Six Best Foundations For Oily Skin: From Lancome, Chanel, Vichy, Clarins, Boots No 7

So we’ve taken a look at some great cleansers for oily skin but as important as your cleansing routine is, it’s only half the battle. The next challenge is getting your makeup to play nicely with your natural oils and to stick around all day. Primers can be a great help (see what we recommend here) but the biggest problem is finding a great foundation that will keep your face shine-free and won’t end up around your ankles by lunchtime. Here are six you can really rely on.

Chanel Perfection Lumière, SPF 10

One of my favourite bases, Chanel's Perfection Lumière replaced the much loved Pro and, in terms of longevity, I find it a massive improvement. With an oil-free formula and a lovely light texture, this gives a fab long-lasting finish that’s demi-matte – so you still have a bit of a glow.  Coverage is medium and it comes in an impressive 16 shades (I wear Beige 30), with SPF10, to boot. It’s €44 which is spendy, but this is one I will definitely invest in again.

Clarins Ever Matte Foundation

With an oil-free formula, this mattifies the skin and keeps the dreaded shine at bay. It has a lovely, cushiony texture and feels hydrating and nourishing on the skin – it seals in moisture so skin feels comfortable and looks glowing and fresh. Coverage is light to medium - lighter than the others featured here today. This actually reminds me more of a BB cream, but one that’s particularly good for oily skin. Read more here.

Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Foundation, SPF 15

No7's Stay Perfect was a recent discovery and a very pleasant surprise. It delivers a medium finish that lasts around 8 hours and is a good, reliable, everyday pick. Like the Chanel product it has a hint of radiance which can be more flattering than a completely matte look.  No 7 Beautifully Matte is also a great pick for oily skin – it promises shine-free coverage for up to 12 hours. And at €18.25, these are easier on the pocket than the others featured here today.

Clarins Everlasting Foundation SPF 15

This gives a really nice, even finish and provides medium-to-full coverage for up to 15 hours weartime; and all for €29, which is a really decent price for a high-end foundation. Thanks to light reflecting pigments and fancy hydrating ingredients, it manages to cover redness, blemishes, dark circles and imperfections without looking or feeling heavy on the skin. Read our full review.

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24H

Another great product that feels lightweight, gives a lovely even finish and lasts all day. It’s buildable so you can wear it quite sheer or build it up to near flawless levels of coverage. There’s a great shade choice on offer – 18 in total, with a good selection of pale colours available. Drier skintypes might not get on too well with this – read more on that here – but for combination to oily types, this stuff applies and wears like a dream. It’s €35.

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation SPF 35

Technically a camouflage makeup, this is designed to cover everything from imperfections to red patches, rosacea, scars, hyperpigmentation, acne – and even tattoos, as this post shows. But the qualities that make it such a great corrective foundation mean it’s also fab for oily skins. The pigments are especially resistant to sebum and perspiration so, no matter how greasy your face might get throughout the day, this stuff ain’t going nowhere.

It delivers a matte, even, completely flawless finish that despite the coverage levels, doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin. Available in five shades (Nude is the second lightest and it’s a touch too dark for me), this retails for €21 - not too shabby at all.

What foundations do you swear by (and not at!)  for oily skin?