5 Best MAC Foundation for Oily Skin You Should Try FIRST [Buying Guide]

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When you have oily skin, finding a foundation that will sit well, look smooth, and not cake and move throughout the day can seem almost impossible.

Oily skin is not the best surface for foundation and you will often find, as your skin gets oilier throughout the day, that your foundation will start to look greasy and slip down your face. This can be a nightmare for aesthetic reasons, but can also feel uncomfortable. 

One of the worst things about buying makeup is that, once you’ve opened it, you can’t return it. This can be infuriating as you may spend a lot of money on a foundation that promises to work wonders, only for it to be just as bad as the rest.

There are still plenty of foundations out there that promise to sit well on oily skin. We’ve put together a list of the best MAC foundations for oily skin so that you can stop searching and find your perfect match.

Tired of trialing foundations and just want to know which one to buy next? No problem, here’s our top pick for the best MAC foundation for oily skin.

Top Picks For Best MAC Foundation For Oily Skin

1. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15

Our top pick for the best MAC foundation for oily skin is the MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF15.

This foundation is one of MAC’s most popular products and for good reason. It is specifically designed to control shine and has a matte finish. This is great if you find your skin becomes oilier and shinier throughout the day.

Not only will this provide a matte finish when you first apply, but it will also continue to control the shininess of your face for up to 24 hours.

SPF should be a permanent part of your daily skincare and makeup routine. Although something is better than nothing, SPF 15 is not very high and will provide minimum protection. 

The consistency of this foundation is also great for oily skin as it is itself oil-free. It also won’t become cakey and will still provide your skin with much-needed moisture.

Pros

• SPF included
• Huge shade range
• Matte finish
• Oil-free
• Specifically designed for oily skin

Cons

• SPF could be higher for better protection

Last update on 2023-03-26 at 08:51 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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2. Mac Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation

A powder foundation might not be the first thing most people would reach for, but it’s a great option for really oily skin. If you have combination skin (both oily and dry), then this is one to avoid as a powder foundation won’t react well to dry patches.

This foundation is described as “ultra-matte” and is great if you find yourself constantly reapplying setting powder throughout the day. A powder foundation is essentially a 2-in-1 as you won’t have to set it.

This product is of great quality and provides a medium-to-full buildable coverage, which isn’t very common with powder foundations. Some powder foundations are almost setting powders with more coverage. But, this product will provide you with good coverage and keep your skin from getting too shiny.

Pros

• Ultra-matte finish
• Buildable
• Medium-to-full coverage

Cons

• Depending on how much you use, powder foundations can become cakey

Last update on 2023-03-26 at 09:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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3. MAC Studio Waterweight Foundation

We’re all being told that we need to be wearing more SPF, even on the grayest and rainiest days. So, a foundation with SPF included is a great way of adding a bit more protection without adding another layer of cream beneath your makeup.

When you have oily skin, you need to keep the number of creams and serums you use under your makeup to a minimum. At most, use a lightweight moisturizer, a primer, and then your foundation.

Adding an extra layer of sunscreen will make your skin even more slippery and your foundation won’t sit properly. 

SPF 30 isn’t the highest but it’s a lot more protection than you would find in most other foundations so is a great way to simplify your routine.

As this is described as an “ultra-liquid” foundation that provides long-lasting moisture, you might at first avoid it. With oily skin, it can be tempting to go for the thickest, most drying foundation but this isn’t always a good idea. But even with oily skin, you still need moisture! 

This foundation dries with an opaque matte finish and its long-lasting promise should leave you looking great all day. Its sheer-to-medium coverage will even out your skin tone without becoming thick and cakey.

Pros

• High SPF Included
• Matte finish

Cons

• Expensive 

Last update on 2023-03-26 at 09:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. M.A.C. Studio Face and Body Foundation

The MAC Studio Face and Body foundation is one of, if not the, most popular of all MAC foundations. It is also one of its most recognizable.

This is a lightweight foundation that provides a sheer coverage. Lightweight foundations, especially those with a sheer finish, are usually avoided by people with oily skin as they are often very thin and liquidy. This can cause the foundation to become shiny and greasy throughout the day. 

This foundation is described as being “non-drying” which a lot of people with oily skin would be wary of, but your skin still needs moisture. This foundation is also water-resistant which will help with its claims of an 8-hour staying power. 

One downside to this foundation is the small shade range. Most MAC foundations have a huge shade range and providing deeper, warmer, and darker shades should really be standard.

Pros

• Lightweight
• 8-hour staying power
• Non-drying

Cons

• Small shade range
• Only medium to light shades available, no warm or darker shades

Last update on 2023-03-26 at 09:31 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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5. Mac Pro Longwear Nourishing Waterproof Foundation

If you’re looking for a foundation that will sit on your face all day and not move an inch, this might be the perfect pick for you. As this foundation is waterproof it has a great staying power so will be able to resist the slippage usually caused by oily skin.

This foundation is also oil-free and transfer-resistant so you won’t have to worry about it coming off on your clothes or hands when you touch your face. This is a big problem for oily skin.

As the oil builds up under the foundation, it can cause it to move and become greasy and will easily come off. That won’t be a problem with this foundation. 

Pros

• Waterproof
• Transfer resistant
• Large shade range
• Oil-free

Last update on 2023-03-26 at 09:01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Best Mac Foundation For Oily Skin Buying Guide

Coverage

Your coverage preference will depend entirely on how much skin you like to show and how much you want to conceal. Whether you want a complete coverage that will hide every mark or you just want a little something to make your skin look clearer, you have plenty of options.

Having oily skin can result in a large number of pimples, pimple scars, and large pores that you might want to cover up. But be careful with thick, full coverage foundation as this can clog your pores further and make the problem even worse.

Primer

One of the best ways to make sure your foundation stays in place throughout the day is to use a primer.

Primers may seem like an unnecessary addition to your makeup routine, but they can create the perfect canvas for you to work on. Primers act almost as a barrier between your skin and your makeup. (They can also smooth out any large pores which is a common skin texture associated with oiliness). 

Skincare

Skincare has recently become just as popular as makeup and that is wonderful. Your skin is an organ that needs to be cared for and kept healthy just like every other part of your body.

Skincare isn’t just for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons, it’s important to keep every inch of your body healthy and well. There are plenty of skincare products that can help with oily skin, but there are also makeup products too.

As skincare has become so popular, more people are wearing less makeup which isn’t good for the makeup industry. 

So, there are now plenty of foundations that are infused with ingredients that are great for your skin, such as tea tree, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acid. This is a great way of combining your skincare and makeup routines which will save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

It’s important to have a good skincare routine, but it doesn’t need to be too complicated. The most important things to do for your skin are to exfoliate and moisturize.

You should of course wash your face twice a day, but as salicylic acid is an exfoliant and hyaluronic acid traps moisture, you can easily find makeup products that can work wonders for your skin. 

But do be careful, some acids will react with one another which can seriously damage your skin. Always read the instructions and do your research before combining products.

And don’t forget, the absolute best skincare product is…water! Remember to stay hydrated to keep your body healthy and your skin clear!

Cost

MAC is a well-known, well-loved, and high-quality brand. Because of this, MAC products are definitely on the higher end of the price scale. MAC foundations will always be around $30 to $50. This is their standard price, so they are definitely a mark up from drugstore foundations. 

There are some products at lower prices that may be able to work well with oily skin, but with MAC you do get what you pay for. MAC prices are designer prices.

With designer makeup brands, you are often paying for the name and, to an extent, this is the case with MAC. But MAC products are expensive because they are of good quality and last for a good amount of time.

Some people buy MAC products simply because of the name, but the vast majority are willing to pay the price for good quality. 

If you have spent years trying to find a drugstore foundation that actually works well on your oily skin and are finally considering something more expensive, then MAC is a good place to start. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best kind of foundation for oily skin?

This depends on what kind of coverage you want. A lot of lightweight foundations or skin tints are very thin and won’t sit well or last on oily skin.

On the other hand, more heavyweight foundations will sink into your pores and clog them, making your makeup appear cakey and too thick.

Try to find something matte that is still lightweight and add concealer on top for blemishes. 

What causes oily skin?

Oily skin is the result of the sebaceous glands on your face making too much sebum.

The oils your skin produces are actually great for your skin and hair. But, if it produces too much, your skin can become oily and your pores will become blocked.

What’s the difference between matte and dewy foundation?

A matte foundation will give you a finish that is smooth and has no shine.

A dewy foundation will provide you with a glow and a natural-looking shine.

Is foundation bad for your skin?

This is a difficult one. We have all been told since we first started using makeup that it is terrible for your skin. It is true that wearing a lot of makeup for a long time can block your pores and cause your skin to break out.

But, nowadays, makeup is jumping on the skincare train and foundations are so much better than they used to be. We all know how uncomfortable and heavy a thick coverage foundation can be and the natural look is becoming more and more popular.

There are plenty of foundations now available that provide a full coverage look but are still lightweight and won’t feel cakey. As mentioned above, there are also loads of new foundations that have great skincare products incorporated into them.

The best way to make sure your makeup doesn’t damage your skin is by cleansing your skin regularly. Use micellar water to take your makeup off as it will pick up more than most makeup removers and then use a gentle cleanser. 

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