My makeup routine has changed a lot over the last year – I’m definitely wearing a lot less of it, and am more comfortable with myself and my skin, too. But that doesn’t mean that I’ve given up on makeup forever, and more days than not, I want to put something on my face. Sometimes it’s a tinted moisturizer, and sometimes a “real” foundation with a little more coverage – I’ve tried lots of different formulations and types!
My skin is super oily, and because of that, I feel like I’ve tried out sooo many different foundations and tinted moisturizers to find the perfect ones. I know that “dewy” skin is all the rage, but when your skin goes well beyond dewy all on it’s own, a lot of options are just way too moisturizing. So I’ve been using this last year to test out some new products, and I’ve come up with a nice selection of my favorites for oily skin! I’m sharing them today, but of course – let me know your favorites too if you have oily skin!

For Fuller Coverage
Make Up For Ever Matte Velvet Skin
This is my go-to foundation. I’ve been using it for over three years now, when I had to replace the last foundation that I’d been wearing for years because it was discontinued. I think the coverage is medium-to-full; I typically put it on with a damp Beauty Blender to sheer it out a bit. But it really sets well and doesn’t budge! It doesn’t necessarily stop my skin from getting oily (nothing can), but it doesn’t separate on my skin once it gets oily the way that some foundations can. It holds up really nicely during a full day of wear.
Bobbi Brown Skin Longwear Weightless Foundation
This one doesn’t quite live up to my go-to, but it’s a close second! It’s definitely lighter in texture – more fluid – and sets quickly once it’s on your skin. It goes on better with a brush than with a sponge, I think, but it really does set to a very very matte finish. It doesn’t budge, and is a nice in-between where it’s more coverage than a tinted moisturizer but definitely not heavy coverage.
For Lighter Coverage
Sephora Collection Matte Perfection Tinted Moisturizer
This is what I’ve been wearing most days now when I put anything on my face. It’s the perfect amount of light coverage – it smooths things out without looking or feeling like you really have makeup on. It’s also super easy to apply – it works with fingers easily, but recently I’ve been using my Artis brush and it goes on so quickly and effortlessly. I would say it dries to a decently matte finish, and again doesn’t separate when my skin starts to get oily.
Bobbi Brown Skin Longwear Fluid Powder Foundation
This is, I think, the most matte of all of the options that I’m sharing today. It’s a lighter coverage, like a tinted moisturizer, but it sets very very quickly so you have to work on a section of your face at a time! I reach for this more in the summer when I can use all the help staying matte that I can get.
Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer
This, on the other hand, is the least matte of the options. Typically, when I wear tinted moisturizer, I put my regular moisturizer with SPF on first, and then the tinted moisturizer on top. With this one, I found that method a bit too dewy, so I had better luck mixing them together and applying that way. If your skin is on the verge of combination and oily, this may be great for you.