine away. Our sister brand, esmi Skin Minerals, has cleverly paired makeup and skincare with their Translucent Mineral Powder. Infused with skin strengthening silica and moisturising aloe vera, it is perfect for all skin tones and a dream for oily skin. Grab a fluffy brush, dip it into the product, tap off the excess and dab the powder where you need it, paying close attention to the t-zone. It is must-have makeup for oily skin.
When it comes to your brows, you want a pigmented product that is going to fill in any sparse areas and stay exactly where you put it. Enter: the Mane Stain Brow Creme. A soft, water-proof formula that is designed to give you ‘yes, my brows naturally look this amazing’ arches. Keep it light or build the pigment for a bolder look. Just grab a brow brush (to keep things easy, we’ve bundled them up), dip it into the pot and use hair-like strokes to fill them in. Et voila - brows that last no matter how oily your skin is.
Speaking of makeup that won’t budge, the White Knight Mascara is smudge-proof which is perfect if you’ve got oily eyelids. Panda eyes are a big ‘no thanks’ from us. As if we couldn’t love it enough, this mascara has a clever tubing formulation, meaning the product neatly coats the lashes and comes off with just warm water - no rubbing or harsh makeup remover needed.
We love a multi-use product (our makeup bags are full enough), and the Brow Pop! not only makes a great brow highlight, but also an eyeshadow base. Use the brightening end over the eyelids and set with the translucent powder. Then you’re free to create your eye look and not worry about anything shifting. This is a must for the PONi team on a night out - those shadow looks are works of art and we want them to last all night!
Just because you have oily skin, does not mean you can’t have flawless makeup that lasts all day and won’t clog your pores. You just need a little know-how when you’re searching the makeup aisles (or searching online because this is the 21st century). Our customer service team is happy to help if you have any questions on nailing makeup for oily skin.