Ask any makeup expert and they will tell you that when choosing a primer, it is essential that you stick to one which matches your skin type. In most cases, finding a primer for normal and dry skin is quite easy. However, when it comes to oily skin, it does take a bit of research, so it is important to know what is a good primer for oily skin.
Primer is not necessarily an important fixture in a makeup routine for everyone. You will find most people tend to skip it on a normal day like going to work or meeting friends.
On days where you want to look your absolute best, though, having a right primer will truly elevate your look. If you have oily skin and need to know more about the correct type of primer for you, then we recommend you read our guide completely.
What Is a Makeup Primer Anyway?
Primer is a cream that is typically colorless but can also be tinted, which is meant to bridge your makeup and skincare routine. Primers help make a barrier between the makeup and your skin.
This helps in creating a smoother surface for the skin which ultimately helps with an easier makeup application. Additionally, it helps the makeup last longer and improves its appearance overall.
It is quite common for foundations to oxidize and then its color to change when it comes in contact with your skin. With the help of a primer creating a barrier, it prevents your foundation from getting in contact with the sebum and oxidizing.
The icing on the cake is that various types of primers will come with different functions. If you are looking for a particular result from your primer, we can assure you that there is a primer on the market which provides you with that result. For instance, certain primers give your skin a dewy effect, some mattify it, while others will brighten it.
As mentioned earlier, certain primers are tinted which means that they can color correct and even help with covering up blemishes. Primers are also known to have quite a few skincare benefits. For instance, they provide protection from the sun, come enriched with vitamins, contain anti-acne and anti-aging ingredients, or even moisturize.
What Is a Good Primer for Oily Skin?
With oily skin, it is obvious you need a primer that cuts down on shine, which means you need a primer that will mattify your skin. A mattifying primer helps the skin from becoming greasy and shiny throughout the day.
People with oily skin tend to have larger pores, so you will need to find a primer that comes with pore-minimizing effects. Also, since oily skin is very acne-prone, the primer must have anti-acne ingredients which will prevent the skin from having breakouts. Let’s list some other top benefits of a primer meant for oily skin.
1. Long-Lasting Makeup
Applying an appropriate primer for your oily skin will leave your skin feeling smoother and evener. This is essential as it allows easy application of the foundation and makes it last longer.
2. Oil Fighting Primers
As mentioned, having a primer for oily skin is essential as it will help keep the sebum under control. Primers for oily skin, especially oil-fighting primers will thoroughly absorb any excess oil on your skin without clogging any pores or even drying the skin out.
3. Color Correction with Primer
Many people with oily skin are prone to acne and blemishes. If you do have blemishes that you need to cover up, then always look for primers with color correction features. In addition to helping combat with the oil on your skin, it will also leave you with an even complexion.
What to Look for in a Primer for Oily Skin?
Now that you have a basic understanding of primers for oily skin, let us talk about some of the important factors that you need to consider when finding a primer for yourself.
1. Environment
Not a lot of people consider the environment as an important factor when it comes to primer. The environment is what you will expose your primer and other makeup to whenever you wear it.
Add heat and humidity along with your oily skin and your makeup will wear off or just melt far quicker than a cooler environment. If you do live in a place with warm weather, we recommend choosing a primer that has SPF protection.
2. Consistency
We have to keep stressing on the fact that consistency is key to any good primer, especially for oily skin. Avoid primers that contain artificial ingredients or have dyes as those will irritate your skin and aggravate the oil glands.
Ideally, an oil-free non-comedogenic primer is ideal for oily skin to keep it looking healthy, fresh, and dry. Also, the formula should be light and should easily glide onto the face.
3. Skin Issues
It's common for people with oily skin to have skin issues like acne and blemishes. Hence, before choosing a primer, always take into account your skin issues as you wouldn’t want a breakout or add to your skin issues by choosing an incorrect primer. For people with acne, it is advisable to choose a primer which comes with salicylic acid or other anti-acne ingredients.
4. Price
There is no dearth of primers on the market and several of these come from high-end brands that will burn a hole in your pocket. Thus, always have a solid idea of a budget in your mind before searching for a primer for yourself.
Don’t solely concentrate on the price tag as expensive primers don’t always mean that they will suit your skin. We recommend doing a ton of research online on a couple of primers and trying them out before settling on one.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is essential to know what is a good primer for oily skin, or else, you will end up with an inappropriate primer that will make your look greasy and shiny. The most important rule to keep in mind is that when searching for a primer, ensure that it provides your skin with a matte look.
That will take care of the oils on your skin. Likewise, search for a primer with anti-acne properties to help you avoid breaking out further.
