The Foundation You Need to Stay Shine-Free All Day (2025)

Shades: 40 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

Get the highest level of shine-free coverage with Make Up For Ever's super-pigmented matte liquid base, which tied for best formula for oily skin in the GH Beauty Lab's foundation test. Experts rated it easiest to dispense and use.

"I haven't actively worn foundation in years because I have pretty oily skin, but the oil-free formula and matte finish of Make Up For Ever is perfect for me," one reviewer shared. "It is matte enough to prevent unwanted shine, but it keeps just the right amount of natural dewy-ness."

Another reviewer noted that the newest formulation of this foundation seemed to be more agitating to their sensitive skin than previous formulas.

Shades: 27 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Matte

While we haven't Lab-tested this pick, this reviewer-favorite long-wear and budget-friendly formula from L'Oréal Paris covers well, provides a matte finish, yet feels light on skin. "I've tried every foundation on the market, high-end and drugstore," one Ulta reviewer says. "I always find myself coming back to this foundation!"

Amazon reviewers are also fans of the foundation, noting that it provides a blurred "filter" finish and isn't heavy on the skin. Some mention, however, that they would appreciate a shade range with more undertones.

Shades: 18 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Satin

A skin tint that provides medium coverage, Maybelline's Super Stay foundation is a great option for a satin finish that won't leave your skin greasy.

"I love the lightweight texture of this product and that it lays on my skin so nicely, even without a primer for my large pores," says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. "It makes skin looks smooth, even and healthy. I truly like reaching for this product because it is so easy to use and lasts all day without my greasy T-zone breaking through." Though, she did note that she was not a fan of the dropper packaging.

Shades: 56 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

With a full-coverage formula that effortlessly covers up imperfections including acne, dark spots and redness, Double Wear foundation is perfect for more glam makeup days.

Wnek says it "truly lasts all day on the skin without causing me to look like a slick mess by dinnertime." She also loves its smooth application. "Once it is dry, it doesn't move," she notes. "Although it is full coverage, it doesn't feel heavy or look cakey on skin."

It should be noted that this packaging doesn't include a pump, so consumers will have to pour it out.

Shades: 40 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Satin-Matte

Snagging a Beauty Award, Gucci Beauty's liquid foundation has already gained the approval of the GH Beauty Lab. Testers found the foundation, which is full coverage with a satin-matte finish, to be buildable, great at hiding blemishes and long lasting on oily skin.

"The finish on this foundation is simply beautiful," a GH staffer said. "I have oily/ combination skin and I found that it kept me from being too shiny without making my skin feel cakey or too dry."

Sephora reviewers noted that while they love the look of the foundation even if some oil peeks through, it sets quickly and may settle into fine lines on mature skin.

Shades: 51 | Coverage: Medium | Finish: Natural

Boasting 51 shades, this Haus Labs foundation allows for flexibility in selecting your match. It features a lightweight formula that covers imperfections and has a smooth finish.

"This is my most used foundation of 2024 and I do not give this type of review for any product let alone a foundation," says Wnek. "It doesn't settle into my lines nor does it break up throughout the day on my combo/oily skin. I love that I can trust this formula for my long days where I need it to look good in person and on camera."

Shades: 28 | Coverage: Medium to Full | Finish: Matte

Backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal, Mary Kay's matte foundation is boosted with anti-aging active ingredients like peptides and antioxidants. The formula controls oil on skin for 12 hours after application, and 88% of testers agreed it smoothed the appearance of wrinkles after one week of use, GH Beauty Lab data evaluation confirmed.

Though, one reviewer found that the shade range didn't include enough variety for deeper skin tones.

Shades: 15 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Natural, Matte

A foundation and acne treatment in one, Clinique’s base is infused with the blemish-fighting ingredient salicylic acid to reduce breakouts as it covers. A go-to for Wnek, "the best part is that it feels lightweight yet keeps my skin matte all day,” she says.

Some reviewers noted that newer formulations of the product may be greasy or pull orange on their skin.

Shades: 30 | Coverage: Sheer to Full | Finish: Matte

The pioneer of mineral foundation, BareMinerals' oil-free SPF 15 matte formula set the standard for best loose powder in the GH Beauty Lab's test. With amazingly buildable coverage, it stood out in evaluations by professional makeup artists for silkiness and hiding redness. “Beautiful — you cannot do powder much better than this,” makeup artist Birgitte Philippides raves.

One reviewer noted that the foundation led them to breakout and others found the formula to be chalky.

Shades: 50 | Coverage: Full | Finish: Matte

The foundation that broke the internet, Fenty Beauty offers an impressive collection in colors to match a wide range of skin tones, from fair to deep. The matte finish formula was one of the first to include a huge range of 50 shades, and at a reasonable price compared to other high-end brands — we get the hype!

"This was one of the first foundations I ever tried that actually had my shade," a GH staffer shared. "I love how it stays oil-free all day and wears great with my concealer and blush."

Reviewers love that it lasts long on their skin, isn't cakey when applied and keeps oil away. Some did note that because it dries down so quickly it can be difficult to blend.

Shades: 16 | Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Matte

Get the most bang for your buck with the two-in-one package from Stila — you get a foundation and matching concealer in the cap. The long-wearing formula is lightweight, oil-free and water-resistant so the matte finish will last all day.

However, some reviewers reported that it was difficult to find an exact shade match.

Shades: 14 | Coverage: Buildable | Finish: Matte

From sheer to full and everything in between, NYX's matte finish drops make it a breeze to get your perfect coverage level. Start with a few drops on your brush, blender or fingertips and keep adding more until you're happy with the look.

"The coverage is excellent and I will definitely be using this as my go-to foundation," an Amazon reviewer shared. "I do feel like it holds up better and doesn’t look nearly as oily as other products I’ve used." Another reviewer noted that the foundation tends to be a bit watery.

GH Staff Writer Cameron Jenkins updated this story to reflect current products that address concerns of consumers with oily skin. She has a wealth of experience writing about makeup and skincare and for this story she drew from her own experience with combination/oily skin to include products she has tried and liked. She also analyzed hundreds of consumer reviews and included recommendations from the Beauty Lab and GH editors to round up the best foundations for oily skin.

GH Beauty Director April Franzino originally wrote this story. She has over 15 years of experience under her belt, starting her career as an assistant beauty editor at GH in 2007, and working in the beauty departments of SELF and Fitness magazines. She has partnered with the Beauty Lab to determine the best products for this story.